IN YEAR 2, WINSTON PUTS BUCS ON HIS BACK
A quick preview as Week 13 rolls on in the NFL:
WHO’S HOT
Jameis Winston. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ second- year quarterback got the best of the NFL’s stingiest defenses in beating the Kansas City Chiefs and Seattle Seahawks the past two weeks. Now he’s challenged to win on Philip Rivers’ home turf.
The Bucs ( 6- 5) have had an improbable spurt to get into the playoff picture, but that’s exactly where they are with the three- game winning streak they’ll take to San Diego for Sunday’s game. Winston has had help, with the Bucs defense allowing an NFL- low 10.7 points per game during the streak and running back Doug Martin getting into a flow after finally getting healthy.
But Winston has done his part, too, improving his efficiency and continuing to seize on his connection with wideout Mike Evans. Just as revealing, he’s playing his part as the face of a hungry team. This season, Winston gave each of his teammates a copy of a letter that he wrote to express his
gratitude for the position he’s in to lead a franchise. And after a humbling loss to the Atlanta Falcons in Week 9 left the Bucs at 3- 5, he proudly declared that he’s no “loser.” And the Bucs haven’t lost since.
PRESSURE’S ON
Jeff Fisher. The Los Angeles Rams coach might be safe from the firing line, given the franchise’s relocation, the rebuilding around rookie quarterback Jared Goff and the affinity that team owner Stan Kroenke has for his handpicked choice.
But the noise is getting louder with Fisher taking a 4- 7 squad to New England to face the Patriots, given the flap that has unfolded with Rams legend Eric Dickerson revealing that Fisher called to tell him he wasn’t welcome on the sideline at the Coliseum because of Dickerson’s public criticisms of the team. What a bad look for a franchise trying to drum up support in a new ( old) market.
And Fisher’s results — he’s staring at another losing season after declaring in a training camp moment captured on
Hard Knocks that he wouldn’t stand for another mediocre finish — would fuel pressure on its own.
ROOKIE WATCH
Malcolm Mitchell. The Patriots are forced to reinvent themselves on offense in the face of all- world tight end Rob Gronkowski’s season- ending back surgery. Chalk it up as another challenge for Bill Belichick. Mitchell, a fourth- rounder from Georgia, has emerged as a legit option in the past two weeks ( nine catches, 140 yards, three TDs) after catching just seven passes in the first 11 games. He’ll likely see a bigger role now, providing that he maintains the trust he’s developing with Tom Brady, who has seen his share of new receivers through the years. Mitchell can stretch the field, and adds a size dimension to a wideout group containing pint- sized Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola.
Brady’s passing prowess is built from the inside- out, so he’ll still search for answers on the seam routes where Gronkowski has been so dangerous. Likewise, running back Dion Lewis figures to have an expanded role.
STOMACH FOR AN UPSET?
Bills at Raiders. The Buffalo Bills haven’t won in Oakland in 50 years, since Jack Kemp was slinging it. Go ahead, Rex Ryan, take your shot. To break the five- game winning streak carried by the red- hot Raiders ( 9- 2), the Bills need to play their ground- and- pound game to perfection. Buffalo ( 6- 5) has the NFL’s worst- ranked passing attack, but also a No. 1- ranked rushing offense that will be crucial to an upset.
The Bills defense will be challenged to get to MVP candidate Derek Carr — whose quick release complements an offensive line that has allowed an NFL- low 12 sacks. And if Carr has time, it’s trouble for a battered secondary that will be charged to contain Amari Cooper and Michael Crabtree.
Then there’s Oakland’s last- minute magic. Carr is the NFL’s top- rated fourth- quarter passer ( 121.3), and for all of its woes, the Raiders defense has been a different unit with the game on the line. If the Bills are a legit playoff contender, now is the time to prove it.