Week 14: vs. New Orleans
Week 15: at Dallas
Week 16: at New Orleans
As we covered when we listed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as a passing game to target, the Bucs made a deal with the fantasy devil, somehow getting to play the New Orleans Saints twice in the fantasy playoffs.
While Jameis Winston and Mike Evans figure to eat in Week 14 and Week 16, the running game is in a great spot, as well. The Saints rank last against the run, per our numbers, and they've allowed the second-most fantasy points to running backs. The better the Bucs move the ball -- and they shouldn't have a ton of trouble against New Orleans -- the more scoring opportunities they'll have. That boosts the value of each player on Tampa Bay's offense.
Figuring out who to acquire is a little more difficult. The Bucs have had some terrible injury luck, seemingly losing a back -- Doug Martin, Charles Sims, Jacquizz Rodgers and Antone Smith -- every week. We may finally get some clarity, though, as it looks like Martin has a good chance to play in Week 10.
Prior to the season, there was some concern about Sims stealing work from Martin, but with how thin Tampa Bay is at running back, Martin should return to a full workload, making him the player to zero in on. The Bucs have shown a willingness to give their top back some serious volume, saddling Rodgers with 61 total touches over a two-game stretch earlier this season.