NFL News & Analysis

SEA-TB grades: Mike Evans, Lavonte David lead Buccaneers in upset win

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 27: Wide receiver Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs the ball while evading cornerback Richard Sherman #25 of the Seattle Seahawks during the second quarter of an NFL game on November 27, 2016 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 14, Seattle Seahawks 5

Here are the highest-graded players and top takeaways from the Buccaneers' Week 12 victory over the Seahawks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterback grade: Jameis Winston 75.3

Winston starts hot in win

Winston completed 21 of his of 28 pass attempts with no drops for 220 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Under pressure, Winston was five of nine for 38 yards. The second-year QB finished two for six on passes of 20 yards or more downfield for 49 deep-passing yards; his TD and pick also came on deep passes. Winston was successful using play action, completing 10 of 11 play-action pass attempts for 76 yards and a touchdown. Winston started hot with pinpoint throws to give the Bucs a lead that their defense would not relinquish. Winston had a touchdown pass late in the fourth quarter called back on a holding penalty, and then followed the play up by throwing his interception via a coverage misread on an end-zone fade.

Jameis Winston vs pressure

Top offensive grades:

WR Mike Evans, 91.4

QB Jameis Winston, 75.3

C Joe Hawley, 74.5

G Ali Marpet, 73.4

T Donovan Smith, 73.3 

Evans finds space in Seahawks' zone coverage

Mike Evans was the best offensive player on the field Sunday, hauling in all eight of his catchable targets (11 total targets) for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Evans hauled in one of his touchdown passes on a reception of 20 yards and added another reception on a deeper target. Tampa Bay was committed to running the ball, as this set up Winston on play-action passes. Bucs guard Ali Marpet helped lead the way on the interior, as he graded well in run-blocking and helped the Buccaneers control the line of scrimmage.

Top defensive grades:

LB Lavonte David, 93.9

CB Alterraun Verner, 85.2

DT Gerald McCoy, 83.9

ED Noah Spence, 83.2

CB Vernon Hargreaves, 82.8

Bucs' defense lights out

Tampa Bay’s defense was relentless throughout the game, and was led by Lavonte David, who had a hit and a hurry on Russell Wilson in nine snaps rushing the passer, as well as a tackle and an assist in run defense. The Bucs' secondary performed well with Alterraun Verner, yielding three receptions for 38 yards and a pick on targets into his coverage. Hargreaves surrendered three receptions for 11 yards as the Bucs blanketed the Seahawks receivers. Tampa Bay's pass-rushers set the tone early and often, as DE Noah Spence had two sacks and four QB hurries, while Robert Ayers had a sack, three QB hits, and four hurries. Gerald McCoy added two sacks and two hurries rushing Wilson from the interior.

Seattle Seahawks

Quarterback grade: Russell Wilson, 36.5

Wilson has tough time against Buccaneers' defense   

Russell Wilson completed 17 of his 33 pass attempts for 150 yards and two interceptions. Wilson had two of his passes dropped, and was sacked six times. The Seahawks QB was under pressure on 23 of his dropbacks, and completed only two of his 13 pass attempts while under duress. Wilson completed one of his five pass attempts of 20 yards or more downfield, and was three of four on play-action passes, also.

Russell Wilson vs pressure

Top offensive grades:

C Joey Hunt, 75.3

TE Luke Wilson, 72.2

WR Doug Baldwin, 70.4

T Bradley Sowell, 67.4

WR Paul Richardson, 67.4

Bucs' pressure downs Seahawks' offense

Seahawks C Joey Hunt allowed only one hurry, but George Fant was charged with two sacks and five QB hurries, while rookie Germain Ifedi gave up three sacks and four QB hurries as the Bucs' pass-rush was too overwhelming for the Seahawks' offense. Seattle struggled to find rhythm and put their offensive line in tough situations.

Top defensive grades:

LB K.J. Wright, 86.2

S Steven Terrell, 85.8

S Kam Chancellor, 85

LB Jordan Tripp, 73.9

LB Bobby Wagner, 73.4

Defense makes plays to keep Seattle in game

Safeties Steven Terrell and Kam Chancellor were all over the field on Sunday. Chancellor had five tackles in run defense and gave up no yards receiving on one target into his coverage, while Steven Terrell yielded two receptions on three targets for 20 yards, and added two tackles and a stop in run defense. K.J. Wright made plays defending the pass in coverage, while Bobby Wagner was solid in run defense, with four tackles. 

PFF Game-Ball Winner: Lavonte David, LB, Buccaneers

PFF’s player grading process includes multiple reviews, which may change the grade initially published in order to increase its accuracy. Learn more about how we grade and access grades for every player through each week of the NFL season by subscribing to Player Grades.

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