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NFL Playoffs 2015: Five reasons the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can make it in

By John Buhler

Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) leaves the filed after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) leaves the filed after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) leaves the filed after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) leaves the filed after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Jameis Winston

While the growing pains are obviously still there for rookie starting quarterback Jameis Winston, he has done well in leading the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense as a 21-year-old. Winston has led the Bucs to five wins in 11 games and will eclipse the 3,000-yard passing threshold in a matter of weeks. He has thrown for 2,650 yards, 16 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions in his first 11 NFL starts.

Winston is a big-bodied, gunslinger that is growing nicely in Dirk Koetter’s Air Coryell passing game. He is also a threat to run the football, scoring four rushing touchdowns on the year. The former BCS National Champion and 2013 Heisman Trophy winner is well on his way to becoming a Pro Bowl-caliber franchise quarterback. He’s ahead of where Cam Newton was when he first entered the NFL in 2010 and Winston is looking more like the next Ben Roethlisberger with every snap.

He’s not afraid to make mistakes and has the charismatic qualities to lead a football team in crucial moments. On the gridiron, Jameis Winston has a knack for seizing the opportunities to make big plays for his team. He did it at Florida State and he’s doing it with the long-struggling Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Winston seems to thrive when the lights are the brightest and he’s on the highest stage. That bodes well for Tampa Bay going forward, even if he does come up short in 2015. Jameis Winston is only 21 years old!

Next: 3. Their Wild Card Competitors are Reeling

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