Fansided

One thing every NFL team can be thankful for in 2016

By John Buhler

Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys guard Zack Martin (70) and center Travis Frederick (72) celebrate with running back Ezekiel Elliott (21) after he scored a touchdown in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) hands the ball off to running back Doug Martin (22) against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 20, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) hands the ball off to running back Doug Martin (22) against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary Rohman-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Doug Martin balances Dirk Koetter’s Air Coryell

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 5-5 and very much alive in the NFC South race. Tampa Bay is only one game back of the first place Atlanta Falcons (6-4) in the NFC South. These two budding NFC South rivals split their season series, with the road team winning both games.

Tampa Bay isn’t without its warts. The Buccaneers have been largely inconsisten in the secondary, at quarterback, and with the running backs. Now that Pro Bowl running back Doug Martin seems to have his health, this is fantastic news for the Buccaneers offense.

For head coach Dirk Koetter to run his patented Air Coryell, he needs a reliable running game to help out second-year quarterback Jamies Winston. Martin gives the Buccaneers offense the balance it needs to have a shot at winning the NFC South.

If Tampa Bay goes 5-1, maybe even just 4-2, the Buccaneers can win the NFC South for the first time since Jon Gruden was the head coach in Tampa. This team is getting better at the right time of the season. The Buccaneers may not make the NFC Playoffs, but they are very much in the NFC Playoff mix this Thanksgiving.

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