Coach predicts NFC South picture to 'change' due to 1 key Buccaneers player

Adam Schultz

•
Coach predicts NFC South picture to 'change' due to 1 key Buccaneers player image

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will enter Week 15 tied with the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South lead with a 7-6 record.

The Buccaneers are in action on Thursday night against the Atlanta Falcons, and the Panthers face the New Orleans Saints, who just beat the Buccaneers in Week 14, so things are getting tight and tense as the season draws to a close.

With Tampa Bay still to play the Panthers twice in the final four weeks, the fate of the NFC South is still up in the air, but according to one NFC South coach, who spoke with ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, the impending return of one key Buccaneers player could tilt the scales Tampa's way.

“The presence of Evans can't be understated,” Fowler wrote. “When I spoke with an NFC South coach about the Panthers vying for the division, the person replied, "Mike Evans [is] coming back to change that."

More: Todd Bowles has monster 3-word injury update on Bucs WR Mike Evans ahead of Week 15

Is Evans an NFC South game-changer?

You can certainly make that case, but given he's been out for the best part of seven weeks (including the bye), we can't expect a 10-reception, 150-yard game from Mike, but make no mistake, simply having him on the field will make the defense nervous.

Plus, when we factor in the other weapons at Baker Mayfield's disposal, with Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Bucky Irving, Tez Johnson, and others, the offense certainly packs more of a punch with No. 13 on the field.

Given that he's been out for so long, we can't expect the world from Evans if he does, in fact, return on Thursday night, but his sheer presence alone will be enough to give Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich headaches.

Is Evans really the one player who could tilt the NFC South title in Tampa's favor? 

Without a doubt. 

More Buccaneers news:

Editorial Team