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Arizona Cardinals: Tampa Bay is no cake walk

By Scott Allen

Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws the ball against the Atlanta Falcons during the first half at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Arizona Cardinals host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

For the Arizona Cardinals, they knew the New England Patriots wouldn’t be a cake walk of a game despite the absence of quarterback Tom Brady and tight end Rob Gronkowski.  Yet, they still struggled and lost the game.

This Sunday, another reminder goes out to the Cardinals that despite their past, the Bucs are not going to be a cake walk. Just 17 games into his pro career, Bucs quarterback Jameis Winston is turning into the real deal.

Regardless what you think of his actions off the field in college at Florida State, and trust me I have thoughts, Winston seems to be maturing and is likely to be one of the leagues elite quarterbacks within a few years time.

Winston went to the Pro Bowl in his rookie season in 2015.  He is only getting better.  They also employ one of the best running backs in the league in Doug Martin.

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Last Sunday the Cardinals couldn’t stop quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo or the running back Legarrette Blount.  The Cardinals will need a better focus this Sunday if they want to put a mark in the win column.

This will be the Cardinals first meeting with the Bucs since Winston was drafted.  If you thought the Cardinals struggled with Garoppolo, you probably haven’t seen much yet.

I expect Winston to get his yards.  He isn’t going to be completely stopped, not against a Cardinals secondary that had difficulties just a few nights ago.  I expect improvement but in just seven days I don’t honestly know how much we will really see.

The big difference all Cardinals fans would like to see is getting the Bucs off the field quicker.  They can’t allow Tampa to go 10-16 on third downs and expect to win again.

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