5 players Tennessee Titans must focus on to defeat Buccaneers

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - SEPTEMBER 29: Chris Godwin #12 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his run with O.J. Howard #80 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Joe Scarnici/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 09: Cameron Brate #84 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers spikes the ball after scoring a touchdown in the second quarter against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium on December 09, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

5. TE Cameron Brate

O.J. Howard has had almost triple the amount of snaps that Brate has had, so some may think that Howard should be more focused on.

However, even with less snaps than Howard, overall Brate has been the better player. Howard does have one more catch and 59 more yards than Brate, but he also has 337 snaps to Brate’s 139, so he should be much more productive than that.

I expect Brate to be featured more prominently in the Buccaneers’ offense this week. He’s got 12 catches for 119 yards and two touchdowns on the season.

Though he hasn’t gotten more than 31 snaps in a game this season, with Howard’s struggles, Brate could see an increase in his role this week, and if that happens, the Titans will have to do a much better job stopping him than they have other tight ends this season.

Hunter Henry had six catches for 97 yards last Sunday, and earlier in the season, Austin Hooper torched the Titans defense for nine catches and 130 yards.

I don’t expect Howard or Brate to have a game like that, but considering those struggles, it isn’t too far-fetched to think that it could happen.

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