How Buccaneers can overcome Mike Evans' injury

Though Evans was seemingly taking a step back in his age-32 season, his veteran presence and deep-ball ability were still important assets to the Buccaneers' high-powered offense. Unlike previous seasons, however, the Buccaneers have built an offense deep enough to withstand the loss of Evans, and they can still be legitimate Super Bowl contenders if they adjust accordingly. 

Buccaneers still have the pieces to be an elite offense

The Buccaneers already showed the blueprint for a successful Evans-less offense over the previous three weeks, scoring 31 points per game while Evans was sidelined with a hamstring injury. The headliner of their new-look attack is Emeka Egbuka, the first-round pick from Ohio State who looks like the front-runner for Offensive Rookie of the Year. With 10 catches over 20 yards already this season, Egbuka has proven himself to be a legitimate deep-threat replacement to Evans while also being dynamic after the catch.

While Egbuka will become the clear No. 1 target, Mayfield's connection with the supporting weapons will be every bit as important. The last two games have seen rookie wide receiver Tez Johnson and veteran tight end Cade Otton become more integrated in the offense, with the former making two highlight-worthy touchdown catches and the latter hauling in 12 receptions. With Egbuka representing the team's best deep threat, both the steady Otton and the dynamic Johnson give Mayfield options to get the ball out of his hand quickly, and they should only get more involved in the coming weeks. 

As good as Mayfield has been this season, the biggest key for the rest of the Buccaneers' season will be the return of running back Bucky Irving. The sophomore star has been sidelined for the last three games with shoulder and foot injuries, and his absence was particularly noticeable on Monday. While Rachaad White is a serviceable pass-catching back, his ineffectiveness as a runner allowed the Lions' pass-rush to key in on rushing Mayfield. Even if Irving can't repeat the success of his rookie season, just his presence will help take pressure off Mayfield and the passing attack. 

All told, this is still a skill-position core that most of the NFL would love to have, and that's without mentioning Chris Godwin, who has managed just two subpar games due to recurring leg injuries. It may look a little different than previous seasons, but with Mayfield playing some of the best football of his career, there is no reason why the Buccaneers can't still be a top-flight offense.