Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 2 Stock Report

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers opened up their 2015 regular season with an insanely deflating loss to the Tennessee Titans, getting blown out at home 42-14.

The Bucs were outplayed and outcoached in nearly every way last week, as Titans rookie quarterback Marcus Mariota dominated his much-anticipated faceoff against Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston. While Winston certainly had his rookie struggles in his NFL debut, it was the Bucs defense that truly disappointed, getting picked apart by the Titans both through the air and on the ground.

The loss marked the 10th straight home defeat for the Bucs in regular-season games.

There weren't many silver linings to last week's game for the Bucs, but let's take a look at players who have their arrows pointing up or down heading into a Week 2 matchup with the New Orleans Saints.

Down: Head Coach Lovie Smith

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

The Lovie Smith era in Tampa Bay got off to an abysmal start with a 2-14 record last season after the Bucs were a trendy dark-horse pick to make a quick turnaround in Smith's first season as head coach.

But while many fans may have had patience with Smith last season, it won't last much longer if the Bucs experience many more losses like the one they did last week. Even with a rookie starting quarterback, Smith's seat will get plenty hot if his defense continues to get completely torched by opposing quarterbacks.

Many of Tampa Bay's issues last week were a product of poor coaching and preparation, as the defense was methodically picked apart by a rookie quarterback making his NFL debut, and silly penalties cost the Bucs way too many yards.

The honeymoon is clearly over for Smith, and his defense will need to make a big statement over the next few weeks if he wants to win back some of the hope and confidence that was sucked out of Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.

Up: TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

After an injury-plagued rookie season that was never able to fully get off the ground, Austin Seferian-Jenkins was a popular pick to have a breakout season in 2015.

After just one regular-season game, it looks like he's on track to do just that.

The 2014 second-round pick was one of the few bright spots for the Bucs in last week's ugly loss, hauling in five passes for 110 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leading the team in all categories. The Washington product was the only Buccaneer to find the end zone, and he flashed the impressive athleticism that made him such a high draft pick.

If the offensive line continues to struggle, it will be vital for Winston to have a security blanket he can get the ball to quickly. So far, it looks like he has a talented one in Seferian-Jenkins, who is still just scratching the surface of his ability.

Down: OT Gosder Cherilus

Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press

When Demar Dotson—Tampa Bay's best, most consistent offensive lineman—went down with a knee injury in the preseason, it left a gaping hole for the Bucs at the starting right tackle spot.

When the team signed veteran Gosder Cherilus to replace Dotson, it hoped it was getting a veteran with plenty of starting experience who could fill the gap until Dotson returned later in the season. If his Week 1 performance is any indication, the Bucs are in for some trouble until Dotson is back.

Cherilus committed multiple penalties in last week's blowout loss to the Tennessee Titans, and he was part of an offensive line unit that simply couldn't protect Winston. He may have over 100 NFL starts under his belt, but Cherilus is going to have to elevate his play quite a bit in the coming weeks if he wants to retain a roster spot when Dotson gets healthy.

Up: RB Bobby Rainey

Scott Audette/Associated Press

It was hard to find many positives about Tampa Bay's performance last week, but the play of reserve running back Bobby Rainey definitely makes that short list.

Rainey only carried the ball three times for 10 yards on Sunday, but his play in the return game was the biggest plus he brought to the table. Rainey routinely set the Bucs up with positive field position on both punts and kickoffs, doing his best to give Winston and the Tampa Bay offense a chance to succeed.

Rainey is a tough runner who has done everything the Bucs have asked him to fairly well. Outside of some early-season fumbles in 2014, Rainey has been a solid performer on both offense and special teams, and he should continue to be throughout the season.

Down: Starting Linebackers

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Throughout training camp and the preseason, Tampa Bay's linebacking corps appeared to be the strength of its defense. With All-Pro Lavonte David, rookie standout Kwon Alexander and Danny Lansanah in the starting lineup, the Bucs looked primed for a big year from their second line of defense.

But after months of preparation and a strong performance leading up to the regular season, Tampa Bay's linebackers were made to look silly by Mariota and the Titans offense, shredding them both on the ground and through the air. There were too many missed tackles, and the unit was fooled on countless occasions by play-action fakes, leading to easy completions and plenty of yards after the catch.

After last week's debacle, Bucs fans can't be too confident in their linebackers as they head into New Orleans to face Drew Brees and the Saints' passing attack.