Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 12 Stock Report

The arrow hasn't pointed this high for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in quite some time as the they look toward a road meeting with the Indianapolis Colts after blasting the Philadelphia Eagles 45-17 away from home in Week 11.

The Bucs played their most complete game of the season, dominating the Eagles in every facet of the game. They're firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball, and doing it just in time to make a playoff push down the stretch.

From record-setting performances by Doug Martin and Jameis Winston to an impressive outing by the defense—three sacks, three interceptions and a pick-six—the Bucs proved last week they're for real, and deserve a seat at the table when it comes to the wild-card conversation.

As they look to get over the .500 mark this week, let's take a look at who has their arrow pointing up or down for the Bucs.

Up: QB Jameis Winston

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Jameis Winston had the best outing of his young career last week, tying a franchise record with five touchdown passes, with each of them going to a different receiver. Four of them came in the first half, as Winston also tied the NFL rookie record for touchdown passes in a single game.

But beyond the gaudy numbers, a deeper look at the film from last week will show a rookie quarterback who is already seeing the field and making decisions like a grizzled vet. Winston seems to improve weekly in this area, which is a testament to his work ethic and preparation.

He's just 21 years old, but Winston has already established himself as the vocal leader of the team, and his on-field play is setting its own example. He's on pace to account for 30 total touchdowns and just 16 turnovers in his first NFL season, which would be an impressive start to his career.

Down: LB Kwon Alexander

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One of the most pleasant surprises of this year's rookie class for Tampa Bay, Kwon Alexander quickly earned a starting spot in training camp and has been a catalyst to the team's improvements on defense.

But the LSU product is facing a four-game suspension for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. Alexander says the banned substance he took was an ingredient in an energy drink, but he took full responsibility for his mistake following Sunday's win, vowing to appeal the ruling, per Roy Cummings of the Tampa Tribune:

"

It’s my fault. It’s very disappointing, and I’m just disappointed in myself because all (our coaches) keep saying, ‘If you’re going to drink something, ask somebody first.’ So I hold myself accountable.’

I’ve never been in any trouble or anything, so it’s very disappointing. I’m definitely going to appeal it, and whatever the (result of) the appeal process is, I’ll come back even stronger.

"

Losing Alexander would be a huge blow to a defense that is just now playing their best football of the season. The Bucs do have a pair of backups who have experience at middle linebacker—Danny Lansanah and Bruce Carter—but replacing Alexander's athleticism and overall presence at that key position will be much easier said than done.

Up: RB Doug Martin

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Continuing the resurgence Bucs fans have seen from him all year long, Doug Martin had his best performance of the season so far, racking up 235 rushing yards and setting a new team record with an 84-yard run.

Martin was unstoppable all afternoon, breaking tackles and exploding into the Eagles secondary for big gains. His rushing total was the most any back in the NFL has tallied since Martin himself rushed for 251 yards against the Oakland Raiders in 2012.

Now ranking second in the NFL with 941 rushing yards, Martin is proving his worth after the Bucs declined to pick up his fifth-year option prior to this season. He's still just 26 years old, so expect the Bucs to reward him for his breakout season with a hefty extension this offseason, if not sooner.

Down: CBs Johnthan Banks and Mike Jenkins

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Since the Bucs benched their starting corners three weeks ago, the defense has blossomed, with head coach Lovie Smith dialing up more blitzes due to the newfound confidence he has in his cover men on the outside.

But while the development has been great for the team as a whole, it's been an indictment of the performance of former starters Johnthan Banks and Mike Jenkins, who have been relegated to nothing more than special teamers since losing their spots in the starting lineup.

Jenkins was brought back on another one-year deal, but the  former first-rounder has been a liability in coverage all season. Banks—a former second-rounder—was the team's best corner last season, but his play fell off considerably over the first half of this year's campaign.

The entire defense is trending up with Sterling Moore and Jude Adjei-Barimah starting on the outside and Alterraun Verner as the nickelback, but it's sending a clear message that Banks and Jenkins aren't likely to see the field much down the stretch.

Up: TE Cameron Brate

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The Bucs have been without one of their most dynamic offensive weapons—tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins—since Week 2, but an unlikely reserve has stepped up in recent weeks to help ease his absence.

Cameron Brate wasn't even a lock to make the active roster coming out of training camp, but the Harvard product stuck and has made the most of his opportunities. He grabbed his first career touchdown in Tampa Bay's road win over the Atlanta Falcons earlier this year, then came up big last week with three catches for 47 yards and another score.

Brate's most impressive catch last week came on a 3rd-and-long deep in Eagles territory, where he caught a pass a few yards short of the sticks and dragged a defender for the first down. He may not have the physical tools ASJ has, but he's getting the job done and providing Jameis Winston with a much-needed security blanket in his absence.