A look at the highs and lows from the first half of the season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-5) and what to expect in the second half:

Midseason MVP: Doug Martin. He ran for more than 100 yards in three consecutive games, bringing back memories of his Pro Bowl rookie season of 2012. His renaissance has come at a perfect time for the Bucs, whose offense continues to develop an identity with rookie quarterback Jameis Winston and new coordinator Dirk Koetter. Martin's effectiveness on the ground allowed Winston to play disciplined from the pocket late in the season's first half. The better Martin runs, the more dangerous Tampa Bay will be.

Best moment: Winston led the Bucs on a 15-play, 68-yard drive in overtime against the Atlanta Falcons in Week 8 that resulted in a go-ahead, 31-yard field goal by Connor Barth. Before then, the Falcons had rallied for 17 consecutive points. It appeared Tampa Bay was about to lose another heartbreaker one week after blowing a 24-point lead to the Washington Redskins. But the Bucs clinched a crucial victory at the Georgia Dome when Matt Ryan's fourth-down pass fell incomplete. Winston's composure on the decisive drive was impressive.

Worst moment: It's hard to top the Week 7 debacle against Washington. The Bucs raced to a 24-0 lead in the second quarter -- only to be outscored 31-6 the rest of the way. Tampa Bay gained 479 yards, but the Bucs' poor secondary play was too much to overcome. Washington quarterback Kirk Cousins completed 33 of 40 passes for 317 yards and three touchdowns, including a 6-yard go-ahead score to tight end Jordan Reed with 24 seconds left. It was a brutal loss that will be difficult to forget.

One reason to feel pessimistic: The Bucs have given up 19 passing touchdowns, second most in the NFL. Opposing quarterbacks are completing 70.2 percent of their passes, also the league's second-worst total. And there won't be a quick fix for Tampa Bay's woes in the secondary: Alterraun Verner's role has diminished, fellow cornerbacks Mike Jenkins, Tim Jennings and Johnthan Banks have struggled, and safeties Bradley McDougald and Chris Conte have looked vulnerable as well. It would be a surprise if the Bucs don't address their problem in this area early in the draft next spring.

Key to second half: If Winston continues to take care of the football, the Bucs should find themselves in positions to win. The rookie's early progress has to encourage coach Lovie Smith and general manager Jason Licht. Still, Tampa Bay saw how damaging careless play from Winston in losses to the Tennessee Titans (two interceptions) and Carolina Panthers (four). The Bucs' offense has taken steps forward under Koetter, so if Martin continues to run well and Winston protects the ball, the unit should produce.