Week 6: at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 PM
Coming from 10 days rest, the Bucs will travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals. The Bucs were embarrassed by Arizona last year, 40-7. Arizona is coming off a disappointing season by their standards, posting a 7-8-1 record last year. The Cardinals appeared lost defensively at times and struggled to move the ball through the air. In a major bright spot, however, David Johnson was spectacular for the Cardinals last year, as he went for over 2,000 yds from scrimmage. Larry Fitzgerald is also back, and he is, well, Larry Fitzgerald. Enough said.
The Cardinals will look to use star RB David Johnson early and often. The Bucs struggled to contain Johnson last year and very well may struggle this year. The key for the Bucs will be to force the Cardinals to play from behind so Johnson is taken out of the game. The Bucs have to start quick and keep their foot on the pedal. If the Bucs can put up a lead and make the Cardinals rely on Carson Palmer, they should have a leg up.
Tampa will be looking to avenge last year’s loss so I believe they will do just that. Their defense will allow them to be more balanced than Arizona.