The Buccaneers (3-6) are in Miami on Sunday for a matchup with the Dolphins (4-5). This game was supposed to open the season, but Hurricane Irma forced a postponement to week eleven. Here, we preview the game and tell you where to watch and listen to it.
It’s week eleven and the Buccaneers are in a pretty bad place. They are in last place in the NFC South. Their quarterback is hurt and being investigated for an incident with an Uber driver in 2016. Their coach is on the hot seat in just his second season while rumors of a former head coach returning are swirling. Yet, with all of that, Tampa Bay is a few wins away from suddenly making this season interesting again. Sunday would be a good start, as the Bucs are playing a very beatable Dolphins team.
The Bucs are coming off a 15-10 win over the Jets last Sunday, while the Dolphins are on a short week after falling 45-21 to the Panthers on Monday night. Tampa Bay didn’t play all too well offensively last week, but its defense was stingy for once. Ryan Fitzpatrick will look to rebound from a pedestrian game. For that to happen, though, the backfield needs to figure out a way to get going. But if the defense can repeat its performance from last week, it would take a lot of pressure off of Fitzpatrick. If everything clicks, it would be the Bucs’ first complete performance since week two.
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Miami’s season went downhill before it even got underway. Ryan Tannehill went down before the season, which prompted the signing of FOX-bound Jay Cutler. The Dolphins have been average since, playing to a 4-5 record. They field the league’s 29th-best passing offense and 30th-best rushing offense. The other side of the ball is only a little better, as Miami has the fifteenth-best pass defense and twentieth-best run defense. This is a beatable team, even for a very inconsistent Bucs team.
Tampa Bay will be without Jameis Winston (shoulder), William Gholston (neck) and Vernon Hargreaves (hamstring), but there are no other questionable players. Miami has four questionable players, but no one is ruled out heading into Sunday. The Bucs will also be without return man Bernard Reedy, who they waived on Friday in order to promote Freddie Martino from the practice squad.
The last time these two teams met was in week ten of the 2013 season. Tampa Bay started 0-8 that season, but managed to beat Miami 22-19 on Monday Night Football. Donald Penn and Bobby Rainey both scored touchdowns, Rian Lindell kicked three field goals and the defense forced a safety. Miami finished with just 213 total yards of offense and squandered a comeback chance when Tannehill got picked off by Darrelle Revis. The all-time regular season series is tied 5-5, but Miami has a 3-1 advantage at home.
Where to Watch
Sunday’s 1:00 p.m. kickoff will be televised by FOX. Dick Stockton (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (color commentary) and Shannon Spake (sideline) will have the call.
Where to Listen
In the Tampa Bay area, fans can hear the game on 98Rock (97.9 FM). Gene Deckerhoff has play-by-play duties and Dave Moore will carry the commentary. T.J. Rives will have the sideline reports. For more radio options around Florida, check here. Buccaneers.com and the Buccaneers mobile app will also carry the broadcast.
Satellite radio subscribers can hear the Tampa Bay broadcast on XM Internet 829. Miami’s broadcast can be found on XM 225.
Next: Buccaneers at Dolphins: Five game-changing players
For in-game and postgame coverage of Sunday’s game, follow @ThePewterPlank on Twitter.