The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in need of a big win over the Arizona Cardinals to snap a three-game losing streak and get back on track.
After starting 5-1, Tampa Bay has gone 1-4 over its last five games and slipped to 6-5. They currently still hold a small lead over the 6-6 Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, but the margin for error is getting smaller.
A victory over the Cardinals on Sunday would give the Bucs a major boost going into the backend of the schedule, and a few key players will need to step up and make the victory possible.
3 bold predictions for Buccaneers in Week 13 against Cardinals
Haason Reddick returns from injury and makes a major impact
Haason Reddick began his career with the Arizona Cardinals, who drafted him in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
Reddick has been out for a month since getting injured in the Bucs' Week 7 loss to the Detroit Lions, and the team is hoping he can make his return Sunday and provide a boost to a struggling pass rush. He returned to practice this week and has a real chance to make his long-awaited return against his former team.
Bold Prediction: Reddick not only returns this Sunday, but makes a major impact for Tampa Bay against his former team, recording 2 sacks on Jacoby Brissett.
Buccaneers offense has get-right game against Cardinals defense
The Tampa Bay offense had a miserable performance against the Rams on Sunday Night Football, and they need a tune up game to get the unit back on track.
The Cardinals currently rank No. 23 with 25.7 points allowed per game, and No. 20 against the pass with 222.8 yards allowed per game. The defense can be exploited if the Buccaneers play to their full potential, and they will do just that.
Bold Prediction: The Buccaneers will eclipse 30 points scored for the fourth time this season against the Cardinals and cruise to victory.
Emeka Egbuka has a signature performance and builds his Offensive Rookie of the Year case
Emeka Egbuka has had an incredible rookie season, with 749 yards and six touchdowns. He currently leads all rookies in touchdown receptions and is second among rookies in receiving yards. But despite this, Egbuka has left a lot of production on the field.
That's not necessarily his fault either. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has missed Egbuka for big plays a handful of times, including an underthrown ball last week on a play that frankly should've resulted in a touchdown.
Against a middling Arizona defense, Egbuka and the offense will fire on all cylinders, and Egbuka will have a massive game to help boost his case for NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Bold Prediction: Egbuka surpasses 100 receiving yards and also scores a receiving touchdown in Week 13.