A potential barn burner matchup is upon us in Week 11, and we have two bold predictions that may ruffle some feathers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the season hot, going 5-1 while looking like one of the best teams in the league. Since then, they've lost two of the last three games and are trying to jump start an offense that has all of a sudden gone cold on them.
It's not that the Bucs aren't scoring; it's that the ride to get there is uneven and has increasingly been putting them behind the eight-ball.
After dropping a game they shouldn't have against the Patriots last week, the Bucs are going to need to get things back on track in Buffalo against an angry Bills team with just as much to prove. Shockingly, the Bucs have never beaten the Bills in Buffalo, and this time around likely won't be any easier.
2 bold predictions that will likely come true for the Buccaneers in Week 11
RB Sean Tucker will run for 100+ yards
Since Bucky Irving last played in Week 4, Rachaad White has been the mainstay at running back until Week 9. Suddenly, the 2023 undrafted free agent Sean Tucker began splitting carries with White and was more efficient. In Week 9, Tucker recorded 42 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, all mainly before garbage time.
Last week, Tucker ran for 53 yards on just nine carries. Both weeks, Tucker had one fewer carry but was significantly more efficient. In Irving's absence, it's become painfully obvious that White is not a part of the Buccaneers' future, but Tucker is a steady, strong RB2.
The cherry on top for Week 11, the Bills are putrid against the run. Buffalo is 30th in the league in average rushing yards per game allowed, and 31st in average rushing yards per attempt, with 5.5. Head coach Todd Bowles must recognize this, and capitalize early, with Tucker.
Bold prediction: Tucker will rush for 100+ yards. To go a step further, he may even take over for White as the RB2 behind Irving, but I don't think I'm quite there yet.
QB Baker Mayfield will throw for less than 200 yards
This one is extra bold, especially for a big game. Baker Mayfield typically steps up and dominates when it matters most, but the Bills are dominant against the pass. Buffalo is 3rd in passing yards per game allowed, and allowed more than 200 yards just three times. It takes an elite Quarterback to pass well against the Bills' defense, but Mayfield's worst two games of the year were just a couple of weeks ago.
I wouldn't be surprised if the Bucs leaned on the run game early, especially with how highly Bowles views White. The crowd will be rocking, the secondary will be hyped and mostly healed, and Baker will have his hands full. For the Bucs' sake, Mayfield needs to jump out of the gate quick, but I don't see that happening.
Bold prediction: QB Baker Mayfield will throw for less than 200 yards
We may look back and laugh at these two predictions, but they're based on stats and logic. Regardless of the stats, the Bucs have a huge statement game in Buffalo, a place they have never fared well.