We’re in the midst of yet another midseason losing streak for the Tampa Bay Buccaners, but the good news is the season is far from over. The Bucs are coming out of arguably the hardest stretch of their schedule, with things lightening up significantly from here on out.
There’s still a ton of work that needs to be done, but it should a little easier than it’s been. That starts on Sunday against the lowly Arizona Cardinals, a team that isn’t good but can’ be slept on.
In order to defeat the Cardinals next week, Tampa Bay will need these five players to step up their game, especially with Baker Mayfield's possible absence.
Emeka Egbuka , WR
With Baker Mayfield now dealing with an injury that might force him to miss Tampa Bay's next game, Egbuka is really going to need to step up his game against the Cardinals. Egbuka is the most talented player on Tampa Bay's roster. Teddy Bridgewater would benefit from Egbuka having a big game against the Cardinals.
Chris Godwin Jr., WR
It appears Godwin is finally healthy, and the Bucs are going to need him to play like it for the rest of the season. The receiving corps in Tampa Bay has been so banged up for so long, but a healthy Godwin can change that. And again, with the possibility of Teddy Bridgewater under center, great receiving play is going to be necessary to defeat the Cardinals.
One of the running backs
It is going to take more than 38 yards from Rachaad White and 42 yards from Sean Tucker to defeat the Cardinals. Tampa Bay is going to need their running game to carry the load offensively without Mayfield, and it likely means one of their running backs needs to step up and have a big game.
Can Sean Tucker replicate what he did against Buffalo? It sure would be helpful.
Zyon McCollum, CB
McCollum and the entire Buccaneers secondary were exposed by the Rams on Sunday Night Football. The Rams made Tampa Bay's defense look lifeless, and it wasn't the first time they've been exposed. Just look at what Josh Allen and Sam Darnold did to them in previous games.
If the Buccaneers' secondary is going to improve, it has to start with McCollum. As good as Jamel Dean has been, they need McCollum to pull himself together as well.
Cade Otton, TE
Otton made a crucial mistake in 2025, bobbling a reception that turned into a pick-six for the Rams. That was still early enough in the game that had Otton caught the pass, the game could have gone entirely differently. The pick-six put Tampa Bay into a 14-0 hole in the second quarter, but imagine what would have happened if the Bucs had tied the game at 7-7?
Bottom line is that Otton needs to pull himself together against the Cardinals next week. Slip-ups like that cannot be allowed to continue.