In our season prediction, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter week nine 6-2 after defeating the New York Giants 42-14. However, week 9-12 will be their toughest three weeks of the year.
They open the week against the Saints at Raymond James then go out to Carolina. Afterwards they have two home games against the Rams and Chiefs. Although it is a hard couple of games the Buccaneers will come out victorious.
Week 9: New Orleans @ Tampa Bay November 8th SNF
The second time the Buccaneers play their division rival, the Buccaneers have yet to beat the Saints. Tampa Bay has struggled against New Orleans have been on the losing end of the stick since 2018.
However, that will change in week nine. The Buccaneers will come out strong, especially Tom Brady. After a dominating win against the Giants, Brady will be firing on all cylinders. After the first half the Buccaneers had 21-0 lead.
Their defense was incredible early on, and rookie defensive back Antoine Winfield Jr. had an interception. Shaquil Barrett raised his game and had two sacks in the 2nd quarter.
However, the Saints turned it on in the third quarter and Drew Brees tested the Buccaneers ’ defense. At the end of the 3rd, the Buccaneers lead 21-14. New Orleans totally dismantled Tampa Bay’s defense with short passing plays, mixing it with some deep ball bombs.
Although the Buccaneers were ineffective in the third, they scored again late in the fourth to take a two possession lead, 28-14.
The Buccaneers were able to come out on top and slow down the Saints’ offense. Tampa Bay improved their record to 7-2 and finally beat the New Orleans. Brady had a great game, throwing well over 500 yards with a pass completion of 70%.
Mike Evans had two of the four touchdowns. Ronald Jones II ran for a long 75-yard game-winning touchdown.
Final Score Prediction: 28-14, Buccaneers
Week 10: Tampa Bay @ Carolina November 15th
After a dominating win against the Saints, the Buccaneers went into Carolina riding high. The Buccaneers had another dominate effort against the Panthers, however they lost by a field goal.
Tampa Bay scored late in the second, after a scoreless first quarter. Tom Brady bombed it to Chris Godwin for a 60-yard pass. The Bucs led 7-0 at the half.
In the third Carolina answered back twice and took a 14-7 lead. The Buccaneers ’ defense looked lackluster against the Panthers’ offense. Teddy Bridgewater was walking all over Tampa Bay, and even rushed in a touchdown.
In the 4th, the Buccaneers tied the game thanks to a pick-six by Sean Murphy-Bunting. But yet again the Panthers answered back with a field goal to take a 17-14 lead. And that’s how the game ended.
The Buccaneers ’ offense couldn’t find the end zone again until the 4th. And their defense was disappointing. Brady had another great game but it didn’t matter.
Tampa Bay still has a winning record of 7-3.
Final Score Prediction: 17-14, Panthers
Week 11: Los Angeles Rams @ Tampa Bay November 23rd, MNF
The disappointing lose in Carolina didn’t stop the Buccaneers from destroying the Rams at home. The Buccaneers held the Rams to only 60 rushing yards, and a mere 150 passing yards.
Tampa scored three times in the first half and came out of halftime with a 21-3 lead. Most of their points came from their defense. Murphy-Bunting continued his brilliance and had two interceptions, one was another pick-six.
On the offensive side, the Buccaneers were just okay. In the first half, Brady had over 100 passing yards and one touchdown. Rob Gronkowski scored the first touchdown for Tampa Bay.
The second half didn’t look much better for the Rams. They were able to score a touchdown, but it didn’t matter. The Buccaneers ’ offense stepped on the gas and scored two-more times. Tampa Bay ran away with this game, 35-10 and improved to 8-3.
Final Score Prediction: 35-10, Buccaneers
Week 12: Kansas City @ Tampa Bay November 29th
A tough task to face the reigning Super Bowl Champions, but the Buccaneers held their own. However, they lost a close one, 10-7. A low scoring game that was defense heavy.
The Bucs scored early, to take a 7-0 lead. Ronald Jones II ran it in from the 30-yard line to get the Bucs on the board.
Tampa was able to hold the lead until late in the 2nd, when Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce in the end zone to tie the game.
Neither team scored in the 3rd and both defenses looked stellar. The offense was silent for most of the day, however in the 4th the Chiefs broke the tie to make it 10-7.
Tampa couldn’t tie the game as they dropped this game. However, their defense was incredible. The young guys really showed up, Jamel Dean had an interception early in the 1st. Jason Pierre-Paul collected two sacks, and Vita Vea recovred a fumble. They held the Chiefs to only 73 rushing yards, although Mahomes picked their secondary apart.
After week 12, the Buccaneers have a 8-4 record.
Final Score Prediction: 10-7, Chiefs
