Just a month and a half after it was originally scheduled, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-6) take a quick jaunt downstate to Hard Rock Stadium to take on the Miami Dolphins (4-5) Sunday.
FOX and its network of affiliates is set to bring this one into your home whether you like it or not at 1 p.m. EST.
The Game: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins (-1)
O/U: 42.0
The History
The Buccaneers and Dolphins have played 10 games since 1976 with the all time series tied 5-5.
They last met up on November 11, 2013 with Tampa Bay winning 22-19 at Raymond James Stadium. Mike Glennon got the victory with an 11 of 21 passing day for 139 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-6)
It’s the Ryan Fitzpatrick show again for Tampa Bay this week as Jameis Winston continues to nurse his sore shoulder. I know I said it before, but the fact that head coach Dirk Koetter shut Winston down with his job probably on the line says a lot about him as a man. If Koetter does get fired at the end of the season, and he probably should, I hope he lands somewhere as an offensive coordinator. That’s probably the job he’s meant to have anyway. Not everybody’s cut out to wear the big headset.
Fitzpatrick may have gotten the victory, but he didn’t light it up in his first game running the show in a season. He was 17 of 34 for 187 yards, one touchdown and one interception. In his defense, he didn’t have Mike Evans, who was suspended. DeSean Jackson led the Bucs with six catches for 82 yards.
Doug Martin continues to disappoint since returning from his suspension. He carried the ball 20 times for 51 yards. Martin is due a lot of money next season, $6.75 million, but no cap hit if he’s cut. He has seven more games to prove he’s worth that cash.
In addition to Winston, the Buccaneers will be without defensive end William Gholston again who is dealing with a neck. Cornerback Vernon Hargreaves is out with a hamstring.
To make matters even worse, the Buccaneers have to deal with the distraction of Winston being accused of groping an Uber driver last year. The NFL is, of course, investigating it. Since no police report was filed by the Uber driver, I’m sure the NFL and commissioner Roger Goodell will act accordingly. Just like they did with Ezekiel Elliott.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (4-5)
Miami will have to run its offense without wide receiver Kenny Stills. While he’s not been officially ruled out, he didn’t practice Friday and that’s always a bad sign. Defensive end William Hayes, safety Michael Thomas and running back Senorise Perry are all listed as questionable, but I expect them to play.
The Dolphins come into this game after a 45-21 beat down at the hands of the Carolina Panthers. Miami was just completely out-manned in that game. Cutler wasn’t bad statistically, finishing 22 of 37 for 213 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Still, the Dolphins needed more from him if they were going to hang with Carolina.
In his second start since becoming the featured running back of the offense, Kenyan Drake had a solid outing. He carried the ball seven times for 82 yards and a touchdown. Head coach Adam Gase will continue to find ways to get the speedster involved in the offense.
Stills led the receivers with five catches for 67 yards. DeVante Parker caught six passes for 66 yards and Jarvis Landry had five hauls for 42 yards and a touchdown.
Miami’s defense was nearly invisible last week. They never got a paw on Newton and had just one stop in the backfield.
The Pick
Without Winston, I just don’t see Tampa Bay doing much of anything in this game. Fitzpatrick got the win over his old team last week, but it wasn’t from any great play he made. Cutler and the Miami offense should do enough to get this one done at home. Dolphins 24, Buccaneers 16
This week
Straight up: 1-0
Against the spread: 0-1
Last week
Straight up: 9-5
Against the spread: 6-8
Season
Straight up: 87-59
Against the spread: 75-70
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