The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be desperate to halt a 3-game losing streak when they visit the Miami Dolphins in Week 17 of the NFL season on Sunday afternoon. Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes will end if it loses this weekend and Carolina wins. The good news for the Bucs is that Carolina is going up against Seattle; even better news for the Bucs is that Miami is terrible. Tampa Bay should hold up its end of the bargain on Sunday — and probably with ease. My Buccaneers vs Dolphins prediction is for the visitors to win and cover.
This matchup should be just what the doctor ordered for Baker Mayfield and company to get back on track. The Dolphins have given up 36.5 ppg over the past 2 contests, including 45 to the Bengals this past weekend. Miami’s defense is #26 against the run and #26 in yards per pass attempt allowed. In other words, the unit is pretty much terrible in both departments. It has also made just 7 interceptions — tied for 24th most in the league. Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving should all be relatively productive.
Miami enjoyed a brief 4-game winning streak from completely out of nowhere, but that was clearly an aberration as opposed to the rule. Head coach Mike McDaniel’s team started the season 1-6 and it has returned to its losing ways over the past 2 weeks. The Fins fell to Pittsburgh 28-15 and then got humiliated 45-21 by the Bengals at home in Week 16. That marked the first NFL start at quarterback for Quinn Ewers after Tua Tagovailoa got benched. In 2 appearances as a pro, Ewers has zero touchdown passes and 2 interceptions. Miami has lost those games by a combined margin of 76-27. Although my faith in the Bucs is low these days, they should win this game by default.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Miami Dolphins prediction: Buccaneers -5.5 (-110) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.
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