The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to Miami for their final regular season road game of the 2025 season on Sunday, and for them the only storyline that really matters is the need to get a win to stave off the possibility of elimination from the NFC South title race. If the 7-8 Buccaneers can defeat the 6-9 Dolphins they will ensure themselves of a chance to play for the division crown in Week 18, head-to-head at home against the Carolina Panthers.

For the Dolphins, however, the most important development over the final weeks of the season is the play of rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers, who was elevated into the starting job last week over sixth-year veteran Tua Tagovialoa. The Dolphins will certainly be motivated to win the game, and teams eliminated from contention can derive a certain amount of satisfaction from playing spoiler, but finding out what they have in Ewers, a seventh-round draft pick out of Texas, is probably more significant in the long run.

Ewers made his starting debut last week in a loss to Cincinnati, throwing for 260 yards but also getting picked off twice. The Buccaneers would love to force the rookie passer into some more mistakes on Sunday and create as much confusion as possible, but Ewers' quick decision-making and accurate passing has a chance to work within Mike McDaniels offense and with a multitude of talented weapons around him.

"He's different than Tua," said Buccaneers Head Coach Todd Bowles. "He's more of a drop-back passer from that aspect, but they've got so many weapons around him with the running backs and the [wide] receivers and the tight ends that he doesn't have to put it on his shoulders. He just gets the ball into the hands of playmakers and we've got to make sure we just do our job and know where everyone is."

It starts with McDaniel's system, which in some of Tagovailoa's best stretches over the past four seasons has produced some of the most potent offenses in the NFL, particularly in terms of the running game.

"It's very different because they use a lot of different people and move them around," Bowles explained. "I mean, they can have the tackle out wide like a wide receiver, they can bring him in the backfield, they can have three running backs, they can have three tight ends, they can have two more tackles in the ball game…you just never know. He does a great job of scheming it up to where everybody understands what they're doing. He's probably one of the best at getting angle blocks and getting his running backs on the perimeter."

Of course, the Dolphins' run game has worked well over the last three seasons also because it features one of the most dynamic backs in the NFL in De'Von Achane. Achane ranks third in the NFL with 1,276 rushing yards and fifth with 1,726 yards from scrimmage, and most notably has the highest yards-per-carry average (5.8) of any qualifying player in the league. Achane's big plays in both the run and pass game is what powers the Dolphins' offense.

"He's outstanding," said Bowles. "I mean, he is outstanding. He's kind of like Jahmyr Gibbs. They're kind of one and the same. If you give him a crease, you're not catching him."

The Dolphins' offense also features a big-play threat in wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, who is averaging 14.2 yards per reception and can win on both vertical routes and short passes that get the ball into his hands quickly and give him room to pick up yards after the catch. Tight end Darren Waller is a dangerous weapon around the end zone, with six touchdowns among his 23 receptions. Buccaneer defenders have been busy this week watching Miami game tape to try to understand all the misdirection that McDaniel will be throwing their way.

"Everybody has to do their job and read your keys this week," said safety Antoine Winfield Jr. "A lot of motions, a lot of flash and a lot of people moving. You [have] to make sure you're detailed on your guy and what you're supposed to do within the scheme of how they're running things. So, it's going to be tough, but we [have] to make sure we get it done."

Miami's defense ranks 22nd in points allowed and 19th in yards allowed but has mounted a steady pass rush all season. Even after trading away Jaelen Phillips at the deadline, the Dolphins still have an 8.02% sacks-per-pass-play rate, which ranks 11th in the NFL. That group is led by the edge rush duo of Bradley Chubb (6.5 sacks) and Chop Robinson (4.0) and the inside havoc-maker Zach Sieler, who has 5.5 sacks. Rangy linebacker Jordyn Brooks patrols the middle of the field and is the NFL's tackle leader with 169 stops.

"Obviously, a lot of different looks," said quarterback Baker Mayfield of the Dolphins' defense. "Jordyn Brooks, unbelievable player; obviously his number of tackles speak for itself. He's flying around the field, true effort guy, kind of sets the tone for the defense and you have guys in the secondary with a lot of experience -- have seen a lot of ball. We'll see if Minkah [Fitzpatrick] plays or not, but obviously he is the type of player [who is] extremely versatile, great blitzer, good in pass coverage, and then obviously, Chubb on the edge."

The Buccaneers have put their disappointing three-point loss in Carolina behind them and are focused on making sure the rematch in Week 18 means something. They can't change what has happened over the past 16 weeks, but they can still put themselves into the best position to succeed this coming Sunday in Miami…and they can still win their division.

"That's the league," said Winfield of bouncing back from adversity. "That's playing in the NFL. You just keep showing up, keep putting the work in and just make sure that when you're stacking these days, make sure this should carry through if we can make it to the playoffs. These days, we [have] to remember what it's like being like this so we can use that energy and motivation when we're out there on the field to make things happen at the end of the day."

GAME AND BROADCAST DETAILS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) at Miami Dolphins (6-9)

Sunday, December 28, 1:00 p.m. ET

Hard Rock Stadium (capacity: 68,585)

Miami Gardens, Florida

TV Broadcast Team: Chris Myers (play-by-play), Mark Schlereth (analyst), Jen Hale (reporter)

Radio: 98Rock (WXTB, 97.9 FM), Flagship Station

Radio Broadcast Team: Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (analyst), T.J. Rives (reporter)

Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente

Spanish Radio Broadcast Team: Carlos Bohorquez (play-by-play), Martin Gramática (analyst), Santiago Gramática (reporter)

ALL-TIME HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

As they are separated by just 200 air miles, the Buccaneers and Dolphins have been frequent partners in the preseason, meeting a whopping 32 times in warmup contests. That's twice as many games as the Bucs have played against any other team in the preseason. However, their separation by conferences has made them infrequent combatants in the games that count, as the Bucs and 'Phins have met only 12 times in 49 previous regular seasons. The Bucs took their first-ever lead in the series with a 30-20 win in Miami in 2017, then stretched it to a 7-5 edge in 2021 with a 45-17 blowout.

While the last two games have been decided by double digits, six of the other 10 have been decided by three or fewer points. While the overall scoring hasn't been outrageous, it has certainly been steady: Neither team has ever scored fewer than 13 points in a game in the series.

The drama in the series began right away, as the Buccaneers welcomed the Dolphins to Tampa Stadium midway through Tampa Bay's inaugural 1976 season. The Bucs finished that campaign without a victory, but they came very close to getting one against a Miami team that was coming off six straight seasons of 10 wins or more. WR Morris Owens caught three touchdown passes for the Buccaneers, two from QB Steve Spurrier in relief of Parnell Dickinson. A failed extra point on one of those scores meant the game was tied at 20-20 late in the fourth quarter before Garo Yepremian won it for Miami with a 29-yard field goal with less than a minute to play.

Miami won four of the first five meetings but the Buccaneers were beginning a franchise revival when the two teams squared off in 1997. Tampa Bay opened that season with a five-game winning streak, of which a 31-21 win over the Dolphins in a TNT Sunday night affair was the fourth outing. FB Mike Alstott ran in two touchdowns and RB Warrick Dunn iced it with a 58-yard TD catch-and-run in the fourth quarter.

The most recent meeting between the two teams was part of a strong 6-1 start to the 2021 season by the Buccaneers as they sought to defend their Super Bowl LV championship. The game was close into the third quarter but Tom Brady helped the Bucs surge ahead with two fourth-quarter touchdown passes to Mike Evans as the Bucs racked up 558 yards of total offense in a 45-17 decision.

Tampa Bay's win in 2017 featured a fine performance by future Dolphin Ryan Fitzpatrick, who threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns in the 10-point win. The final score of 30-20 belied what was a very tight game, with Patrick Murray kicking a go-ahead field goal with just four seconds left. The Bucs tacked on seven more points when a desperation pitch-around on the ensuing kickoff ended in Adarius Glanton's fumble recovery in the end zone.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

• Tampa Bay Head Coach Todd Bowles was the Dolphins' interim head coach for the final three games of the 2011 season. That was the last of his four years in Miami, which also saw him serve as secondary coach/assistant head coach.
• Buccaneers Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard began his NFL coaching career in Miami, joining the Dolphins as an offensive quality control coach in 2017. He was promoted to wide receivers coach in 2020.
• Linebacker K.J. Britt signed with the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent this past offseason after four seasons with the Buccaneers. He was drafted by Tampa Bay in the fifth round in 2021 and appeared in 59 games with the team with 16 starts, 11 of them coming in 2024.
• Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater played for the Dolphins in 2022 after being signed as an unrestricted free agent. He played in five games for Miami, starting two.
• Linebacker Anthony Walker, re-signed this past week by the Buccaneers, spent the 2024 season in Miami. He played in 14 games with eight starts and recorded 68 tackles, one interception and one sack.
• Dolphins Offensive Line Coach Butch Barry got his start in the NFL coaching ranks as an assistant offensive line coach on Lovie Smith's staff in 2015. He retained that position for three more seasons under Head Coach Dirk Koetter.
• Jon Embree, Miami's Assistant Head Coach/Tight Ends Coach was the Buccaneers' tight ends coach from 2014-16.
• Dolphins Linebackers Coach/Run Game Coordinator Joe Barry had two different stints on Tampa Bay's coaching staff. He tutured the team's linebackers from 2001-06 under Head Coach Jon Gruden, then returned to that same position in 2009 under Head Coach Raheem Morris.
• Miami linebacker Quinton Bell signed to the Buccaneers' practice squad in November of 2019, then split the 2020 season between the team's practice squad and active roster. He saw action in five games for Tampa Bay in 2020.
• Buccaneers Tight Ends Coach Justin Peelle played the same position in the NFL for 10 seasons, and two of those (2006-07) were with the Dolphins, for whom he caught 45 passes for 644 yards and three touchdowns.
• Buccaneers Assistant Secondary Coach Tim Atkins began his NFL career with the Dolphins, coming aboard as a defensive assistant in 2006 and staying through the 2008 season.

SENIOR COACHING STAFFS

Tampa Bay:

• Head Coach Todd Bowles

• Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard

• Run Game Coordinator/Offensive Line Coach

• Pass Game Coordinator George Edwards

• Run Game Coordinator/Outside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote

• Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey

Miami:

• Head Coach Mike McDaniel

• Offensive Coordinator Frank Smith

• Defensive Coordinator Anthony Weaver

• Special Teams Coordinator Craig Aukerman

KEY 2025 ROSTER ADDITIONS

Buccaneers:

• QB Connor Bazelak (UDFA)
• QB Teddy Bridgewater (FA)
• LB John Bullock (UDFA)
• T Benjamin Chukwuma (UDFA)
• P Riley Dixon (UFA)
• WR Emeka Egbuka (1st-round draft pick)
• G Dan Feeney (FA)
• T Charlie Heck (UFA)
• WR Tez Johnson (7th-round draft pick)
• G Michael Jordan (FA)
• CB Kindle Vildor (UFA)
• CB Benjamin Morrison (2nd-round draft pick)
• CB Jacob Parrish (3rd-round draft pick)
• DL Elijah Roberts (5th-round draft pick)
• DL Elijah Simmons (FA)
• LB Anthony Walker (FA)
• OLB David Walker (4th-round draft pick…on injured reserve)

Dolphins:

• DT Zeek Biggers (7th-round draft pick)
• LB K.J. Britt (UFA)
• CB Artie Burns (UFA…currently on injured reserve)
• DT Matthew Butler (W-LV)
• LS Joe Cardona (FA)
• G James Daniels (UFA…currently on injured reserve)
• S Ashtyn Davis (UFA)
• LB Tyrel Dodson (UFA)
• CB Rasul Douglas (FA)
• TE Greg Dulcich (FA)
• WR Dwayne Eskridge (UFA)
• QB Quinn Ewers (7th-round draft pick)
• S Minkah Fitzpatrick (T-PIT)
• LB Willie Gay (UFA)
• RB Ollie Gordon (6th-round draft pick)
• CB A.J. Green (FA)
• DT Kenneth Grant (1st-round draft pick)
• T Kendall Lamm (FA)
• CB Jason Marshall (5th-round draft pick)
• CB Ifeatu Melifonwu (UFA)
• K Riley Patterson (FA)
• DT Jordan Phillips (5th-round draft pick)
• G Jonah Savaiinaea (2nd-round draft pick)
• S Dante Trader (5th-round draft pick)
• TE Darren Waller (T-NYG)
• WR Nick Westbrook-Ikhine (UFA)
• WR Cedrick Wilson (FA)
• QB Zach Wilson (UFA)
• LB Jackson Woodard (FA)

ADDITIONAL 2025 CHANGES/DEVELOPMENTS OF NOTE

Buccaneers:

• The Buccaneers rolled into 2025 with their fourth offensive coordinator in the last four years. This year's transition, however, is a bit different than the last two. In 2023 and 2024, Dave Canales and Liam Coen, respectively, came to town with entirely new offensive systems that the players had to absorb. In 2025, the Buccaneers followed the departure of Coen to be the Jacksonville Jaguars' head coach by promoting former Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard from within. Grizzard is certainly evolving the Bucs' offense in new ways and have his own spin on play-calling, but the basic system remains the same, offering a very helpful continuity for a team that is also returning all of its offensive regulars from a unit that finished in the top five in 2024 in net yards, points scored, rushing yards and passing yards. After Grizzard's promotion, the Buccaneers also hired one of his former colleagues, Kefense Hynson, to be the team's new pass game coordinator.
• To celebrate their landmark 50th season, the Buccaneers have unveiled a new sort of throwback uniform in 2025. In addition to the popular "Creamsicle" togs that they will don for the Thursday night game against Atlanta in Week 15, the Bucs have also worn, for this season only, a white version of their original uniforms worn during the 1976 season. Those uniforms made their debut in the home opener against the Jets in Week Three and were broken out again when the Bucs played at Seattle in Week Five, a game that was a battle of the NFL's two expansion teams from 1976.
• While Todd Bowles remains the play-caller for Tampa Bay's defense, he did make some changes to his defensive coaching staff. Mike Caldwell, who was part of the Bucs' staff from 2019-21 when Bowles was the defensive coordinator, returns to tutor the inside linebackers. Larry Foote has moved from inside linebackers to outside linebackers and is also the team's run game coordinator. George Edwards, who previously coached the outside linebackers, is now the pass game coordinator.
• The Buccaneers started the season without All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs and wide receiver Chris Godwin, but both returned to the lineup in Week Four. Godwin and wide receiver Mike Evans subsequently missed additional time due to injuries but both are now back in action, with Evans being activated from injured reserve in Week 15. Wide receiver Jalen McMillan, who started the season on injured reserve after sustaining a significant neck injury in the preseason, was also activated in Week 15. Since the season has begun the Buccaneers have lost both of their starting offensive guards, Cody Mauch and Ben Bredeson to injured reserve, as well as blocking tight end Ko Kieft. On defense, Tampa Bay has lost starters Calijah Kancey and Zyon McCollum to injured reserve, though Kancey may return to the active roster before the end of the season.
• The changes made to the kickoff process by the NFL during the offseason appear to have impacted the Buccaneers' strategy for that play in a significant manner. Now that a touchback on a ball caught or landing in the end zone puts the ball at the receiving team's 35, the Buccaneers have relied a lot less on touchbacks, which they produced on more than 75% of their kickoffs last year. With that in mind, the team took kick coverage units into serious consideration when shaping the 53-man roster and multiple players – including linebacker John Bullock, cornerback Josh Hayes, outside linebacker Markees Watts and wide receivers Ryan Miller and Kameron Johnson – made the team in large part due to their special teams contributions.

Dolphins:

• After getting off to a 2-7 start to the season, the Dolphins and long-time General Manager Chris Grier mutually agreed to part ways on October 31. Grier's departure ended a 25-year tenure with the franchise, which began in 2000 when he came aboard as a scout. He was promoted to general manager in 2016. Owner Stephen Ross announced the move, making this statement: "As I assessed the state of the team and in my discussions with Chris, it became clear to both of us that change could not wait. We must improve – in 2025, 2026 and beyond – and it needs to start right now."
• Mike McDaniel stayed on as Miami's head coach after Grier's departure, but McDaniel then made one more major organizational change in Week 16, benching quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of rookie Quinn Ewers, a seventh-round draft pick out of Texas. While Tagovailoa had missed time due to injury in four of his first five seasons, he had started every game in 2025 up to that point, compiling a passer rating of 88.4 that was his lowest since his rookie season and throwing a league-leading 15 interceptions.
• Miami made a couple of notable changes to its coaching staff during the offseason. Special Teams Coordinator Danny Crossman was fired in January and replaced by Craig Aukerman, who held the same post in Tennessee from 2018-23. Wide Receivers Coach/Pass Game Specialist Wes Welker was also let go. The team brought in Robert Prince to coach the receivers and added former Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby Slowik as a senior passing game specialist.
• The Dolphins made a notable trade prior to the 2025 draft, sending cornerback Jalen Ramsey and TE Jonnu Smith to the Steelers for safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who previously played for the Dolphins in 2018 before being traded to Pittsburgh in September of his second season. Miami also sent a seventh-round pick to the Steelers in the deal and got back a fifth.
• As was widely anticipated, five-time Pro Bowl tackle Terron Armstead elected to retire in the offseason. Armstead had played the last three of his seasons in Miami, earning a pair of Pro Bowl nods. During the season, the Dolphins also parted ways with edge rusher Jaelen Phillips, who was traded at the deadline to Philadelphia for a third-round pick in the 2026 draft.
• In Week Four, dynamic wide receiver Tyreek Hill suffered a severe left knee injury in a game against the Jets, which included a dislocation and several ligament tears. He was placed on season-ending injured reserve on October 1.

INJURY REPORT

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Buccaneers:

• TE Devin Culp (illness) – WEDS: LP
• LB Lavonte David (rest) – WEDS: LP
• WR Chris Godwin (fibula) – WEDS: LP
• T Luke Goedeke (ankle) – WEDS: LP
• DL Logan Hall (knee) – WEDS: FP
• WR Kameron Johnson (knee) – WEDS: FP
• DL Calijah Kancey* (pectoral) – WEDS: LP
• OLB Anthony Nelson (knee) – WEDS: DNP
• T Tristan Wirfs (toe) – WEDS: DNP

* Kancey is in his 21-day window to return from injured reserve.

Dolphins:

• OL Aaron Brewer (neck) – WEDS: DNP
• LB Tyrel Dodson (chest) – WEDS: DNP
• WR Dee Eskridge (toe) – WEDS: DNP
• S Minkah Fitzpatrick (calf) – WEDS: DNP
• CB Isaiah Johnson (knee) – WEDS: LP
• DT Benito Jones (back) – WEDS: LP
• S Ifeatu Melifonwu (thumb/groin) – WEDS: FP
• OL Andrew Meyer (tricep) – WEDS: FP
• K Jason Sanders (right hip) – WEDS: LP
• WR Jaylen Waddle (wrist) – WEDS: FP
• TE Darren Waller (rest/groin) – WEDS: DNP

* Meyer and Sanders are in their 21-day window to return from injured reserve.

BUCCANEERS' UNIFORM COMBINATION

The Buccaneers will wear white jerseys and white pants in Week 17 on the road against the Dolphins.

WEATHER FORECAST

Sunny, high of 81, low of 62, 6% chance of rain, 61% humidity, winds out of the NNE at 8 mph.

GAME REFEREE

Head referee: Scott Novak (12th season, seventh as referee)

BETTING LINE

• Favorite: Buccaneers (-5.5)
• Over/Under: 45.5

INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS

Buccaneers-

Points Scored: K Chase McLaughlin, 113

Touchdowns: RB Sean Tucker, 8

Passing Yards: QB Baker Mayfield, 3,144

Passer Rating: QB Baker Mayfield, 90.0

Rushing Yards: RB Rachaad White, 539

Receptions: WR Emeka Egbuka, 59

Receiving Yards: WR Emeka Egbuka, 910

Interceptions: LB Jamel Dean, 3

Sacks: Yaya Diaby, 6.0

Tackles: LB Lavonte David, 105

Dolphins-

Points Scored: K Riley Patterson, 103

Touchdowns: RB De'Von Achane, 12

Passing Yards: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 2,660

Passer Rating: QB Tua Tagovailoa, 88.4

Rushing Yards: RB De'Von Achane, 1,267

Receptions: RB De'Von Achane/Jaylen Waddle, 64

Receiving Yards: WR Jaylen Waddlen, 910

Interceptions: CB Rasul Douglas, 2

Sacks: LB Bradley Chubb, 6.5

Tackles: LB Jordyn Brooks, 169

TEAM STAT RANKINGS

Buccaneers-

Scoring Offense: 19th (23.1 ppg)

Total Offense: 23rd (315.3 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 20th (116.9 ypg)

Passing Offense: 22nd (198.3 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 19th (19.3)

Third-Down Pct.: t-12th (40.0%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 14th (6.71%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: 23rd (54.6%)

Scoring Defense: 24th (25.1 ppg)

Total Defense: 22nd (343.3 ypg)

Rushing Defense: 7th (101.3 ypg)

Passing Defense: 27th (242.0 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 14th (19.1)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 22nd (41.1%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 19th (6.85%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 31st (71.1%)

Turnover Margin: 7th (+8)

Dolphins-

Scoring Offense: 22nd (21.1 ppg)

Total Offense: 24th (308.9 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 13th (122.4 ypg)

Passing Offense: 25th (186.5 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 26th (17.7)

Third-Down Pct.: 28th (34.7%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 18th (7.41%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: 13th (59.5%)

Scoring Defense: 22nd (24.6 ppg)

Total Defense: 19th (339.5 ypg)

Rushing Defense: 26th (130.0 ypg)

Passing Defense: t-14th (209.1 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 23rd (20.0)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 14th (38.9%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 11th (8.02%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 15th (57.4%)

Turnover Margin: t-25th (-5)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• After his 31-yard outing in Week 16, WR Mike Evans now has 12,987 career receiving yards. With 13 more, he would become just the 22nd player in NFL history to hit the 13,000-yard plateau.
• S Antoine Winfield Jr. has 18.0 career sacks, tied with four other players for the 11th most by a defensive back since sacks became an official statistic in 1982. Two more sacks would allow him to tie Charles Woodson for 10th place on that list.
• WR Emeka Egbuka has 910 receiving yards in 2025. With 55 more he would pass Mike Williams (964) for the fourth-most receiving yards by a rookie in team history. With 90 more, he would join Michael Clayton and Mike Evans as the only rookies in franchise history to record a 1,000-yard receiving season.
• If the Buccaneers win their final two games, they will clinch a fifth straight NFC South title. In addition, if they get those two wins, it will be 100 regular-season victories for the team since the arrival of Jason Licht in 2014, which would make him the first general manager in franchise history to reach the 100-win mark.

NOTABLY QUOTABLE

• Head Coach Todd Bowles on what gives him the most confidence the team can win in Week 17: "Just our work ethic and us staying together. That's the biggest thing. We understand what we put ourselves in and we understand we're the only ones that can get us out of it. So, the work ethic continues, the confidence is there with each other, and we've just got to stay with that."
• Quarterback Baker Mayfield on what is preventing the team from capitalizing late in the games as it had earlier in the season: "It's what I've hit on multiple times, you talk about how we were able to finish early on in the season, executing, doing the little things right. Whether it's penalties or different things here and there. It hasn't been one thing consistently or else it would've been fixed. You just try and tell guys, 'Listen, you don't know when this play is going to come up, but you have to be on your P's and Q's. It's all little details, do your job at a very high level in critical moments, do the little fundamentals and details right and good things will happen.'"
• Tackle Tristan Wirfs on playing well enough to be voted in the Pro Bowl despite missing the first three weeks of the season: "That was a big thing for me. This one means a lot just because of all that. I was really skeptical, like, 'Will I be able to play like myself?' I think these past couple of weeks I've felt more like myself than I have all year. So yeah, getting this honor means the world to me. It's been an up-and-down year, it's been a frustrating year. A lot of stuff has not gone how I wanted it to injury-wise, but yeah, to keep fighting through and keep battling, all the guys in here have my back and keep pushing me to get better and better, what more can you ask for?"
• Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. on how it would feel to make the playoffs: "That's the number one ultimate goal is to get to the playoffs. So, these next two games, we [have] to bring it and that's the most important thing to me right now. I know the team knows it as well, so we're just trying our best to make sure that happens."
• Bowles on the Buccaneers having seven penalties in the fourth quarter in Week 16: "It's frustrating. Obviously, any penalty is frustrating, but to get seven in the fourth quarter, you don't give yourself a chance. You shoot yourself in the foot and we've got to correct that per man, per person, per coach. We've got to make sure that doesn't happen."