It's time for another round of "Performance Preview," in which Staff Writer/Reporter Brianna Dix and I make our picks to click for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' next game. This is more than just a brief bit of game analysis, it's a competition. That's right: We're keeping score
The rules are simple: Bri and I each pick one Buccaneers player on Friday and explain why we think they are poised for a big game. We can't duplicate picks so order may matter, and this week I have the power for the first choice. Since neither of us would be impartial enough to do the judging after the game, we've asked Team Reporter Casey Phillips to step in as the guest judge each week.
Last week, Bri picked first and went with Mike Evans, which made me angrily shake my fist at the clouds because that's who I was hoping to select, as well. So I pivoted to defense and landed on Yaya Diaby. It looked like my worst fears were realized (but I was also celebrating) when Mike opened the Bucs' scoring with a classic one-yard touchdown fade on Tampa Bay's first possession. However, Yaya ended up having a quietly strong outing as well, and as it turned out, Judge Casey was impressed by it. Here's her ruling:
"Mike Evans is never a bad pick to make. And typically a touchdown would be enough to get you the win in pick to click, but outside of the one yard TD Mike only had 4 other catches for 30 yards . So I decided Yaya would get my vote this week thanks to his 9 QB pressures. I felt like I just kept hearing the announcers say his name. Even thought the outcome wasn't what we wanted, that many pressures shows me you were consistently affecting the game."
And here's our updated Performance Preview Scoreboard:
Brianna Dix: 7
Scott Smith: 7
Push: 1
It's all tied up! It's coming down to the wire! The nation is captivated!. Let's see who prevails in Week 17 to take a one-game edge into the final weekend.
View the best photos from The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event.
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - December 16, 2025 - The Baker and Emily Mayfield Foundation's annual 'Passing The Joy' event. Photo By Doug DeFelice/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Scott Smith: Bucky Irving
I can't get too tricky with this one. I'll go with a player who would feel like a legitimate choice in just about every game. In this case, I note that Miami ranks 26th in rushing yards allowed per game (130.3) and 27th in yards allowed per carry (4.67).
While Todd Bowles and Josh Grizzard faced some second-guessing this week for emphasizing the rushing attack over the Bucs' quartet of star receivers, I still think they will want to lean on the ground game again this week. The best way to limit the damage done by Miami's De'Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle is to keep them off the field as much as possible. Controlling the clock is a goal for Bowles and Grizzard, and in last week's narrow loss in Charlotte the Bucs had a nearly 10-minute edge in time of possession.
Irving is healthy and has fresh legs after he missed seven midseason games, and while he hasn't had a huge outing since his return he's been very consistent, with 71 to 81 yards from scrimmage in four straight outings. Let's take that number, add about 50 more yards and throw in a touchdown. That's my prediction and I think that will be enough to get me a much-needed 'W.'
Brianna Dix: Emeka Egbuka
Against the Panthers in Week 16, the Bucs' lone completion of more than 13 yards through the air was a 40-yard catch by Emeka Egbuka on a deep over. With Tampa Bay taking a run-heavy approach against Carolina and Egbuka falling to the end of the progression more often than not, he did not "wow" on the stat sheet; however, Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard stressed the notion of getting Egbuka more involved in Week 17 at Hard Rock Stadium.
"It wasn't necessarily what they were doing as much as if the first read was open and it didn't get to his side of the field," stated Grizzard. "On that particular play, he was really the third read in the way they played the coverage. Mike [Evans] was covered, Chris [Godwin Jr.] was covered, and the coverage structure allowed 'Mek' to get behind them. It wasn't necessarily as much of a double-team element to it like we've seen from some teams in the past, but we've definitely got to try to get the ball to 'Mek' earlier in the game and keep him involved."
Egbuka, the Bucs' first overall pick in April, is one of four rookies since 1970 to record 40-plus receptions and average at least 16.5 yards per reception through their first nine games. His numbers have dipped in recent weeks but with the club's talent at the position group with Evans, Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan, it is only a matter of time before No. 2 goes off. The Dolphins cannot account for all the team's weapons and Egbuka possesses inside-outside versatility. He has a feel for coverage and how to generate leverage with subtle maneuvers at the stem and he commands the catch point. I expect the savvy route runner to have a breakout game against Miami.
