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; I picked first last week so that means Bri gets the honors this week. 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.

In Week Two prior to the Bucs-Texans Monday night showdown in Houston, both Bri and I went with defensive players, and despite a good overall game for the Tampa Bay defense, neither of us hit it big. I chose first and took cornerback Zyon McCollum and Bri followed with outside linebacker Haason Reddick. There's not a great statistical case to be made for either one after the game, but here is the ruling handed down by our possibly distracted and maybe even corrupt judge, Casey:

"After week one getting to choose Emeka and his two TD performance, I thought this would be the easiest part of my week choosing a pick to click winner. But looking at Zyon vs Haason, I didn't see a clear winner. They each had some good moments and plays they might want back. I'm going to choose Reddick because he was part of a solid run defense, and even though the stat sheet didn't show it, he helped on a nice TFL. I don't know if Scott and Bri have a rule about not repeating a pick to click in back to back weeks…but Reddick might be my choice for this next game even more than against the Texans.

And our updated Performance Preview Scoreboard:

Brianna Dix: 2

Scott Smith: 0

Sigh. I need a win bad. Let's see if I can get one with our picks for Week Three.

Brianna Dix: TE Cade Otton

With Chris Godwin still on the ramp-up to a return and with Emeka Egbuka being a non-participant in practice on both Wednesday and Thursday due to hip/groin injuries, I am going to select tight end Cade Otton to have a big game. If Egbuka does play and is on a pitch count, or if he does not at all, when Mike Evans commands double coverage with the single-high safety over the top, that will leave Otton in favorable one-on-one matchups.

So far in 2025, Otton has only logged three receptions for 25 yards but has played a vital role as a blocker on chip and releases or stalk blocks. Otton has been a go-to target for Mayfield in the past and while the pair are still finding their synergy this season, I think the matchup against the Jets is the game where it clicks. Otton is adept at finding voids in coverage and boxing out defenders to haul in catches. He showcased his route-running capability last year on corners, wheels and options, and I look for 88 to stand out against the Jets.

Scott, who is your pick?

Scott Smith: RB Bucky Irving

I'm not going to lie: I really need a win. So while I usually look for some less obvious matchup to exploit for my pick, I'm going to take the Buccaneer most likely to put up the kind of numbers that will impress our judge. You could say that applies even more to Baker Mayfield, but with the Bucs' banged-up offensive line I think Mayfield could have a great game and lead the Bucs to victory but still have modest final numbers.

Given the uncertainty of how the Bucs' shuffled line will be able to keep the pressure off Mayfield against a good Jets front, I think it is going to be imperative that the offense gets the running game going early and sustains it through four quarters. Through two games, the New York defense ranks 24th against the run, allowing 138.5 yards per game while also giving up 4.40 yards per carry. Two games is not a big sample size, but the Jets were only 13th in this category last season.

And I just can't get that 22-yard catch-and-run on the final drive against Houston out of my mind. That was vintage Irving, with broken tackles, juked-out defenders and an impressive stop-and-start on a dime to get the whole thing going. A couple plays like that, more than 100 yards from scrimmage and perhaps a trip to the end zone and I think I would be sure to get my first "W" of the season. And, man, I need one badly.