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 it's my turn to go first. 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.
The Bucs' lopsided loss to the Los Angeles Rams in Week 12 honestly made it tough to pick a Performance Preview winner, especially since neither of us chose Tez Johnson, who scored the team's only touchdown, or Yaya Diaby, who had the lone sack. Bri made a risky pick with Sterling Shepard, and this time it didn't pay off even though Shepard has had a very good season. I went a little off the wall, too, picking left tackle Tristan Wirfs and knowing full well he wouldn't have any statistics of his own to impress our judge. However, that strategy might have actually paid off.
This is how our venerable Judge saw it:
"On a tough night offensively, you guys both picked offensive players so either choice feels like a bit of stretch. Sterling Shepard had three catches for 12 yards. But at least the run game went for 123 yards and Rachaad White averaged over five yards a carry for a second straight week. So I'll go with Tristan and his role in contributing to the run game, which was one of the brighter spots in that game."
That's the second straight week in which I've won but also felt like I was being told, "Oh, bless your heart." Still counts though. Here's our updated Performance Preview Scoreboard:
Brianna Dix: 5
Scott Smith: 5
Push: 1
We're all knotted up with six games to go. Can Bri get back on track after her own three-game losing streak? If that means the Bucs break their streak, I would be fine with it. However, I'm going first with…
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on 11/28/2025
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Punter Riley Dixon #9 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive line during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Offensive Lineman Lorenz Metz #71 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Helmet during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Tackle Tristan Wirfs #78 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Guard Luke Haggard #72 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Offensive Tackle Benjamin Chukwuma #70 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Cornerback Zyon McCollum #27 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Teddy Bridgewater #10 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Connor Bazelak #16 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Wide Receiver Kameron Johnson #19 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Defensive Back Josh Hayes #32 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Yaya Diaby #0 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Inside Linebacker SirVocea Dennis #8 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Chris Braswell #43 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Haason Reddick #5 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Football during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Running Back Bucky Irving #7 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Wide Receiver Sterling Shepard #17 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin Jr. #14 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Linebacker Deion Jones #45 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Wide Receiver Emeka Egbuka #2 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Benton Whitley #56, Defensive Lineman Nash Hutmacher, Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson #98, and Outside Linebacker Markees Watts #58 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Outside Linebacker Mohamed Kamara #59 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Safety Rashad Wisdom #38 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Quarterback Baker Mayfield #6 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - November 28, 2025 - Defensive Lineman C.J. Brewer #52 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cleats for My Cause My Cleats during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Scott Smith: DL Vita Vea
Vita Vea, the Bucs' snowplow of a nose tackle, hasn't had a sack since Week Six, so I think it's fair to say I'm going out on a limb here. What Vea has had in all those games was the full attention of the team's opposing offensive line, consisting drawing double teams while still fueling one of the best run defenses in the NFL. For instance, Vea was double-teamed on two-thirds of his defensive snaps last Sunday night against the Rams. Against the 49ers in Week Six he had five quarterback pressures despite being double-teamed on 70% of Mac Jones' dropbacks.
This week, it looks like there's a good chance edge rusher Haason Reddick will return to action, and the Bucs' defensive front needs him. Over the last three games combined, Tampa Bay's defense has generated just two sacks, and just one by an edge rusher. Yet we have evidence that a pass rush driven by Reddick, Vea and Yaya Diaby can consistently get the opposing quarterback down. The Buccaneers had a total of 15 sacks in a three-game span right before their bye week. Maybe Reddick is the one who takes advantage of the extra attention being paid to Vea, or perhaps a hot start by Reddick will force the offense to focus on him, possibly reducing the number of extra blockers that Vea sees. If it's the latter, I'm expecting Via to take advantage of his opportunities and get Jacoby Brissett on the ground once or twice. I'm sure that would be enough to sway Judge Casey in my direction once again.
Brianna Dix:
This week, I am calculating that Lavonte David has one of his trademark performances. He is one of two players since tackles began being officially tracked in 1994 with 1,500-plus tackles, 40-plus sacks and 10-plus interceptions. In addition, David is one of four players to record at least 40 sacks, 30 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions. In 2025, he has nabbed 38 tackles, 2.5 sacks and an interception. A captain for 12 consecutive seasons, David sets the standard.
One of the Cardinals' top offensive weapons is tight end Trey McBride, who ranks second in the NFL with 80 catches. He is adept off in-breakers and David is regarded as one of the best off-ball linebackers in the game. David will be tasked with putting the clamps on McBride over the middle of the field and preventing the fourth-year player from taking over the Week 13 matchup. David plays with rare instincts, fluidity in transition, exceptional change-of-direction and he holds up in man/zone coverage on third down. In Week 13, I am predicting that David commands the attention of the vivacious crowd with stellar play. It all comes together for No. 54 on Sunday.
