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; Bri picked first last week so I'm in pole position 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.
Bri and I both went with offensive picks in Week Eight, perhaps expecting something of a shootout at Ford Field given how well both quarterbacks have played this season. Unfortunately, the Bucs were held to single-digit points in a game for the first time since last September, so the final numbers didn't blow anyone away. That said, my selection was tight end Cade Otton, who had one of his more productive weeks of the 2025 season, while Bri went with Rachaad White, who was largely held in check.
And thus, this is how our very intelligent and knowledgeable (not to mention sophisticated and empathetic) Judge ruled this week:
"Well look at that: Scott won one without having to resort to bribery or underhanded emails. Cade Otton was our leading receiver with seven catches for 65 yards. And over the past three games, Otton has hauled in 16 receptions for 197 yards – the second-most receiving yards by a tight end in Weeks 5-7. It's great to see Otton getting more involved in the pass game after having to help so much with the blocking in early weeks. And it's great to see Scott get one in the win column even if the team didn't."
And, thus, our updated Performance Preview Scoreboard:
Brianna Dix: 4
Scott Smith: 2
Push: 1
Uncle Mo is on my side! Let's make our picks for Week Eight as I try to keep that momentum going.
View pictures from Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice on 10/23/2025
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and 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 - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and 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 - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and 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 - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 and 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Guard Mike Jordan #60 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Cornerback Jacob Parrish #25 and Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Safety Tykee Smith #23 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Guard Ben Bredeson #68 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Cornerback Benjamin Morrison #21 and Cornerback Jamel Dean #35 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Visor during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Guard Dan Feeney #65 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Tackle Tyler McLellan #74 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Tez Johnson #15 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Defensive Lineman Elijah Simmons #92 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Buccaneers flag during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Keith Tandy and Safety Christian Izien #29 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Running Back Rachaad White #1 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Running Back Josh Williams #18 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Linebacker Nick Jackson #53 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Tight End Cade Otton #88 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Wide Receiver Ryan Miller #81 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - General Manager Jason Licht and Head Coach Todd Bowles of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebackers Coach Mike Caldwell of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 2025 - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - October 23, 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 - October 23, 2025 - Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. #31 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during practice at AdventHealth Training Center. Photo By Kyle Zedaker/Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Scott Smith: Yaya Diaby
My original thought was to take nose tackle Vita Vea, who is having a fine season and will be going against a backup center with Erik McCoy recently landing on injured reserve. However, after Vea missed the last two practices of the week with his recurring foot issue, that just seemed to risky. Therefore, I switched to the man I'm hoping can rattle Spencer Rattler's cage on Sunday, Yaya Diaby.
Diaby is starting to get on a roll. He has three sacks over the Bucs' last two games and is now the team leader in 2025 with 4.0. Tampa Bay's defense as a whole has turned up the heat in the last two games, with a total of 10 sacks against the 49ers and Lions after it had a total of 10 sacks across its first five outings. Diaby is tied for 13th among all NFL defenders with his 27 QB pressures on the season, and his average get-off at the snap of 0.76 seconds is tied for second among all players with at least 100 pass-rush snaps. That's the same get-off speed as Myles Garrett! Yes, that Myles Garrett.
New Orleans' offensive line has done a decent job of protecting Rattler, ranking 14th in the NFL with a 6.28% sacks-allowed-per-pass-play rate, though some of that can be attributed to the young quarterback's impressive mobility. Diaby will primarily be working against tackles Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga, both top-14 overall picks in the last two years; obviously there is a lot of talent there but perhaps they could still be prone to youthful mistakes. That's at least is what I'm hoping happens on Sunday. Diaby keeps his hot streak rolling, the Bucs' defense makes things tough on Rattler in his 14th career start and the team leaves New Orleans with a much-needed 'W.'
Brianna Dix: Sean Tucker
I had also thought about going with Yaya Diaby, and Anthony Nelson seemed too similar to Scott's selection, so I am going to go with a pick on the offensive side of the ball with running back Sean Tucker. Last season, Tucker became the catalyst in the Buccaneers' 51-27 beatdown of the Saints at the Superdome, earning NFC Offensive Player of the Week for Week Six recognition by the league. He accounted for 192 yards from scrimmage and scored two touchdowns. He led a 277-yard ground attack with 136 yards on 14 carries, averaging 9.7 yards per tote. Tucker recorded the highest rushing total of any NFL player in Week Six and added 56 yards on three receptions. He was also the only player in the NFC to score on both a run and a catch that week, and the first Buccaneer to do so since Leonard Fournette in 2021.
At Syracuse, Tucker's specialty was generating yards on flat routes and the versatile running back set the tone against the divisional foe in 2024, making an impact on counters and screens. He has a superlative escape hatch in his rushes to elude defenders and runs with outstanding contact balance. Tucker varies his tempo with subtle maneuvers to bypass linebackers and he quickly works upfield after sticking his foot in the ground. He only has 11 carries for 34 yards in 2025 but I am manifesting a breakout game for No. 44. With Bucky Irving sidelined due to foot and shoulder injuries, Tucker could see an increased workload opposite Rachaad White to try and establish the run on early downs against the Saints. New Orleans has the 24th-ranked run defense and Tucker will look to exploit the unit on Sunday. Also, it is Tucker's birthday on Saturday so what better way to celebrate than with a stellar performance in Week Eight?
