The 7-8 Tampa Bay Buccaneers take their final regular season road trip of 2025 in Week 17, and it's a quick hop down to Miami to take on the 6-9 Dolphins. The Buccaneers can guarantee themselves a chance to play for a fifth consecutive NFC South title in Week 18 with a win in Miami, while a loss would put them at risk of postseason elimination. To find out how to watch, listen and livestream the game, click here.
Some of the experts are concerned by Tampa Bay's defensive numbers since the team's bye week, particularly a league-worst 6.4 yards allowed per play. Given the 5.5-point spread, at least one analyst went with the Dolphins, pointing out that most of the Buccaneers wins have been by four or fewer points this season. There is some unease about getting behind rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers in his second career start for the Dolphins, but one writer thought Ewers showed flashes in last week's loss to Cincinnati. One expert who picked the Bucs expects Baker Mayfield to lead the way with his best outing in weeks.
The Buccaneers are 5.5-point favorites on the road and many national analysts expect them to bring home the victory. Here's what some of them are predicting will occur on Sunday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium:
NFL.com – Bucs go five for five among these experts
ESPN.com – Of the 11 experts assembled, only Sports Betting Analyst Pamela Maldonado picks Miami
CBSSports.com – Pete Prisco expects the Bucs to come through in a must-win situation
USA Today – With the spread in play, Tampa Bay gets the nod from four of six experts
Bleacher Report – Picking against the spread, four of seven prognosticators land on Tampa Bay
Pro Football Talk – Mike Florio and Chris Simms agree on a Bucs pick
Sports Illustrated – Six analysts are united in their selection of the Buccaneers to win
Sporting News – Bill Bender foresees a double-digit win for the visiting team
Here's how Pete Prisco of CBS Sports breaks it down:
"The Bucs have to win the next two to win the division. Miami is done and the past two weeks has played like it. This is a road game for Tampa Bay, but will it feel like it? Look for Tampa Bay to win it behind a better showing from Baker Mayfield and the offense. Pick: Buccaneers 28, Dolphins 21."
