Sunday Night Football on Christmas Day? Could life get any better? It all depends on who you ask of course.
The Bucs on the one hand knows that a win in Arizona and a combination of results, in which everyone else in their division loses, can lead them to win the NFC South crown. Meanwhile, for the Cardinals, or whatever remains of the team, Sunday’s game means that there are only two more weeks before they pack up for the season and go home.
With Arizona ready to debut their third QB and Tampa looking to win, who will be finishing Christmas with the “W”?
Let’s check the latest NFL picks, stats, injury reports, and NFL predictions. We’ve plenty of NFL expert picks for you to consider.
Brady Doesn’t Want To Wait for NFC South Title
This season has been anything but stellar for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. With one of the strongest rosters in the NFC and Tom Brady leading the pack, the Bucs haven’t been able to cement their place as divisional champions as everyone expected by now. With a 6-8 record and all other teams riding a 5-9 record, winning is a priority.
Thankfully for Brady and his team, Christmas apparently came early. The chance to collect a win and snag the divisional crown has presented itself in the form of playing a depleted and injury-scarred Cardinals team.
For the Bucs to win this game, their main focus on defense will be to pick apart what’s left of Arizona’s offense. As the Cardinals prepare to have Trace McSorley make his starting debut, what better way to welcome him into the league than by giving him a Christmas Day pounding?
Even with Tampa Bay also going through some injury problems, mostly on defense, the team should have enough muscle and power up front to pressure McSorley.
Between that and strong coverage from the secondary on DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown, as well as finding a way to maintain Arizona’s running game under control, meaning, neutralizing James Conner, the Bucs should be just fine.
On offense, winning games where the stakes are high is one of Brady’s specialties. What the Bucs will need is for their offensive line to provide Brady with enough protection to not commit unnecessary turnovers. In the past three games, Brady, who is considered a master in protecting the ball, has turned it over seven times, with two INTs and two fumbles alone coming last weekend in Tampa’s loss to Cincinnati.
With the Cardinals having the worst scoring defense, averaging 26.6 points per game, this is Tampa’s game to not only win but win dominantly.
Will Arizona Limp Its Way to a Surprise Result?
I would love to meet a person who after all these years continues to believe in the Arizona Cardinals as a true threat in the NFC. Every year the narrative remains the same. You look at the Cards and you see a roster with some impactful players that can become pivotal pieces to any franchise.
So what is it about this team that they always manage to kill all expectations and fall victim to their surroundings?
With a 4-10 record, without their two main options at QB, and three of their offensive line starters out – a number that could go up to four if RT Kelvin Beachum can’t make it – can somebody please give the Cards a break?
The Cardinals need their defense to become their beacon. Led by JJ Watt, who is having his best season in quite some time, along with Budda Baker and Zaven Collins, it will be up to them to try and stop Brady, Leonard Fournette, Chris Godwin, and the rest of Tampa’s offense.
Considering that Tampa’s weakest point is its running attack, focusing efforts on stuffing the Bucs is essential. By pressuring Brady to move quickly and Tampa’s rushers to scramble, the Cards could see some positive results.
Offensively, McSorley should be thanking the football Gods that his first official start in the pros will have him surrounded by the likes of Hopkins, Brown, and Conner. Hitting Tampa’s defense with a strong rushing attack to allow McSorley enough time to manage the clock and make effective passes might be the key.
Bucs Win as Christmas Present? Sure Looks Like It
Unlike the Cardinals who are playing to pass the time and make it to the end of the season, the Bucs have a lot riding. A win here for Tampa could mean a divisional title if everything aligns.
Having Brady will always have Tampa’s come into most games as a favorite. On Sunday, roll with the Buccaneers.
