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Week 13 brings an unexpectedly intriguing matchup as the 3-8 Arizona Cardinals travel east to face the 6-5 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That’s a team clinging to first place in the NFC South but trending in the wrong direction. Tampa Bay is dealing with a three-game losing streak and uncertainty at quarterback. Meanwhile, Arizona embraces the spoiler role behind steady veteran Jacoby Brissett. As such, this game has the makings of one of Sunday’s sneaky-tight battles.
The Cardinals have not played like a typical 3-8 team. Despite a three-game skid, they’ve consistently kept games close. Much of their recent competitiveness stems from Brissett, who has brought stability and patience to the offense. His ability to distribute the ball gives Arizona a chance against a Buccaneers pass defense that has been exposed in recent weeks. Tampa Bay’s secondary has given up explosive plays in back-to-back games. With cornerback Jamel Dean nursing a hip injury, Arizona will look to aggressively push the ball downfield. The Cardinals’ defense must clamp down on the run to avoid being physically worn down late. That’s something that has plagued them in close losses.
The Buccaneers, meanwhile, are teetering on a dangerous edge. Their once-commanding NFC South lead has been threatened by a three-game slide. Even more concerning is the status of quarterback Baker Mayfield. He has been unable to practice due to an AC joint sprain in his non-throwing shoulder. If Mayfield cannot go, Tampa Bay turns to Teddy Bridgewater. He’s a reliable veteran but a clear step back in terms of offensive explosiveness. That puts more pressure on running back Bucky Irving. He should return and become the centerpiece of Tampa Bay’s game plan. The Buccaneers’ defense also must tighten up after several weeks of breakdowns. With both teams capable of forcing turnovers, this matchup may come down to who protects the ball and who manages the moment.
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Here we will look at and discuss some bold predictions for the game between the Cardinals and the Buccaneers in Week 13 of the 2025 NFL season.
Brissett has attempted more passes per game than any quarterback since becoming the Cardinals’ starter. In fact, he is averaging 43.5 attempts. That volume sets the stage for a statistically significant day. Dean is banged up and Tampa Bay’s secondary is struggling to communicate. As such, Michael Wilson and the rest of Arizona’s young receiving corps will have opportunities to generate chunk plays. Expect Brissett to stay aggressive. He will take advantage of soft zones and mismatches en route to surpassing 300 yards through the air.
Tampa Bay’s offense needs a stabilizing force. Irving’s return could be exactly what the team requires. Fully participating in practice, Irving appears ready to handle a sizable workload. The Cardinals have shown fight defensively. However, they tend to fade in the...
