Top Scout Offers Intriguing Insight into Buccaneers Schedule Challenge
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in an interesting situation going into 2025. They defeated both the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles (the top two seeds in the NFC) last season, but finished just 10-7.
Their wild card loss to the Washington Commanders have some wondering Tampa Bay's run of dominance as an NFC contender is coming to an end.
Advertisement
Even if the Buccaneers themselves don't believe that.
Tampa Bay has won the last four division titles in the NFC South, and are favorites to win a fifth-straight year. With plenty of intriguing matchups coming up in 2025, though, plenty of analysts have debated the most important on the year.
NFL.com writer Bucky Brooks has a different opinion on what could be Tampa's toughest opponent.
In his mind, it's the Arizona Cardinals.
"This duel between a couple of former No. 1 overall picks features enough of a Hollywood storyline to be worthy of a more prominent time slot than 1 p.m. on Sunday," Brooks said. "Mayfield takes on his former Oklahoma teammate and fellow Heisman Trophy winner in a battle of undersized quarterbacks leading dark-horse contenders.
Advertisement
"Diminutive passers are no longer dismissed in the NFL, and this NFC clash will provide executives and scouts with another opportunity to appreciate the ways playmakers of all sizes can get it done in today's game."
Arizona has improved their win total in each season under Jonathan Gannon as head coach, but they need to finally make a push for the postseason. With a strong rushing attack, an improved defense, and a quality quarterback, the Cardinals are a dark horse candidate to win the NFC West.
And even fight among teams like the Buccaneers for seeding come playoff time.
Related: Buccaneers Insider Reveals 'Most Anticipated' Game of 2025 Schedule
Related: Buccaneers Earn Monster Grade After Offseason Deals
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
2 hours ago
- Associated Press
Orioles and Rays meet, winner takes 3-game series
Tampa Bay Rays (47-36, second in the AL East) vs. Baltimore Orioles (35-47, fifth in the AL East) Baltimore; Sunday, 1:35 p.m. EDT PITCHING PROBABLES: Rays: Taj Bradley (5-5, 4.57 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 77 strikeouts); Orioles: Dean Kremer (6-7, 4.60 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 72 strikeouts) BETMGM SPORTSBOOK LINE: Orioles -113, Rays -106; over/under is 9 1/2 runs BOTTOM LINE: Both the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays are looking for a series win with a victory on Sunday. Baltimore has gone 18-22 at home and 35-47 overall. The Orioles are 16-9 in games when they did not give up a home run. Tampa Bay has a 47-36 record overall and a 20-13 record in road games. Rays hitters have a collective .411 slugging percentage to rank eighth in MLB. Sunday's game is the seventh meeting between these teams this season. The season series is tied 3-3. TOP PERFORMERS: Ryan O'Hearn has nine doubles and 11 home runs while hitting .294 for the Orioles. Gary Sanchez is 12 for 35 with a double and three home runs over the last 10 games. Brandon Lowe has 10 doubles and 17 home runs for the Rays. Yandy Diaz is 19 for 42 with three doubles and three home runs over the past 10 games. LAST 10 GAMES: Orioles: 4-6, .225 batting average, 5.93 ERA, outscored by six runs Rays: 7-3, .327 batting average, 5.56 ERA, outscored opponents by 11 runs INJURIES: Orioles: Zach Eflin: day-to-day (back), Jordan Westburg: day-to-day (finger), Maverick Handley: 7-Day IL (head), Ryan Mountcastle: 60-Day IL (hamstring), Adley Rutschman: 10-Day IL (oblique), Cade Povich: 15-Day IL (hip), Jorge Mateo: 10-Day IL (elbow), Cody Poteet: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler O'Neill: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Grayson Rodriguez: 60-Day IL (elbow), Albert Suarez: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Tyler Wells: 60-Day IL (elbow), Kyle Bradish: 60-Day IL (elbow) Rays: Manuel Rodriguez: 15-Day IL (forearm), Jonny Deluca: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Ha-Seong Kim: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Hunter Bigge: 15-Day IL (lat), Shane McClanahan: 60-Day IL (tricep), Richie Palacios: 10-Day IL (knee), Alex Faedo: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Nathan Lavender: 60-Day IL (elbow) ___ The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive and data from Sportradar.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys Fans Vote On Six Levels of 'What Would Mean Success' in 2025
Cowboys Fans Vote On Six Levels of 'What Would Mean Success' in 2025 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. FRISCO - Which way to the bar? No, not that "bar,'' even though the Dallas Cowboys often drive their fans to drinkin'. Advertisement We mean "the bar of expectations'' under new head coach Brian Schottenheimer. The Cowboys have the "Blow It Up'' plan (and a 7-10 season) behind them. There is the ever-present criticism of owner Jerry Jones and QB Dak Prescott, of course, but there is also a much-celebrated "culture shift'' under new coach Brian Schottenheimer. Many critics have predicted a modest to underwhelming season for Dallas in Schottenheimer's first year at the helm. Others have projected a successful first campaign. And why? But, Cowboys Nation, before we predict "success,'' we have to define it. And our Mike Fisher in the Fish Report below is here to help. Advertisement So, you vote. Pick one of the six as you decide in your own heads and hearts where the "bar of expectations'' should be for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys. Your choices ... 1. BETTER 'N: Last year Dallas was 7-10. Be better than that, and forge a foundation going forward, and that's enough. 2. PLAYOFFS IN: Is a playoff berth enough? Damn right - especially climbing out of the brutal NFC East. 3. PLAYOFFS WIN: Postseason wins are a real measure. Dallas has gotten their plenty. Win one. 4. "TRUE SUPER BOWL CONTENTION:'' What is "rue Super Bowl contention''? You define it. And pick No. 4 if that's what must be. Advertisement 5. NFC CHAMPIONSHIP APPEARANCE: End that 30-year drought, please. 6. SUPER BOWL! Because in Dallas, that's all that really matters. So there you go, Cowboys fans ... rock the vote! Related: Cowboys Culture Change Goes Greek in Viral Video Related: Cowboys' Dak Prescott Given Shocking Ranking Among Top 10 Quarterbacks Want more Cowboys? Come on inside the Fish Report! - This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 25, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Compared to 3-Time Super Bowl Champ
Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Compared to 3-Time Super Bowl Champ originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Baker Mayfield has turned around his career since arriving in Tampa Bay on a one-year deal to play with the Buccaneers in 2023. Advertisement Replacing legend and seven-time Super Bowl Champion Tom Brady is no easy proposition, but Mayfield's transition in Tampa Bay has been seamless. Posting two career seasons since being signed by general manager Jason Licht, Mayfield has helped the Bucs to a record-tying four straight NFC South titles and five playoff appearances in a row. As Mayfield enters his third season with the Bucs, his numbers are drawing a comparison to three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes. The Kansas City Chiefs quarterback will enter his ninth season in the league next season, and has six Pro Bowl nods and three Super Bowl championships to his name, along with two losses in the Big Game. One to the Eagles last season and one to the Buccaneers and Tom Brady in 2020. Advertisement While Mayfield has not enjoyed the championships or accolades that Mahomes has, a quick glance at the pair's numbers tells a shocking story for some. FanDuel posted a graphic comparing the two former Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterbacks side-by-side. Fanduel Mayfield leads Mahomes over the past two seasons in every statistical category. The only one in which Mahomes is better is interceptions, where he has one less than Mayfield. The Bucs QB leads in passing yards (8,544 - 8,111), passing touchdowns (69 - 53), completion percentage (67.9 - 67.3) and passer rating (100-7 - 93). No one is saying Baker is better than Patrick, but numbers don't lie, and Mayfield should certainly be talked about in the same regard when it comes to regular season stats. Advertisement Now, if Baker could just get over that postseason hump... Related: Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield Was Better Last Season In One Key Passing Stat Related: High-Priced Buccaneers Cornerback Could be Trade Bait Ahead of 2025 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
