Cardinals-Buccaneers Week 13 Preview: Key Matchups and Predictions

As the Arizona Cardinals prepare to face the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 13, both teams find themselves in a critical situation. The Buccaneers have signed quarterback Connor Bazelak to their 53-man roster, likely as an emergency third quarterback, while starting quarterback Baker Mayfield is officially listed as questionable due to a left shoulder injury. Head coach Todd Bowles mentioned that Mayfield is trending toward making the start, but if he cannot go, Teddy Bridgewater would step in. This uncertainty at quarterback highlights the struggles of the Buccaneers, who have gone from a strong start of 5-1 to a disappointing 1-4 over their last five games, currently sitting at 6-5, with a slim lead over the 6-6 Carolina Panthers in the NFC South, making this game crucial for their playoff aspirations, according to Pro Football Talk.

On the other side, the Cardinals are adapting to a new quarterback in Jacoby Brissett, who is stepping in for the injured Kyler Murray. Pro Football Focus notes that Brissett has been performing well, ranking fourth in the NFL in EPA on deep passes, a potential advantage against a Buccaneers defense that has struggled against vertical attacks. Tampa Bay has faced one of the highest average depths of target in recent weeks, indicating that opponents have successfully exploited their defensive coverage, which has been unstable and ranks fifth-worst in coverage rate since their bye week.

The matchup between Brissett and the Buccaneers' defense could be pivotal. The Cardinals' offensive strategy has seen improvements post-bye week, especially with increased blitzing, which has shifted them from a bottom-four blitz team to one of the top four in the league. This aggressive approach could capitalize on Mayfield’s struggles under pressure, as he has performed poorly against blitzes this season, according to Pro Football Focus. With the Buccaneers' coverage issues and Brissett's capability to exploit those mistakes, there’s a chance for the Cardinals to find success offensively.

In terms of bold predictions for the game, The Pewter Plank speculates that if Haason Reddick returns from injury, he could make a significant impact, possibly recording two sacks against his former team. Additionally, they predict that the Buccaneers' offense could have a 'get-right' game against a Cardinals defense that allows an average of 25.7 points per game, suggesting the potential for Tampa Bay to score over 30 points if they find their rhythm.

Emeka Egbuka, a rookie standout for the Buccaneers, is also expected to play a key role, with predictions for him to surpass 100 receiving yards and score a touchdown, supporting his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year. This matchup between the Cardinals and Buccaneers is not just about playoff positioning but also about proving their mettle after recent struggles. With both teams needing a win to improve their chances, this game could be a pivotal moment in their respective seasons.