The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open their fifth straight playoff quest with a Sunday night home game against the 12-5 Washington Commanders, a Wild Card team and the sixth overall seed. The Buccaneers beat the Commanders in Week One but Washington has since thrived behind the heady play of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. To find out how to watch, listen and livestream the game, click here.
NFL analysts are very high on Daniels in general, and even one who picked the Bucs to win is worried about some late-game heroics from the dual-threat quarterback proving him wrong. Another expert wonders if Daniels can take his game to another level in the playoffs like fellow LSU product Joe Burrow. One analyst who picked the Bucs thinks they are better equipped now to handle Daniels' scrambling, while another points to the expected return of All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr. as a difference-maker for the home team. While most expect a high-scoring affair, one expert who picked the Commanders thinks that Dan Quinn's defense has healthier "play-making punch" on defense than the Todd Bowles' Buccaneers.
Kristopher Knox of Bleacher Report sees this as a tough one to call:
"It's cliche to say this game could go either way, but that's how this one feels. Both teams feature dynamic offenses and defenses that can disappear for long stretches. This one's set up to be an offensive track meet, which means that it'll probably be an unexpectedly defensive game, of course."
The Buccaneers are 3.0-point underdogs at home, but many predictors are going against that line. Here's what some of them are saying:
NFL.com – Four of five analysts side with the Buccaneers, but all predict close game
ESPN.com – No love for the Bucs here as all three analysts choose the visitors
CBSSports.com – Pete Prisco sees a shootout with Bucky Irving closing it out late for the Bucs
USA Today – It's an even split among six predictions
Bleacher Report – Five of eight experts go with the Commanders
Pro Football Talk – Chris Simms picks his former team in high-scoring affair, and Mike Florio agrees
Sports Illustrated – Albert Breer goes with the Bucs, with only one of six analysts dissenting
Sporting News – Vinnie Iyer makes the Commanders his Upset of the Week
