Buccaneers vs Dolphins: By The Numbers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing off against the Miami Dolphins today at 1:00 PM EST at Hard Rock Stadium. With a 7-8 record, the Bucs are fighting for their playoff hopes, needing a win and some help from other teams to stay in contention.

Game Preview

The Buccaneers are favored to win, with a 67.1% win probability and a -243 moneyline. However, they’ll face significant challenges without All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who’s out with a toe injury. Ben Chukwuma will start at left tackle, and the offense will need to adapt.

Baker Mayfield will look to bounce back from a tough stretch, having thrown six interceptions over the past six games. The Dolphins’ defense has been vulnerable, allowing 73 points over their last two games, but they’ll be without star safety Minkah Fitzpatrick, who’s dealing with a calf injury.

Key Matchups

• Vita Vea vs Dolphins’ O-Line: Vea’s raw power will test Miami’s solid pass protection and run blocking.

• Bucky Irving vs Dolphins’ Front Seven: Irving needs to re-establish himself. The Dolphins defense might be the perfect team to do that against.

• Mike Evans and Emeka Egbuka vs Miami’s Secondary: The Bucs’ receivers face a Dolphins defense that’s allowed big games to opposing wideouts.

The Buccaneers and Dolphins have a heated in-state rivalry that’s been burning since the Bucs joined the NFL in 1976.

Here are some interesting facts about their history:

• All-Time Series: The Buccaneers lead 7-5 against the Dolphins.

• Largest Win: The Bucs’ biggest win was a 45-17 blowout in 2021, with a 28-point margin.

• Longest Win Streak: The Buccaneers have a 3-game winning streak against the Dolphins since 2013.

• Highest Scoring Game: The highest-scoring matchup was in 1985, with the Dolphins winning 41-38 (85 points).

• Lowest Scoring Game: The lowest-scoring game was in 2000, with the Buccaneers winning 16-13 (29 points).

Prediction

The Buccaneers should control the tempo and force Quinn Ewers into mistakes. Projected score: Buccaneers 24, Dolphins 20.