Bucks vs. Titans
when: Sunday, November 12, 2023 | where: Raymond James Stadium | kick off: 1:00 PM ET | tv set: CBS
For each play: Andrew Catalon | Analyst: Tiki Barber & Matt Ryan | Side job: AJ Ross
wireless: 98 Rock 97.9FM | For each play: Gene Deckerhoff Analyst: Dave Moore | Side job: TJ Rives
As game day approaches, it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make their weekly game predictions and provide game previews for this week’s matchups. Let us know what you think in the comment section of the article. Please also add your predictions.
Scott Reynolds: “I don’t trust these Buccaneers”
I don’t trust these three to five backs. you? Do you believe the offense can finally turn a corner and score 24 or more points, let alone 37! – on a regular basis? Do you believe Todd Bowles’ defense isn’t in a soft-zone death spiral? Oh, and not to mention the team’s two starting cornerbacks, who combined for four touchdowns to a rookie quarterback last week. Carlton Davis III and Jamel Dean, who conceded the loss, are not feeling well and may not be able to play. Davis and Dean will be considered during the game due to concussions and toe injuries, respectively.
Tennessee rookie quarterback Will Levis, who threw four touchdowns in his NFL debut in a blowout win over Atlanta two weeks ago, is carving out Tampa Bay’s expected soft zone coverage with fellow rookie quarterback CJ Stroud. When you see this, you must be thinking this in your heart. , I can do it too! ” Oh, and with the Titans losing to the Steelers last Thursday night, Levi had extra time to prepare for the Bucs defense.
If you objectively look back at the 16-13 loss to Atlanta, you can clearly see the collapse of this defense. The Falcons lost three fumbles in the red zone, two of which were inside the 2-yard line. This is probably his 17 points after Atlanta he could have and should have scored for a 33-13 blowout win. The Bucs’ defense then allowed three touchdowns and one field goal to Buffalo, resulting in a 24-18 loss. Perhaps Stroud and the Texans flashing the Bucs is something we should have seen coming.
I think the offense will keep it close, but Levi had a good day and the Titans unfortunately beat the Bucks at home. When Tampa Bay falls to 1-4 at home and the Glazers give it their all, the home fans boo, and rightly so. A win won’t take Bowles out of the limelight, but a loss would mean he’ll fall into a Raheem Morris-like free fall, and at 3-6, there’s no hope for a late-season turnaround or keeping Bowles. Not so much. His job in 2024.
Reynolds game prediction: Titans 26, Bucks 23
Reynolds season record: 6 wins, 2 losses.
Matt Matera: Bucks win – but if not start tanking
There is no hope or inspiration for the Bucks, who have lost four straight. The most uplifting thing the Bucks have offered this week is Baker Mayfield air drums with a water bottle Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” was played during Friday’s practice warm-up. Let’s get down to business – this is a must-win game for the Bucks. Without a home win against the Titans, their season is effectively over.
The good news for the Bucks is that the offense is coming off its best performance of the season, despite Chris Godwin having a very quiet game and Mike Evans having some impact at one point. Tampa Bay will end the game quickly if they can’t slow down Tennessee defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons.
The Bucs’ run game wasn’t great last week, but showing glimpses of success or even the appearance of success running the football showed so many options open for them. I keep feeding his Rachaad White, but I don’t necessarily do it all the time. He’s proven to be a third weapon in the passing game, so keep riding him. In the end, Evans and Godwin will have to make big plays.
Needless to say, this has to be a bounce-back game for the entire defense. You might think playing a rookie in his third career start would be an advantage for the Bucks, but they ended up making the rookie look like a veteran All-Pro. Will anyone step up in the pass rush? You can blame them just as much as you can blame Carlton Davis III and the rest of the secondary.
The main priority is to stop Derrick Henry on the ground. Because that sets everything else up for the Titans. I much prefer this matchup for Davis against DeAndre Hopkins, who has performed well in the past. Davis and the rest of the Bucs defense are a proud group. It will fly this week.
The Bucks need Levi to continue to build on what worked for their offense while making him look like a rookie. If not, start tanking and turn the page to next season.
Matera Prediction: Bucks 28, Titans 21
Matera’s season record: 5 wins, 3 losses
Bailey Adams: “The Bucks have no reason to doubt me anymore”
I said it in Last week’s pewter predictions I believe the Texans game was my last chance with the Bucs in 2023. That may have been a bit of an exaggeration, as I reserve the right to pick Tampa Bay in future games this season. After all, the schedule is pretty light. But Week 9 was my last chance to clear my doubts about this team.
I don’t think I’m alone in predicting that the Bucks will eventually come together and look like a competent football team. There’s a lot of talent on the roster, especially on defense, which has a lot of players who have played together in the same scheme for years. So at some point the defense should have figured it out and the offense should have finally taken off. right?
I’m done hoping that happens. It’s still possible, but for me it’s no longer hopeful. I watched the game against the Titans on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium and saw the toss-up. Earlier in the season, a toss-up like this would have given the Bucks an advantage. No more.
Tampa Bay has lost four straight and hasn’t been able to defend its home stadium for much of the year. I doubt that will change this week. Perhaps the offense’s 37 points was the turning point last week, but there was no consistency from that unit to make us believe that was the case.
On the other hand, my confidence in Todd Bowles’ defense is at an all-time low. This doesn’t look like the same unit that led the charge to the Super Bowl three years ago, despite being largely comprised of the same core. Due to its stubbornness in playing too many zone/off coverages, lack of interceptions in the secondary, and often non-existent pass rush, this defense will contain Will Revis, another rookie after C.J. Stroud. I don’t really believe in being deaf. I rounded it up last week.
This is probably a game the Bucks should win, and I wouldn’t be surprised if they win. In fact, I think they might win. But I’m reluctantly sticking to my principles and sticking to my word here. Because I got burned too much trying to turn them around. So until they prove they’ve turned the corner, I’m going to bet on them. Even at home.
Adams game prediction: Titans 27, Bucks 24
Adams’ season record: 5 wins, 3 losses.
Josh Quaipo: Bucks win over Titans rebuild
The Bucks will play a team that resets mid-year. The Titans correctly decided it was time to begin a rebuild and officially handed over the quarterback reins to Will Revis. Levis looked great against Atlanta, but he was surprisingly solid against Pittsburgh’s relentless pass rush. But he’s still a young quarterback who’s only making his third start of the season.
And while most Bucks fans would say the Titans’ offense is ready, citing last week’s “adventure” with fellow rookie C.J. Stroud, the Titans’ offensive line is really rough. , aside from the inside pass rush, the defense isn’t great either.
The Bucs are built to stop the Titans from doing what they do best (running the ball), and Tampa Bay’s offense faces a secondary that has lost its best player recently.
Furthermore, their run defense isn’t perfect. And the Bucs offense is starting to grow in all facets of the game. The players seem more comfortable making the calls, and the offense should continue to be better than the 16 points per game it was averaging a few weeks ago.
Quipo’s game prediction: Bucks 26, Titans 16
Quaipo’s season record: 5 wins, 3 losses
Adam Slivon: Bucks find a way to rebound at home
This Sunday is one of the most important games of the season for the Bucks. Reeling from a four-game losing streak, this game is a chance for the team to stay alive and continue their chase in the NFC South. Losing five in a row would be a devastating blow, especially with the 49ers looming as Tampa Bay’s next opponent.
Fortunately for the Bucks, they are playing a Titans team that is in flux. The defense that decided to bench Ryan Tannehill and hand over the reins to Will Revis will have a chance to get back on track against another rookie quarterback who will be making his third NFL start. Dew. The Titans have a few big stars on the team in Derrick Henry, DeAndre Hopkins and Jeffery Simmons, but they otherwise lack depth, with the most obvious weaknesses being on the offensive line and secondary.
This will give the Bucs’ pass rush an opportunity to continually put pressure on Levis, as the Steelers had 10 quarterback hits last Thursday night. Carlton Davis III will have a big task at the still-dangerous Hopkins, but Davis will have a bigger-than-usual shoulder injury after allowing three touchdowns last week.
As for the offense, there is hope after scoring 37 points. Dave Canales talked this week about how things are coming together and that they were able to hang back and forth for much of the last game. There shouldn’t be many heavyweight matches this week, but Baker Mayfield will have every chance to attack and connect with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Another big factor is building positive momentum in the run game, and that means finding lanes for Rathard White to get blocks and keep the defense honest.
In many ways, this is their last chance to get back on their feet after being beaten down over the past month. Before the count reaches 10 this season, I can see the Bucks rising up and answering the challenge with a convincing victory over the Titans at Raymond James Stadium.
Slivong’s game prediction: Bucks 27, Titans 20
Srivong season record: 6-2