The Buccaneers have allowed 100 rushing yards in eight straight games. They play the Ravens in Week 15.

Analysis: The Ravens have ramped up their ground attack in recent weeks with Lamar Jackson under center and the emergence of RB Gus Edward, averaging 228.5 rushing yards over their last four games. This is poised to wreak havoc on the Bucs defense which ranks 30th in the league with 29.5 points allowed per game. The Bucs have forced eight turnovers in the last three weeks and could regain some ground in that sense, but the Ravens have coughed up the ball just five times in Jackson's four starts. There's…read more

The Buccaneers have forced six turnovers in the last two weeks. They play the Saints in Week 14.

Analysis: The Saints will have 10 days of pent-up frustration to release after being stymied by the Cowboys on Thursday Night Football in Week 13. The Buccaneers will be on the wrong end of that. The Bucs rank 30th in the league with 29.6 points allowed per game and offer little upside with just 12 forced turnovers this year. That's not going to cut it against the Saints' powerful pass offense and two-headed backfield show. For reference, QB Drew Brees racked up 432 passing yards and 40 points against…read more

The Buccaneers rank 29th in the league with eight forced turnovers. They play the Panthers in Week 13.

Analysis: The Bucs have made just three interceptions this year, and two of those were in Week 12 against 49ers QB Nick Mullens, who was making his third career start. Panthers QB Cam Newton provides a much-tougher challenge, leading the team to just 11 total turnovers this year to rank sixth in the league. He's also well-versed with the holes in the Buccaneers defense after lighting them up for 247 passing yards en route to a 42-28 win in Week 9. Top it off with RB Christian McCaffrey, who has 642…read more

The Buccaneers have allowed over 36 points in three of the last four games. They play the 49ers in Week 12.

Analysis: The 49ers will go back to QB Nick Mullens for the third straight game, and he looked more human in his second performance with one touchdown and two interceptions. Both outings were against measly defenses -- the Raiders and the Giants -- and the Bucs are as unimpressive as they come with a league-worst 32.9 points allowed per game. Worse off, they've forced just six turnovers in 10 games, so in order to be fantasy viable they'll need to harvest on the solid floor a low-scoring 49ers unit…read more

The Buccaneers have forced one turnover over the last six games. They play the Giants in Week 11.

Analysis: Giants QB Eli Manning showed some fire with his job on the line in Week 10, throwing for three touchdowns and no interceptions in a win over the 49ers. Manning could be relied on heavily if the Giants fall behind early, but the Bucs will likely be most worried about RB Saquon Barkley, who is on pace to approach 2,000 scrimmage yards this year. The Buccaneers aren't ready for that kind of force in the backfield, as they've allowed over 115 ground yards in each of their last four outings. This…read more

The Buccaneers have allowed over 30 points in five of their last six games. They play the Redskins in Week 10.

Analysis: The Buccaneers haven't made up any fantasy ground in those games, as they forced just two turnovers in that span. They'll get some relief because the Redskins' two starting guards were knocked out for the season last week, and No. 1 wideout Jamison Crowder (ankle) could sit out again. If the Buccaneers can get some offense rolling, it may force QB Alex Smith to go to the air often. However, that was the case Week 9 against the Falcons, and the Redskins still couldn't get anything going and put…read more

The Buccaneers have allowed 30 or more points in four of their last five games. They play the Panthers in Week 9.

Analysis: To make matters worse, the Bucs forced just two turnovers in that span. It's hard to recommend this unit as a viable fantasy start against any team, and the Panthers won't make it any easier. QB Cam Newton is hitting his stride, as he threw for two touchdowns and ran for another against the Ravens in Week 8 en route to a 36-21 win. If Newton can decimate the league's top-ranked defense, there's no doubt the same fire will be coming against the Bucs. Tampa Bay's hot offense will only make…read more

The Buccaneers are allowing a league-high 32.7 points per game. They play the Bengals in Week 8.

Analysis: The Bengals offense has been slowly regressing to the mean over the last four games, and it produced just 10 points and coughed up a turnover against the Chiefs in Week 7. QB Andy Dalton hasn't surpassed 300 passing yards in any of the last three games and has tacked on just four touchdowns in that span. RB Joe Mixon hasn't been the answer, either, with no 100-yard rushing games to his name this campaign. The Bucs have allowed over 110 yards of rushing in each of the last three games, however,…read more

The Buccaneers have allowed every opposing quarterback this season to surpass 330 passing yards. They play the Browns in Week 7.

Analysis: The Bucs will look for some relief against the Browns, who rank 23rd in the league with 228.5 passing yards per game. However, in Baker Mayfield's three starts, he's averaged 291.7 per contest, including 342 against the league's second-best pass defense, the Ravens. That spells trouble for the Buccaneers, although Mayfield has thrown four touchdowns compared to five picks. However, the upside is quite low for the Buccaneers in a game that has the makings of a shootout.

The Buccaneers have allowed 30 or more points in three of four games and over 40 points twice. They'll play the Falcons in Week 6.

Analysis: The Atlanta offense has been inconsistent, scoring over 30 points in three games and under 17 in the other two. Based on the Buccaneers' defensive shortcomings, the Week 6 matchup is shaping up as one of those 30-plus-point performances. Look for QB Matt Ryan to expose the Bucs' vulnerability against the pass, with the wideout troika of Julio Jones, Mohamed Sanu and rookie Calvin Ridley likely to create plenty of matchup problems. This could very well become a shootout with two depleted…read more

The Buccaneers allowed 30 points and 413 total yards to the Steelers in Week 3. They'll play the Bears in Week 4.

Analysis: The matchup against Chicago should be easier since Bears QB Mitchell Trubisky falls short of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger. The Bears have protected the ball, however, with three turnovers through three games. They've failed to pile up points, though, scoring now more than 24 in a contest. Choosing Tampa Bay D/ST because of it's stagnant opponent could lead to trouble since it's averaged 433 total yards allowed per game, ranking 31st in the league. The unit is still a solid stream in deeper…read more

The Buccaneers beat the Eagles 27-21 in Week 2. They'll play the Steelers in Week 3.

Analysis: Steelers RB Le'Veon Bell (contract dispute) won't be in attendance, but James Conner has been a formidable dual-threat replacement. The Steelers' offensive game plan has gone through QB Ben Roethlisberger, however, as he's thrown 101 times over the first two games, notching 787 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions. All three picks came against Cleveland, though, while three of the four scores were against Kansas City. The Bucs' young and injured secondary -- Vernon Hargreaves…read more

DE Robert Ayers is battling a shoulder injury ahead of Sunday's game against the Saints.

Analysis: Ayers will be useful in the run stop of the Saints' dual-threat back field, even if he often can't get to the quarterback. This Bucs defense showed new life in Week 16, keeping the Panthers to just 22 points and forcing one turnover. Nevertheless, they got lit up for 407 yards and 30 points in their Week 9 matchup this season, and no team squaring up with this Saints' run-centric offense is favored. The Saints have scored at least 20 points in all but one of their last 14 games, so keep the…read more

CB Ryan Smith (hamstring) is listed as doubtful for Sunday's game against the Panthers.

Analysis: The Bucs held the Panthers to 17 points and 254 total yards in their Week 5 matchup, but Tampa's secondary could be prone to a heavier pass attack without Smith, a starting corner. Tampa has the worst pass defense in the league, and the Panthers are hungry for a playoff spot. There's not a very high ceiling here for the Bucs either, since they Panthers have only allowed two turnovers in the last five games. There's plenty of other solid matchups this week, so don't rely on the Bucs to win you a…read more

LB Lavonte David is nursing a hamstring injury ahead of Monday's matchup with the Falcons.

Analysis: For those that don't remember, the Bucs got torched by the Falcons two weeks back. They were especially stymied by WR Julio Jones, who racked up 253 yards and two touchdowns, with passes from both QB Matt Ryan and WR Mohamed Sanu. The Bucs have forced 10 turnovers in their last four matchups, though, and they've had one in each of their last 10 games, providing a solid floor. However, it's hard to look past Week 13's performance of allowing 34 points and 516 total yards to the Falcons. There's…read more

FS T.J. Ward is proceeding through concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against Detroit.

Analysis: The Bucs have been horrid in pass defense this season, so missing Ward would only amplify their troubles. These worries could be shuttered away, though, since Lions QB Matthew Stafford was very limited in practice Wednesday due to an injury to his throwing hand. To worsen the Lions horizon, RB Ameer Abdullah is also nursing a neck injury ahead, and the Bucs poor run defense could benefit yet again. Both players could pull through by Sunday, though, so fantasy owners should still steer clear of…read more

FS T.J. Ward is in concussion protocol ahead of Sunday's game against the Packers.

Analysis: Missing Ward wouldn't be anything near a death sentence, as SS Chris Conte has proven he can man that role. Still, the Bucs were humiliated by the Falcons in Week 12, when QB Matt Ryan threw for 317 yards and one touchdown, and WR Mohamed Sanu even threw one touchdown pass for 51 yards. Sure, it could be a fluke that a receiver threw a score, but at the very least it's a metaphor for how bad the Bucs worst-ranked secondary is. Packers QB Brett Hundley may have turned a new leaf in Week 12,…read more

DE Robert Ayers (concussion) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against the Falcons.

Analysis: The Buccaneers have forced nine turnovers in their last three games, and Ayers caused one of those. The Falcons will be without RB Devonta Freeman (concussion) but they'll still have Tevin Coleman who has proven more than worthy of the Bucs attention as he scored against a testy Seahawks defense in Week 11. Further, the Bucs have the second-worst pass defense, and they'll be in hot water against a Falcons offense that has torn apart poor defenses through the air on multiple occasions this…read more

Defensive linemen Robert Ayers (ankle), Gerald McCoy (shoulder) and William Gholston (neck) are all dealing with injuries ahead of Sunday's matchup with the Dolphins.

Analysis: Sure, the Dolphins have the third-worst running game in the league, but it's very difficult to replace three crucial members of a defensive front. However, it's not likely all three miss Sunday, but it's definitely something to keep an eye on. Don't discount Miami, either, their offense has produced over 300 yards and 20 points in each of its last two matchups, and will look to do the same against a struggling Bucs' defense. To top it off, the Bucs will lack the normal offensive support QB…read more

The Bucs have three defensive linemen dealing with injuries ahead of Sunday's game against the Jets.

Analysis: The Jets don't boast a running game worthy of worrying about, but having a healthy defensive front would help to pressure interim QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Bucs have allowed over 30 points and 400 yards in three of their last four games, though, making them a tough start even against a poor Jets' offense. To add to their issues, the Bucs will be without QB Jameis Winston (shoulder), making it even tougher for their defense to stay off the field. In terms of raw talent, the Bucs stack up well…read more