Bucs fans get a late lump of coal in their stockings regarding Tampa Bay’s pursuit to keep playoff hopes alive
The Bucs’ task of winning on Sunday in South Florida just got a bit more challenging.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are facing a potential must-win situation on Sunday against the Miami Dolphins. If the Bucs lose to the Dolphins and Carolina wins or ties against Seattle, the Panthers clinch the NFC South, and Tampa Bay’s second-half collapse would become complete after having a vice grip on the season.
Tampa Bay is favored by six points as of Friday over the floundering Dolphins, so the expectation (for whatever that’s worth) is that the Bucs will end their three-game losing streak and set up a winner-take-all game next Sunday at home against the Panthers.
However, the Bucs’ task of getting past the Dolphins on Sunday will be a bit more challenging after Friday’s practice news. Per Todd Bowles, left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who has been dealing with a toe injury, will miss the game.
Bucs LT Tristan Wirfs to miss game against Miami with a toe injury
Wirfs picked up the injury last Sunday against the Panthers, but he still managed to gut it out and finish the game. However, the injury has clearly worsened and limited him in a way that he can’t perform. Wirfs was unable to practice at all this week, so it clearly was bothering him significantly.
While it’s always bad to lose a starter, it’s tough because one of the few things the Dolphins offer in the formidable department is a pass rush that has some notable talent. Chop Robinson and Bradley Chubb are one of the better edge duos in the league and Zach Sieler is disruptive from inside, so keeping Baker Mayfield clean will be even more of a challenge will Wirfs watching from the sideline.
Tampa Bay will turn to Benjamin Chukwuma to fill in for Wirfs on Sunday. He held his own when he started for Wirfs in the Bucs’ 24-20 loss to New Orleans after the latter missed the game with an oblique injury.
The Bucs and Dolphins get underway at 1:00 pm ET on Sunday from Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
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Sneaky detail behind Antoine Winfield Jr. and Tristan Wirfs Pro Bowl nods underscores major respect from the NFL
The Bucs are having a tough season, but the NFL is obviously aware of what Wirfs and Winfield Jr. have done on the field.
