Game 9

Titans (3-5) at Bucs (3-5) 

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

TV: CBS (WTSP-TV Channel 10 locally) with Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross.

Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+ and Buccaneers.com (Geographic restrictions apply).

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network WXTB-FM 97.9 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region (Transmisiones de radio en español en WTMP-FM 96.1 y WMGG-AM 1470 en Tampa). Additional stations throughout Florida on the Buccaneers Radio Network can be found here. The game also will be broadcast on SiriusXM Channels 94 or 232 (Buccaneers Radio Network feed).

Weather: This is why we live in Florida. Per AccuWeather.com, while much of the country is wearing jackets and jeans and scraping frost off of their windshields in the morning, we Floridians are still wearing shorts and sunscreen. Tailgaters this morning will enjoy temperatures in the mid-80s. By kickoff, look for a temperature of 85. This should bump up to 88 during the game and by game’s end look for the temperature to be 86. All of this under partly sunny skies with a seven percent chance of precipitation (not counting spilled beers).

Odds: Per BetMGM, as of midnight, Bucs -3; over/under 39.

Referees: Alan Eck and his gang will work today’s game. Eck is a rookie referee having worked eight games. The sample size is too small to offer any sort of reliable tell. Home teams are 4-4 with Eck’s outfit working the game.

Injuries: Titans — Out: S Mike Brown (ankle), G Daniel Brunskill (ankle), WR Treylon Burks (concussion), CB Sean Murphy-Bunting (thumb), T Nicholas Petit-Frere (shoulder). Questionable: CB Anthony Kendall (hamstring), QB Ryan Tannehill (ankle).  Bucs — Out: DB Josh Hayes (concussion). Doubtful: LG Matt Feiler (knee). Questionable: CB Carlton Davis (toe), CB Jamel Dean (concussion), DT Logan Hall (groin), DT Calijah Kancey (quad), WR Trey Palmer (neck/illness).

Outlook: This game could be make-or-break for not just Bucs coach Todd Bowles, but his staff and a bunch of players come January. If the Bucs lose, they fall to 3-6. Does anyone expect the Bucs to beat San Francisco on the road next week? So with a loss the Bucs are likely facing 3-7 squarely in the face. And that, friends, not only would mean the season is toast, but it puts Joe on Coach Watch. That’s not a place Joe wants to be (changing coaches means things have gone terribly south. Joe doesn’t believe anyone reading this here site wants that). The Bucs have to snap their four-game losing streak against rookie quarterbacks. Tennessee rookie Will Levis will start today. The streak dates back to last year when the Bucs lost to Kenny Pickett and the Steelers, and it continued in last week’s Houston Horror.  That is simply unacceptable.

Last week at Houston, despite almost ignoring a future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans and a Pro Bowl receiver Chris Godwin, the Bucs had their highest-scoring game of the season at 37. It wasn’t enough. The Titans do what the Bucs want to do: control the game, play keepaway, make sure the game is close and pound the ball. Joe knows people are tired of Joe hammering Rachaad White’s lack of running skills, but Joe would take over-the-hill Derrick Henry over White any day. Sorry if that offends you. If the Bucs try to play like the Titans, Joe has a bad feeling about this game. If the Bucs try to be a normal 2023 NFL offense and pass and use their superior weapons, well, this could be a proud day in franchise history. Besides, the Bucs are only 1.5 games out of first place. If the Bucs want to pound the ball, well, this will likely be a very sad day in Bucs history.

Fun facts: In 2020 with the Browns, Baker Mayfield made his last start against the Titans. He threw for 334 yards and four touchdowns without a pick. Mayfield is also looking for his third-straight game with two or more touchdowns thrown. … RB Rachaad White is second in the NFL among running backs with receptions (33) and receiving yards (279). … ILB Lavonte David has 28 forced fumbles, tied for the lead among active NFL defenders. His 152 tackles for loss is the fourth-most among active NFL defenders.