BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have risen from the ashes and taken control of their own destiny after winning three consecutive games, including back-to-back contests on the road. The Buccaneers are holding onto the top spot in the NFC South and can create further separation from other teams in the division with a victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve.
The Jaguars are 8-6 overall but have dropped four of their past six games. The team is hoping to snap a three-game losing streak entering the contest but might be without the services of star quarterback Trevor Lawrence due to a concussion that he suffered last week. Lawrence is listed as questionable but considered unlikely to play. Veteran C.J. Beathard would take over in his place if he doesn't suit up.
This game could very well come down to who performs better on the ground. The Buccaneers and Jaguars are two of 11 teams that are averaging less than 100 rushing yards per game. With that being said, Tampa Bay has crossed the century mark in three of its last four games and surpassed its season average in four consecutive outings.
Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers prepare to take on the Jaguars.
Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)
Credit to the Buccaneers for getting back on track and blocking out the outside noise during an extremely difficult stretch of the season. The team finally seems to be figuring things out on both sides of the ball throughout the three-game winning streak. Ahead of the holidays, Tampa Bay has a chance to deliver an early present to its fans with another victory.
The chances are rising with Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence dealing with a concussion. If he doesn't play, the team will be forced to turn to C.J. Beathard, who is 2-10 in his career as a starter. The Buccaneers' defense could play a big role after the Jaguars only scored seven points last weekend.
I think this is an opportunity for Tampa Bay to dominate a talented team. Quarterback Baker Mayfield has another big game and the Buccaneers jump back to over .500 for the first time since the middle of October.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 9-5
Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 10
Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)
The Buccaneers are in a solid spot in the NFC South Division leading the pack solely after the Saints fell to the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday Night Football. This game will be predicated on the availability of Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence on Sunday afternoon but even if he were to play, I still have the Buccaneers’ defense making enough plays to hinder Jacksonville’s offense.
Creating takeaways will be key and flipping field position, something Jake Camarda has done an excellent job at throughout the season. The improved health of Tampa Bay’s team overall gives me the green signal to pick Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles to come out with a win on Sunday.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 8-6
Buccaneers 29, Jaguars 27
David Harrison (@DHarrison82)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a roll lately and quarterback Baker Mayfield is coming off the best game of his career. Only once since joining the NFL has Mayfield thrown multiple touchdown passes and no interceptions in a game inside Raymond James Stadium, and I think he makes it two this weekend.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 8-6
Buccaneers 24, Jaguars 13
Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)
As I write this, Trevor Lawrence remains in concussion protocol. His availability is obviously a huge factor when it comes to predicting the outcome of this matchup between the Bucs and Jags.
The Buccaneers have won three straight, and are coming off their best performance of the season. Jacksonville is on the road, possibly without their quarterback, and definitely without his favorite target (Christian Kirk).
I think the Buccaneers' roller coaster season continues, and they win their fourth straight game on Sunday to solidify their position atop the NFC South with just a couple of games left on the schedule.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 9-5
Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 24
Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)
The Buccaneers are hitting their stride at the right moment. With the NFC South still up for grabs, the Bucs came away with a huge victory over the Green Bay Packers and the odds of them winning the division are only growing week-to-week. The running game finally has life and the offense is flowing with consistency and big plays. The defense is getting healthy at the right time and is one of the best in the league at preventing opposing teams from scoring once in the red zone.
The Bucs now face off against fellow Florida team the Jacksonville Jaguars who are likely to be without starting QB Trevor Lawrence due to a concussion he suffered last week. The Bucs should be able to take advantage of this on Christmas Eve in Raymond James Stadium.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 7-7
Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 14
JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)
The Buccaneers can all but wrap up the NFC South division with a win over the Jaguars on Christmas Eve. Luckily for the Bucs, they are the healthiest they have been all season. It appears every player on the roster should be able to go on Sunday which means the return of Vita Vea and Carlton Davis for the battle of supremacy between the two Florida teams. Unfortunately for the Jags, the same can’t be said as Trevor Lawrence remains in concussion protocol and is in question for the game.
Already down Christian Kirk, speedster Zay Jones hasn’t practiced all week with knee and hamstring injuries. Even if both can give it a go on Sunday Jacksonville has been wildly inconsistent this season and is on a three-game losing streak. Tampa Bay controls its own destiny and the team knows with a win on Sunday the road to the NFC South title becomes a lot easier. They’ve strung together three straight wins, including their signature win of the season last week against Green Bay.
If they can keep rolling on offense and tighten things up on defense the Bucs should win this game and keep their winning streak going.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 11-3
Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 17
Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)
Assuming Trevor Lawrence plays, I still like the Buccaneers to win this game. They’re in good form with three straight wins and a win would get them over .500 while still holding the top seed in the NFC South. With Baker Mayfield finding rhythm, the Buccaneers offense is going to be able to put up points. As long as the defense does its part, they should be able to take care of business and advance to 8-7 on the season.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 10-4
Buccaneers 31, Jaguars 27
Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)
Without Trevor Lawrence the Jaguars are not as tough as they looked at the beginning of the season, their offensive line has been very up and down with injuries all along it. The Bucs' defense should be able to slow down their passing attack and sack CJ Bethard. But the run game will be able to get their own and have good production. On the other side of the ball, the Bucs' offense is ascending while the Jaguars' defense is not going in the right direction.
I expect Baker and Rachaad White to produce a lot in this game and play well. As long as Baker plays a clean game the Bucs should win by multiple scores.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 8-6
Buccaneers 27, Jaguars 17
Cody Haynes (@codyh33)
Last week against the Packers, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense finally had their best game to help get their statement win. The Defense will continue to get healthier at the right time. The Bucs as a team should be at full health for their game against the Jaguars on Sunday while looking for their fourth straight win.
The Jaguars, on the other hand, are trying to break a three-game losing streak. Trevor Lawrence is still in concussion protocol as of Friday. If Lawrence can’t play, the Bucs will face off against C.J. Beathard. With the team's recent success and momentum going into this game, I believe the Bucs will continue to get it done and pull off the upset.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 6-4 (joined in middle of season)
Buccaneers 31, Jaguars 17
Matthew Hewitt (@BucsTrackerNFL)
The Bucs are hot and are going for their fourth straight win. They are hosting the Jaguars who will be without Trevor Lawrence. I think the Bucs will continue their win streak.
2023 Season Prediction Record: 6-4 (joined in middle of season)
Buccaneers 31, Jaguars 29
CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (10-0)
READ MORE: Buccaneers' OC Compares Baker Mayfield to Seahawks' Geno Smith
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