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Bucs-Browns: Predictions for Sunday’s 1 p.m. game in Tampa Bay

 
Published Oct. 19, 2018

TAMPA — OK, raise your hand if when the schedule came out you circled Bucs-Browns as the pivotal game in Tampa Bay's season.

Yet here we are. The Bucs, who fired their defensive coordinator this week in an effort to save their season, face a Cleveland franchise that last month ended a 17-game losing streak with a tie.

It's the 2-3 Bucs against the 2-3-1 Browns at 1 p.m. Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.  Here's the Times' Bucs coverage team's picks:

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No D-Grace

Rick Stroud, beat writer, @NFLStroud: The Bucs are better than the Cleveland Browns. Not on defense, mind you. Hugh Jackson's team can get after it. But the Browns first overall pick, QB Baker Mayfield, is in his first NFL season. The Bucs first overall pick, QB Jameis Winston, is in his fourth.  Winston has far superior weapons. Game ball will go to Mark Duffner this week. Prediction: Tampa Bay 24-17.

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Too bad the Bucs don’t have Melvin Gordon

Martin Fennelly, columnist, @mjfennelly:  Last week, the Chargers took advantage of hyper-aggressive Cleveland defensive coordinator Gregg Williams' blitzes with repeated toss sweeps to Melvin Gordon (132 yards rushing and three TDs). Problem: The Bucs don't have Melvin Gordon. Prediction: Cleveland 27-23 .

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Stopping the slide

Eduardo A. Encina, beat writer, @EddieintheYard: The outcome of this game will go a long way in evaluating this team and this season. A fourth straight loss would be disastrous, especially against a Browns team that hasn't won a game on the road since 2015. Here's a ripe opportunity for the beleaguered Bucs defense to save face against a rookie quarterback. If new defensive coordinator Mark Duffner can keep Baker Mayfield guessing, and the offense continues to show its firepower, the Bucs should win.They have to in order to make this season interesting. Prediction: Tampa Bay 24-17

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Back on track

Tom Jones, columnist, @tomwjones: The Bucs are reeling, but, alas, the Browns are still the Browns. A bit better, but still … the Browns. Baker Mayfield has thrown five picks in the past three games and I'm guessing new Bucs DC Mark Duffner will dial up a few wrinkles to throw at the rookie. And the Bucs offense will have a solid day. Prediction: Tampa Bay 27-14

Experience wins

Thomas Bassinger, sports data reporter, @tometrics: In Baker Mayfield, Jameis Winston will be facing a fellow former Heisman winner for the ninth time in his career. He didn't fare well in the previous eight, throwing twice as many interceptions as touchdowns and posting a 64.4 quarterback rating. The Bucs lost seven times. Here's the catch: He was the lesser experienced quarterback in all but one of those matchups, and that one was the first game of his NFL career. Though he threw two costly interceptions last week against the Falcons, he didn't lose his composure and played outstanding late (14-of-18 for 176 yards, 11 first downs and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter). I'm going with experience and predicting that Winston delivers in a must-win game. Prediction: Tampa Bay 31-20.

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Listen to Adam, pick the Bucs

Ernest Hooper, metro columnist, @hoop4you: Adam, my favorite bartender at the Glory Days in New Tampa, has it right. Cleveland has lost its mojo and the Bucs are prepared to bounce back after a three-game losing streak. The defense will play better after Mike Smith's dismissal — at least for a week — and Tampa Bay's offense will find a way against a stingy Browns D as long as they minimize the turnovers. Prediction: Tampa Bay 24-20.

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Desperate team factor

Mike Sherman, sports editor, @mikesherman: Let's go with the desperate team at home, although the Bucs' record versus rookie quarterbacks, 1-10 since 2011, gives me pause. So does the possibility that Jarvis Landry is capable of a persuasive Julio Jones imitation. Still, the Bucs are desperate and should be. A loss would send them to Cincinnati facing the possibility of a five-game losing streak for the third time in two years. A loss would be franchise altering. Prediction: Tampa Bay 28-21.