Buccaneers try to end 3-game skid against lowly Cardinals, who have dropped 8 of 9

By Canadian Press on November 26, 2025.

Arizona (3-8) at Tampa Bay (6-5)

Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox.

BetMGM NFL odds: Buccaneers by 3.

Against the spread: Buccaneers 5-6, Cardinals 5-6.

Series record: Tied 11-11.

Last meeting: Buccaneers beat the Cardinals 19-16 in OT on Dec. 25, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona.

Last week: Jaguars beat the Cardinals 27-24 in OT; Buccaneers lost to Rams 34-7.

Cardinals offense: overall (15), rush (25), pass (10), scoring (18t).

Cardinals defense: overall (19), rush (17), pass (20), scoring (24).

Buccaneers offense: overall (20), rush (20), pass (19), scoring (14).

Buccaneers defense: overall (21), rush (8t), pass (27), scoring (25).

Turnover differential: Cardinals plus-5; Buccaneers plus-8.

Cardinals player to watch

WR Michael Wilson. He has been great as the team’s No. 1 option at receiver while Marvin Harrison Jr. is recovering from surgery for appendicitis. Wilson has caught 25 passes for 303 yards in the past two games, providing easily the best production of his three-year career. Even if Harrison returns against the Bucs, Wilson’s eye-opening performance makes him a bigger target.

Buccaneers player to watch

RB Bucky Irving. He’s expected to return after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries. Though he’s expected to be limited in snaps, Irving is a playmaker and a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.

Key matchup

Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat vs. Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Sweat has nine sacks in 11 games in his first season with Arizona after signing a huge deal in free agency following a 2 1/2-sack performance in the Super Bowl for Philadelphia. Wirfs is an All-Pro and they’ve battled previously. Wirfs protects Baker Mayfield’s blind side. Mayfield is dealing with a left shoulder sprain and his status is uncertain. Teddy Bridgewater would start if he can’t play.

Key injuries

Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray (foot) has to miss at least one more game on injured reserve. … Sweat (eye), LB Baron Browning (concussion), RB Emari Demercado (ankle) and S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle) were among those who didn’t practice Wednesday. … DL Walter Nolen III (knee) won’t play Sunday. … RB Trey Benson (knee) and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) were limited at practice.

Buccaneers: Mayfield could be a game-time decision. … Irving is expected back after missing seven games. … WR Mike Evans (clavicle) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) remain out. … OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) isn’t expected to play. … LG Ben Bredeson (hamstring), CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and CB Jamel Dean (hip) didn’t play last week.

Series notes

The Buccaneers have won two in a row, including the last meeting when Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to an overtime victory on Christmas Day.

Stats and stuff

The Cardinals have lost eight of their past nine games after starting the season with a 2-0 record. Six of those losses have come by four points or less. … Cardinals TE Trey McBride enters Sunday’s game with 301 career receptions. He needs one more to pass Jimmy Graham for the most in his first four seasons for a tight end in NFL history. … Arizona QB Jacoby Brissett leads the NFL with 1,887 yards passing since Week 6, providing stellar production since taking over for Murray. … The Cardinals rank second in the NFL with 10 forced fumbles. … The Cardinals have 19 players on injured reserve or non-football injury lists, which is the most in the NFL. … Cardinals DL Calais Campbell will play his 273rd career game on Sunday. That’s the third-most in NFL history behind Jim Marshall (282) and Bruce Smith (279). … Mayfield is fifth in the NFC with 18 TDs. He had 41 last season. … Irving, expected to return for the first time since Week 4, had 165 yards from scrimmage in that game. … WR Emeka Egbuka ranks first among rookies in TD catches (six) and second in yards receiving (749) this season. … Fellow rookie WR Tez Johnson has five TDs. … LB Lavonte David joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers as the only players since 2000 with 40 sacks, 30 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions. David has 41 1/2 sacks, 32 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions in his career. … S Antoine Winfield Jr. needs two sacks to join Jamal Adams (21 1/2) as the only defensive backs since 1982 with 20 sacks in their first six seasons. …. K Chase McLaughlin is 8 for 8 from beyond 50 yards on field goals.

Fantasy tip

McBride could have a big day facing Tampa Bay’s poor pass defense. He has had five catches in 13 straight games and leads all tight ends with 80 receptions and 797 receiving yards this season.

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The Associated Press