BucsGameday Staff Score Predictions: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Tennessee Titans

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers look for their first victory in six weeks.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen into a rut since jumping out to a 3-1 start that saw the team in sole possession of the NFC South. Since then, the Buccaneers have dropped five of their past six games after coming out of a BYE week. That includes four consecutive defeats as the franchise finds itself slipping further and further behind the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

READ MORE: NFL Insider Speaks About Buccaneers Starting Quarterback Change

The Buccaneers have looked out of sorts on both sides of the ball over the last couple of weeks. The offense failed to score 20+ points in a game prior in its last three appearances leading up to the loss to the Houston Texans. In that contest, quarterback Baker Mayfield guided his unit to a season-high 37 points but it didn't matter as the defense surrendered 39 points of their own, including the game-winning touchdown with six seconds remaining.

Will Tampa Bay finally snap its losing streak when the Tennessee Titans come to town this weekend? If not, this thing threatens to go completely off the rails if the Bucs are taken down by another rookie signal-caller.

Our staff provides their predictions and analysis as the Buccaneers and Titans prepare to face off in Raymond James Stadium.

Dustin Lewis (@DustinLewisNG)

Embarrassing, uninspired, and unacceptable. That's about all you can say about Tampa Bay's performance last weekend where the team blew a golden opportunity in Houston. Matched up against a first-year head coach and rookie quarterback, the defense looked like a total joke despite the offense waking up for the first time since the beginning of October.

It's hard to have any faith in this franchise with where the situation currently sits. The Buccaneers look like a shell of the team that we saw shock the league in September by jumping out to a 3-1 record with road victories over Minnesota and New Orleans. 

I don't have much confidence that Tampa Bay will be much better when the Tennessee Titans come to town on Sunday. Will Levis has provided a spark for the Titans and I think he'll do just enough to hand the Buccaneers another loss.

It might be time to start getting ready for mock draft season.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 5-3

Titans 28, Buccaneers 27

Logan Robinson (@LogansTwitty)

I think the Buccaneers are going to respond this weekend. They have to. Even though Will Levis shot out of a cannon his first time on the field playing, he didn’t play all too great last week against Pittsburgh. They’ll want to rely on Derrick Henry but in the secondary Carlton Davis will want to get back into his groove and Jamel Dean’s status will be a big factor as well. 

If Rachaad White can get going again, look at that to help make Baker Mayfield’s life easier and allow him to stretch the field in getting the ball to his targets like we saw with Cade Otton. Bucs win but it’s close.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-4

Buccaneers 26, Titans 24

David Harrison (@DHarrison82)

It’s hard to continue having too much faith in what the Buccaneers are doing these days, but the key moving forward is going to be asking whether or not the offense can be expected to put up 25 points or more against an opponent. 

I think they can against the Titans, and see the Bucs winning for the first time since before the bye week. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-5

Buccaneers 25, Titans 20

Collin Haalboom (@SI_Buccaneers)

The Buccaneers are reeling in a major way. After last week's heart-wrenching loss to the Texans -- which saw the Buccaneers' defense collapse despite the offense finally generating some points -- head coach, Todd Bowles, has been forced to field questions regarding whether or not he intends to keep calling the defense. Which, if you ask me, wouldn't be wise. Todd Bowles has a much stronger track record than any alternative that would be available to take his place calling the defense.

Although they lost to the Steelers last week, the Titans are feeling rejuvenated since the insertion of promising rookie quarterback, Will Levis, into the starting lineup. They've got a certified game-wrecker on their DL in Jeffrey Simmons, and one of the best running backs in the game, Derrick Henry. Throw in DeAndre Hopkins out wide and the Titans definitely have some weapons for their young, big-armed quarterback to work with.

That being said, I think the Buccaneers have a superior roster on both sides of the ball. I think they will use their current 4-game losing streak as motivation, and finally bounce back into the win column at home this week.

If it doesn't happen this week, I'm not convinced it will happen at all.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 4-4

Buccaneers 24, Titans 17

Caleb Skinner (@chsnole)

The Buccaneers have lost four consecutive games after starting off 3-1 and will once again be facing a rookie QB, this time in Titans' Will Levis. The Buccaneers defense didn't play up to par last week against the Texans and they should get back to their usual play this week. Even despite better defensive play, I think the Titans are just the better team and the Bucs have seemingly played better on the road than they have at home in Raymond James Stadium.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 3-5

Titans 28, Buccaneers 17

JC Allen (@JCAllenNFL)

Stop me if you heard this before. This is a must-win game for the Buccaneers. On a four game losing streak, they need to win to stay in the hunt for the NFC South. Though the Bucs haven’t played well at home and are 1-3 there on the season. The Titans have a new quarterback in Will Levis and are looking to make a run. After a slow start, Derek Henry and the run game has gotten going. Though Tampa Bay finally got their offense going against the Texans only for an all-time collapse by the defense saw them drop a game they should’ve won. 

They can’t let that loss carry over against a Titans team that has only let up 20 points a game. The Bucs will need to come out firing on all cylinders on both sides of the ball on Sunday. If they can build upon last week's offensive output and the defense can get back to their shutdown ways, the Buccaneers should win this game.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 6-2

Buccaneers 27, Titans 17

Kade Kimble (@kadekimble)

The Buccaneers’ offense finally got going a week ago. While Baker Mayfield’s game-winning drive was erased by CJ Stroud, the offense looked good. The issue was on defense. This matchup provides a good chance for the defense to bounce back and the Buccaneers will put together a full performance to get back on the right side of the win column.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 5-3

Buccaneers 27, Titans 24

Ben Meyerson (@ByBenMeyerson)

The Buccaneers have a must-win game against the Titans on Sunday. After losing four straight they are looking to turn the season back around. The Titans on the other hand have just gotten a spark with their rookie QB Will Levis. While they did not beat the Steelers, Levis has given this team a lot of confidence in him and his ability to be the guy at QB. 

Tennessee's defense on the other hand has been bad this season and bottom 5-10 in most categories. Mike Vrabel always makes it tough, but this Titan's team is not the same as in years past. Even with that, I expect this to be a tight game. Unfortunately, the Titans will win this game

2023 Season Prediction Record: 5-3

Titans 27, Buccaneers 24

Cody Haynes (@codyh33)

The Bucs will play another team with a rookie starting at quarterback. This offense played well enough to put up 37 points last week, that production should continue. The defense needs to step up this week. The secondary can’t let the Titans beat them, especially with mesh concepts like the Texans did all game. 

If the team drops a fifth straight game, the rest of the season could spiral as they head out west to play a good 49ers team next week. This game will be a testament to how resilient this team is. 

2023 Season Prediction Record: 1-3 (joined in middle of season)

Buccaneers 24, Titans 21

Matthew Hewitt (@bucs_tracker)

With the Buccaneers on a four-game losing streak, I think this defense will come out and be fired up after all of the criticism. I have the Bucs defense having one of their best performances of the year. With that being said, I think the Bucs offense will go back to struggling a little bit. In my opinion, Tampa Bay will win a low-scoring game with a touchdown to take the lead late in the game.

2023 Season Prediction Record: 2-2 (joined in middle of season)

Buccaneers 14, Titans 10

CONSENSUS: Buccaneers (7-3)

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READ MORE: Buccaneers Take Quarterback of Future in First Round of 2024 NFL Mock Draft

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