On Saturday, two victorious teams from their preseason openers will clash as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-0 preseason) face off against the Jacksonville Jaguars (1-0 preseason). Last season, Tampa Bay clinched the NFC South title with a 9-8 record, defeating the Eagles in the Wild Card Round before falling to the Lions in the Divisional Round. Meanwhile, Jacksonville also finished at 9-8 but did not qualify for the playoffs, losing out to the Texans in the AFC South race. The matchup kicks off at 7:30 EST at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars are favored by 3.5 points.
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Tampa Bay Secures Win Against Cincinnati
The Buccaneers edged out a 17-14 victory in their first preseason game against the Cincinnati Bengals, who opted to start their star quarterback. Joe Burrow completed 5 of 7 passes, including a touchdown, before being substituted. While his continued presence may have posed challenges for Tampa Bay, the team was able to capitalize on Cincinnati’s backup players, achieving a win as 5.5-point underdogs in a game that went under the 38.5 total. Baker Mayfield, expected to be the starting quarterback this season, did not participate against the Bengals and is likely to remain sidelined for this matchup as well.
Kyle Trask will take the reins as quarterback for this game. Despite losing the starting role to Mayfield, Trask still showcased his abilities, completing 12 of 20 passes for 144 yards in the preseason opener. Third-string quarterback John Wolford matched Trask’s performance, going 12 for 18 with 131 yards. Fans can expect to see both Trask and Wolford in action. Though Mike Evans and Chris Godwin are the team’s top receivers, neither played against Cincinnati, nor did starting running back Rachaad White. The Buccaneers’ leading defensive players, including safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and linebacker Lavonte David, will likely be rested to avoid injury.
Sean Tucker impressed with ten carries for 68 yards, solidifying his chance for a spot on the Week 1 roster, although he may face stiff competition. Rookie DJ Williams, who also had ten carries, managed only 29 yards. Ryan Miller and Cody Thompson each had three receptions, contributing 42 and 26 yards, respectively; however, both face an uphill battle to secure a spot on the team due to the depth at receiver.
Jaguars Triumph Over Chiefs in Preseason Opener
The Jacksonville Jaguars achieved a solid 26-13 victory against the Kansas City Chiefs in their first preseason contest. A significant storyline emerged as Kansas City’s wide receiver, Hollywood Brown, sustained a clavicle injury, raising concerns about his availability for the regular season. This incident emphasizes the risks involved in playing starters during the preseason and may prompt the Jaguars to reconsider fielding key players in upcoming games. The Jaguars comfortably covered the 1.5-point spread in their win, which finished just under the total by half a point.
Trevor Lawrence participated in the opening game but will be rested for this matchup to protect the franchise quarterback. Former New England Patriot Mac Jones will see action, having performed well against the Chiefs with a 9-for-11 passing record for 98 yards, without any turnovers. Jones is expected to play most of the first half, with CJ Beathard stepping in to conclude the game. Beathard had a solid outing, completing 7 of 14 passes for 125 yards and a touchdown during the first game, making a strong case to keep a third quarterback on the roster. Travis Etienne Jr. and Gabe Davis are both established players who may see limited action, likely only for a brief period.
In the backfield, D’Ernest Johnson, Jalen Jackson, and Tank Bigsby are set to share carries, each having taken no more than five handoffs in the previous game. Tight end Josiah Deguara stood out with three receptions for 42 yards, leading the team in targets and catches during the victory.
Prime Betting Insights for Buccaneers vs. Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars showcased their skills in their first preseason outing by defeating the reigning Super Bowl Champions by 13 points. Even without Trevor Lawrence on the field, the Jaguars possess a stronger quarterback lineup for this contest. Mac Jones, while not meeting the expectations of Patriots fans, remains a competent backup capable of making plays. His impressive performance of 9 for 11 and 98 yards gives him an opportunity to shine in this game, while CJ Beathard, a seasoned NFL veteran, is set to provide additional support. On the opposing side, Tampa Bay’s Kyle Trask has not yet proven himself at a starter level, following a loss in the quarterback competition to Mayfield last year. John Wolford, expected to see time, is less experienced than his counterparts. The Jaguars demonstrated their depth and competitive spirit in their opening game and are poised to continue that momentum in this matchup.
