Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 2025, 1:00 PM ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Network: FOX
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: START (in Superflex), Borderline QB1
It’s been a while since we’ve seen Baker Mayfield bake, but he’ll have his best shot in a while against Miami. The Dolphins give up the ninth most fantasy points to opposing quarterbacks and have allowed six passing touchdowns in their last two games. With the Bucs playing for their playoff lives and a quiver full of playmaking pass catchers, Mayfield makes for a borderline QB1 in Week 17.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: START, RB2
Rachaad White: SIT
Sean Tucker: SIT
Tampa Bay FINALLY gave a goal-line carry to someone other than Sean Tucker. But the problem for Bucky Irving is that it wasn’t him. After Tucker had bogarted all the inside the five carries since Irving’s return, Rachaad White got a turn, but it was still 75% Tucker, who would also wind up with the touchdown. Bucky Irving continues to dominate the workload, handling 19 rushing attempts to a combined nine for the other two. But he’s a cupcake with no icing, getting the carb-filled yards between the 20s, but we all want the frosting in the end zone. Irving can’t be considered anything other than a high-end RB2 with Tucker and White snipping the tip of his upside.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans: START, WR1
Emeka Egbuka: START, WR3
Chris Godwin Jr.: START, WR2
Jalen McMillian: SIT
Mike Evans wasn’t able to duplicate his Week 15 yardage total, but he still saw a healthy nine targets and caught a touchdown to give him back-to-back games over 14 fantasy points since returning from his broken collarbone. Emeka Egbuka still holds immense upside, but considering him anything more than a volatile WR3 at this point is a stubborn take-lock. Since Week 14, Egbuka has a 21% target share, compared to 19% for Chris Godwin, yet the vet has twice as many catches (14 to 7) and has something the rookie doesn’t: a touchdown. Godwin is much more reliable and admittedly doesn’t have anywhere near the ceiling of Egbuka. I’d rather start the veteran at this point. Neither is a must-start against Miami, which holds opposing wide receivers to the 10th-fewest fantasy points this season. But Godwin is a borderline WR2 with a decent floor.
Tight End
Cade Otton: SIT
Cade Otton is averaging 6.6 points per game over his last six, and that’s heavily skewed to his benefit by a 17.2 point Week 10 performance.
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: START
Miami Dolphins
Quarterback
Quinn Ewers: SIT
Technically, Tampa is a better match-up than Cincinnati was a week ago. But if Quinn Ewers was unable to throw a single touchdown in a top-five matchup against the Bengals, do you expect much better against the Bucs? The rookie who replaced Tua tossed two interceptions, completing 20 of 30 pass attempts, and is entirely off the fantasy radar.
Running Back
De’Von Achane: START, RB1
Ollie Gordon II: SIT
Jaylen Wright: SIT
De’Von Achane is an automatic start in all formats, but did you know that his speed isn’t just “football fast”, it’s award-winning? In 2020, he was named the Gatorade Texas Boys Track & Field Athlete of the Year and clocked a wind-legal 10.14-second 100-meter dash in 2022 while at Texas A&M.
Wide Receiver
Jaylen Waddle: FLEX, WR4
Cedrick Wilson Jr.: SIT
Malik Washington: SIT
I guess you can start Jaylen Waddle if you want, but I think we saw his ceiling against the Bengals. Waddle led the way with nine targets, five catches, and 72 yards for 12.2 fantasy points. Could he squeak into the high teens with a touchdown? Sure. But I could also win $1,000 on a $1 scratch-off. (That reminds me, I need to stop by the gas station on the way home.) Most of the damage done through the air to Tampa has been by the tight end, making Waddle a low-floor, low-ceiling FLEX.
Tight End
Darren Waller: STREAMER
Similar situation to his starting quarterback, if Darren Waller wasn’t able to put up points in the best possible matchup for his position last week, why would you think things would be any better in a worse matchup this week? The only reason I don’t have Waller as a sit is due to the well-documented blergh of options available at the tight end position. You’re hoping he gets into the endzone.
Defense/Special Teams
Miami Dolphins: SIT
The Bengals just put up 45 on these guys.