Game Info
Kickoff: Sunday, October 5, 2025, 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Lumen Field, Seattle, WA
Network: CBS
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Quarterback
Baker Mayfield: START, Borderline QB1
Banged up and facing a Seattle defense that has more interceptions than passing touchdowns allowed, Baker Mayfield is startable in 1QB leagues, but keep expectations in check.
Running Back
Bucky Irving: START, RB1*Awaiting results of MRI on foot.
Rachaad White: FLEX, RB3, START RB2 if B. Irving OUT
Sean Tucker: SIT, FLEX: RB3 if B. Irving OUT
You don’t need me to tell you to start Bucky Irving. But did you know he shares a birthday (Aug. 19) with actor John Stamos? Have mer-cy!
Irving was seen with his foot in a boot and on crutches on Wednesday, but apparently Tampa Bay doesn’t consider the injury serious, and he has a chance to play Sunday. I don’t buy that, and I expect it to be Rachaad White and Sean Tucker on Sunday against the Seahawks. Seattle is an average matchup, White is a decent RB2, and Tucker would be in FLEX consideration if Irving is out.
Wide Receiver
Mike Evans OUT with hamstring injury
Emeka Egbuka: START, WR1
Chris Godwin Jr: FLEX, WR4
I’m willing to be wrong on Chris Godwin, but I’m not starting him anywhere. He saw 10 targets in his return and did little with them. Considering his age and injury history, I have a hard time thinking he’s going to produce anywhere near his pre-ankle-injury self. He’s a desperation FLEX if you have bye-week issues. Emeka Egbuka has emerged as the WR1 in this offense and is a borderline WR1 for fantasy despite the difficult matchup against the Seahawks.
Tight End
Cade Otton: SIT
There is an “Otton” Oughta pun in there somewhere, but the point is don’t start him.
Defense/Special Teams
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: SIT
The Bucs’ D/ST isn’t in consideration for fantasy.
Seattle Seahawks
Quarterback
Sam Darnold: SIT, QB2 (Startable in Superflex)
Ba-da-ba-ba-ba, McDouble. (High floor, very low ceiling).
Running Back
Kenneth Walker III: START, RB2
Zach Charbonnet: FLEX, RB3
The Seahawks’ backfield is going to be a headache all season long, isn’t it? Despite Kenneth Walker III being the better back on paper (higher yards per carry, explosive run rate, missed tackles forced per attempt, the list goes on), and to the naked eye, Zach Charbonnet got 12 carries in Week 4 and, more importantly, the goal-line work. They’re both startable in an average matchup against the Bucs, but cap each other’s upside.
Wide Receiver
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: START, WR1
Cooper Kupp: FLEX, WR5
Tory Horton: FLEX, WR5
You don’t need me to tell you to start Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But did you know he shares a birthday (June 14) with President Donald Trump?
Cooper Kupp and Torry Horton are desperation FLEX plays who I’d prefer to avoid against Tampa Bay. The Bucs allow the seventh-fewest fantasy points to opposing wideouts.
Tight End
AJ Barner: SIT
Elijah Arroyo: SIT
You’re not starting any Seahawks tight ends in fantasy.
Defense/Special Teams
Seattle Seahawks: START
Seattle has forced the fourth-most turnovers and accumulated the fourth-most sacks. The Seahawks’ D/ST is a top-five fantasy unit.