Buccaneers vs Seahawks - NFL Week 5 

Baker's Bucs Brave the 12s vs. a Healthy Seahawks Air Attack

A fascinating inter-conference battle is set for this Sunday in one of the league's toughest environments, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers travel to Lumen Field to take on the Seattle Seahawks. For the Bucs, the challenge is twofold: handling a potent offense and surviving the deafening roar of the "12th Man."

Both franchises are breaking out 1976-inspired throwbacks to mark their shared 50th seasons, but there's nothing old-school about what's at stake: Tampa's trying to keep pace in the NFC South while Seattle rolls in with one of the league's best point differentials through four weeks.

The Bucs' offense will again lean on first-rounder Emeka Egbuka, who was just named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Month after a blistering September (282 yards, 4 TDs). With Mike Evans still dealing with a hamstring, Egbuka's been the turbo button in this passing game.

Injuries are the subplot on both sidelines. Tampa listed CB Jamel Dean (hip), slot DB Christian Izien (quad) and RB Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) among those who didn't practice Thursday, while veterans Lavonte David (knee) and Tykee Smith (ankle) were limited.

The Seahawks, meanwhile, have been managing DB health: Pro Bowl-caliber corner Devon Witherspoon (knee) and safety Julian Love (hamstring) have been on the report this week, and RT Josh Jones (ankle) has been monitored as well. Availability for that trio could swing how aggressive Seattle can be against Tampa's spread looks.

On the chessboard: Tampa's quick-game and RPO menu under Mayfield is designed to neutralize Seattle's rush and force linebackers to tackle in space. If Witherspoon is close to 100%, Pete Carroll can play more man, spin late post-snap, and trust his corners to squeeze outbreakers that Egbuka feasts on. Conversely, if Tampa is thin at corner again, Geno Smith gets a green light to hunt intermediate crossers and slot seams—areas that become dicey without Dean and Izien.

Style points matter, but situational ball probably decides it. Seattle's been front-running early (see that shiny scoring margin), while the Bucs have turned red-zone trips into six at a healthy clip when Egbuka gets schemed into stacks and motion. If Evans can't go or is limited, keep an eye on Tampa attacking with bunch releases and Irving as a checkdown outlet. It's throwback uniforms with a very modern twist: explosives versus disguises, and whichever secondary holds up better likely walks out of Sunday with the vintage W.

This matchup now hinges on those crucial questionable tags for the Bucs. With several key players out or limited, I think it could be a long and loud afternoon for the visitors.