Buccaneers vs Dolphins: Previewing Tampa Bay's Preseason Week 4 Matchup

In what has become an annual preseason rivalry of sorts, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will wrap up their 2015 slate of practice games by heading south to take on the Miami Dolphins on Thursday night.

The Bucs are looking to close out the preseason on a high note after turning in a dismal performance last week, losing 31-7 at home to the Cleveland Browns. The Dolphins knocked off the Atlanta Falcons last week 13-9 for their first win of the preseason.

It's unlikely fans will see many starters on either side in this game, with teams resting their stars for the regular season and giving the lower half of their roster one last chance to make a statement before final roster cuts are handed down later this week.

Bucs fans, here's everything you need to know heading into this week's game.

Viewing Info

Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami

Time: 7 p.m. ET

TV: WFLA/NBC (Tampa), CBS (Miami)

News and Notes

Duane Burleson/Associated Press

Three's a Crowd at Kicker

After both Patrick Murray and Connor Barth missed a field goal attempt in last week's loss to the Cleveland Browns, the Bucs traded tight end Tim Wright to the Lions for a third kicker, Kyle Brindza.

Head coach Lovie Smith says the team is always looking to improve at every position, per Scott Smith of Buccaneers.com:

"

Strong leg. Of course, he's a young guy, playing at Notre Dame we know a little bit about him. As we've said all along, we'll always be looking to improve our ballclub. If we see somebody that we think deserves a look, we'll give him that. That's the case with us right now.

"

The Bucs will have to trim their roster down 22 spots by Saturday, making Thursday's final preseason game extremely important for determining who will handle the kicking duties for the Bucs when the regular season begins. With Tampa Bay already cutting veteran punter Michael Koenen in favor of Jake Schum, it's clear the team isn't afraid to go in a new direction, if necessary.

Jennings Visits

After being released by the Bears earlier this week, veteran cornerback Tim Jennings paid a visit to One Buc Place on Tuesday.

The visit concluded without the two sides agreeing to a contract, but Jennings couldn't deny his strong ties to the Bucs, per ESPN.com:

"

I want to sleep on it. I do want to take this time to see what other opportunities may materialize, if possible. Some teams may have some things come up with more roster cuts. Obviously I also have a strong connection to Tampa too. So we will see.

"

Having played under Lovie Smith in Chicago, Jennings has plenty of experience in the Tampa 2 defense and would join multiple former defensive teammates—Henry Melton, Major Wright and Chris Conte—should he decide to sign with the Bucs.

The Bucs could definitely use some veteran depth in the secondary, and Jennings' familiarity with the scheme would be a huge plus.

Bubble Players Relishing Opportunity

The fourth preseason game might not be as entertaining to fans due to most starters being rested, but for the players on the lower third of the roster, it's usually their best audition and last chance to make an impression on the coaching staff.

Like many others, rookie undrafted free agent Ryan Delaire is looking forward to the opportunity to show the team what he can do, per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times:

"

Very excited. I know all the rookies are very excited, because they get a chance to show what they can really do. In the first three games, the majority of us only played in the fourth quarter. You feel more comfortable being on the field longer. It can help a lot.

"

The Bucs still have plenty of roster positions up for grabs, and many of this year's rookies have put together strong performances in training camp. This week's game will be their biggest real-game test to see how they handle a prime-time atmosphere, even if it is just preseason.

Latest Injury News

Don Juan Moore/Getty Images

Player	Position	Injury
Jameis Winston	QB	Ankle
Mike Evans	WR	Hamstring
Donovan Smith	OT	Ankle
Bradley McDougald	S	Unspecified
Jacquies Smith	DE	Shoulder
Patrick Murray	K	Knee

*All injury information via TBO.com, PewterReport.com and ESPN.com

This list has some big names on it, but with starters rarely expected to play extensively in the fourth preseason game—if at all—none of these injuries should play a huge part in Tampa Bay's game plan this week.

Evans tweaked his hamstring in the Bucs' second preseason game and isn't expected to rush back from the injury, while Tampa Bay would be wise to keep Winston off the field this week and allow him extra time for his sprained ankle to heal. Both players will be needed far worse in the team's regular season opener.

It's still unclear whether the rest of the players on this list will see any action on Thursday night, but don't be surprised if the Bucs sit any and every starter with even the slightest nagging injury. With the run of serious injuries across the league this preseason, the Bucs should play it safe and simply use this game as a chance to get a long look at their reserves across the board.

Top Matchups

Glenn Andrews-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs defensive tackles vs. Dolphins guard Jamil Douglas

One of my favorite offensive line prospects in the entire 2015 draft, Douglas has already been getting reps with the first team at guard for Miami, and with good reason. Primarily a tackle at Arizona State, Douglas is versatile with a great combination of power and athleticism.

He'll face a tough test in this game against Tampa Bay's deepest position, where even if three-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy doesn't play, they still have plenty of starting-caliber talent ready to test the rookie's early development. Douglas could have his hands full with the likes of Tony McDaniel and Clinton McDonald, but it'll be a good chance for him to show he's ready to start in the regular season.

Bucs rookie receivers vs. Dolphins secondary

The Bucs wanted to improve their overall depth at receiver this offseason, and they look to have done just that, based on the results so far this preseason. Fifth-round pick Kenny Bell has played extremely well in practice but has yet to translate to game action, while sixth-rounder Kaelin Clay is a return specialist who hasn't done much to stand out from the pack.

Both have been overshadowed during the preseason games so far by undrafted free agents Rannell Hall, Adam Humphries and Donteea Dye, all of whom are fighting hard to claim one of the team's final roster spots after this week. This game is the last chance these rookies will have to impress the team's decision-makers before final cuts are made, which should make for some competitive play in the Miami secondary.

Matchup X-Factors

Ann Heisenfelt/Associated Press

Bucs X-Factor of the Week: WR Kenny Bell

Though he got off to a strong start in rookie minicamp and then in training camp, rookie receiver Kenny Bell has struggled to translate that success into game situations so far this preseason.

The fifth-round pick was likely frustrated by his play already before missing last week's preseason game with an injury. But now there's even more urgency for the Nebraska product to get on the field and make the most of of his last chance to impress the coaching staff before the regular season begins.

Bell has plenty of talent and contributes as a downfield blocker and on special teams, making him the kind of versatile player any NFL team would want to develop. Look for him to rise to the occasion this week and put together a solid performance that secures him a spot on the final roster.

Prediction

Brian Blanco/Associated Press

It's been a tale of two teams for the Bucs this preseason, looking impressive against the Bengals but dismal in many areas against both the Vikings and Browns.

It's clear the Bucs still have plenty of issues, namely the continued poor play of the offensive line and the lack of a consistent, effective pass rush. With most of Tampa Bay's starters not likely to play much in this game—if at all—their depth will be tested as players on the roster bubble try and stake their claim to one of the final spots.

At this point, Miami is a deeper team at multiple positions, and though the score isn't the most important aspect of this game, Bucs fans will likely be disappointed to limp into Week 1 of the regular season with a 1-3 preseason record.

Final Prediction: Dolphins 17, Bucs 13