Game Preview of Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Seattle Seahawks. Week 5 of 2025 NFL Season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers head to Seattle to take on the Seahawks this Sunday at Lumen Field. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET. Both teams enter at 3-1, but they arrive in very different shape.
Tampa Bay is dealing with one of the league’s longest injury lists. Mike Evans remains out with a hamstring injury. Chris Godwin, Cade Otton, and quarterback Baker Mayfield are all Questionable. Running backs Bucky Irving and Rachaad White are also banged up, leaving rookie Emeka Egbuka to carry much of the offensive load.
Seattle comes in healthier but not perfect. Pass rusher Leonard Williams, tackle Charles Cross, and running back Zach Charbonnet are all listed as Questionable. Still, the Seahawks’ biggest edge may be through the air, where Sam Darnold has looked sharp and his receivers face a thin Buccaneers secondary.
Oddsmakers give Seattle a slight edge. The Seahawks are favoured by 3.5 points (-115), with the total set at 45. Tampa Bay’s injuries and Seattle’s explosive passing game make this one of the most intriguing NFC showdowns of Week 5.
| Date | Opponent | Result | ATS | O/U |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-09-25 | @ ARI | W 23-20 | W +-1.5 | u43.5 |
| 2025-09-21 | vs NO | W 44-13 | W +7.5 | o41.5 |
| 2025-09-14 | @ PIT | W 31-17 | W +3.5 | o40.5 |
| 2025-09-07 | vs SF | L 13-17 | L -2.5 | u43.5 |
| 2025-01-05 | @ LAR | W 30-25 | W +-7.5 | o38.5 |
| 2024-12-26 | @ CHI | W 6-3 | W +-3.5 | u43.5 |
| 2024-12-22 | vs MIN | L 24-27 | L -2.5 | o43.0 |
| 2024-12-15 | vs GB | L 13-30 | L -3.0 | u48.0 |
| 2024-12-08 | @ ARI | W 30-18 | W +3.0 | o45.5 |
| 2024-12-01 | @ NYJ | W 26-21 | W +1.0 | o41.5 |
Seattle’s pass game ranks first in explosive pass rate (12.4%), while Tampa Bay’s defense sits below average against big plays.
The Buccaneers are scoring touchdowns on just 36.4% of red-zone trips, one of the worst marks in the league.
Tampa Bay’s third-down defense remains elite, stopping 67.3% of attempts. That could be critical against Sam Darnold’s short-yardage struggles.
Injuries to Evans, Godwin, and Mayfield threaten Tampa Bay’s passing traits, forcing Egbuka into a primary role.
Seattle’s defensive line converts 7.3% of pressures into sacks. Tampa’s offensive line is thin, with Tristan Wirfs and others Questionable.
Seattle’s defense ranks top tier in limiting explosive runs, allowing just 1.0% of rushes to go for big gains.
Spread: Seahawks -3.5 (-115). Market leans to Seattle at home despite their 2-7 record in their last nine at Lumen Field.
Total: Under 45.0 (-111). Both teams rank top half in defensive efficiency; Bucs’ injuries point to a lower total.
Anytime TD: Kenneth Walker III (-122). Seattle RB continues to see red-zone carries.
Anytime TD: Jaxon Smith-Njigba (+116). Faces banged-up Bucs secondary, likely WR2 volume.
Player Prop: Emeka Egbuka Over 61.5 Receiving Yards (-120). Rookie’s usage surging with Evans out.
Player Prop: Sam Darnold Over 235.5 Passing Yards (-118). Tampa’s defense allows explosive passes at a 7.4% clip.
This matchup features two NFC contenders but with very different injury stories. Tampa Bay is hanging on with half its starting lineup on the report. If Baker Mayfield can’t go or is limited, their ability to score will be heavily compromised.
Seattle is far from flawless but has been trending up with Sam Darnold’s efficient play and a dangerous group of receivers. If their pass rush gets home against a battered Bucs line, it could tilt the game quickly.
The Bucs’ defense is still stout, especially on third downs, and that gives them a chance to hang around. But their red-zone struggles and missing playmakers make it tough to see them outpacing Seattle’s explosive offense.
Expect a close start, but Seattle has the health and firepower advantage. The betting market reflects that with the Seahawks as short home favourites. With the total at 45, the under may hold more value given Tampa Bay’s offensive limitations.
| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Points | 111 | #6 | 97 | #13 | |
| Total Points Per Game | 27.8 | #6 | 24.3 | #20 | |
| Total Touchdowns | 12 | #7 | 11 | #20 | |
| Passing Touchdowns | 5 | #22 | 6 | #15 | |
| Rushing Touchdowns | 5 | #8 | 3 | #12 | |
| Other Touchdowns | 2 | #3 | 2 | #30 | |
| Total Kicking Points | 39 | #2 | 31 | #16 | |
| Total Two Point Conversions | 0 | #16 | 0 | #18 | |
| Kick Extra Points | 12 | #4 | 10 | #10 |
| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Net Passing Yards | 886 | #13 | 751 | #22 | |
| Net Passing Yards Per Game | 222 | #13 | 188 | #22 | |
| Passer Rating | 106 | #6 | 95.1 | #13 | |
| Passing Attempts | 103 | #31 | 126 | #17 | |
| Completions | 72 | #29 | 81 | #18 | |
| Completion Percentage | 69.9 | #6 | 64.3 | #13 | |
| Passing 1st downs | 41 | #22 | 46 | #19 | |
| Passing 1st Down % | 53.2 | #22 | 63.9 | #28 | |
| Longest Pass | 45 | #23 | 50 | #16 | |
| Passing Fumbles Lost | 2 | #6 | 1 | #15 | |
| Receiving Targets | 96 | #31 | 124 | #15 | |
| Receptions | 72 | #29 | 81 | #15 | |
| Receiving Yards After Catch | 353 | #26 | 501 | #28 | |
| YAC Average | 4.9 | #18 | 6.2 | #30 |
| Statistic | Offense | Rank | Defense | Rank | Advantage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rushing Yards | 443 | #18 | 340 | #5 | |
| Rushing Yards Per Game | 111 | #18 | 85 | #28 | |
| Rushing Attempts | 123 | #4 | 102 | #14 | |
| Yards Per Rush Attempt | 3.6 | #28 | 3.3 | #30 | |
| Rushing 1st downs | 27 | #15 | 17 | #4 | |
| 20+ Yard Rushing Plays | 4 | #5 | 2 | #19 | |
| Long Rushing | 24 | #24 | 29 | #19 | |
| Rushing Fumbles | 4 | #5 | 2 | #19 | |
| Rushing Fumbles Lost | 1 | #6 | 0 | #16 |