NFL Gameday Preview: Buccaneers Look For Fresh Start Against Cardinals with Mike Glennon

The Tampba Bay Buccaneers are hoping for a fresh start against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday with rookie quarterback Mike Glennon under center.

The Buccaneers benched five-year starting quarterback Josh Freeman earlier this week in favor of rookie Mike Glennon. Freeman wore out his welcome in Tampa Bay and lost the favor of head coach Greg Schiano. Now Mike Glennon will look to improve one of the league’s least exciting offenses in his NFL debut.

The Arizona Cardinals have started the season 1-2 under new head coach Bruce Arians, and new starting quarterback Carson Palmer. The defense has regressed from being one of the league’s toughest from 2012. Arizona has also failed to find a running game offensively to compliment the strong arm of Palmer.

On paper the matchup is lopsided in favor of the Cardinals. Arizona is averaging 328 yards per game while Tampa Bay is only averaging 282 yards per game.

Nothing has worked offensively for the Buccaneers, and they’re hoping a lot of the blame can be placed on Josh Freeman. With any luck, Doug Martin can get back to his 2012 form running the ball, giving the Buccaneers a more balanced offense, and putting less pressure on Glennon.

The Cardinals should win the game. Both teams are currently rebuilding, but Arizona has more pieces in place to succeed quicker. However, Carson Palmer is interception prone, and the Buccaneers have a secondary featuring Darrelle Revis and Dashon Goldson.

There is a lot of interest in this game with Mike Glennon making his debut, but overall it should be one of the least exciting matches of the weekend. The Cardinals should come out with a win and a 2-2 record.

Who do you think will win?

[image via Wikimedia Commons]