It’s OK To Use “Must Win” This Week
December 8th, 2010
The playoffs are very much on the minds of Bucs fans and so too are the Bucs playoff chances on the minds of noted Bucs supporters Adam Schein and Rich Gannon.
While broadcasting their superior show “The Blitz,” heard exclusively on Sirius NFL Radio, the duo discussed the Bucs and the playoffs today.
Adam Schein: I don’t think Tampa is by any stretch out of the playoff picture. They are on the outside looking in. The road will be difficult. Looking at all the games this weekend and all the scenarios, this is a big spot for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this week Rich. The Giants have an interesting game with the Vikings. The Eagles have an interesting game with the Cowboys. Both games are on the road. Tampa is on the road with the Redskins. Rich, this is a must game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Rich Gannon: It’s critical and you are right. Currently the Bucs are on the outside looking in. They cannot afford to wait until Jan. 2 and that game at New Orleans because that game will be critical for the Saints. They will have a lot to play for too. Tampa has to win this week.
Joe just cannot fathom the Bucs losing this week. Sure the Bucs are banged up physically. But the Redskins are an absolute trainwreck loaded with distractions. The Redskins wide receivers are nothing short of a joke so even with Aqib Talib, the Redskins receivers should not pose any thread to the Bucs.
If the Bucs drop this game, it’s time to start pestering Joe’s good friend Justin Pawlowski about the draft.
December 8th, 2010 at 2:08 pm
Let’s win and stay injury free.
December 8th, 2010 at 2:12 pm
From here on out, every game needs to be viewed and played as a playoff game.
December 8th, 2010 at 2:28 pm
Sorry but being on the outside looking in?
Wishful thinking. Can it happen? Sure – ANYTHING is possible.
Last week was THE must win and guess what our boys did – or didn’t do?
December 8th, 2010 at 2:36 pm
The saints have to go to Baltimore and Atlanta. If they lose either of those, the Bucs control their own destiny. It’s a long shot, but winning out is a playoff spot.
December 8th, 2010 at 2:39 pm
derf.
C’mon man what were your expectations before the season started?? what maybe 5-6 wins at most? It would be nice yea to make the playoffs but for this year only i’m content with 9-10 wins this year. Next year will be a different story but like monday night countdown likes to say ” C’mon man!!”
December 8th, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Last week was a critical game but not a MUST WIN. these games are now must wins. And redskins with haynesworth active i woudl be scared but if haynesworth is not playing their d-line is pathetic. So. i say blount caddy and k2 all day.
December 8th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
Washington has nothing to lose since they are all but eliminated from the playoffs.The players want to show Shanihan they can win without fat Albert.A very dangerous game considering the recent rash of injuries and the Bucs meltdown last sunday.
December 8th, 2010 at 3:09 pm
@marcus,
derf isn’t a fan, he just wants to b!tch about everything. He acts like our team is Super Bowl caliber and we should condemn the team for falling short of SB aspirations. Truth is, we have a young, inexperienced, yet talented team that is doing far better than expected or predicted. All us fans want more, want to be better, want to be champs, but we realize this is essentially a 2nd year team.
December 8th, 2010 at 3:34 pm
Hmm? Not sure how a division game isn’t a MUST win, when your team is in the running/contemplating playoffs in December!
LakelandBob,
Get outta my head! That’s what I’ve been thinking about this game coming up. McNabb is a very good QB too, don’t underestimate him!
December 8th, 2010 at 3:47 pm
Im not worried about the Redskins so much.
The game I’m more concerned with is Detroit. They have a bunch of really talented players and just never seem to put it together for a full 60 minutes. One of these days its going to click for them. Lets just hope it isn’t when they come to Tampa.
December 8th, 2010 at 3:49 pm
GLast week was a must win
December 8th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
d-money,
I agree and would add the Lions as another scary one!
December 8th, 2010 at 5:31 pm
BuckfanJeff – who pissed in YOUR cornflakes?
“I” bitch about everything? Please don’t confuse me with Buc U or the pessimist.
I’m a REALIST.
The Bucs improved from last year – FACT.
When the Bucs were 7-3 everyone was talking about playoffs and Divison champs, etc., I wrote that we should hold the champagne until after the Bucs had beaten Atlanta – didn’t happen. Then Baltimore – didn’t happen – then Atlanta again – didn’t happen.
The team is mediocre with lots of POTENTIAL.
However people write about the Bucs winning out like it’s a given – IT AIN’T.
My point in my initial post is that for 2010 forget about the playoffs. Too much has to go right for the Bucs to get in for what? To get whacked in the first game?
The media wants people to believe there is a shot to keep us ‘excited’ because most fair weather fans or fans in Carolina, Cincy, etc., have just given up.
December 8th, 2010 at 5:41 pm
@ derf
Hey bro. i’m not questioning your fanhood at all but at least respect others opinions about a possible playoff run. As long as you don’t call someone and idiot for predicting that we might be in the playoffs then i respect your opinion as well. I think what everyone is saying on this blog is that when a bunch of us are talking playoffs and are getting excited you tend to bring us down to earth. In all honesty thats good and bad.
December 8th, 2010 at 5:44 pm
derf,
Just to clarify, the Bucs still control their own destiny. No, it’s not easy, never is. But, if the Bucs win out, yep, go 4-0 they’re in. No if’s and’s or but’s about it. This is due to the fact that there are games left including Packers/Bears, Packers Giants, Giants/Eagles, Saints/Falcons, Bears/Jets, Bears/Patriots still out there. I’ve run every possible combination I can find and if the Bucs win out, they’re in.
That’s a tall order, but it’s possible. The question is, can they make it in if they win 3, and lose to the Saints? The answer is yes, but they’ll need more help in that scenario. Right now, it’s in their hands, they just gotta win.
Also, to the “why? to get whacked in the first round?”. Well, if they win out, there is a chance they could be the #5 seed (not as likely, but still a possibility). In that case, we’d play the NFC West champ, which we would have already beaten once. No one is saying we’d be one and done. The #6 seed is a much tougher road, but in the playoffs, anything can happen.
December 8th, 2010 at 6:38 pm
I finally found one scenario in which the Bucs are out, even if they win all 4 remaining games. It would take one exact combination of playoff teams winning/losing to make it happen. If the Bucs win all 4, for them to be out of the playoffs, the following would have to happen.
Atlanta wins 3, losing to the Saints
Chicago must win out all 4 (Patriots, Vikings, Jets Packers)
The Eagles must win out (Dallas x2, Giants, Vikings)
The Giants must win 3 of 4, but they have to beat the Packers and lose to the Eagles, if that’s switched, we’re still in.
That would make the Packers game vs Chicago to end the season a meaningless game, the Packers and Bucs would be out.
That’s the only scenario with the Bucs winning 4 that they’ll be out. Again, anything is possible in the NFL.
December 8th, 2010 at 6:47 pm
Correction, Chicago must win the next 3, making the 4th game (Packers) pointless.
December 8th, 2010 at 7:44 pm
Derf has a point, his point is that is is not likely that the Bucs get in, and that would be OK. This year has been fun, and that is really what this is all about, watching fun football games. Last year was not much fun. That being said, the Bucs still have a shot and if they get in anything can happen. Look at ARZ, no one gave them a snow balls chance in hell.
December 8th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
Oh, and thanks for the scenario BamBam…I hope we win out and make the play offs! Go Bucs!
December 8th, 2010 at 7:53 pm
@McBuc
true but i think its okay for people to talk playoffs without another person coming in out numbered and saying its almost impossible.
December 8th, 2010 at 9:02 pm
Gotcha Marcus…I would not put Derf in the Buc You, Eric, Thomas 2.1 arena though.
December 9th, 2010 at 12:14 am
If we do drop this one, would we be better off losing out for draft purposes?
December 9th, 2010 at 9:35 am
@eric
F@!$ no…then we have to see your name a lot more on this blog with your wonderful comments. Alright man im messin but in all seriousness the team needs to finish strong late in the season for next year because its how you play in dec. which determines if your legit. or not.