Race To 10 2.0
November 22nd, 2011
Last year the Bucs shocked the football world when, coming off a pathetic three-win season, Bucs coach Raheem Morris boasted the Bucs were in a “race to 10” wins.
And the Bucs did just that, winning 10 games but losing in a tiebreaker to the eventual Super Bowl champion Packers.
This year things haven’t been as rosy. But all hope is not yet lost. Frank Pastor of the St. Petersburg Times documents that Morris wants a return to the “Race to 10.”
Morris said Sunday’s 35-26 loss to the unbeaten Packers, in which the Bucs were as close as two points with four minutes remaining, as well as wins over the Falcons and Saints earlier this season show that his team “can compete with anybody.”
And, despite squandering a 3-1 start with losses in five of their past six games, Morris believes the Bucs’ goals remain in reach.
“We’ve got six more (games) and we’ve got to go out there and knock off one at a time,” Morris said. “There’s still time to get hot. We can still finish with the record we had last year.”
To have a prayer for the playoffs the Bucs cannot lose another game. Sadly, the Bucs do not have key tiebreakers against teams ahead of them, including Detroit and Chicago.
But there may be an opening. Bratty Bears quarterback Jay Cutler is out for the remainder of the regular season with a broken thumb. The Lions are proving to be beatable and have a rough schedule the rest of the way.
If the Bucs gave the Packers a scare at Lambeau Field, the Titans on the road shouldn’t be that difficult of a task.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:11 am
Mike Tyson once seemed unbeatable. Once Buster Douglas beat him up, he was exposed. Suddenly, everyone started beating him.
Tampa exposed Green Bay, and did it at their home. Blount almost doing a Lambeau Leap certainly got their attention.
We nearly won that game, and suddenly Green Bay dont look so unstoppable anymore.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:14 am
every game in the nfl is tough….For the bucs…When is the last game we won convincingly ,,,,,Seattle last year.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:19 am
Actually, the Panthers also almost beat the Pack.
But, I agree, no excuse for not beating the Titans. They have a weak rush defense, Hasselbeck is hurt. Very mediocre team.
Should be no problem at all.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:33 am
Yeah I don’t think we exposed them at all. Everybody knew their defense was under-performing, no idea why but they are.
I really feel like with the remaining schedule we can win em all aside from Dallas who’s probably gonna kick our ass. We could possibly be facing a rookie QB 4 times (Cam twice) if Locker starts next week, and we can beat ATL in their house, we were a few yards away last year. It’s all a matter of getting this offense firing on all cylinders and getting Watson healthy so he can replace Black. When Blount runs for 100 yards we are very very very hard to beat.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:35 am
Random note: the Bucs could win a tiebreaker with Detroit and Chicago if it also included a third team with an identical record.
So we don’t absolutely NEED to finish with a better record than Detroit and Chicago , but it would certainly help a lot.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:40 am
Here’s how I see it:
Titans- We can beat them
Jaguars- We can beat them. Very bad team.
Panthers-Cam Newton has been good all year, but they still always find a way to lose. Winnable game.
Cowboys- This will be a very tough game. And yes, bash Tony Romo all you want, but he’s one of the best QB’s in the league, despite how much criticism he endures.
Falcons-We can win this game, but it’s hard to sweep someone in the NFC South.
I think we can finish 10-6. It’s definitely possible if one thing happens: Olsen turns his damn brain on and gives Blount the ball just like he finally did in Green Bay. Realistically, I think we finish 8-8, 9-7. But 10-6……..a big stretch, but possible.
Keep your fingers crossed Bucs fans.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:49 am
Fingers are crossed for sure, and yeah Patrick, Romo does get wayyyy too much criticism, the guy can ball. Biggers is going to get embarrassed by Dez Bryant or Miles Austin, whomever they match up with him.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:50 am
No problem, should finish with six straight victories.
November 22nd, 2011 at 11:59 am
Atlanta and Dallas need to both lose one more game, and then if we beat both of them, we get the tiebreaker. Then either Detroit or Chicago will have to finish 2-4 for us to get the last wild card spot.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:00 pm
I’m just curious where you all are getting whatever it is you’re smoking…..
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:04 pm
I don’t see it. I hope so, but I’m not going to hold my breath.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:16 pm
On one hand I want us to finish hot, but on another if we do that does RAH and DOM say oh we told you so we can win with black and hayes at OLB, because clearly we cant they continue to get embarrassed game after game
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:26 pm
Winning the Division and getting the number two seed and first round bye is also a strong possibility. Then, if the Pack get upset we could have the NFC Championship game right here in Tampa.
Never know, Atlanta and the Saints might collapse, and the 49ers might not win two more.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:29 pm
“I’m just curious where you all are getting whatever it is you’re smoking…..” agreed
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:31 pm
I like Jeff Fisher.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:33 pm
I hope the CBA allows padded practices during the first round bye week, so we can put a sound defeat on everybodies ass like we did the Packers this last Sunday………..
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:37 pm
Winning the division is a ‘strong possibility’??? No. It is a slight possibility, but in no way whatsoever is it a strong possibility.
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:38 pm
@Meh
I think Eric is being sarcastic
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:55 pm
im going to go on a limb here and say your all on crack….and drinking tooo much koolaid
except for jb, hes also not drinking koolaid
carry on…
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:56 pm
“Should beat” and “Will beat” are two different things for a Raheem Morris coached team. I expect this team to take another step back this week after a decent showing against Green Bay. In my opinion, we’ve got the talent to win 6 and finish 10-6. We just don’t have the coach to lead it.
6-10 is more likely. Sorry, folks. Just being realistic. This team hasn’t been consistent all season. What reason is there to think they can be consistent enough to win 6 of their final 6?
November 22nd, 2011 at 12:58 pm
I think Rah forgot to tell the players its a race to 10 WINS, not losses!
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:00 pm
“What reason is there to think they can be consistent enough to win 6 of their final 6?”
Because we’re “YOUNGRY”? LMAO!!!!!!
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:02 pm
Atlanta is going to win at least 4 more games. They get a possibly Peterson-less Vikings team. Then a Schaub-less Texans team. Then Jax and Carolina.
Same with the Saints. They’ll win at least 4 of their last 6 games as well. That puts them at 11-5 and 10-6 at worst.
Winning the division is an IMPOSSIBILITY. Wake up, folks.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:06 pm
I hear you Snook. This is the most inconsistent team in the league and no I don’t trust them. Also based on the body of work by the entire organization don’t deserve a post season birth.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:09 pm
If they play the rest of the schedule the way they played the Packers, then I think 8-8 or 9-7 is definately possible. No playoffs this year in my opinion unless Santa Claus really does exist.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
We’re not anything, (I promise I’m not at least) we’re just not negative tools that think the team is as bad as the record says it is. If the squad plays to it’s potential we can stay in the playoff hunt. You guys just keep sitting on your keyboard and watching Bucs games on your grainy internet feed thinking your a fan of the team.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Not ON anything is what I meant to type.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:14 pm
Like most people on this blog I think it is possible to finish 10-6 this season. The only problem is that I dont think we will because we have been so inconsistent this year. We have lost key games this year so far that i expected us to win when the schedule came out and now (like we do every game) are playing catch up. I think we finish anywhere from 7-9 to 9-7. Even if we do finish 10-6 and last week turns out to be a well needed turn around in our season I still think we miss the playoffs in a tie breaker because of key games we lost this year. So IMO I dont think 10-6 would be good enough for us this year unless we start getting help from other teams.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Instead of being jerks, try looking at the remaining games and giving some real reasons why we can’t win them. I can understand saying we may lose to Dallas or Atlanta, but the rest? Why not?
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:23 pm
7-9, 8-8, 9-7, 10-6 – I think all of those, to varying degrees, would be a successful season GIVEN how tough the schedule is (historically tough) and how young this team is.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:27 pm
I think the Bucs can win the next 10, the last being the Super Bowl.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:35 pm
This team is WORSE than the record says it is. They had to hold on vs the Saints and Falcons, and barely beat the terrible Vikes and Colts. Seriously, the quality of play has been much worse than 4-6.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:36 pm
Snook: Because they are equal to or greater than all of their remaining opponents. Name one team the Buccaneers have lost to this season that they are better than? The only team that you could possibly say is Detroit–and even that is iffy, but that’s it.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:49 pm
@Anthony I can name more than just one team that we lost to that were better than. How bout all of them we have enough talent on this team to compete with any of them. If we could stick to our game plan have balance on our offense and cut down on our pentalies we couldve probally won 3 more of those games.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:52 pm
@ Anthony:
The “best” team doesn’t always win. If the Bucs beat the Packers, would that have meant they were “greater” than the Packers? Hardly. I don’t care if the Bucs are “equal to or greater than” the rest of their opponents. Fact is, this team gets outcoached on a regular basis.
@K2theSoldier:
Here’s my take:
@ Titans – This could go either way. But I doubt we get 2 good performances from the Bucs back to back. Loss.
Panthers – Bucs will win this at home. Carolina’s defense sucks.
@ Jaguars – Bucs SHOULD win this game. Unless MJD runs wild.
Dallas – This is a loss. Not much to argue here.
@ Panthers – I see this as a loss. It’ll be Carolina’s last home game and I think Cam will bring his best. Especially if the Bucs win the 1st game.
@ Falcons – Payback in the Dome. Falcons are well coached and starting to play well.
There you go…. 2 wins out of the last 6. Not unrealistic. Winning anymore than that would be shocking, in my opinion.
November 22nd, 2011 at 1:57 pm
Actually, on 2nd thought, Jacksonville probably will be a loss too. Their defense is Top 10 and our offense sucks. Plus, MJD will run wild on Quincy and the rest of our crappy LBs led by our overmatched DC.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:08 pm
@snook I would be more willing to bet that we sweep the Panthers then them spliting with us. It is possible they could win at home but I think we get the sweep. Agree that the Titans could go either way because we dont know which Buc team is gonna show up this Sunday but this should be a win. The Jags well that one you can just mark in the win column I dont even know why we have to waste our gas and time to go over there. The Cowboys over history yes you can say were gonna lose but I sure hope not. Its been long enough for that streak to break and think we have enough talent to make that game competitive and wouldnt go giving that one away yet. The finale in Atlanta could go either way we alawys play close games with them plus they could potentially be resting starters that game. If we only win one or two more games we have some serious problems. It hasnt been pretty so far but i dont think its that bad.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:18 pm
@Snook
I like your posts, but we’re just saying it’s a possibility. Titans and Jaguars=weak teams. Carolina=talented, but they can’t win.
The game I really don’t think we’ll win is Dallas. We never beat the Cowboys. I’m always embarrased here in Texas every time the Bucs play them lol.
Honestly, we want to just have some hope that this season is not over yet. It’s been way too long since we’ve been to the playoffs. All of us on here have been patient enough over the years. The Buccaneers have a lot of great fans. We should be playoff caliber and competitive by now, but unfortunately we’re not.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:41 pm
Thanks Snook for being realistic and actually giving some insight instead of the normal response around here “We suck, Raheem is so stoooopid!”
I think it’s crazy to believe the Jaguars can beat us, they’ve only had one impressive game all year, and are starting a rookie QB. If we key in on MJD and make the rook beat us we should be fine, because he won’t.
ATL will of course be a tough one, but we play really well against divisional teams for the most part, so it’s a toss up to me. In fact, every game is a toss up, we’re not consistent and it’s the NFL. The Super Bowl winner last year barely made the playoffs.
The two Carolina games SHOULD be wins, as much as everybody loves to talk about them they have 2 freaking wins. Not a good football team.
I’ll be really upset/surprised if we finish with less than 8 wins.
Meh, we’re not worse than the record says, we’ve played a ridiculously hard schedule and have some close losses. I’m not gonna argue this one because it’s all based on opinion.
November 22nd, 2011 at 2:47 pm
It isn’t based on opinion at all. We have played terrible by every objective measure. Even in the ‘close losses’ we’ve generally only had a single quarter of good play. It is a ridiculous assertion.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:05 pm
We played terrible when we beat New Orleans, Atlanta? We played bad for one half against the Vikings but were awesome in the second half. If we were healthy against the Bears we probably would have won (just a point, I don’t like using injuries as an excuse, but it is what it is). We’ve played really good football at times during the season.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:33 pm
You guys are hilarious – this is a team that lost by a combined 60 points to the niners and Texans – good teams but really.
The truth about this team: if the other team plays a solid game we lose, if the other team has a bad day (like NO and Atl, or a horrible half like Minn) they we have a chance. One or two of those 5 teams/ 6 games will have off days and we will probably win. We will also have a few Houston games and lose to Tenn Jax or Car.
I predicted 7-9 pre-season (and was blasted for it by sheep) and I will stick with it. They will lose to Dal, Atl and Car once at a minimum.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Then again, Rah might go on 4th from midfield in the first quarter and attempt 5 onside kicks and get unsportsmanlike conduct penalties and we end up 4-12 as easily.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:48 pm
Here’s the thing about the Jaguars, folks. They’ve got a good defense. They’ve got the 3rd rank defense in yards per game and 5th ranked defense in points allowed. The reason the Jaguars suck is because they have no offense – LAST overall. But their rushing offense averages 120 per game – 12th in the NFL. What is the best cure for a terrible offense? A terrible defense. And the Bucs ranked at 31 overall is exactly that.
The Bucs have played 3 teams with Top 10 defenses. And they’re 0-3.
To chalk up the Jaguars as an automatic win is HILARIOUS. No win is automatic with this poorly coached team.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:53 pm
Thomas:
You’re much more optimistic than I am.
Still sticking with 7-9? That’s going 3-3 (.500) from here on out. People think you’re an ass, etc. but you’ve got it figured out. Its sad that so many people still can’t see this team for what it really is.
Personally, I love this team. Sure, we need some pieces here and there but I love Freeman, Blount, Benn and our guys on offense. I’d clean house on our D though. A bunch of dead weight there. Lots of it. Its just so frustrating to see a team not play up to its talent level. The coaching is a joke. I loved Mike Lombardi’s criticism of Raheem last week. Dead on. And the real clown in Raheem for not even knowing who Lombardi even is.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:56 pm
And here’s the thing about the Panthers… They give up a lot of points. But they also move the ball well. These games will be shootouts, in my opinion. And I don’t want a shootout with Cam Newton running all over our horrible defense.
November 22nd, 2011 at 3:59 pm
I respect all of your opinions. @K2 you proved all of our point. While they flash in the the fourth quarters sometimes this team is way too inconsistent and the coaching is subpar. 6 straight wins mean consistency, identity, and preparation is taking place. Based on over a season and a half what is consistent about the Bucs? I was a positive fan all off-season but now I side with most of the pundits (mainly Lombardi and Kirwan) that we lack so much overall that we are actually overachieving. Name 3 players that can win a matchup consistently or dominate outside of newcomer haynesworth.
I think Tampa can win 3 more more games, Ten, Car home, and Jax. If the coaching staff were more consistent I wouldn’t worry about the lack of talent but if Denver is competitive with Tebow and decent runners then that proves my point.
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Architek:
Its not that you’re not “positive” anymore. You’re just being realistic now.
Its like standing outside under dark rain clouds and saying its not going to rain. Sure, you’re being positive but you’re hardly being realistic.
I’d rather be realistic than stupidly positive.
November 22nd, 2011 at 4:16 pm
A few things; Snook, the entire defense doesn’t need to be scrapped, just Black, Geno and add some depth at cornerback. We’ve got some real talent on that defensive line and hopefully next year they can transition Cody Grimm to strong safety to have him and T-Jack on the field together a lot.
You wanna know the thing about the Jaguars and Panthers? Their records suck. Combined they have one more win than us. No game is an automatic win in the NFL, but the Jaguars game is definitely one we should win. Same goes with the Panthers, both times, and the Falcons. I think we CAN win every game left aside from the Cowboys. What I think we WILL win is entirely different. It’s the NFL, only an idiot bets money on the NFL.
@ Architek, There’s no denying this team is insanely inconsistent. But what leaves me and a few other fans hope is the fact that we know they can play at a high level and the goal is getting them to play at that level now that our backs are against the wall. We’ve seen crazier things happen.
November 22nd, 2011 at 5:01 pm
Rah do yourself a favor…and just SHUT UP, put your head down and work….you’re bumper sticker fodder and ridiculous quips are quickly getting beyond old. Come in state the facts without that goofy grin…answer the questions and move on….save your emotion for practice…
November 23rd, 2011 at 5:45 am
Hey Rah! I know you make a million a year or so. But, if you ever want advice on how to run the team, and deal with the media, there are quite a few minimum wage earners here at JoeBuc that are – without any experience at all- experts on how to do so! Ask Kappa and the boys!!