Could Bucs Buck The Odds?
October 2nd, 2014
The putrid play of the NFC South is giving the Bucs hope. Is it false hope?
As awful as the Bucs played through the first three weeks of the season, no one in their right might would have suggested Tampa Bay was a playoff contender last week.
Not only are playoffs damned-near impossible to make after an 0-3 start, but the way the Bucs got seal-clubbed by the Dixie Chicks, no way.
There is no such thing as a must-win game in September, or October. That is just crazy talk, no matter how you spin it.
However, the Bucs’ NFC South brethren have played so uninspired, they actually have the door wide open for the improbable: a Bucs turnaround.
If the Bucs are going to do that, a win Sunday against the Saints would sure go a long way. It would restore faith among fans that was detonated in the Georgia Dome on that fateful Thursday night two weeks ago.
No, no one at One Buc Palace is daring to whisper what might happen if the Bucs do a regular-season about-face (except for Mike Glennon.) A 2-3 record after five games is a whole lot better than a 1-4 record overall and a guarantee of last place in your division.
Let’s just say an 0-3 start has been a death knell for teams in the 21st Century.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:11 am
If we find a way to win this game on Sunday there will be a lot of hope for the rest of the season and a real turnaround. This game is HUGE no doubt about it. If we lose, well…
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:19 am
1-4 hardly “guarantees” a last place in the division.
That could end-up as 12-4 or 1-15 or anywhere in between.
Anything is possible on football.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:21 am
After the recent beatdowns of the Bucs by the Aints, a Bucs win would be special Sunday. If it does’nt happen I look for a shootout vs the Ravens.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:23 am
If Glennon keeps improving we just might. Also, Lovie needs to let Arroyo call the game just as he did in the second half last week. He let Glennon air it out to the big fellas. The defense doesn’t need to be great just get critical 3 and outs as they did last week or hold for field goals.
October 2nd, 2014 at 9:25 am
It’s a must win if you are very unrealistic, this team isn’t good enough for any kind of playoff run even if the division is weak. I’m happy with watching the “ginger cannon” progressing and the team starting to gel. But, not sure about ya’ll but this game sooooort of feels like the San Diego game in 96′ when we all went whaaaaaa after that win… could be… maybe…
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:01 am
This is a really really tough game for us. Everyone knows how good the Saints are at home. Also, they have their backs against the wall too, which should just add fuel to their fire. They got embarrassed on national TV, and I’m sure they want to get that taste out of their mouth (similar to us after the Atlanta game). Their offense has yet to break out, in particular Jimmy Graham – enter the TE-friendly Tampa Bay Buccaneers. We’ve got our work cut out for us, that’s for sure. Glennon is going to have to be big time again. We also really need to understand that we do not have a run first team, no matter how bad we WANT to. Especially early on, we have got to stop being so predictable and running the ball every single first down. It just makes it too easy on the defense. We just don’t have the horses up front to do that, and we are going to have to score a lot of points to beat New Orleans.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:06 am
Put constant unrelenting pressure of Drew….and lock down safety play and we got it. Don’t forget we usually split with NO.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:21 am
@Ladyfan,
I don’t think we’ve beat New Orleans in three years. If by split you mean we normally keep the game close one of the two games, then yes you are correct.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:30 am
A win would be just that, one more win. Do you really think they are going to lose a game in December thinking back to whatever happens this upcoming Sunday?
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:47 am
The first 2 games might have looked bad and did end up in losses,but let’s not forget we were 1 play away from winning both of those games. Couldn’t be that awful if we were mere seconds away from winning.
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:55 am
If (and obviously it’s a big if) the defense shows up and puts forth it’s best effort Sunday, a win is possible and then at 2-3 with how bad the division has looked so far, who knows?
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:14 am
And a win Sunday would be even more unbelievable considering their two wins came at two of the most difficult places to play in the NFL.
Makes those 2 losses at home to backup QBs even more nauseating.
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:24 am
Sunday is a must-win. You can’t start 0-3 in your division and 0-4 in your conference and expect to contend for a playoff spot.
October 2nd, 2014 at 11:46 am
It’s crazy to think the Panthers, Falcons and Saints are all going to keep playing like this. One of them will break from the pack and run away with it. Sunday is a must win if they want to take their season further. Otherwise, at 1-4 with many tough games left on their schedule, it’s not realistic to think they’re going to win most of them. Even now, I still think about 6-10 is where they’ll finish. The Bucs aren’t remotely fixed in their defense, and until that happens everything’s going to be a massive struggle. If they magically turn it around for the rest of the year Sunday, who know what they might accomplish?
October 2nd, 2014 at 12:31 pm
A win at New Orleans this Sunday and everyone including DallasBuc will be riding the Love Train.
Singin’
People all over the world (everybody)
Join hands (join)
Start a love train, love train
People all over the world (all the world, now)
Join hands (love ride)
Start a love train (love ride), love train
October 2nd, 2014 at 12:38 pm
The Saints have played 3 straight on the road and are 1-3. Their fans are freaking out. Brees was fielding questions left and right over the start.
Saints fans are shocked by their start. Tampa Bay fans are more like oh well same old story.
Some day that’s going to change Buc fans. This Sunday MIGHT be that day.
October 2nd, 2014 at 12:44 pm
@Trubucfan22 True true…
October 2nd, 2014 at 2:44 pm
The most logical result of the game (in the Dome) is Saints 30 to Bucs 20, but maybe the Bucs can pull a rabbit out of the hat again.
October 2nd, 2014 at 3:33 pm
@ Trubucfan
By that logic, the Steelers were “mere seconds” away from winning last Sunday. They were certainly closer than the Bucs were in the first two games, as they never had the lead against the Panthers, and their last lead against the Rams was at the 5:20 mark.
tickrdr
BTW, Mike Glennon and the Bucs averaged 19.5 points per game last year.
BTW#2:
Atlanta defense Vs.
Brees and N.O. = 472 yards — 333 passing, 139 rushing
Dalton and Cinn = 422 yards — 252 passing, 170 rushing
Bridgewater and Minn = 558 yards — 317 passing, 241 rushing
McCown = 58 yards passing, 1 INT
Glennon = 121 yards passing, 1 TD
October 2nd, 2014 at 10:16 pm
I’m focusing on improving as a team over all.
I haven’t seen anything from this team that tells me that we can win Sunday. I don’t care if we did make an extra play or two and we were sitting here 3 – 1. We are not built (yet) to compete in the dome.
The defense has made every QB to date look good…now we play brees in the dome.