An Unnerving Game
September 23rd, 2016
Joe truly hopes you took a few moments of your precious time to enjoy the recent edition of the “Ira Kaufman Podcast.” If not, please do. Ira never disappoints.
If you listened, you would know one Doug Martin sidelined with a hamstring and a ferocious Rams defense scares the hell out of Joe, and Joe remembers all too well sitting in the Ed Jones Dome watching first-hand how the rotten Rams shut down the Bucs last year in St. Louis with half their heads already in California.
Elliot Harrison of NFL.com believes Bucs fans are in for a nervous, blood-pressure-rising, lukewarm-$10-beer-chugging, nail-biting afternoon at the Den of Depression.
This matchup has the potential to be a redux of the 1979 NFC Championship Game. I know you all remember that one. Or not. Los Angeles bested the Bucs 9-0 in a defensive slugfest. Tampa Bay starter Doug Williams went 2 for 13 with 12 yards passing and a pick before getting hurt. Meanwhile, the Rams rushed 53 times for 216 yards! Fast-forward to 2016. Couldn’t this game go the same way? Los Angeles should run the football, control the clock and limit the Bucs’ ground game (with no Doug Martin to defend). Problem is, I trust Jameis Winston to not turn the ball over this week. You can bet he and his teammates will be fired up after getting embarrassed in Arizona. Side question: Did any of you fine readers attend that ’79 championship game?
This would not surprise Joe one bit. On paper, the Bucs should win because the Rams have such a pathetic offense. But that defense gives Joe pause. If the Bucs wouldn’t have p!ssed down their leg so badly last week, then this game would be a no-brainer. It isn’t.
A Bucs loss means we’re looking at 1-4 at the bye, as the next two games are against last season’s Super Bowl foes, Denver and Carolina. Just the thought of 1-4 at the bye makes Joe want to shove his head in a toilet.
Can the Bucs really choke this game away Sunday?
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:17 am
Joe. We just don’t play the Rams well. We haven’t in the last 3 or so meetings.
This Bucs team seems to lack energy very similar to the 2013 team. I think we will struggle against a bad Rams team. Low score lots of bad football. Hope I’m wrong.
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:18 am
I agree it is likely to be a slug fest. But I see the Bucs coming out on top. The Bucs have a solid run D, and that is the extent of what the Rams do on offense (since “Simple as that” is no longer here, I expect us to do a better job against the pass too).
But as for Jameis and Co., versus the Rams D, that will be an up and down battle. I believe we will get some bigs plays in, but get shut down frequently.
Bucs 17, Rams 13
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:24 am
This Bucs offense is on the verge of being very explosive. If they come into this game focused it won’t be close.
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:29 am
Joe
If we don’t revitalize our rushing attack
There’s a very good chance we will lose
Hopefully Koetter has a solid game plan this week.
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:34 am
Jacquizz running and catching
Brate at the seam
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:43 am
Will Koetter utilize more zone read looks?
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:48 am
Please don’t underestimate the Rams offense. Yes, it has been bad the first two games, but it could come alive this week. Last year, the defense made QB Case Keenum (2 TDs/158.0 passer rating) look like he should be in the Pro Bowl. And, don’t forget that Jeff Fischer is using comedy to motivate the Rams offense this week. He said: “I told them this morning, I was running around the building with the move and everything looking for some things that I hadn’t been able to find yet for my office. I found a box, and I showed it to them — it was full of touchdowns.” I’m not sure how this is funny (he’s a head coach after all), but shouldn’t the Bucs defense take this as an insult?
September 23rd, 2016 at 7:51 am
Yes Joe, TBBF was at the 1979 NFC Championship game……I would add that it was raining most of the game. It was frustrating to watch. Just think, as much as the Bucs sucked in 1976, they made the NFC Championship.
This is why I say:
“Shaun King, one of two Buc Quarterbacks that lost a NFC Championship Game when his defense gave up 9 points.”
Doug Williams & Co. was the other.
September 23rd, 2016 at 8:03 am
We lost to the rams the last two years because of Lovie, he’s gone. He let every back up qb we faced go home with a W. It may be a low scoring game but we should come out on top.
September 23rd, 2016 at 8:11 am
Watched it on TV. Felt like crying.
September 23rd, 2016 at 8:16 am
Per – RaShad
It wasn’t just a Lovie thing – the Rams beat a few solid teams over the last two seasons.
Example: Signature wins
2015
Beat Arizona Cardinals Bruce Arians 24-22 (In Arizona)
Beat Pete Carrols Seattle Seahawks 2x
2014
Beat Pete Carrols Seattle Seahawks
Beat John Fox Denver Broncos
September 23rd, 2016 at 8:25 am
Moderation?
September 23rd, 2016 at 8:30 am
We need to put our Big Boy pads on in this game. Use a couple extra offensive lineman- in our sets. Knuckle up and run it down there freaking throat.
Nuff said
September 23rd, 2016 at 9:14 am
Greg williams def coordinator. Mr bountygate is 1 of the best defensive minds in the game. Next week we will see the other
Tough ugly game this week.
Koetter will struggle against williams defense. Going to have to sit keyshawn jackson and bring in sheppard because they wil blanket evan
They will need other recievers to step up
September 23rd, 2016 at 9:16 am
I was THERE for that game.
September 23rd, 2016 at 9:17 am
Now wait a minute. That comment was only 6 words long and all common words. Why the moderation?
September 23rd, 2016 at 9:19 am
SB with Jameis
They going hard in the paint on us today.
September 23rd, 2016 at 9:37 am
Long-time reader, 1st time post. Yes, I was there. My family had season tix from ’76-91. I was 9 years old at that NFC Championship Game. I actually remember a TD that we had called back due to a Giles holding penalty. If memory serves, Jack Youngblood broke his leg in the game & continued playing….
September 23rd, 2016 at 9:51 am
We better bring our freaking A game….score early and often and not let them even get into the game….keep CK under constant pressure. Our DB’s should have a field day if the D line can keep pressure on. I know that we can’t afford another L. That would kill all moral and we’ll be looking forward to April in September AGAIN!!!
September 23rd, 2016 at 11:18 am
It will come down to the Bucs d to stop the great case Keenum
September 23rd, 2016 at 2:49 pm
You know they are going to score at least one touchdown against us. Is JW going to be able to move the ball without turning it over this week? This is going to be one of those games where we cannot overlook the Rams. They are going to try to pressure Jameis after how bad he played last week. I sure hope he can settle down this week and be more accurate. Go BUCS!