The Importance Of Week One
September 10th, 2016
Key to start with a win.
Yes, boys and girls, tomorrow is an important date.
Sure, it is Sept. 11. No need to discuss further on that. And it’s the first Bucs game of the season. Hope you already are icing up your beers and getting the meat prepped for the grill.
And yes, tomorrow’s game at Atlanta is a division game. Those are always important.
However, Gil Brandt, the former mastermind of the 1960s and 1970s Cowboys, offers a taste of the importance of this contest to start the season.
Something to remember this kickoff weekend: Since 1978, victorious teams in Week 1 are more than 2x as likely to reach playoffs than losers.
— Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 9, 2016
Now Joe isn’t about to make a ridiculous statement that the Bucs are in a must-win game. That’s nonsense. Hell, Atlanta won its first five games last year and turned into a garbage team.
Getting a win is very important Sunday. The Bucs’ schedule, yes, on paper, looks tough in the first half of the season. So beating a division opponent that no one expects to contend for a playoff berth is critical to start the season off right.
September 10th, 2016 at 7:22 am
In one sense I agree Joe that it’s not a must-win game … as Panthers’ HC Ron Rivera said after Thursday’s loss: there are 15 more to go; just means we won’t be perfect. But in another sense, I think tomorrow’s game is critical for the Bucs as a team. New coaches, new players, new systems … it’s critical I think that they show themselves that this will all work and that a new day has dawned. Beating a division opponent on their turf is a great way to show that, and I’m confident that the Bucs will come out fired up. Last year’s games were close (23-20 and 23-19) and I fully expect tomorrow’s game to be close also … Bucs win 31-24.
September 10th, 2016 at 7:44 am
A win tomorrow is so vital for the Bucs. They need momentum. This is a team with five consecutive last place finishes. Wins in 2013 and 2015 would have put them in third in thoae respective years.
Also, Falcon fans on bspn are so sure they’re winning tomorrow so yeah. Screw them. Go Bucs!
September 10th, 2016 at 7:51 am
Ha ha ha ha Joe busts out the countdown clock.
Nice.
September 10th, 2016 at 7:56 am
Only 1 more day to go!!! Poor falcons ain’t gonna know what hit them 2mrw. Show em how we do in the bay!
September 10th, 2016 at 8:15 am
This team thinks we are a very good team….
A big win Sunday will give everyone conviction that we are for real on the field…
Heading to the playoffs
***stop the run. We can’t let them dictate whatever they want. Freeman or Julio on 3rd and short is disaster
3 and out
Jaboo no huddle wins
September 10th, 2016 at 8:37 am
G morning Defense. Coach Rivera knows he has major issues(should’ve never allowed Norman to walk)because teams that lose the superbowl historically tend to fall a cliff the following season. I expect the same from the cats. All of a sudden that front seven looked hella average. The Broncos were running at will on them. As for us no worries dushe,this game will be like taking candy from a baby as they say or what I prefer money in the bag bro.
September 10th, 2016 at 8:38 am
Gotta keep the crowd out of it. I’d give them a couple of series of conventional looks, then bust out the no huddle and gas them early.
On D, it’s all about stuffing the run. Make Ryan pass early and often then dial the pressure up.
September 10th, 2016 at 8:39 am
Could have sworn Joe just recently called this a must win game. Thought I heard him talk to Big Dog Dumig about it even. Musta been that (cough-cough) I smoked on my birthday. Lol.
You heard that correctly, and Joe typed that here. Context though, is what’s key. Is this a must-win game if you’re in the crowd of Bucs fans that thinks the Bucs have a 10-win, playoff-caliber team? Sure. Or if you have a clean-slate mindset and you’re looking toward the playoffs, is this must win? Sure. That written, the two “Joes” have, at times, different perspectives, and the one who wrote this wasn’t talking Wednesday on WDAE.–Joe
September 10th, 2016 at 9:11 am
Every game is a “must win game” in the NFL. Its just in the beginning of the season where Loses are not season ending!!!!!
September 10th, 2016 at 9:36 am
I stand corrected. Actually I’m sitting at moment, but you get the point.
September 10th, 2016 at 9:43 am
Looked up the SB season and the Bucs lost to the Aints in OT in the first regular season game. So, anything is possible. This experiment w/Raheem Morris coaching Dixie Chicks WRs is a head scratcher for sure. Atlanta has always had very good receivers. Their headache is their D. I want to see our O come together as the elite unit they should be. Go MIGHTY BUCS tomorrow!!
September 10th, 2016 at 9:44 am
P.S.: Joe, I love the countdown clock! 🙂
September 10th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Sharp group of guys here and I agree with Joe and all the posters.
Even Kobe got this one right.
No it’s not a must win and we should ignore history but this team still has some mental scars to heal and not just from the Lovie era…Schiano was not much better.
And so while it’s not a must win it’s far more important for us than most teams tomorrow because of the confidence factor.
I love LVD and realize that Lovie did not have this team prepared for last year’s opener but when LVD talked about mental collapse in the opening minutes of that game that was a HUGE red flag. In fact looking back we probably could have seen what would happen the rest of the season based on that single statement.
Not a must win but if we lose it will be a giant test of our mental toughness.
Everybody wants a physically tough team like Denver including me but I’m just as concerned, in fact more concerned about our mental toughness.
I’m the blog optimist and so I’m not overly worried because of #3 and new players like Ayers who are going to go nucking futs if we lay an egg like last year.
September 10th, 2016 at 10:49 am
I recall the Bucs lost their first game on the way to the Super Bowl.
September 10th, 2016 at 10:51 am
I am truly looking forward to seeing this defense play. I have confidence in the O based on 2015, but the difference maker is the D.
I don’t see scoring one more TD on offense and preventing one less TD on defense as an unobtainable goals.
If that happens, this will be a glorious season.
September 10th, 2016 at 12:11 pm
History question:
When was the last year we actually won in week 1?
September 10th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
The first four games on our schedule is what males this one so important. A must win? No. But a loss puts that must win tag on us against some much tougher opponents the next few weeks. The psyche of this team is pointing upward but is still fragile… Winning cures all, right? Right now we have a talented young roster that has been infected with losing. Winning I the only remedy.
September 10th, 2016 at 12:18 pm
It’s a must win game for sure, no ifs ands or buts. MUST WIN BUCS! 1-0 and the same in the division. Anything else not acceptable.
September 10th, 2016 at 1:54 pm
All divisional games are must wins 🙂
September 10th, 2016 at 4:11 pm
This is definitely a must win game for the Bucs and ALL the fans should think that too. Most people are expecting the Bucs to go 7-9 or better. Strength of schedule points to this being one of the games we should win. There is a good chance we start out 1-4 if we lose this game tomorrow. If we win though we could start out 3-2 (or better) and have a real shot at the Playoffs.
September 10th, 2016 at 4:14 pm
since 2007, 66 teams started 0-2
out of 66 only 5 teams went to the playoffs
**We will be probably be close to double digit dogs next week vs Arizona
September 10th, 2016 at 7:08 pm
Kobe… I might take those double digits in Arizona depending on the Atlanta result. Show us what you got Bucs!
September 11th, 2016 at 12:07 am
After the blowout losses we’ve suffered the last few season one being by the hands of the the DoityBoids and Teentitans this game is very important for the Bucs to win in order to get momentum going and belief even more in this staff and it’s direction. They have to get the 1st game monkey off their back. Hopefully the Cleveland game is a true barometer of where they’re at to start the season. If they lose of course it’s not the end since there are 15 more but would be nice to dominate one team in the Dirty South.