Are The Bucs A Super Bowl Contender?
November 28th, 2016
(Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
The question deserves to be asked.
The Bucs earned the honor fair and square.
Is Tampa Bay a Super Bowl contender?
After beating the mighty Chiefs and Seahawks in all phases of the game in consecutive weeks, it’s fair to see the Bucs in this light.
Outside of Dallas, what NFC team is better than the Bucs right now? And the entire Tampa Bay defense is extremely healthy. And their offense is getting healthier. And their punt unit is elite. And they have a franchise quarterback with an elite receiver.
And they believe.
Riding a three-game winning streak, the Bucs are Super Bow. contenders. That’s the fact right now on Nov. 28, 2016.
Yeah, Joe typed it. Screw you, haters.
Tampa Bay’s only Hall of Fame voter, JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, said after yesterday’s game that the Bucs should — should — finish with a 10-6 record. To be exact, Kaufman said that’s what Bucs fans should expect.
Well, a 10-6 record means the Bucs would close the season winning seven out of eight. That would make them a contender.
Joe’s so enjoying this glorious Monday.
November 28th, 2016 at 9:35 am
Haha step away from the beer joe. Love the enthusiasm but pump them brakes. The Def isn’t reliable just yet, not getting points from the return game, fg are still hit and miss BUT we do have Jameis and WITH THE MESSIAH ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
November 28th, 2016 at 9:39 am
Let’s pump the breaks on the Super Bowl talk. Joe were you out drinking with your Boy Manziel last night? I’m as excited as the next die hard fan but this offense is too inconsistent and the defense out of the last two games has been bad. Then there is the field goal kicking problem.
I’d say Dallas, the Giants, Washington and Atlanta are all better than the Bucs in the NFC right now. Awesome two weeks of football but not a Super Bowl contender, yet.
November 28th, 2016 at 9:41 am
IMO the Chargers game will determine if we have a shot at the playoffs/SB contender.
We win that game and we are 7-5 with an expected loss to Dallas. That means we have to sweep New Orleans and beat Carolina to end the regular season.
IMO 9-7 doesnt get us into the playoffs
November 28th, 2016 at 9:44 am
10-6 doesn’t guarantee the playoffs this year. I think this is a little putting the cart in front of the horse. Let’s lock up a playoff berth before looking ahead to the Super Bowl. I love how this team is playing right now, and agree to an extent with Mr Kaufman, “why not us?”b for the playoffs. Anything can happen if we get in, but let’s get in first before dreaming about the 4th game.
GO BUCS!!!!!
November 28th, 2016 at 9:45 am
Love you Joe.
I will quote the most famous BuCS journalist here
“Screw you haters”
Go BuCS!!!!
November 28th, 2016 at 9:47 am
Best chance of Bucs getting in as a wild card:
The Giants: at Steelers (6-5), vs. Cowboys (10-1), vs. Lions (7-4), at Eagles (5-5), at Redskins (6-4-1)
I so wish we still had a game vs the Falcons. It would be nice to take their lunch money straight up!
November 28th, 2016 at 9:49 am
to the extent that we have seen multiple teams sneak into the playoffs as a hot wildcard team and run the table, yes they are as much of a contender as most other 6 or 7 win teams. Despite the 3 game win streak, we aren’t even the hottest NFC wildcard team at the moment
However, if by “superbowl contender” you mean “reliably one of the better teams in the conference”, we are worlds away from that right now. A win is a win, and KC and Seattle are without a doubt quality teams, but there’s a big difference between getting hot and beating a couple teams that don’t expose your weaknesses as much and being a team like Seattle that expects to be at least in the conference championship
this team has played good complementary football since the ATL blowout, and when they do that they can hang with anyone. However, it’s hard to not see the bucs getting punished more severely for mishaps like the aguayo miss, the non-attempt at a closing 1st half FG, or settling for FGs on 3 or 4 red zone if they happen vs a team accustomed to finding another level of play in January
November 28th, 2016 at 9:53 am
You know…don’t just assume a Dallas win. Stranger things have happened in Texas as of late. The Bucs are playing phenomenal ball. Stop micromanaging as a fan. They have a shot. They really do.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:01 am
Message to Season Ticket Holders:
Stop selling your seats to opposing team fans and get your asses in seats.
I was at the game last night and was surrounded by SeaChicken fans. It was a disgrace.
Was worse against the Bears and the Raiders……
We finally have a team that’s playing lights out. Old school Bucs defense and an Offense that we haven’t seen since I can’t remember when. These guys don’t quit and give it their all……So you so called Bus Fans (season ticket holders) show up…..stand up…..and cheer for these guys…..they deserve it!!!
November 28th, 2016 at 10:01 am
What a pleasure to enjoy this Buc’s Major WIN. This team is capable of running the table this year including the Super Bowl! Did you notice how hot Jameis started this game. Somehow he has learned how to overcome his prior slow starts just at the right time! I have never seen a Buc’s team get after a top NFL Team any better than we did today, and I have watched them from the start. These players have all bonded into a family that cares for each other, and who have great team leaders and great Coaches. Now the defense has learned the new system and are playing it to perfection. Even newcomer DE, Ryan Russell, looked great chasing the QB as if he had been with the Bucs from the beginning this year!
November 28th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Short answer, no. We would probably see the Seahawks again on any path to the Super Bowl and beating them twice in a row is doubtful.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:03 am
The loss to the Rams earlier in the season is starting to bite the bucs in the ass….gotta win next week against the Chargers and still need other teams to lose more games down the stretch to even think playoffs….
November 28th, 2016 at 10:04 am
@pick6 — You are spot on.
Anyone who makes the playoffs is a “contender” for the Super Bowl. Even #6 seeds have become Super Bowl champs. After last year’s 0-4 close, important to take these games one at a time. We’re only one Mike Evans hamstring pull away from disaster.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:07 am
Based on the comment threads, it looks like we still have a ways to go before the team has shaken the loser mentality from its fan base. I’m all in for a super bowl run. I didn’t think that we were stocked for that kind of a run yet, but the way these guys have come together and developed team unity, I don’t see why they couldn’t keep it going. Short of key injuries derailing the path, I think that if they can get their ticket punched to get in to the playoffs then they’ll be primed to beat any comers.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:11 am
@NewTampaChris – I disagree. I think it’s important for the players to take it one game at a time. As fans, I think it’s our job to get swept up in the possibilities of what could come. We have so much access and information now that fans start to try to approach their fandom like their on the team, not ever getting too high or too low and approaching the next game like it’s another day at the office. We’re fans. They’re doing their job of winning games, so now it’s our job to lose our minds when they win and be supportive when they lose.
They lost the fans’ support because they lost too much and in embarrassing ways. Now they’re playing respectable and fun football. It’s time to be passionate again.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:11 am
This is fun!! love it! I forgot how winning feels. Keep up the positive talk Joe it’s refreshing.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:12 am
We need Jaquizz Rodgers. He adds another dimension to the offense that’ll it to a higher level. Then we ready to compete with anybody
November 28th, 2016 at 10:13 am
Not a hater, just a realist. We’re 6-5 and still have 5 games to go. Last year we finished 0-4 last quarter of the season. One game at a time. One game at a time.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:20 am
Yes we are a Super Bowl contender … for next year. This year? Maybe but we will have to win the division first.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:22 am
They are all haters Joe, I am telling you all haters.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:27 am
Why not us! This team is very confident right now and we can see the improvement and trust they have in each other. We are healthy and are getting hot at the right time. That mentality of anything less than superbowl aspirations is the same mentality that’s had us picking in the top ten every year. It’s time to believe in these bucs
November 28th, 2016 at 10:37 am
Hopefully the Lovie suckers are done embarrassing themselves around here
November 28th, 2016 at 10:39 am
Defense plays CONSISTENT. We are. If it reverts back to Oak/Atl defense. Then no… Don’t care what anyone says NO games will be tough. SD game will be tough. Dal game will be extremely tough because of their O-line.
November 28th, 2016 at 10:45 am
Ok Joe, they aren’t even a wild card. Dood chill pill good god.
November 28th, 2016 at 11:01 am
If we wax the Chargers like we did KC & Seattle. Then I might start singing that “We are a Contender! Song”.
I will say the Bucs turned a corner and are relevant, but they are still one game out of the playoff bracket for a wild card with 5 games left.
Joe – what are you drinking? Need to grab me some.
November 28th, 2016 at 11:17 am
I’m confident the Bucs will make it to the Super Bowl eventually, but not this season. We need another offseason to get better.
November 28th, 2016 at 11:28 am
You don’t beat KC on the road and Seattle at home and not be a contender. The look on Carroll’s face was priceless. lmao
November 28th, 2016 at 11:40 am
If the defense continues to play solid defense, I see Jameis not missing the opportunity to go deep into the playoffs by improving his execution.
The progress of rookie Spence will make this defense dangerous.
I’m looking forward to December. Will Koetter create a 3 headed monster in the running game with Martin, Rodgers and Simms? That could be, along with a solid defense, the perfect scenario for Jameis to put the petal to the metal.
Wow! Is this really happening?
Go Bucs!!!
November 28th, 2016 at 11:48 am
I wouldn’t call ppl “haters” that disagree with the super bowl contender points, they are just realists, dont forget the bucs record setting give away to derek carr, still have those 2 safeties back there. As stated above this game this week will be another step where the bucs are, a travel to the west coast against a high powered offense with 4 good passing options a pro bowl RB and all time QB, still do not have faith in the back end of the bucs, noah spence is coming on and great having ayers out there and GMC finally looked like a top 100 player….go bucs
November 28th, 2016 at 12:05 pm
Why does everybody just simply expect us to lose to the Cowboys? They’ve won a lot of close games. The Redskins absolutely murdered them in the passing game so their D is very susceptible. Their offense centers around Elliot. Shut down Elliot and the chances to shut down the rest of the Cowboys offense increases.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:08 pm
Honestly, the Chargers worry me more than the Cowboys do. The team has shown they can rise to the occasion and play past the level of elite teams (and despite the Cowboys record, they aren’t BETTER than KC or Seattle…maybe as good…but not better). What worries me is a west coast trip to face a hot and cold team like the Chargers who are better than their mediocre record suggests AND have a seasoned pass first QB in the Matt Ryan mold in Philip Rivers. The Chargers worry me… the Cowboys, shut down Elliot and turn Prescott into Russell Wilson, with whom he shares a similar style of game.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
Are the Bucs playoff contenders? It’s fair to be cautiously optimistic.
Are the Bucs Super Bowl contenders? That’s a reach. Teams should have at least one playoff win under their belts before being considered contenders. As @pick6 noted above, teams have gotten hot and won the Super Bowl out of the last playoff slot; however, those teams all had playoff wins under their belts.
Regardless of what happens with the playoff picture, the Bucs have seen that they can beat the elite teams in the NFL. They’re not hapless anymore. They will have a chance to play meaningful games down the stretch.
It looks like it will take 10 wins, sweeping both New Orleans and Carolina, to make the playoffs. That’s a tall order, let’s see if the Bucs can fill it.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:20 pm
As a looong time bucs fan….I can honestly say that I have not objectively felt the bucs played good football consistently for more than a couple games since the loss in Carolina several years ago (the year gruden got fired)…..even that 10 win year, bucs played some sht football against sht teams and had some luck…..that all changed since the 2nd game in Atlanta this year….this is an entirely new team…a legitimately good team
November 28th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
Well said KrackDaddy.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:39 pm
one game at a time. we need to deal with the SD which has a good offense and a serviceable D. I am optimistic, however this is still a new feeling. I cant help but to be cautious. If the Def can perform at this level consistently and Also if we can get the offense to be a little more aggressive to step on the throats of the opponents, then then I think we have a great chance to be playoff contender.
November 28th, 2016 at 12:48 pm
Jeebus Joe – really??? Super Bowl?
3 wins in a row is really encouraging – but only counter-balances 3 losses in a row early in the season.
We are 1 game above .500. The playoffs are still a long shot realistically.
Lets just enjoy the improvement in our team and enjoy the 2nd fantastic win in a row against a formidable opponent for now.
We KNOW the arrow is pointing up for this franchise regardless of whether we finish 7-9 or 10-6.
Talk of Super Bowl contention is ridiculous unless and until we have clinched a playoff spot which ain’t gonna be easy this year.
We’re all excited about the huge win last night but don’t go crazy.
Talk of Super Bowl chances at 6-5 is pretty cray-cray
Just Sayin.
November 28th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
^^^^^^^ exactly ^^^^^^^^^
November 28th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
If we win the super bowl will the national media get information about the bucs correct? Probably not. Even after that Seattle win nfl prime time was such a disgrace
November 28th, 2016 at 2:50 pm
The short answer to the question is……….YYYYYYYYYYEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!
Keep preaching Patrick in VA.!
November 28th, 2016 at 8:05 pm
There’s something to be said for not getting ahead of oneself. So the answer to the question is, “not yet” or “we don’t know”… Because you have to PLAY THE GAMES to get into the playoffs. So, if they win out, then they’ll probably make the playoffs. And every playoff team is, logically speaking, a Super Bowl contender.
So, this is more speculative BS brought on by the spoo-in-pants overreaction to a team actually playing 3 good games in a row and winning. Settle down, and let’s see what happens… But if you ask me, no, this team isn’t going to the Super Bowl. I think they’ve obviously taken some important steps forward in the last 3 weeks… but good teams do it every week.
November 29th, 2016 at 6:51 am
lol please calm yourself, it can happen yes. A what, 6 game win streak could happen.
When was the last time this team had success like that? Until i’ve seen it consistently from this defense we are not a superbowl team.
Although those pesky Giants did it lol, i still think we are 7-9 / 8-8 / 9-7