In The Words Of Rocco Lampone
November 25th, 2016
BY IRA KAUFMAN
This is the one that will get everyone’s attention.
One more mountain to climb
Downing the Chiefs at Arrowhead was no small feat, but Kansas City isn’t Seattle and Alex Smith isn’t Russell Wilson. The Chiefs simply don’t boast the same championship pedigree as the Seahawks.
Make no mistake, the Bucs played very well in Kansas City and deserved to win. Jameis Winston was sharp from the start and the pass protection was phenomenal, allowing No. 3 to go through his progressions without duress.
Reaching the .500 mark after a 1-3 start is a tangible sign this franchise is on the upswing, but Buc fans want more — and they should. This playoff drought has reached comical proportions and the path to the postseason is both serious and clear.
It’s a race to 10 and it starts Sunday with Seattle. A loss and the Bucs would have to run the table in the remaining five games … highly unlikely.
But imagine for a moment the ramifications of a Buc victory, a second consecutive major upset by a team left for dead in early October and again in early November.
The Bucs could be the talk of the town by Sunday evening and serve as a major talking point for national sports shows. Heck, ESPN might even lead “SportsCenter” with the Bucs-Seahawks matchup instead of cramming the NBA down our throats.
Rocco Lampone
It won’t be easy. Let’s remember the words of Rocco Lampone, one of Michael Corleone’s henchmen in “Godfather Part II,” who was asked to size up the challenge of rubbing out Hyman Roth: Difficult, not impossible.
“They’ve been to the top of the mountain,” Dirk Koetter said of the Seahawks. “They’re a team, when you watch them on film, they play hard every game, no matter who they’re playing against. They’ve been able to get up to the top, reload it and circle back, making their second run.”
Few would be surprised if the Cowboys and Seahawks meet to decide the NFC championship in a few months. That’s a tantalizing matchup Fox Sports executives surely crave, a natural attention-grabber.
There’s plenty of intrigue surrounding Sunday’s game as well.
Let’s be honest, the Bucs haven’t faced many star quarterbacks this season. Matt Ryan worked them over in Tampa a month ago and Wilson has elevated himself into the elite class, especially dangerous throwing the ball on the run.
Tampa Bay’s pass rush remains a work in progress, so the pressure is on a secondary that must deal with Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham.
The Seahawks make their chops on defense. They have led the NFL in scoring defense every season since 2012 — a remarkable achievement — and they are No. 1 again this year through 10 games.
Even with key injuries, Seattle has serious playmakers on that side of the ball. This is the best defense Winston has faced all season and it would be a good time for Tampa Bay to revive its dormant ground game.
“We know this is going to be a very physical game, but our guys are excited for the challenge,” Koetter says. “If you’re a competitor, that’s what you’re in the business for.”
Beating the Chiefs? Impressive.
Beating the Seahawks? Monumental.
November 25th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
I kind of wish this game was away in Seattle. We seem to play with more focus and urgency on the road. I think opponents come in to ray jay knowing that the crowd isn’t going to be a factor and play like it’s neutral ground.
November 25th, 2016 at 2:54 pm
Im getting a bit tired of this bashing the home crowd crap. This town has proven that if given any hope this crowd will be a factor. Show that you have a chance vs the big boys and the crowd/noise will be there!
November 25th, 2016 at 3:43 pm
Oh I’m not bashing the home crowd at all. Tampa has great fans. Just fans who are tired of shelling out their money for a subpar product. It’s depressing to watch your team lose on tv. It’s ten times worse when you paid money for it and you’re sitting there surrounded by the other teams fans. We haven’t had a home field advantage in a long time and it’s proved by our home record the last several seasons. We have played better on the road. That’s all I’m saying.
November 25th, 2016 at 3:50 pm
What’s the word on Jaquizz Rodgers?
November 25th, 2016 at 6:16 pm
I listened to the WalterFootball podcast this morning, expecting them to give Winston some props. They acted like the last 2 games never happened. They said that Winston is struggling right now and we have no chance against the Seahawks. I wish these NFL podcasters would watch the games and not assume players are playing the same now as they were in the first half of the season. Download it for a hoot. It will make your blood boil.
November 25th, 2016 at 6:22 pm
The Bucs have only one home win, that has to change immediately. Like on Sunday. Don’t let these past champs come into our place and chump us. I believe the Bucs effort against Seattle will be the best of this season.
November 25th, 2016 at 6:33 pm
The race to 10? Come on IRA!! I would not get Buc fans hope high like this. How about the race to just play hard and try to win..one more? That sounds better. Lets focus on one game.. this game. Us old heads have been where you are trying to take us many times before. A lot of us are..Lets wait and see. And that my friend suits us..just fine. Beat Seattle, then gain some momentum and see what follows.
November 25th, 2016 at 6:58 pm
The crowd does show up but they are notoriously quiet. That is the issue, and the biggest reason we have no home field advantage from them.
That being said, Seattle has traditionally struggled when traveling East. That aspect plus the injuries give us a chance, but it will really come down to the play of our defense. We can’t fall behind early.
November 26th, 2016 at 1:37 am
I have not looked up the opponent 3rd down conversion percentage for visiting teams post-gruden/kiffin, but I’d bet that and the home winning percentage (which I have looked up) tell the whole story about the belief, excitement, and noise levels among the RJS faithful