Peter King: No Playoffs For Bucs
December 5th, 2016
Non-believer
Man, Joe wants to punch things while listening to and reading some of the stuff coming from national types this morning.
Take airline-napping, steerage-flying, Yogi Berra-worshiping, urinal picture-taking, video game-playing, Taylor Swift-listening, pickpocket-thwarting, Bucs-uniform-frowning, Allie-LaForce-smitten, Big-Ten-Network-hating, pedestrian-bumping, olive oil-lapping, popcorn-munching, coffee-slurping, fried-chicken-eating, oatmeal-loving, circle-jerking, beer-chugging, cricket-watching, scone-loathing, college football-naïve, baseball-box-score-reading, NPR-honk, filthy-hotel-staying, fight-instigating, barista-training Peter King, of Sports Illustrated and NBC Sports fame.
King was blubbering about all things football in his world famous Monday column today, and while King threw love to America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, and Cameron Brate, King thinks the Bucs will choke away their current playoff position.
If the season ended today, the Bucs (7-5) would be ahead of the Redskins (6-5-1) for the final Wild Card spot in the NFC.
But here are the teams King believes will make the playoffs — and their seedings.
NFC: 1. Dallas, 2. Seattle, 3. Detroit, 4. Atlanta, 5. Giants, 6. Washington
AFC: 1. New England, 2. Oakland, 3. Pittsburgh, 4. Houston, 5. Kansas City, 6. Denver.
The Redskins still must play the Eagles, Panthers, Bears and Giants. That’s hardly a smooth road to leapfrog Tampa Bay.
Tampa Bay only has one winning team on its schedule, too. That’s the Cowboys (at Dallas) on Sunday night, Dec. 18.
Joe will take Jameis over Kirk Freakin’ Cousins any day of the week, especially with a half-game lead and four games to play.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:34 am
Dieon Sander had to hold back from laughing when asked if the Bucs are a PO team. The nation thinks we’re pretenders. I say “shhh, walk softly …”
December 5th, 2016 at 9:36 am
The last 3 games I picked against the Bucs and was thrilled to be proven wrong each time. If I pick them to win this week, I’m afraid I will jinx them, and I don’t want that.
Same logic applies to Peter King and the rest of the talking heads (78 pct of them picked the Chargers to win straight up). Be happy if most of them keep picking against the Bucs.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:40 am
Better to fly under the radar Joe. The Bucs have been bad for so long it will take a little more to get the national “personalities” on board. We already are here in Tampa Bay!
December 5th, 2016 at 9:41 am
When Bill Polian came out and said something about this team last week I knew Petey wouldn’t be too far behind. They ve been quiet but have been paying attention from afar. And a yo dushe you can still eat a fat d@$!. Fair weather fam my a$$. Let me get this str8,once the team starts looking precisely the way I was saying they would I then should remain quiet??? Blasphemy I say
December 5th, 2016 at 9:42 am
As a fan I don’t need the validation of the so called experts. Just win and keep winning!!!
While I’m 50/50 on the playoff prospects I wouldn’t discount Cousins dude has more weapons than Jameis and can sling it
Either way this season has been fun so far. Go Bucs!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 9:44 am
I say now and always, who cares what anyone else thinks. We are fans so of course we believe. If the bucs get in ole peter will have to change his stance. Go bucs
December 5th, 2016 at 9:45 am
A little advance scouting, Drew Brees arm did not look lively and strong yesterday. There were throws that did not have much on them and most were short!!!!! Coach Smitty will be covering the under for INT’s come Sunday!!!! I am liking that the Bucs play the Saints twice at the end of the year!!!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 9:46 am
He’s looking at the Bucs’ dismal December record in the post-Gruden era.
He’s playing the odds that things haven’t changed that much in Tampa, in which case which team is best suited to take advantage of, say, a Bucs loss in Dallas combined with a split with the Saints and a 9-7 record.
It’s on the Bucs to prove this and all the other pundits wrong.
Starting next week. One game at a time, shut this SOB up, Bucs.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:50 am
Good eye Realist!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 9:50 am
I believe.
And believe me that’s a BFD.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:51 am
He can kiss my ass
December 5th, 2016 at 9:51 am
Well until tampa proves they can win consistently……Peter King does have a valid point
Tampa still has alot to try
December 5th, 2016 at 9:53 am
@DB55, says: ““shhh, walk softly …”
I agree brother. The Bucs can only shut them up with more wins! Let our play do the talking.
Along the same lines, after we beat the Seahawks, I read article after article with quotes from coaches and players and they were classy and consistent in praising the Bucs for winning the game – not claiming the Seahawks lost it.
Not so much for the classless Chargers. They gave it away. The Chargers should have won…
…the Chargers lost Sunday because what is left of their offense simply doesn’t allow Rivers much leeway for imperfection.”
McCoy: “We had a poor 2nd half…”
Such LOSERS!!! lol
December 5th, 2016 at 9:57 am
Peter King called to say the Bucs can’t make it okay. A little birdie told him so. Buzz killer bummer.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:57 am
The Bucs are already at the minimum wins I said I would accept on the condition that the rest of the losses were competitive. One more win and I’ll be more happy.
As to playoffs, I’m of the uncommon opinion that if you cannot win in the playoffs, it is better to miss them.
Can the Bucs win in the playoffs? I don’t know. I’m not confident about that yet. I want to be…I really want to be…but after years of choking, I’m just not.
Last year at this time we had a chance at the playoffs and lost the last 4 games, so forgive me if I am a little iffy.
On the other hand, even if they just win one more game, I will not consider this season a loss. hitting .500 is a lot better than 6 wins. And I am sure the team is moving in the right direction.
Before the season started, I predicted 8-8 with the team looking weak before the bye and going on a win streak after the bye, so things are playing out the way I predicted. I believe next year will be a huge leap forward. At least one more win would be great, but if they cannot win in the playoffs, I think making a wild card slot would do more harm than good.
December 5th, 2016 at 9:59 am
DB55 Says
“I say “shhh, walk softly …”
Man, I really hope the players are thinking the same thing.
Showing your age a little bit there, buddy 😉
Today’s youth probably has no idea where that quote is from.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:01 am
Funny how the experts discount an Atlanta Falcon fall apart- we may only need 2 more wins, their history shows it is more than possible. NO always scares me with Brees, Dallas may let down after Giants game, would love for Carolina to shut down Cam for the last game of the year. Anything is possible when a team gets hot!! Go Bucs!!
December 5th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Shhh walk softly. ….I love it when they don’t see it coming….keep hating haters. And get’cha M#thf#×king head bust.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:02 am
Bonzai…it’s okay if you’re not there yet.
Yesterday did it for me though as I was where you’re at now.
You’ll get there buddy.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:04 am
Not sure why everyone is upset. We haven’t WON any respect so I don’t expect any. Once we start winning the big games like the Dallas game, people will give us respect. Bottom line…win and respect will come. We need to win 3 out our last 4. We have already exceeded my expectations for this year so anymore games are gravy.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:05 am
@Joe His nickname from this day forward shall be Peter Pauper.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:07 am
@Buc Bonzai
Your crazy!!!! I would rather have a “young” team go to playoff and be one and done, then to just miss it!!!! Its called experience!!!! Its one extra game at another level to play together!!!! Some said last year that JW3 should not have gone to the pro-bowl…. But Qb’s backed up and look how that experience changed JW3!!! you can learn and grow even from a loss!!!!!
GO America!!!!!!
And GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 10:09 am
the trouble is the two teams he has in front of us play each other, plus have just as difficult schedule remaining…. monday morning hangover talking from PK
December 5th, 2016 at 10:10 am
The real battle for the division has just started. These next divisional games will be HUGE. I believe our Bucs will show the world in the coming weeks just who is the best in the South. I Believe in Jameis!! GO BUCS!! #SeigeTheStreak
December 5th, 2016 at 10:12 am
87, absolutely right on Jameis. Franchise qb, a bit of Big Ben and Brady mixed in. Makes Martino look good, takes an undrafted te from Harvard guy looks all pro. I dont doubt we might even win out
December 5th, 2016 at 10:29 am
I am still not interested in what we can do, should do, could do, the P word, or anything beyond the Saints at Tampa Bay next Sunday. Each game is a new season and when we start looking past 4:25 PM next week we are messing with impossible to determine. One game at a time….Shhhhhhhh
December 5th, 2016 at 10:45 am
Realist, you are absolutely right.
I am crazy.
🙂
December 5th, 2016 at 10:48 am
I am up in Giants country in northern NJ…. The nation was laughing at them as well back when they won super bowls off 9-7 seasons… Let them laugh it is our bucs job to prove them wrong. And honestly the nation is right about us until we prove other wise.
Go bucs!!!!! #riseup
December 5th, 2016 at 10:48 am
National talking doofus heads like King HATED it when the Bucs won the SB fair and square. They can go bite it as far as I’m concerned! Playoffs? One game at a time…but we’re playing pretty da##ed good for a team loaded with the walking wounded. RayJay better sell out next week. I would be there iffen I was 20 years younger. Go Mighty Bucs–put a HooDoo on the Aints!
December 5th, 2016 at 10:53 am
He knows about us much as ESPN’s Ron Jaworski when he said ‘sources have told me the Bucs are selecting Marcus Mariotta over Jamies Winston.’
December 5th, 2016 at 10:58 am
Hey chris
Was a missing conte reason we got abused by melvin gordons screens yesterday? LVD looked silly attempting to pass cover gordon
December 5th, 2016 at 10:58 am
I don’t know why everyone is so down on Peter King. It’s not like we haven’t had our share of negative nancys here. It’s one thing to support the team and still hold them to a standard. It is quite another to just say bad things about them and give up on them. Right?
So here we go…examples from one month ago on November 3rd.
Pelbuc Says
“Does anyone really care anymore? With the exception of a couple of players, this team sucks big time. 4-12 or 5-11 at best. No heart, no smarts and no energy.”
I’m tired and 87 is right Says
“D passion is not there. Don’t kid me you child of a defense. The simple answer is you don’t get it done and you will never because you are a bunch of flowers.”
Rossta Says
“I’m just done I see the same crap year after year after year I can’t take it anymore. National TV look at the stadium, what a joke.”
softastissueMcCoy93 Says
“BONZI, F that I stud and cheered all night to see this team give up 3rd and longs all game. This franchise sucks Im not renewing my season tickets.”
richbucsfan Says
“They’re useless and pathetic. Licht put together a talentless, thin team and this is what you get. So, play on and lose. The Bucs will permanently be a cellar dweller. It’s a Bucs life.”
Well, I could go on. Really, I did the main trolls a favor by not quoting them.
A win is a win. A loss is a loss. It’s that simple. Losses are hard to bear, but you know what? We, as fans, have to push through them as hard as the players have to.
It’s okay to have doubts…to be concerned you will be let down if you start to believe. What’s not okay is if you assume the worst in the team, coaches and players every week.
Don’t be two-faced. It’s okay to make a team earn your trust, but chose your words wisely. The above quotes added NOTHING to a conversation. All they did is make the speakers look like children with behavior issues.
I believe in this team. My doubts exist as to the speed of progress, but the team has proven itself each of the last 4 weeks.
December 5th, 2016 at 10:58 am
Bonsai they just beat two playoff teams back to back and a Charger team that is better than their record in their house. Who says they cannot win in the playoffs. Your opinion is beyond dumb anyway. You don’t think making. The playoffs this season would help them experience wise in the future. That is just stupid!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:00 am
So Peter King is a hold out. And I am sure there are others in the sporting media ‘s “Circle Jerk” pantheon that still do not think the Bucs have arrived and are relevant.
Only way to cure that is to keep winning and make the playoff, they cannot ignore you if you make the post season no matter how high they point their noses.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:01 am
My season predictions are holding true for the most part, so I should be a lot more confident.
On this game, here was my prediction before the season started
“Game 12 at the Chargers
The Chargers HC is on the hot seat this year. Philip Rivers is getting old, not to mention the Chargers offensive line has been bad for years now (he was sacked 40 times last year, as opposed to 27 times for Winston). The Chargers went 4-12 last year, but 9-7 the two years before. Does it matter? Not likely. All things considered, the Bucs should win this game.”
And if anyone is wondering what my prediction was for the next game?
“Game 13 vs Saints
We all know the Saints. Brees is still pretty darn good. But they are not unbeatable…not even close to it. The bucs will have home field advantage, and should be running hot after a win over the Chargers. The Bucs should be in playoff conversations around this time of the year too. As a Wildcard. I see this as a win, but you just never know 100%.
Chances of Bucs win: 85%”
December 5th, 2016 at 11:10 am
Peter Queen is a popcorn fart!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:11 am
@Buc Bonzai
Go watch the “highlights” of the saints game on nfl . com and tell me it does not look like drew brees has dead arm!!!! he was stepping up and putting everything into and the throws were coming up short!!!! If we can get brees on the ground early, that arm of his will be useless!!!!!
Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:11 am
Bonzai. Saying the Bucs making the playoffs will only hurt them is ludicrous. Teams grow from these experiences.
After watching the Bucs play the last few weeks, this team is growing and we are playing our best football at the right time! That’s REALLY what this league is all about!
Sure, you can say we have been inconsistent in the past, but the Bucs have been ANYTHING BUT inconsistent the last few weeks against HIGH CALIBER teams! We go into Arrowhead(One of the most difficult places to win) and steal a win. Seattle comes into Tampa and EVERYONE is saying they are playing the best football they have played all seaason and I don’t know if you watched that game or not, but we pretty much DOMINATED that game! Then you’re thinking.. Ok, they can’t go into cross country into San Diego and beat one of the best QB’s in the league(WHO DESPERATELY need to win to keep their playoff hopes alive), but WE DO!
Ladies and Gentlemen… It’s a good time to be a BUCS FAN and it has been a LONG TIME COMING. The win yesterday proved that we are not lucky… The players have grown and believe that we can play with anyone on Sunday! This team is a family. Look at the scene when Cecil Shorts got hurt and the WHOLE team came out on the field for him! Signs of a great locker room with great leadership!
Let’s go BUCS!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:15 am
TouchDownTampaBay Says
“Bonsai … Your opinion is beyond dumb anyway. You don’t think making. The playoffs this season would help them experience wise in the future. That is just stupid!”
Here’s why I don’t think one-and-done in the playoffs is a good thing…it hurts our draft position and really, other than experience, it achieves NOTHING.
And is the experience that valuable? I don’t believe it is. Not when we consider that Jason Licht’s strength is the draft, and certainly not free agency. Picking 3-4 picks or more earlier in the next draft is more important, because next year is the year we should expect to be true contenders. Sealing up the holes on the team is more important than 60 minutes of experience ending in a loss.
60 minutes of experience ending in a win? THAT would be better.
You may not agree, but that doesn’t mean you are justified with the insults. A wise man once said, “Better to be silent and let people think you are a fool, than to open your mouth and prove it.”
You could have simply said “I disagree.”
But no…you had to open your mouth and provide proof.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:17 am
The Buc Realist
I agree. That’s why I only give the Saints a 15% chance of winning the next game. (I gave us 85%)
December 5th, 2016 at 11:17 am
@Onelove
You forgot your catch phrase!!!! its not a “real” Onelove post until someone gets the ” wang award”!!!!!!!!
Welcome back!!!!!!
Go America!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And GO BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:18 am
@OneLove
I respect your opinion, and I would never fault you for having confidence in the team.
I just share the same opinion about the playoffs as you.
To me, picking 3-4 picks earlier is more important than 60 minutes of experience ending in a loss.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:22 am
Put it this way…
Bucs make the playoffs, lose the first game and pick around #23 or so.
Or
Bucs just miss the playoffs, pick around #17 or so, and land a top player that would not be there at 23…a player that makes all the difference next year, making us a superbowl contender.
I’m sorry, but I’m in this for the long haul. I don’t care about being a playoff contender. I want to be a Superbowl contender. That means getting the right players.
If our GM was any good in free agency, I might feel different, but his strength is the draft, therefore giving him the best possible choices in the draft is more important THIS YEAR.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:23 am
“I just share the same opinion about the playoffs as you.”
I mean “I just ‘don’t’ share the same opinion about the playoffs as you.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:24 am
And can one player make that big a difference?
When a team is this close…yes. He can.
December 5th, 2016 at 11:33 am
@buc bonzai
I get your point, I don’t agree, but I understand your position on this subject!!! And more to the point, I now get why you liked coach my scheme!!! He always put this organization to “land a top player that would not be there in later picks”!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 11:52 am
Like the way the Bucs are simply taking care of business. Jameis is providing outstanding leadership and it shows…With two games against the Saints and one against the “we’ve phoned it in” Panthers, they have a great chance despite what anyone says.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:00 pm
I would rather make the playoffs and be 1 and done every year over getting high draft picks. If you make the playoffs you are relevant and if you make the playoffs you have a chance to win, only teams that cant win are the ones who dont make it.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
@realist…your right about brees…I watched that game with a smile…..
another thing that I noticed was the oline….their tackles have trouble with speed rushers like n.spence….de’s were winning with the speed rush….look for n.spence to have a monster game….im seeing another 2 sack performance from him….GO BUCS!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 12:13 pm
@813bucboi
We just need a D-line man to bring Brees down once or twice and that arm is done ( unless he drinks one of those special energy drinks that gets players suspended) And then Just cover the under on all receiving routes and just INT those Ducks!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 12:14 pm
I predicted 9-7 but I thought we’d get there in a whole different way. This team gets ZERO respect nationally and that’s fine. These guys have been feeding off of it.
Think of it this way… going into last weekend’s game the Bucs had won three in a row including snapping the Chiefs 10 game home winning streak that spanned over one year, and absolutely assaulting the Seahawks in a way that has never really been done to them before. All in all, the Bucs had beaten three of the top eight ranked teams in the league and took a fourth to OT and yet they were consistently ranked in the late teens. I’m not sure if any other teams have defeated three top eight opponents. This is a team that has now won four straight, gone 6-2 in its last eight games. They’d be 12-4 over a full season. I can honestly see them going 3-1 in their last four or possibly better and finishing 11-5 or 10-6. They are playing their best football of the season when it matters most. If they can play themselves into the playoffs, they will have done so on an incredible hot streak (either 8 wins in a row or 7-1 in last 8) that would see them being incredibly hot going into the playoffs.
Then who do they play? Seahawks, Lions, Falcons, Cowboys, Giants… I don’t see any unbeatable teams in the playoffs for the NFC. We’ve beaten both teams we’ve played. This could be a huge season, but they must first take care of New Orleans or none of this will matter.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:23 pm
Did anyone see terry bradshaw on the ot last night?….he mention during his visit to tampa in the offseason he had a chat with jameis….then strahan and jimmy Johnson said that conversation between them combined with him showing jameis his superbowl rings gave jameis the keys to success…..terry didn’t mention what they spoke about but whatever it was motivated jameis to get his own sooner than later…..
terry bradshaw and tony dungey both stated after the chiefs win, “watch out for the bucs, their playing good ball”…..bradshaw continues to say watch out for the bucs while dungey likes the way we’re playing but thinks facing the saints twice, cowboys and a pissed off panthers team will be too much to overcome….
I think we have the next 4games right were we want them….we can kill the saints playoff hopes with a win sunday….I think we match up well with dallas and if we come out and slap them in the mouth they may pull starters….the saints and panthers will only be playing the spoiler role, which we can overcome with the determination this team has displayed of late….
let the peter kings doubt….the only people that need to believe are true bucs fans and the players at one buc place….GO BUCS!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 12:28 pm
I remember the year the Bucs won the Super Bowl. That guy Dr. Z for SI picked the Bucs to lose every playoff game they played in including the Super Bowl.
So f Peter King, SI, and the giant wall of red hyperlinks that follows every comment that Joe reports on.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:33 pm
Simma down Bonzai…
Don’t make me start quoting from your predraft novella of a “scouting report” – which was nothing but a huge fabricated list of everything that was supposedly wrong with Jameis Winston and thus why we shouldn’t draft him….
December 5th, 2016 at 12:36 pm
@realist….a couple times yesterday I saw sean payton looking a little antsy…he knew that was a must win game just like andy reid….
do you think dirk and smitty will be prepared or put any extra focus in practice for any trick or gadget plays(fake punts, flea flickers)?…..sean payton will try to inject his team with some energy and I don’t want us to get caught sleeping…
this is the time of year when every win matters and teams like us, chiefs giants green bay have no room for error some their pulling out all the stops….GO BUCS!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 12:50 pm
Buc Bonzai, while the first round draft is the most significant, we’d pick several places higher in every round. That could add up.
December 5th, 2016 at 12:54 pm
Bucs will keep winning and the national media will keep not believing. GO BUCS!!
December 5th, 2016 at 1:07 pm
If the bucs win their division games and go 3-1 and the falcons win their division games and go 3-1 (say they lose to the rams… )
They will both be 10-6, split with each other, and be 5-1 in the division.
What’s the next tie breaker?
December 5th, 2016 at 1:09 pm
Actually number 2 is conference and they be identical there too
December 5th, 2016 at 1:13 pm
Skins have a pretty easy road so I see his point … phily, carolina and at chicago before the giants in the last week. Hard to beat a team twice in 2 weeks but maybe after yesterday the saints are done. If we can’t sweep the saints it looks like 9-7 and then fingers crossed we get help.
December 5th, 2016 at 1:17 pm
@Bonzai- I disagree with your position in the sense that I don’t want to care about drat position anymore. If we’re winning, it shouldn’t matter.
Now, I understand your point in that we still have huge holes to fill and we need good players. I agree.
As to King, I don’t care what he, or anyone else thinks. It’s simple: Beat the team in front of you and let it work itself out, In other words, WIN!
December 5th, 2016 at 1:18 pm
draft(SP)
December 5th, 2016 at 1:26 pm
I have yet to see anything that Peter King predicts that is actually right. I will chose however to believe what I see on the field and that is the buccaneers playing winning football. Go Bucs!!!!!
December 5th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Ok I just found that it is w-l in “common games”.
Figured that out- they’d both be 8-4 against common opponents.
December 5th, 2016 at 1:31 pm
Good lord Bonzai.
Sigh.
December 5th, 2016 at 1:44 pm
Ok. Here it is:
Big if-
TB finishes 3-1, loses to Dallas.
ATL finishes 3-1, loses to LA.
That means-
Bucs go 10-6 with losses to AZ, LA, DEN, OAK, DAL, and ATL.
Carolina 10-6 with losses to LA, KC, SEA, SD, PHIL, and TB.
This would make them tied in record, tied with head to head, tied in conference and division, and tied with common opponent record.
At that point it comes down to strength of victories.
Other than common victories-
TB would have Chi, KC, SEA, SD (combined 25-23)
ATL would have GB, Den, Oak, AZ (combined 29-18-1)
Basically they probably need to win out to get the division OR those teams mentioned directly above that the Bucs beat need to step up
December 5th, 2016 at 1:47 pm
Because nzai, The point is to make the playoffs. They can still fill holes at safety and wide receiver and anywhere else in the later first second and third rounds
December 5th, 2016 at 1:49 pm
Sorry Dave! IF? How about beating the team you’re facing THAT week. We can’t worry about what’s out of our control. Just win.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the thought of being in the playoffs. But, if we’re to be a contender, we need to beat the Saints on Sunday first.
December 5th, 2016 at 2:26 pm
Bucsfanman.
I was simply wondering what happens if the box in the ATL or tide, because right now ATL has the tiebreaker but that is only because they played one more division game and won it.
The Bucs just need to win and they’re in.
Hoping ATL loses so the Bucs take division.
That’s all
December 5th, 2016 at 2:30 pm
We have to beat Saints at home. The schedule makers have been very kind to Atlanta as they face no serious playoff contenders and barring something crazy will get to 11 wins. Playing Rams-49ers-Panthers-Saints sets things up well for Atlanta to win NFC South.
There is a possibility that Dallas can clinch home field this weekend if Detroit and Seahawks both lose as mathematically neither will get to 12 wins. A Cowboy win vs Giants means NY can’t get to 12 and neither can Seattle or Detroit or any other NFC team if Lions and Seahawks lose. Pulling for Packers to upset Seattle and for an unlikely Bears win at Lions.
If that happens and Bucs,win it does set up a Cowboy game that Dallas will be playing for nothing other than to knock Bucs out of playoffs.
Hope the streak hits 5 and we are set up nicely to get a run for a wild card spot or if Falcons falter possibly win division.
December 5th, 2016 at 2:42 pm
Dave – its 4 games away – and there are so many variables that its just futile to try and figure out all the what ifs at this point. Save that for the last game of the season if we are still in contention or the endless possibilities will just drive you loco.
If we win all 3 of our division games – we will almost certainly get in the playoffs one way or another the way things look right now.
If we win all 4 – we are 100% in no matter what. So the team does completely hold its destiny in its hands at this moment.
But how hard is it for an upstart team just learning how to win consistently to finish out their breakout year with 8 straight wins?? Very hard in the NFL is the answer.
But with JW at QB – all things are now possible.
Rejoice for the kingdom of Jameis is at hand.
December 5th, 2016 at 2:45 pm
And Ed – don’t you be rooting for the Packers. Of all the “contenders” we are vying for a wild card spot with – that is the team most likely to run the table IMO.
December 5th, 2016 at 3:26 pm
That Bucs schedule scares me a bit. The team, even in the good years, tends to always split games with NO and in NO I don’t see any way the Bucs defense keeps Brees under 500 yards passing. The Bucs offense is going to have to open up a bit and let Winston really do his work – BUT the Bucs have no legit NFL WR other than Evans, I mean the team has been starting a guy who couldn’t make the Texan’s squad. Brate is a nice story – but he was an UDFA for a reason. Humphries is nice, if he’s even able to play, but he was an UDFA for a reason. Winston makes players around him better, but man, this is pushing it a bit. Martin has been playing much better than his numbers show – but the offense has been pretty predictable and Dirk hasn’t been doing much to change that up lately.
Anyways those thinking it’s going to be easy… I disagree. Hopefully we win this week against NO, but this is traditionally a game for the bad Bucs to show-up, give up 500+ yards to Brees and look awful going into a national SNF game. Hopefully that’s no the case obviously. For the Dallas game I think we have a better chance than people think – I think our LB’s are good enough to keep up with Dallas’ QB/RB combo, and the Dallas defense isn’t all that great and plays well above their head. If the Bucs defense can at all stop the Dallas offense so they don’t eat up 15 mins every time they have the ball, the Bucs have a decent chance in that game. For the game in NO I think the Bucs win that one. Finally that game, at home, against Carolina…. ugh. I don’t care how bad Carolina might look, they seemingly always beat us at home. That game, if everything is on the line, scares me more than the other three. That’s a game if the Bucs have to win, that they might stumble.
But with all that said it’s nice to be talking football and not about the draft for once – it’s been quite a long time we’ve been this far in the season and talking playoffs.
December 5th, 2016 at 3:42 pm
Pickrin- I don’t really want to see the Packers win anything but next Seattle loss + Cowboy win eliminates Seahawks from any home field vs Cowboys meaning when we have our game with Dallas if Seahawks and Lions lose and Dallas wins vs Giants on Sunday then Dallas can rest its injured players starting against the Bucs as they have home field and bye throughout playoffs.
December 5th, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Joe did you see where later in the article he gave the great completion or combo award to Winston and Brate? Maybe something else to report as he states they have a serious chance at making the playoffs because of that combo.
December 5th, 2016 at 4:37 pm
You (didn’t) like that?!?
December 5th, 2016 at 4:45 pm
Skins are about to implode.
December 5th, 2016 at 5:09 pm
Screw peter peter he don’t know more than this Joebucsfan site….. right!!
December 5th, 2016 at 5:27 pm
Hopefully the Bucs only see NO 🙂
December 5th, 2016 at 5:51 pm
Rod Munch- you aren’t taking into consideration that Panthers will be eliminated from playoffs, playing last game of season in Tampa, unlikely they show up. If Saints lose Sunday they also will have nothing to play for in 3 weeks vs Bucs.
I think this time of year teams are either playing well or not. The Saints with 7 losses and Panthers with 8 losses heading to the last month of season are hardly playing well, and hereas the Bucs have been unified defensively and their offense does a great job controlling clock.
I have to say that Cameron Brate is a very good route runner and has exceptional catching ability. He’s not a physical tight end but he fits into the Buc offense and has been clutch. I love his ability to get open in red zone.
Get a good in Sunday vs Saints and many good things will happen to the Bucs.
December 6th, 2016 at 12:00 am
Awesome to prove the naysayers wrong!
December 6th, 2016 at 4:40 am
buccaneer bonsai smh…… I guess if we’re not sure we can win the superbowl we shouldn’t even try to get to the playoffs. hell,why even suit up and play any games? what in the hell are you thinking?? we’re the hottest team in football right now. these bucs are on a mission. maybe after we beat Dallas well get real love. 23-21. BTW n.o. game score 38-17