“That Is Really, Really Close”
December 14th, 2016
Talks NFC South race.
It’s going to be a photo finish in the NFC South.
That’s the word from 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.
In his weekly appearance with the one and only Chris “Mad Dog” Russo of SiriusXM Radio, King was peppered with questions about the division races. When it came to the NFC South. King, who two weeks ago didn’t believe the Bucs would make the playoffs, seemed so torn about picking either the Bucs or the Dixie Chicks, it was as if he wanted to flip a coin.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo: Break down Tampa and Atlanta.
Peter King: That’s really, really a tough one. Right now Tampa is a little bit better. But, they are certainly nowhere near as explosive as Atlanta. They are better defensively. [Deep sigh.] Um… boy, I would almost look at the schedule and say I will give it to Atlanta. I… I… I don’t know Chris. That… that is really, really close. I would probably give it to Atlanta.
Russo: I would too, much easier schedule.
Notice neither mocked the Bucs. They just think the Dixie Chicks have an easier road to the title. (Remember, the Bucs lose the division tiebreaker.) In fact, King thinks the Bucs are better, but not by much.
Earlier in the segment, though not discussing the Bucs, King said he believes the Cowboys with Dak Prescott at quarterback are vulnerable.
“Playing Dallas is different now than it was three weeks ago,” King said.
December 14th, 2016 at 7:05 am
I got two words for why the Bucs will win in Dallas “Rookie Wall “!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 14th, 2016 at 7:06 am
Shocking that these guys are paid so much, as they really don’t have much additional insight to anything that the average fan already knows.
December 14th, 2016 at 7:10 am
King must wake up every morning, open the paper, read the words of far superior sportswriters, then check his bank balance online and laugh his a$$ off on the way to the can
December 14th, 2016 at 7:15 am
@ Realist
I’m seeing the same thing you are. Dallas is in trouble because their two best players just hit the vaunted “rookie wall”. They are not going to finish the season on a high note.
December 14th, 2016 at 7:20 am
Oak and ram games r killing us , should have , could have , if we did we win the division , now in really comes down to a must win game with Dallas , key will be rattling dak , turnovers , containing, oh and we need JW on point , Evans to have a big game
December 14th, 2016 at 7:28 am
I’m no fan of Peter King’s writing, but leveling criticism towards him for his particular opinion here is needless. He said nothing extraordinarily out of line here about the Bucs. King’s quote about Dallas now compared to three weeks ago is pretty insightful stuff.
December 14th, 2016 at 8:03 am
How great is it that we just ended playoff hopes for phillip rivers and drew brees and now we’re gunna bench “mvp” prescot…. BEST defense in the NFL
December 14th, 2016 at 8:22 am
So much on the line in the final 3 weeks. The Bucs could finish as low as .500 ( better not ) or as high as a top 2 seed with a bye ( stranger things have happened ). I think we’d all be thrilled to make the playoffs ( except for Buc Bonzai..he wants a better draft pick 😉 and even take their chances on the road where they’ve done very well of late. Winning 3 West Coast games ( admittedly San Fran is a tire fire and Chip Belly better scurry back to college ) is un-Buc like…until now that is! Go Bucs!
December 14th, 2016 at 8:31 am
Sigh….while I would love to get on the Bucs bus for this one. This week the Bucs come back to reality…they are an up and coming team that is still missing a few pieces. This same team won 4 games last year and is currently on its longest winning streak since Gruden. I think they get a little google eyed in the Big D stadium; listen to Marpet on his radio show for evidence of that. The historical NFL odds are really stacked against a win this week. The offense really looked lost last week and struggled. 17 points…we missed another kick or 2.
Bucs 17 Dallas 24
I did pick the Bucs to win all the past 5 games with exception of Seattle and KC- 2 surprises for most. I am pretty damn excited about this team because you can see and taste the potential for success.
December 14th, 2016 at 8:45 am
DoNuts, just stay at the bus stop and wave the bus by. You’re nowhere near getting on. You don’t even have a token. Sit back and watch the big boys play ball and try to learn something. This team will be around quite a while. You have time.
December 14th, 2016 at 8:53 am
Nuts you are hilarious you picked BuCS to win all the past 5 games except two of them which means you didn’t pick the BuCS to win the past 5 games.
Good talk bra, good talk
December 14th, 2016 at 8:58 am
I respect your opinion Donuts but I think this game is bigger than that. You utilize the googly eyes at Jerry’s World as a reason. Well, Dak is still a rookie and he’s hitting the wall. He’s hitting it against the leagues best defense presently. Along with his star rb. Also, Dallas’s defense is slightly below average.
I sincerely believe Dirk has been coaching this team to do just enough on offense to get the win. We are capable of a low scoring W or a shootout W in my opinion any given week. The chemistry with our receivers was off last week because we had to switch up Shorts and Hump for Sims and Huff. I expect Jameis to improve with them and Evans to torch the secondary. Sims being back is a game changer and he needed last week to acclimate.
The way I see it is our offense and their defense are fairly close, with our offense having the slight edge. However, our defense should have a huge edge over their offense at this point. Gotta consider the qb controversy and the rookie wall. I fully anticipate Zeke to get over 100 but I also expect Dak to struggle yet again.
I’m going to say Bucs 27 Boys 19
December 14th, 2016 at 9:06 am
Rookie wall or not, the Bucs have a legitimate shot at beating the Cowboys. The Cowboys don’t do anything special. Like always, it will come down to who makes mistakes.
Don’t believe the hype! Dallas is NOT unbeatable!
December 14th, 2016 at 9:09 am
I know Pit. That is what I took from it too.
December 14th, 2016 at 9:13 am
@ Pit
LMAO! I thought the same thing.
As a matter of fact, I was undefeated this season in fantasy football in all 4 leagues, besides the 20 losses.
December 14th, 2016 at 9:40 am
If we can do the following, we will not only defeat the Cowboys but Romo will probably be replacing Dak at some point during the game as Jerry Jones freaks out and presses the self destruct button. Keys to victory:
1. We have to win on both sides of the line of scrimmage. Open holes for our run game and protect Winston on OL and the DL has to pressure and harass Prescott as well as limit Elliot and the Dallas rushing attack. Make the rookie try to beat us with his arm.
2. Winston has to have a sharp game and not miss open receivers. One thing I have noticed with Jameis, is that sometimes when he is amped up, he tends to throw the ball too high very frequently. I believe due to the magnitude of this game he will be amped up and he needs to try to play calm but with intensity.
3. We must continue to win the turnover ratio. Which we have done so well lately.
4. We must avoid costly penalties that hinder our offensive drives and that keep the Dallas drives alive. Like GMC was flagged for lining up in the neutral zone. That to me is even more inexcusable than a false start which is also pretty inexcusable.
5. We must get ME13 more involved this week. He should have shredded a lackluster Saints secondary. Jameis also needs to scan the field better to find open options if ME is being swarmed. This will force the defense to play more honest and give ME13 some good looks.
6. We must not leave points on the field. No missed extra points or FG’s as well as doing a better job of turning redzone opportunities into TD’s instead of FG attempts.
7. Lastly, our special teams must play well. Anger and the punt coverage has been spectacular and we need that to continue. Also, our return game needs to do a little better. If Huff plays KR again, he must not be a bone head again.
December 14th, 2016 at 9:43 am
BKNYfootballhead Says:
December 14th, 2016 at 7:28 am
I’m no fan of Peter King’s writing, but leveling criticism towards him for his particular opinion here is needless. He said nothing extraordinarily out of line here about the Bucs. King’s quote about Dallas now compared to three weeks ago is pretty insightful stuff.
_____________________
Then you have a pretty low threshold for insightfulness. Anyone, including those that are blind, that watched the Cowboys against the Giants could see Prescott, and the entire team for that matter, are not playing well right now.
December 14th, 2016 at 10:28 am
Dallas was on a roll, but the pressure to keep going mounts with every win. The pressure will only increase if we can score first and put some more doubt in Dak’s head. They may start reeling if we can dominate them up front. They key will be to stop Elliot and put Dak in 3rd and longs.
December 14th, 2016 at 10:57 am
@donuts says…..”This same team won 4 games last year and is currently on its longest winning streak since Gruden”…..we won 6 games last year…unless your talking about the cowboys who never had gruden as a coach….either way you have no idea what your talking about….17 points can easily beat dallas…they just lost 10-7….like @gilhealy said, stay at the bus stop(ship dock) and watch us ride into the playoffs…..GO BUCS!!!!
December 14th, 2016 at 6:32 pm
I just LMAO at donuts: “I did pick the Bucs to win all the past 5 games with exception of Seattle and KC- 2 surprises for most.”. You sir are hilarious! WOW! That is the dumbest thing I have ever read on this site and I have read Kobe Fakers and DallasBucs post as well!
December 15th, 2016 at 8:26 am
I believe the KICKER and stadium environment will affect the game this week. This Bucs team has never played in a stadium like Dallas. Its a big deal for a player- feel free to ask any NFL player about their Dallas experience. I’ve been there as a fan and it was overwhelming makes RayJay look real small.
Haters know only hate when anything said isnt 100% seen thru bucs rosey glasses. Hence, you are ignored on here by most. I dont get a fan site that doesnt have open thought on it rather rosey glasses fans get bitchy when somone says anything not pro-buc. I previously mentioned historical stats too…bucs havent won 6 in a row but once in `99. Once! Uno! for their enture history…. think about that.. When you have major NFL trends like that…and your team is away and playing a team that lost last week but has dominated…your going to get their best game Sunday.
You keep on blind buc fan. Some day you will appreciate those of us who bring more than buc bluster to the comments area.