“There’s Just So Many Things That A Win Can Do For You”
December 29th, 2016
Jameis has clarity on the value of beating the Panthers
So what’s at stake Sunday against a six-win Panthers team ready to vacation?
If you ask America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, he sees real value in the Bucs not marching into the offseason on a three-game losing streak.
Jameis talked about one value in winning Sunday on the Buccaneers Radio Network, where he made a rare extended appearance yesterday.
“You want to end the season, no matter if we have our playoff hopes, no matter if it’s my last game in my career as a Bucs, you want to end the season on a win,” Jameis said. “There’s just so many things that a win can do for you going into the next season.
“You know, it gives guys confidence in their offseason training. I’m happy to go train after a win. You know what I’m saying? Especially if we’re not going to the playoffs. I won my last game. The teams going to the playoff only one team that’s going to be able to say they won their last game; that’s going to be the Super Bowl winning team. So I want to be able to say we won our last game too.”
Very simply stated, there is a difference finishing 9-7 or 8-8, as the Bucs would if they lost to Carolina.
This game Sunday is about raising the bar. A win means a four-game winning streak at home, a non-losing season on the home turf, as well. A win and a 9-7 finish means the stench of losing officially left One Buc Palace. A winning season will be hung on the coat rack, a second-place hat in the NFC South.
That gives the entire organization a new mentality entering 2017, a true win-now approach.
No team goes 9-7 with a young franchise quarterback and a superstar wide receiver and thinks anything but a division title the following year.
Joe wants that kind of urgency back in Tampa.
December 29th, 2016 at 10:27 am
It’s all about ending the season on a high note. Last year’s final game Carolina murdered us. Let’s get back at them for that. Let’s sweep that dabbing no good team and give the season ticket holders a .500 home record. Let’s also not let a 3 game losing streak in December be the offseason narrative. Much at stake
December 29th, 2016 at 10:38 am
It would be kinda sweet to sweep the panthers. At least we can’t finish in last place again
December 29th, 2016 at 10:40 am
Its also pretty cool that the first irrelevant game of the season comes in the last week. Its been a really long time since we could say that.
December 29th, 2016 at 11:20 am
This is a MUST Win!
December 29th, 2016 at 11:23 am
I agree with it being nice to say we finished with more wins than losses but I am not so sure about the carry over affect of a win into next season. I think really the only thing that this game will really affect is where we are slotted in the draft.
December 29th, 2016 at 11:28 am
Too little too late to make a difference this season. Should a would a could a has come and gone.
December 29th, 2016 at 11:37 am
9-7 will also force Joe to rename the Den of Depression.
Go Bucs!!!
December 29th, 2016 at 11:46 am
Agree with your thoughts Joe. We had 3 or 4 “must win” games this past season.
We passed the first test with Atlanta on the road…failed a couple of others including the loss at N.O. last week.
This is another one of those “must wins”. First off all every game between #3 and Cam is going to be special. I think Cam is down right now and not healthy it’s good time to play him.
#3 nailed most of the important reasons though. It will leave a taste in our mouths for the entire off season. If we win this Sunday this season will have been a success. It’s not the destination but the journey of a 1000 miles begins with the first step.
I honestly felt like we at least took that first step this year. And I agree with Joe that if we beat Carolina all off season expectations will be for the Bucs to be serious Division and playoff contenders next year. Next year we should become this year’s Oakland Raiders.
December 29th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
This kid gets it. Like Koetter said “all anyone cares about in this dam league is W’s.”