Positive Result For Bucs’ Playoff Hopes
December 4th, 2018
“Lovie, this is a different Capital Collapse”
The dreamers among us were celebrating the Eagles’ victory last night.
It was a strong step toward keeping the Buccaneers’ slim playoff hopes a reality.
Because Tampa Bay fell at home to the Redskins, the Bucs (5-7) needed an Eagles (6-6) win against the Redskins last night — and they got it.
The Bucs would lose a Wild Card tiebreaker with Washington, so them falling to 6-6 with four games to play was critical. As an added bonus to the Bucs’ playoff hopes, Washington quarterback Colt McCoy, broke his leg and is out for the year. McCoy was in because starter Alex Smith broke his leg, and now the Redskins will ride Mark Sanchez to potential glory. So count them out for the postseason.
The Bucs own a Wild Card tiebreaker with the Eagles because they beat them in September. The Eagles finish the season at Dallas, at Los Angeles Rams and home for the Texans and their finale is at the Redskins.
Seattle leads the NFC Wild Card chase at 7-5, and the Vikings are (6-5-1) with a tough remaining schedule, including at Seattle on Monday night.
The Panthers (6-6) are reeling and still have two games remaining against the Saints.
Yes, Joe realizes the Bucs are going to have to win their final four to have a shot at the playoffs. But it sure does look like nine wins would be enough to get them in the door.
December 4th, 2018 at 7:36 am
I hope we get in somehow
December 4th, 2018 at 7:36 am
As long as it is mathematically possible, why not?
December 4th, 2018 at 7:38 am
There is a natural inclination to rely on other teams to win or lose during a playoff race……but the bottom line is always winning your games……you can’t look back but the Wash & NY games were crucial losses for us.
Looking forward….we have to win out, period. And, that may not be good enough.
December 4th, 2018 at 7:43 am
Just Win!! Let the chips fall were they may.
December 4th, 2018 at 7:56 am
As long as we are dreaming…!ets hope the teams ahead of us lose out the rest of the season.
We’ve got as much chance to win all our games as they do to lose.
But, let’s say, for the sake of argument, that the chips fall just right and we make it into the playoffs. If playoffs were the goal for the Glazers this year, they’d have to keep Koetter.
Once we get into the playoffs, anything is possible. For it to happen, the team would have to be playing a lot better, because we’ve got some tough games ahead of us. That means the Bucs would have a chance to actually win in the playoffs.
And if that happens?
Well now, it seems every couple of years, a team sneaks into the playoffs, wins out and wins the trophy. No reason it cannot happen to the Bucs.
Then what would the haters say? Fire a coach who won a superbowl? It would kill the haters. That’s why they want to lose.
December 4th, 2018 at 7:59 am
We’ll probably beat the Saints in the last game. They’ll have cinched a playoff spot and will be resting players.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:01 am
Agree with Tampabaybucfan….Washington and NY were must wins. Right now we really have to play one week at a time. IMO…this game can catapult Winston to a new level…or just keep you wondering. He’s played efficient and I’ve been a big believer that’s all that was ever needed. Minimal turnovers, game management….but Saints are different animal and we’ll likely need to score and score and score. Big game to take a big step forward.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:02 am
sunday against the saints, first and foremost a loss equals cya next season, so every game is a playoff game for tampa, beat the saints and things get alot more interesting
December 4th, 2018 at 8:08 am
We control our own destiny. Just win out because at this point, the only teams barricading us r the vikes, eagles, redskins, Panthers, cowboys, n Seahawks. There is hope. Let’s get this defense to continue to roll. I think we will rattle Brees. We always play great against the saints in December.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:13 am
TEAM GLAZER has always loved Urban. They will make a run at him. Just watch.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:17 am
dmatt, the only team barricading us right now is the Saints. Beat them and we will have a chance to win out. If we beat them with a horrendous defense in the first game, I think we will be able to beat them again, but this time, our running game will need to show up.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:22 am
@Bonzai Saints are up Sunday
December 4th, 2018 at 8:28 am
@Knoxville Bucs Fan
Oh man, I thought we played them in the last game 🙁
Yikes.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:30 am
Appears some are starting to fall in the if this happens and that happens playoff wishful thinking trap. Junk getting old, not doing that this time again. Buc Fan for life, been let down too many times hoping just to get in a wildcard in my Buc life…
December 4th, 2018 at 8:33 am
I dont see it happening based on Buc history but it will be interesting to watch.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:34 am
Knoxville, At least we are in the conversation in December. It’s been very seldom we could say that.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:35 am
Actually, I take back what I said about tough games.
After looking at the schedule, the Saints are the toughest we face. After them, the Ravens (7-5), Cowgirls (7-5) and Falcons (4-8). We can win 3 of the next 4. Heck, we play the Saints in our own house, so we might even beat them.
If we win the next game, winning out is not as tough as it seems. Wow.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:35 am
And shame on Koetter if he is not talk to the players and coaching them for the playoffs. which may not happen anyway. (sarcasm)
December 4th, 2018 at 8:37 am
donuts Says
“I dont see it happening based on Buc history but it will be interesting to watch.”
I hope for the best. If I’m wrong I’m wrong. Some might call me a delusional optimist. They think it is an insult.
I’d rather be called that than the opposite 😉
December 4th, 2018 at 8:37 am
Buddy
At this point, I don’t think Dirk will be fired. Especially if we make a run towards the playoffs.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:38 am
@DBS
Koetter is a one game at a time coach, so I promise you he is not discussing playoffs with the players yet.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Bonzi
You and I know that but remember the stupid article last week?
December 4th, 2018 at 8:40 am
Bobby M. Says
“IMO…this game can catapult Winston to a new level…or just keep you wondering…”
You hit the nail on the head. If Winston can do well in this next game, like he did in the last two, even if we lose he will have proven himself to have changed.
Saints are a high powered offense and I think it is a safe bet that our defense won’t be able to stop Brees very well. We can hope they stop him just enough to win though.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:41 am
“Lovie, this is a different Capital Collapse” @Joes lololol
But lookie here whose playing meaningful games in December! #GoBucs I am on board and honestly, why the hell not?! Say what you want about Keotter but he is keeping things interesting down the stretch.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:41 am
@DBS
Yep!
December 4th, 2018 at 8:43 am
I also like how no one who has posted so far is hating on us either. Lets enjoy this while it lasts guys. #GoBucs
December 4th, 2018 at 8:47 am
German Buc Says:
“As long as it is mathematically possible, why not?”
~~~~~~~~~~
Exactly, man. Why the hell not?
We all understand it is not likely.
But again, why the hell not?
At least is fun to root for, within even a mathematical chance at this point after where we were a couple of weeks ago.
December 4th, 2018 at 8:56 am
The only thing that will keep us out of the playoffs is our QB, our O line, Our D and our coaching staff.
December 4th, 2018 at 9:01 am
Tampabaybucfan Says:
“the Wash & NY games were crucial losses for us.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
TBBF, they sure the hell were, man. Ughhhhh!!!!
Especially the WASH game where we completely dominated.
We could easily be 7-5 right now. How would that feel?
December 4th, 2018 at 9:02 am
lets see….the saints are playing good….ravens playing good….cowboys playing good….falcons not…..
we may win 1 more game…..
KRIS RICHARD 4 HC!!!!!
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
December 4th, 2018 at 9:02 am
WINSTON HASN’T CHANGED. LOL!
Some of you think Winston’s benching suddenly changed his poor decision-making over the past 4 years as well as when he was at FSU?
COME ON. Seriously.
Winston will never change. He always have a few decent games or stretches of ball management when making short throws, but then turnovers and bad decisions when needing to move to the ball.
JAMEIS IS *DONE* IN TAMPA BAY. Get over it.
December 4th, 2018 at 9:04 am
@813bucboi – stop typing this “PRESSUREONTHECOACHES!” non-sense.
Those coaches are all getting replaced. They suck.
December 4th, 2018 at 9:09 am
Hey! I’m in Austin. Feel for Colt dammit. OTH. Go Bucs! (As usual).
December 4th, 2018 at 9:13 am
Boogie Nightz Says:
“I also like how no one who has posted so far is hating on us either. Lets enjoy this while it lasts guys. #GoBucs”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I noticed that, man! Hey, it’s so rare lately that we are even in the discussion in December (as ATLBucs said), that we are allowed to at least ROOT for it with some positivity, right? — Why the hell not? We have been through enough dark days.
December 4th, 2018 at 9:16 am
Dirk did you read this? OPPORTUNITY !!! GO GET IT!!!
December 4th, 2018 at 9:29 am
Well, optimistic for the most part. But then there’s Miken, BucBandit, and 813 to keep the negativity going. Good job, boys. SMH.
December 4th, 2018 at 9:36 am
It’s up, up-to-date and working.
http://www.espn.com/nfl/playoffs/machine
December 4th, 2018 at 9:41 am
If we somehow get into the playoffs Tampa Bay will be the dark horse contender to win it all! Especially if our defense keeps showing up the way they have the last 2 games and if Jameis contues to take care of the ball like he has been lately.GO BUCS!
December 4th, 2018 at 9:54 am
If the Bucs do win out, That means that Coach Koetter would have TRIPLED loser lovie’s win total!!!!!!!!!!!! man those were bad years with incompetent lovie!!!!!!!! worse coach in buc’s history!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
December 4th, 2018 at 10:05 am
Please no, I understand fans might be getting hyped now that we’ve beaten a banged up 49ers team and a team falling apart in the Panthers but this is not a playoff team. We neither have the defense nor the run game for it, after we lose next week y’all will see. Best thing we can do is tank the rest of the year so we get rid of Koetter and hopefully end up in the top 10 in the draft.
December 4th, 2018 at 10:07 am
Sheesh some Debby Downers here. Any sober Bucs fan realizes a Bucs wildcard berth this year is a long shot, but why not just enjoy the glimmer of hope while it lasts? There have been teams that have gotten hot in late Nov/Dec and gotten in at 9-7 (heck the 07’ Giants even won the SB as a 9-7 wildcard team!). So I’ll live in my Bucs playoff fantasy land for a few more days at least because why not…it’s fun to dream of what if’s as a football fan.
December 4th, 2018 at 10:18 am
The Saints are beatable, the Cowgirls held them to 10 points. Just hit Brees early and often, he gets rattled, Saints lose. DL is peaking at the right time.
The Saints are vulnerable outside on grass.
December 4th, 2018 at 10:24 am
realist
lol…..
and if dirk loses 3 of the next 4, he’ll have a lot in common with lovie…..both getting fired by the glazers…..both never made the playoffs as a bucs HC….
and as far as worst ever, you got the wrong smith….that title belongs to mike smith!!!!!!……fired mid season and was on pace to set all the wrong kinds of records!!!!!!…lol….
#NOEXCUSESIN2018!!!!…#PRESSURESONTHECOACHES!!!!….GO BUCS!!!!
December 4th, 2018 at 10:29 am
We’ve seen this before, the NFL will have some weird mathematical concept that does not allow the Bucs in even with the exact same record as another team that gets in (something like common opponents points scored or just a bad lie) to keep Jameis out
December 4th, 2018 at 10:30 am
6-10 makes the playoffs these days?
December 4th, 2018 at 10:47 am
Just stop. It’s embarrassing. The first fantasy is them beating the Saints. Wait and see how Brees lights up these DBs. The second is them not losing another game.
December 4th, 2018 at 10:49 am
@rrsrq
Good stuff lol, but the NFL’s tie breaker equations are the same every year. They can be looked up now.
December 4th, 2018 at 11:04 am
Miguel
“The Saints are beatable, the Cowgirls held them to 10 points. Just hit Brees early and often, he gets rattled”
Kamara and Ingram vs. our LB’s is a huge factor..then Brees carving up our secondary.
Cowboys defense>Bucs Defense..by a mile.
December 4th, 2018 at 11:25 am
Yea, Miguel, don’t be hopeful. jmarkbuc say’s we stink. he’s really smart, and knows every outcome of every game not played. amazing.
December 4th, 2018 at 11:37 am
gilhealy
Seriously? I hope the Bucs win..point is Brees isn’t their only weapon…Kamara scares me more..
But you’re really smart, and you know that already….
And Dallas’ defense IS playing lights out.
December 4th, 2018 at 11:51 am
We ALL know this. We’re trying to enjoy a little hope. Don’t be that guy. It’s too predictable.
December 4th, 2018 at 12:08 pm
How pithy of you….
Anybody who has been a Buc Fan as long as I have is bound to be that guy at one point or another…
December 4th, 2018 at 12:22 pm
Beat the team in front of you. There’s no mystery. It’s the same formula year in-year out! WIN!
December 4th, 2018 at 12:27 pm
I’m not buying in until we beat the Saints. If we do, I’m sliding all chips to the middle of the table.
December 4th, 2018 at 12:38 pm
ok man, do your thing.
December 4th, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Sorry to hear this news about Jay Gruden. He’s a former football player, not an egomaniac like his brother, and a very good OC. No reason why Bucs can’t win the final 4. Bucs beat the refs as well as Carolina Sunday. That will be major Sunday against the Aints and Payton. They can do it. Go Bucs!
December 4th, 2018 at 3:50 pm
Everyone needs to pack Ray Jay give us that home field advantage against the Aints!!! One game at a time playoffs are there for the taking we can win out we can win till we get to the Super Bowl !
December 4th, 2018 at 4:02 pm
Who Dat? Who Dat?
Who Dat? playing cornerback and safety for Tampa?
December 4th, 2018 at 4:19 pm
If we beat the Aints at home this weekend there is a real damn good shot we could make some noise!
December 4th, 2018 at 6:12 pm
Lol. This team is 5-7 and poorly coached. Playoffs???$$%%?? Playoffs? Not happening. Couple wins and people forget the other games. See how ya feel after this next game. Itll be back to head coaching search talk.
December 4th, 2018 at 6:57 pm
Playoffs are not possible. Don’t even dream, Koetter and the Bucs will let you down. One thing this team is great at is disappointing their fans.
December 4th, 2018 at 11:26 pm
If Dirk wasn’t such an idiot and didn’t start that loser Fitz then the Bucs would be in the playoff hunt right now instead of having to hope for 50 different things to go their way.