Bucs Set Up For Playoff-Deciding Game Against Vikings
November 30th, 2020
Despite Sunday’s loss to the Chiefs, multiple NFC games broke the Bucs’ way. And with a 7-5 record, Tampa Bay is more likely to make the playoffs than it was a day ago.
The Rams (7-4) got clipped by the 49ers.
The Cardinals (6-5) lost to the Patriots on a buzzer-beater field goal.
And the sweet smell of defeat overcame the Bears again, as they fell to 5-6 with an ugly Sunday night loss to the Packers. The Bucs fell to the Bears in October, so Tampa Bay would lose a head-to-head tiebreaker to Chicago if it came to that.
All that adds up to two things. First, it’s now likely that a 9-7 record will be good enough to make the NFC playoffs. Remember, the NFL expanded to three wild card teams per conference.
Second, the Bucs are now teed up for a virtual win-and-your-in game against the Vikings on Dec. 13, following the Bucs’ bye week. The Vikings are 5-6 and will host the bumbling Jaguars on Sunday.
If the Bucs beat the Vikings, they’ll basically eliminate the Minnesota threat and set themselves up to be 8-5 with two games remaining against the Falcons (4-7) and one against the hapless Lions.
No, Joe is not concerned about the 5-6 San Francisco 49ers. They’ve got a brutal schedule ahead.
However, Joe is very excited about a Bucs playoff berth. If they don’t make the playoffs, well, then we will have witnessed one of the great choke jobs since Todd Bowles’ Jets team bungled the season finale against the Bills in 2015.
November 30th, 2020 at 12:02 am
The Bucs may get the playoffs and they may not. It just would be nice for them to actually play a game where they are not the biggest reason that they lose. The Ram give away, the Bear give away. Even this game against the chiefs, if they would just get out of their own way, they would actually have a chance. The Chiefs showed on the first play they had no respect for the Bucs Defense. What has happened to Todd Bowles defense. The team is playing overall poorly. You have to question the coaches about that, The defense has been to roughed up so much, the just play soft because they are scared. If you are going to go down at least fight with everthing. Even with all that said, if you give Brady a clean pocket, they could win some track meets. With this offense not doing much to disguise what they are doing, then you have to run the Ball well. but again you have to let the running back have the Ball. GO BUCS!!!
November 30th, 2020 at 12:10 am
Joe, any way you see Bruce Arians keeping his job if they don’t make the playoffs? Expectations were sky high and I think they would bring in someone familiar to Brady if this happens. Just my 2 cents
November 30th, 2020 at 12:16 am
Choke jobs? Do you not remember the final 4 games of 2008? Sitting at 9-3 and you lose to Carolina, Atlanta, San Diego, and JaMarcus Russell and the Raiders. That was the most hurtful 4 weeks of football to watch ny the bucs.
November 30th, 2020 at 12:26 am
Jerome:
If they don’t make the playoffs, all bets are off. Am typing up a story talking about an author saying if the Bucs don’t make the playoffs, Brady should do the right thing and retire. If that happens, you could see a firesale of players and a housecleaning.
November 30th, 2020 at 12:44 am
We’ve now lowered our goals to 9-7?
How pathetic.
And the Bucs at 9-7 wont get in, well lose too many tie breakers to other NFC teams.
Raise your standards Bucs fans. This is a joke. Who said the goal is 9-7?–Joe
November 30th, 2020 at 12:45 am
Of course Brady will retire if we don’t make the playoffs.
He might even if we go one and done.
That’s why anything less than a SB is a failure. This team is built to go all in this year.
9-7 lol
November 30th, 2020 at 12:47 am
If Ronald Jones was given at least 20 carries per game, we would be unstoppable!
Why are we constantly throwing?
Give Ronald Jones 20 carries a game, Fournette 10-15 and we not lose another game!!
Run the ball!!
November 30th, 2020 at 1:01 am
What’s so frustrating about this season… and it took me a while to really have it sink in, even though I knew it, was this…
Despite bringing in the GOAT at QB, all the coaching continuity, additional talent, hired guns for the hope of temporary success…
The Bucs remain subpar and fragile compared to established and sustainable winning franchises.
A winning, playoff, or even Championship run would be worth it.
When you really dissect this roster, contracts, depth, history, etc… No matter what happens, it’ll all be blown up and completely rebooted by 2022.
It really is a Bucs Life.
November 30th, 2020 at 1:01 am
Do not think Brady will call it quits if they do not make it to the playoffs. He wants to play, and knows Father Time is undefeated. He will continue at least 1 more year, at least. He did not even know where the Batheroom was at 1 Buc palace until late July. The lack of continuity is showing up now badly. This offense tonight was 1 step forward 2 steps back. They have not controlled the line of scrimmage since the Raiders game. That is the main reason for the lack of execution. This is what it has been for the last month plus Giant game. There is no telling what it looks like behind the scenes inBrady and the Coaches. I think the GOAT has more pride then to do a 1 and done no matter where they finish. GO BUCS!!!!
November 30th, 2020 at 1:11 am
It may be interesting to start discussing our next HC. The game has passed by BA, BL, and Bowles. The game plans are antiquated and thus predictable. I like Saleh or Bienemy.
November 30th, 2020 at 1:53 am
And Licht threw away a young stud QB for the average play of an old man? The Bucs have 0 future at QB. Rosen is not the guy.
November 30th, 2020 at 1:55 am
And if we dump our head coach. The glazers better have the guts to finally get rid of Jason Licht. How many HCs will the Bucs have to go through to realize that the GM is also part of the problem?
November 30th, 2020 at 2:15 am
Tbb3, that same young stud is not trusted to play a game against a team with no qb, because having him at qb gives the opponent a chance to score.
November 30th, 2020 at 3:18 am
Run the table and go 11-5, should be possible. 5 seed is the best scenario since they’ll play the nfc east champs. Seeds 6/7 will play either Green Bay or Seattle(most likely). I don’t see good things for this team traveling to Seattle or Green Bay or New Orleans in the playoffs.
November 30th, 2020 at 3:46 am
“Fat lazy Shaq
He is the picture boy of the 2020 season
Living off the past hype
He doesnt want to be great and win
He wants to turn on and back off only for his own selfish A$$”
Kobe Faker Incredibly ridiculous and wrong take. –Joe
November 30th, 2020 at 5:10 am
“Bucs are now teed up for a virtual win-and-your-in game against the Vikings on Dec. 13, following the Bucs’ bye week. The Vikings are 5-6 and will host the bumbling Jaguars on Sunday.
If the Bucs beat the Vikings, they’ll basically eliminate the Minnesota threat and set themselves up to be 8-5 with two games remaining against the Falcons (4-7) and one against the hapless Lions.”
So the Bucs need to win three of their last four, but really likely only need two of their last four to make the playoffs.
Gee, I’m not so confident they will do that. Especially since BA has also judged hedged his whole season based on fears of his players gettin COVID over the bye week.
November 30th, 2020 at 5:37 am
We’ll make the playoffs, but what then? Probably one, and done. Will that be enough to satisfy the Glazers? I think they’re counting on being the first team to host the S.B.. They gave Licht, and B.A. every shiny toy they wanted to make that happen. This team is built for today, not tomorrow. No division title, doubt we’ll win the NFC, and make it to the SB, so what’s left? Clean house.
November 30th, 2020 at 7:55 am
Tbbucs3
Ridiculous take… the old man is set to throw more TDS, half the Int’s, nearly the same yards, and make the playoffs…
The young number 1 pick can’t beat out a gadget player….
November 30th, 2020 at 7:59 am
Sly pirate
Love Saleh and Bienemy, but being a great coordinator doesn’t always mean a great HC. Been down that road. Heck we’re on that road right now.
As much as I love Defense, I would go with Bienemy. Working under Reid is a good thing.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:07 am
Bucs threw away a young stud QB? Do you mean the Saints 3rd stringer?
November 30th, 2020 at 8:15 am
Brady is not going to retire. Just look at the 2021 schedule – Bucs at Patriots. That’s the start of the farewell tour.
November 30th, 2020 at 8:47 am
This is NOT a playoff team; other than TB12 it’s a collection of shoulda beens and never was players circling the drain.
This coaching staff is a joke without a punchline.
Once they lose to the Vikings at RayJay they will finally be exposed and this charade will mercifully end.
November 30th, 2020 at 9:10 am
JayMiss “young stud”?
Now that is hilariously ridiculous.
November 30th, 2020 at 10:35 am
The Bucs will make the playoffs. The question is, will they finally be on the same page in terms of X’s and O’s, will they be healthy, will the coaches be able to call good games and will the players play a full game? If they can do those things, the sky is the limit. If they cannot, it could be a quick exit.