Different Team
November 3rd, 2020
Changed squad.
When the Bucs played the Saints to open the season, the Bucs looked like a meh club.
The Bucs were OK on defense that afternoon in New Orleans and had a lot of work to do on offense.
Now? Fully different team as the Bucs begin Saints Week with the winner taking over sole possession of first place in the NFC South with seven weeks to play.
If the Bucs lose they will be a game behind the slimy Saints and have no tiebreakers, meaning the Bucs will have to finish at least a game better in the standings to win the division.
Finishing with the same (or worse) record than the Saints without a tiebreaker edge, and the Bucs go on the road for the playoffs, likely a cold weather city like Chicago, Green Bay or Seattle (yikes) but a decent chance it’s an NFC East city.
Looking back at that opening weekend, Bucco Bruce Arians believes the Bucs are a much different team than what faced the Saints on opening day.
“I think probably light years, offensively for sure,” Arians said of the improvement. “Special teams and the kicking game – we’re a lot better. Defensively should be the same or better because of the way we’re playing.
“I think [in] two phases – having no preseason games and going into the first week making some mistakes we shouldn’t make on offense, turning the ball over and a couple fiascos in the kicking game – I think we’re a different ballclub now.”
This is a huge, huge game for the Bucs. And furniture-tossing Brown was activated as Joe was typing this here story.
Joe hates to call a game before Thanksgiving as “must-win,” but it is damn close.
November 3rd, 2020 at 4:20 pm
I agree. If they want to win the division, they MUST win this game.
November 3rd, 2020 at 4:39 pm
is Bruce Arians slowly morphing into Malcolm Glazer or have i just never seen him without a hat on?
November 3rd, 2020 at 4:39 pm
Division Champs! That has to be the goal, and no better way of grasping that title than knocking off the Saints at home.
November 3rd, 2020 at 4:43 pm
Last night’s game looked off, I’m not sure if it was by design but the speed of the defense, linebackers especially just wasn’t the same.
November 3rd, 2020 at 4:44 pm
Bottom line…we win it and we are a leg up. We lose it, we are behind the eight ball, division championship speaking.
November 3rd, 2020 at 4:57 pm
pick6
lmao!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
November 3rd, 2020 at 5:03 pm
Arians – what is the deal with him wearing 2 or 3 pairs of glasses during the game??? He loos like a NYC pawn shop jeweler.
November 3rd, 2020 at 5:07 pm
The Bucs need to beat the Saints like they did Greenbay and do to Brees as they did to Rodgers. It’s time to make a statement and Tom Brady needs to be at the top of his game. The defense cannot afford stupid mistakes and penalties. This needs to be a 4/4 peak performance by the Bucs to put the NFL on notice 💥
November 3rd, 2020 at 5:31 pm
Also – talking to you Mike Evans, don’t let that piece of trash Gardner Johnson get in your head. I was frankly happy to see Mims go apoplectic on him, but you can’t do that. Or to Lattimore, or to Janoris Jenkins. Their whole Defensive backfield are all pieces of crap, but do the talking by lighting their asses up
November 3rd, 2020 at 5:49 pm
Be optimistic Joe; we can beat the Saints. The Bucs will be super-motivated for this one. Both of us play pretty much the same teams the rest of the way, but the Saints still have to play the Broncos in Denver.
Just as an aside, the Saints haven’t beat the Broncos since 1994 … in Denver or in New Orleans. Must be that rarefied air.
November 3rd, 2020 at 6:03 pm
Ah yes! A meaningful game in November and the Bucs are 6-2. Ridin the wave!
November 3rd, 2020 at 6:24 pm
How nice to have a “must-win” November game shooting for the Division Championship!
November 3rd, 2020 at 6:40 pm
Last night was a prime example of us getting everyone’s best shot
The GMen pulled out all the stops and even flat, on the road, we pulled it out
At home, 15k or so in house, we must take this game seriously, the Aint’s are leaving it all on the table this week, just like all comers for the rest of the season
November 3rd, 2020 at 6:46 pm
If the Bucs are truly ready to make a serious run for the Lombardi Trophy after 16 games it won’t matter so much if they have to go on the road first or get to stay at home for the first play-off game.
What could make a real difference is having to win one less game to get to the Super Bowl! No one wants to arrive at the Big Dance missing key players and/or beaten down.
November 3rd, 2020 at 7:40 pm
Yes I would say a “must win ” game, need to win division no wild card crap. Also fun fact, if the playoffs started today the bucs are the number 2 seed.