Three Key Sunday Losses To Help Lock Down A Wild Card Spot
November 29th, 2020
The Bucs are in phenomenal shape to earn their first playoff trip in 13 seasons, and three non-Bucs games on the NFL docket today are key for Tampa Bay’s chances.
The big one is reeling Chicago (5-5) at Green Bay (7-3). The Bears are the Bucs’ big threat because they own a wild card tiebreaker if the Bucs and Bears tied at the end of the season. (Three-way tiebreakers are a different formula.) If Chicago loses, does anyone think they would/could run the table to finish 10-6?
Chicago still must play the suddenly surging Texans (4-7 after starting 0-4), and play another road game at Green Bay, and the Vikings on the road. They also have the schedule gifts that are the Jaguars and Lions.
Another key game on today’s schedule is the Panthers (4-7) at the Vikings (4-6). Minnesota has the Jaguars next week. So if they beat the Panthers and the Jags, they’d be fired up at 6-6 to face the Bucs in Tampa on Dec. 13. So Joe must hold his nose and root for The Stinkin’ Panthers today.
The 49ers (4-6) do not concern Joe. They play at the Rams (7-3) this afternoon and have a brutal schedule ahead. Today probably ends the 49ers’ season, but Joe would be pleased to see the Rams take a loss, which has potential to help the Bucs’ seeding.
As of today, the Bucs hold the No. 2 (of 3) wild card position, one game ahead of the Cardinals (6-4).
So Joe is a huge Patriots fan today. The Cardinals head to New England at 6-4. After today, the Cardinals still have the Rams twice on their schedule plus late-season clashes with the 49ers and Eagles, who might be playing for the NFC East title at that point.
If the Bears, Rams and Patriots win today, then no matter what happens to the Bucs against the Chiefs, expect the Bucs’ playoff chances to jump up to about a 95 percent likelihood on the various spreadsheets run by probability nerds.
That scenario would set up the Bucs to deliver a knockout blow to the Vikings on Dec. 13, after the Bucs’ bye week. And if that happened, only the quarterback-free Bears would remain as a challenge to the Bucs’ wild card hopes.
November 29th, 2020 at 7:15 am
So now we are back to hoping other teams lose games?? Depending on other teams to decide our future? Cmon man!! The Bucs are potentially better than that tired of eating off of another mans table so to speak lets get busy baby and kick some but and determine our own future turn the GOAT loose BA!! release the BEAST!
November 29th, 2020 at 7:21 am
Not what we were hoping for this season, Backing into the playoffs. If those teams lose, no big deal losing to K.C., our playoff chances jump to 95%. Whoppie. The bad news is if we do lose to the Chiefs it is a big deal. It’ll mean we can’t beat a playoff caliber team at home to boot. Bad loses at home to the Saints, Rams, and K.C. would mean we really stink. Lets celebrate making the playoffs, and getting seal clubbed in the 1st round.
November 29th, 2020 at 7:55 am
Watching games other than the Bucs is ALOT more fun when it has playoff implications vs draft position.
Embrace what Joe laid out and enjoy some football!
In BA I Trust!
November 29th, 2020 at 8:21 am
A playoff trip is meaningless when the bucs will be dungy style ONE AND DONE….. Not to mention are they not letting every team in…. With the moves made and long-term damage done to the roster anything short of a super bowl win is 100% failure….
Glazers once again prove they have no clue how to run an NFL team. Every aspect of bucs franchise is minor league and laughable
November 29th, 2020 at 8:26 am
Sport
If you still trust in BA I have a gold mine in Florrisant, Colorado I can make you a good deal on. It’s ocean front.
November 29th, 2020 at 9:01 am
Tmx, once the season is over we can give out grades. As of right now we are in the playoff hunt and control our own destiny.
You be your negative self along with your buddies Diahrealist and lost dog in the HoF of Misery.
Instead of tearing down everyone and everything. Share with us your plan. Doubt you have one, because it takes effort and you have to put yourself out there for criticism. And we all know all you do is criticize.
In BA I Trust.
November 29th, 2020 at 9:16 am
Sport
I criticize because the actual results have sucked for the better part of 40 years….. I dare you to find anything to criticize about me. I am perfect in every way.
November 29th, 2020 at 9:28 am
How about the Bucs win today? The rest will take care of itself.
November 29th, 2020 at 9:37 am
orlbucfan
A bucs win lol
Hope you are well ma’am but I believe you need to put the bottle down it’s early. No bucs win today
November 29th, 2020 at 9:51 am
T m x. I do like that sense of humor you just showed. Good job of forgetting about being Superbowl Champs. Why let winning the whole enchilada get in the way of your misery. Let me guess, superbowl victories are for lovers.
You are a funny dude.
In BA I Trust!
November 29th, 2020 at 9:52 am
Losers
November 29th, 2020 at 9:58 am
So glad maxi pad made it back in time to spread comfort and joy….and to revile the best coach we’ve ever had.
November 29th, 2020 at 10:01 am
Sport
I didn’t forget about the one year wonders fluke championship Sapp carried the backups to. It’s not worth mentioning it’s expired.
November 29th, 2020 at 10:02 am
Sport
Star is best for trust but I recommend Chastity for living in the past issues.
November 29th, 2020 at 11:47 am
No worries, because Green Bay will beat Chicago today at home, and probably twice.
November 29th, 2020 at 12:21 pm
What is AMAZING about this thread is that it’s after Thanksgiving and we’re actually talking about playoffs and how they shake out.
The Bucs in the playoffs? Not yet but at least even the darkest doomsayers here cannot deny the Bucs are very much in the race.
If we make the playoffs the season is a success. We then load up in the trenches in the draft and become serious contenders next year.