“I Think This Is Close”
December 20th, 2020
Bucs-Dixie Chicks preview.
Many Bucs fans, though ecstatic with a win last Sunday, still came away uncomfortable about the Bucs beating the Vikings in a less than pleasing manner.
Former Bucs quarterback Chris Simms doesn’t see it that way. Simms thought the Bucs had one of their best offensive games and that will carry over today.
“Last week, the statistics won’t say it, but I thought that was one of their best offensive games of the year,” Simms said on his Unbuttoned podcast. “They really were never stopped.
“Only stopped on a few third downs when Brady had people around him. And that is the one weakness of Brady’s game right now.”
Simms said this is exactly why early on, Brady couldn’t hit the broadside of a barn. “But when they run the ball and play two tight ends, it makes them a better football team,” Simms added.
As for today’s game, Simms said he just cannot pick the Dixie Chicks.
“You can’t pick the Atlanta Falcons right now the way they are playing,” Simms said. “They’re offense is sputtering every week. Really?
“Tampa Bay, their defense is good. Maybe not as great as we thought it might be or was at the beginning of the year but it is good.”
Simms said a late field goal will give the Bucs their ninth victory this afternoon.
“I think this is close,” Simms said. “I think the Falcons give one more last gasp effort for Raheem Morris. But it will be too little too late.”
Enjoy your pregame with the new Ira Kaufman Podcast, presented by Bill Currie Ford.
December 20th, 2020 at 10:26 am
Hope he’s right.
December 20th, 2020 at 10:30 am
I’ll take a win, but geeez, a field goal at the end? C’mon! This is tune-up time. Let her rip. Blitz like crazy, tackle well, and run the damn ball. Let’s get a convincing win here, and then do the same thing the next two games. Give the other playoff teams something to think about.
December 20th, 2020 at 10:37 am
Defense is not as good without Vea.
This game is a must win
December 20th, 2020 at 11:11 am
Defense hasn’t been the same since Vita Vea went down. That’s a fact Alanbucsfan. Crazy how much a nose tackle makes a difference. But he was constantly getting pressure up the middle and no way Dalvin cook runs like he did last week with the big man still there.
December 20th, 2020 at 11:25 am
Even without Jones and Smith, the Bucs should dismantle the Falcons. If this team cannot make a statement here, their playoff future is dismal, IF they make the playoffs.
Bucs by two scores, 10-14 pts.
December 20th, 2020 at 11:26 am
@Nutter: Vea didn’t allow the QB to step up into the pocket. That is yuge in pass defense.
December 20th, 2020 at 11:50 am
Auclair is inactive, which surprises me. BL & BA must think they can run against the Falcons without the extra blocking TE…unless an OL will play situational TE.
December 20th, 2020 at 11:52 am
Cobra
To my untrained eye the OL seems to be getting better each week. In fact there are times when I feel Brady didn’t take advantage of their production.
Perhaps that figures into BA’s belief in the running game?
December 20th, 2020 at 12:18 pm
We’re going to win our 9th game, again?
December 20th, 2020 at 12:23 pm
Without Julio, I simply don’t think the Falcons can beat us……our offense should roll even without D Smith & Rojo…..I like Brady to take advantage of the Falcons defense…..
Bucs should romp……
December 20th, 2020 at 12:38 pm
@SPBF: prolly a combination of faith in a one TE set for running, and not much fear of the Falcons front 7.
Although Auclair was a good ST player.
December 22nd, 2020 at 8:22 pm
Dec 22nd. It was a great insightful prediction!