Projection
December 4th, 2020
Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians.
It seems the four-letter has a hunch who the Bucs will face in the playoffs. Bucs fans may not like it.
Kevin Seiffert of ESPN has read what the four-letter’s computer models have spit out. And that data suggests the Bucs will finish with the No. 6 seed in the NFC.
The No. 5 seed would be the lucky wild card team to travel to the NFC East loser winner, a rare team with a losing record in the playoffs.
Instead, with the No. 6 seed, ESPN has the Bucs traveling to northeast Wisconsin for a rematch with the expected NFC North champion Green Bay Packers.
Green Bay in January. Can you say “Artcic?”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-5)
FPI chances to make playoffs: 85.7%
FPI chances to win division: 2.0%The Buccaneers will head into their bye — a late one! — trying to figure out the struggles that have led to three losses in their past four games. They’re giving up 28.8 points per game over that stretch while their all-star offense continues to look out of sync. They’re now 2½ games back in the division, and while it’ll take a massive collapse for them to miss the playoffs, the Buccaneers’ chances for advancing in the postseason don’t look great at the moment.
As you will hear later in the Ira Kaufman Podcast, one of the Joe’s has no rooting interest in what happens in the NFC West. What “this Joe” is concerned with is the Bucs winning.
This Bucs team, the way it has played in the month of November, has no business scoreboard-watching. Just take care of business in front of you. That’s beating the Vikings next week.
December 4th, 2020 at 12:31 am
It does it really matter to me. Because smoke and mirrors will not get you through the playoffs. You have to play well against good teams. So BRING WHOEVER ON, win or lose, it sure beats the lost decade alternative. Which would have been draft talk for at least the last month or so. Even having this post is far better than the lost decade posts in the month of December lol GO JBF and GO BUCS!!!
December 4th, 2020 at 12:44 am
BA/JL declared that 2020 was ALL-IN to win a SB by signing the GOAT, and added every superstar FA available to augment the cause > LeSean McCoy, Fournette, AB.
Win NOW!
December 4th, 2020 at 1:00 am
Cant believe some of these bucs fans will be happy just because we “made” the playoffs. Luckily the NFL added a 7th wild card team otherwise, we would be in trouble. Making the playoffs by beating sorry teams, and nothing to be happy about, especially if you get spanked in round 1. SUPERBOWL OR BUST, no other way to look at it. Bucs wouldve been the same 7-5 with the teddy bridgewater or phillip rivers running the show. BA went and got the GOAT, its superbowl or shut up forever
December 4th, 2020 at 1:23 am
@941 Are you 100% sure we would not be in playoff round 1 – with JW as QB?
2019 – first half of year was a Bucs D nightmare performance, no running game, and yips rookie FG kicker….who missed critical kicks to win games.
2020 – GOAT QB, Great FG Kicker, and solid RB and excellent D.
Hmm…. what is the common denominator here? Hmnnn Sling it!
December 4th, 2020 at 1:33 am
Who is happy with just getting in, I stated BRING IT ON, whoever we play, and wherever we play. I want them to actually win a Super Bowl again. But at the same time, this season is still far better is far than most of the 44 years no matter what happens. GO BUCS!!!!!
December 4th, 2020 at 2:53 am
@Redzone, I’m telling you their are many many other qbs out there that would have the bucs at 7-5. Hell jameis had us @ 8-5 at one point. Whoopie-Doo 7-5 and 1 good win out of the 7. Bucs have an “excellent D” against bad teams. Until this team beats a good team, then Tom Brady has made no effect on this team Win column. Remember Tommy has 6 super bowl rings, been to the playoffs over a dozen times, but None have came with a Bucs Uniform on. Stop riding Tommy B’s Patriots success.
Hell it took this year, for fans to stop riding BA’s Cardinals Success and now they realize he is a lousy HC.
December 4th, 2020 at 4:27 am
I’d be absolutely shocked if we won in GB in winter
December 4th, 2020 at 5:22 am
“There he is
The Kangol Chameleon
Few weeks ago BA was the hard red faced sea captain blowhard know it all
Now he has the innocent “you wouldnt fire a Grandpa in chrismas time” look
Do not be decieved”
Kobe Faker
December 4th, 2020 at 5:28 am
IF the Bucs back into the playoffs playing like they’ve been playing lately, it really won’t matter who we play, we’ll get waxed. Even the ‘bad’ teams vying for playoff spots right now are playing better than we are.
Our only hope lies in turning this thing around in the 4 games leading up to the playoffs. IF the Bucs can find a formula on offense AND defense that’s effective using the talent that we have on this team, THEN AND ONLY THEN would we have a chance to make it past Rnd 1 of the playoffs.
Sad thing is that everyone knows what works on offense: a BALANCED ATTACK that meshes our running game featuring RoJo & Fournette, our quick short passing game that Brady has perfected all his career, and selective deep passes to stretch the field & keep defenses off-balance. Well, I should say EVERYONE; someone needs to tell our coaches apparently.
We also know what works on defense with this group: PRESSURE. Any NFL QB can pick a defense apart if not pressured; playoff QBs even more-so. Losing Vea sucked, but the Bucs MUST find a way to create PRESSURE with the players we have right now; there is no cavalry coming to the rescue.
This week & next week will determine our fate IMO. If this team takes an HONEST look at itself, I’m convinced it’s not too late to right the ship & start playing some quality, WINNING FOOTBALL, make the playoffs and go in firing on all 11 cylinders on each side of the ball. That’s much more on the coaching staff right now than it is on the players.
December 4th, 2020 at 6:23 am
There is no home field advantage really this year, the weather will be the biggest factor for the Bucs.
December 4th, 2020 at 6:49 am
Who cares, until this staff proves able to swallow their pride and adapt to their players and start scheming their opponents they wont make it in the playoffs.
Im going to find and share a press conference from leftwich is 2019 where he said they dont gameplan based on the opposition, and that as long as they execute their offense someone will get open.
Dumbest thing ive heard an nfl coach/coordinator say.
December 4th, 2020 at 7:09 am
Well, if we play in the cold…..at least we will have Brady & Gronk who have vast experience playing in cold weather…..
December 4th, 2020 at 7:55 am
OMG, I can’t believe what BucEmUp quoted Leftwich as saying–but that’s exactly how they play! On defense too–terminally stupid game plan versus the Chiefs.
December 4th, 2020 at 8:37 am
BucEmUp
Moët tee once said the same thing… we don’t really game plan…wtf?
December 4th, 2020 at 8:38 am
*koetter
Auto fill
December 4th, 2020 at 9:10 am
941. We are saying the same thing. BA got his prized quarterback that he felt was the only missing piece to winning a Super Bowl immediately. Great respect for what Brady has done, but like you said, his success is in the past wearing a Pats uniform. He is 43 and a statue. Every quarterback prefers a clean pocket, but that Is the only situation that Brady can be precise and run the offense effectively otherwise he turtles quickly with any pressure. And just like last year, BA is stubbornly not adjusting his risk it offense. If we make the playoffs, it will be a fast exit. Unless we get lucky and play one of the sad NFC East teams.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:15 am
Despite our rose colored glasses look in August, we aren’t ready for the Big Dance this year. Maybe next year…and I actually have hope saying that this time, unlike the previous 10 years. We are not a bad team. We’re a good team. “Good” isn’t good enough for the Super Bowl. You need “great” or at least “very good”. We’re missing “something” . It’s not just one thing, but it’s not easily definable. We’re close.
December 4th, 2020 at 9:58 am
Didn’t we destroy the Packers? Focus on the team you face each week don’t look ahead.
December 4th, 2020 at 10:01 am
I will take any playoffs!!!!
any fan who does not feel the same are the same ones crying every season that we cant make playoffs , basically unhappy fans
December 4th, 2020 at 10:07 am
D.R.
We come to a fork in the road. I see the glass half full…you see it half empty.
Both of us have caveats of course…injuries are even more of a concern with the new “Covid” injury. Hit the wrong player(s) and all bets are off.
But assuming we stay relatively healthy…VV was a large enough loss…we’ve just run a challenging part of our schedule. Clearly we haven’t truly competed with N.O. or KC…I could toss Pittsburgh into that group but we only have to worry about KC OR Pittsburgh going forward.
IE..We’ve just survived the hardest part of the schedule…KC and NO represent three of our losses…IMHO…we are not as good as these two right now but if we came together and they had health issues…we have a punchers shot at the SB.
So it comes down to seeing both sides but I wish to ascertain how far you are on which side.
I believe we have a 75% chance of reaching the playoffs and being competitive in the post season. 25% chance of a typical Bucs flameout to close out the season.
What say ye?
December 4th, 2020 at 10:11 am
@Joe
This might make an interesting poll during the Bye week.
I believe the Bucs will…
Win all 4 of their remaining games and head into the playoffs on a high note.
Win 3 of 4…reach the playoffs in very competitive shape
Win 2 of 4…back into the playoffs with a non competitive team or miss them.
Have the typical Buc’s late season collapse and win only 1 or lose all four,
Mark me down for number three. I’d love to see how positive/negative the fan base is before the “second season” begins.
December 4th, 2020 at 10:12 am
Oops messed up…I think they’ll win three…not the 3rd choice
December 4th, 2020 at 11:15 am
The Bucs can compete with anyone. They lose when the coaching staff is superior. Neither GB or Dallas has better coaches. The Bucs will lose to the Saints, Rams, or Seattle. Just better at the XOs.
December 4th, 2020 at 12:04 pm
SlyPirate agree!
December 4th, 2020 at 1:44 pm
Even though we lost to the Rams and KC, the Bucs showed some good things in those games. If they can just put together four quarters of football, or even three, there are not many teams that they cannot beat.
December 4th, 2020 at 2:43 pm
No way we beat GB, at GB in January. Pack will be looking for revenge too.
December 4th, 2020 at 3:02 pm
Couldn’t agree more with this Joe!
December 4th, 2020 at 8:41 pm
TB’s played a game or two in the snow, including the playoffs and has won a few too, hasn’t he? Then what’s the problem if the Bucs end up going to GB in the playoffs? IT’S THE PLAYOFFS….FINALLY! Go Bucs!