“This Defense Doesn’t Get Enough Credit For Just Flat Out Balling”
February 2nd, 2021
Playoff defense rules.
Tom Brady and Pat Mahomes. Rob Gronkowski and Travis Kelce. Mike Evans and Cheetah Hill. Chris Godwin and Sammy Watkins.
The Super Bowl is a TV show and offense brings the glitz and the eyeballs. But a former stud on the offensive side of the ball is just about fed up.
Former Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew stopped just short of saying the Bucs defense is getting dissed in all the Super Bowl hype while appearing last night on “Total Access” on NFL Network. And MJD believes the Bucs might not be playing in Super Bowl LV without its defense cracking ribs.
Takeaways, MJD said, is why the Bucs beat the slimy Saints in New Orleans. Takeaways, MJD said, is why the Bucs beat the Packers in frosty Lambeau Field.
“Let’s just look at the New Orleans Saints game,” MJD began. ” You get three turnovers and you get the ball back to your offense in prime scoring position.
“We can go to Green Bay where right before halftime you get a turnover and give Tom Brady the ball back. You give him a shot and you score. … And even when Tom [Brady] didn’t have the best second half, the defense showed up and made plays.”
There is no doubt in Joe’s mind that turnovers are the great equalizer. The Bucs defense must have its best game of the year Sunday night.
And the more Joe thinks of the Chiefs likely being down two starting offensive tackles and Vita Vea likely getting a bunch more snaps, Joe likes where this may be heading.
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:34 am
The refs have let the guys play without calling tick tac penalties… I hope that continues. That favors us
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:35 am
Turnover differential seems pretty important in W-L records.
tickrdr
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:54 am
The turnover issue will be big. For both teams. TB12 cannot throw 3 interceptions against the Chiefs. Regardless of whether it’s a bad throw or the receiver doesn’t make the catch. We will need opportunities to score every time we possess the ball and can’t afford to squander those opportunities with turnovers.
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:56 am
Said it before, I’ll say it again.
This is very likely to be a high scoring, offensive game.
But the deciding factor WILL be defense(period)
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:57 am
Joe’s last comment is important. KC is down one (or two) O lineman – and we now have VV back. Should make a big difference in the trenches.
February 2nd, 2021 at 8:59 am
The only thing I read about good defense is about Frank Clark. Buc’s defense is completely disrespected. And so are the Buc’s wide receivers, tight ends, quarterback, kicker, punter, long snapper, offense line and coaches.
They keep predicting the Chiefs by a couple, but they way they talk about the analysis of talent and teams, we’re lead to believe the Bucs are going to lose 63-17.
The reverse is more likely. Chiefs are a 2 trick pony. Stop those tricks and enjoy the Lombardi Trophy.
February 2nd, 2021 at 9:47 am
Bucs by 17. Mahomes will get rattled. He’s due for a bad game.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:01 am
1 more game defense
GO BUCS
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:18 am
Still convinced this’ll be a high-scoring game (35-27) with the Bucs coming out on top. BOTH teams have prolific Top-5 offenses that average right around 30 PPG. BOTH teams have Top-10 defenses that allow a little over 22 PPG. BOTH have QBs who are in a class by themselves, and have plenty of weapons to support them.
And BOTH teams were fairly consistent against Top-10 defenses. In our case (against Saints, Rams, Chiefs) we scored 23, 3, 24, 24 pts in the regular season, but bumped that up to 31 & 30 pts against Washington & New Orleans (both Top-10 defenses).
In the Chiefs case (against Ravens, Patriots, Bucs, Dolphins, Saints) they scored 34, 26, 27, 33, 32 pts in the regular season. But in the playoffs, neither the Browns or the Bills had Top-10 defenses.
Difference IMO is that the Bucs have been steadily improving in these last 7 wins (especially our offense), and we’re quite healthy right now. Should be a heckuva Super Bowl.
February 2nd, 2021 at 10:34 am
I think the addition of double V collapsing the interior of the line is going to throw Mahomes out of synch. If the ends and linebackers can contain him the Chiefs will have a tough day. Mahomes will not have a pocket often in this game.
February 2nd, 2021 at 11:19 am
The defense played like this last year. But oneilbucs and others where to busy making excuses for the previous QB to take notice. The evidence is there go look.
February 2nd, 2021 at 1:45 pm
Youngbucs our defense was ranked 28 in pass defense . Our kicking game was trash and our running game was trash because they didn’t give Rojo the ball like they did this year . Jamies was the most sack quarterback last year . The playbook is different and the play calling different . Defense have gotten better because it’s second year in the system . This is a Patriot offense wich it should be because Bruce Arians offense is outdated and every body knows it . The last game Brady threw 3 picks and the defense came through . Last year they would have fold !!!