Are The Bucs Really In Bad Shape?
January 7th, 2022
Winning ugly.
The Bucs have injuries all up and down the roster. They just lost their potential Hall of Fame-level wide receiver.
It seems as if the Bucs are crawling to the finish line. Combine the Antonio Brown mess with the Bucs rallying to beat the lowlife Jets with 15 seconds left, it’s easy to understand why some fans are so depressed.
Neil Paine of the stat-geeky site FiveThirtyEight.com doesn’t seem as down on the Bucs like some of his colleagues. In an online chat with other members of the FiveThirtyEight crowd, all but Paine think the combination of injuries, the Brown meltdown and the terrible showing against a pathetic team spells a very short time in the playoffs beginning next weekend.
But Paine seems to think otherwise. Peel back all the drama and noise about injuries, and he believes the Bucs are sneaky good.
I don’t feel incredibly great about them, but then I look up and that was their sixth win in the past seven games. So they are, by the most basic of measures, finishing strong yet again.
And yeah, maybe the sign of a true contender this year is to actually eke out the W in your dud game against a heavy underdog, rather than losing it.
A win is a win. It’s not about style points. The goal is to win. Period. And the Bucs have been doing that. Finding ways to win.
Paine later said in the same chat that if the Bucs do make it back to the Super Bowl, everyone will look back at Brown doing jumping jacks topless in the end zone of MetLife Stadium as the turning point of the year.
January 7th, 2022 at 11:42 am
I not losing sleep. Too many Vets. Tommy @ QB
Give some of our horses back on D. Yea I’m good.
January 7th, 2022 at 11:42 am
Not really. They just need to get their head out of their you know what.
January 7th, 2022 at 11:45 am
I will take a 12-4 team being viewed as having issues and problems since it sure beats our 6-10, 5-11 and if we were lucky, 9-7 seasons.
If trying to win with style points is our problem, I don’t think we have a problem!
January 7th, 2022 at 11:45 am
They needs combinaron of Grayson and Johnson to make plays. I know evans will make his share of plays along with gronk. Disappointed though with OJ Howard. He has bring nothing to the table.
January 7th, 2022 at 11:47 am
I dont get all the doom and gloom. After all the ups and downs of this season ; we are 12 -4. I still got all my chips on the table for my beloved Buccaneers.
January 7th, 2022 at 11:56 am
Antonio Brown will NEVER be on the hall of fame. Winners never quit and quitters never win.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:03 pm
I totally agree with @Darengribo…F the style points just give me the win! I’m sorry but i still remember the horrid days of lovie smith and D keotter. And praying for a 9-7 season, i don’t believe we’re going to win a superbowl BUT we put a winning product on the field this season and at sometimes very entertaining and that’s all a true fan can ask for is that his team competes each week and wins more than often! With all of the injuries and BS surrounding the team this year we fought hard and I’m very proud of them this year and proud to be a BUCS FAN!!
January 7th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
The O will be OK. It is the D to worry about. Bowles has to do better. Maybe the old 52 Monster.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:08 pm
Antonio Brown had 8 recs for 81yds in the 4 playoff games, that is replaceable production and yes he did miss one game But again Brady finds ways to hit who is open .
January 7th, 2022 at 12:09 pm
We’ve had back to back winning seasons in which we’ve made the playoffs and given ourselves a chance. As we saw last year, anything can happen. I will say i dont think we look as polished as we did toward the end of last year, we are definitely more beat up but we are in and from that point its one game at a time. Fingers crossed we stay healthy this weekend and get some guys back in two weeks.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
It’s not like the Bucs have over-powered most of our opponents this year. Of our 16 games thus far, Bucs were tied or behind at some point in the 4th qtr in EIGHT of those games. Obviously we ended up losing 4, but we also came back and won 4.
In years past, there were no guarantees whatsoever that the Bucs would come back in the 4th qtr to win any game. Instead we worked hard at finding ways to lose. But with Tom Brady at the helm, that hasn’t been the case. As long as it’s ‘reasonably close’ the Bucs have a chance.
And I suspect it’ll be that way in the playoffs too. If we fall way behind early, more than likely we’re toast. But if we can get ahead early-on, or at least keep it close, Bucs have a chance.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:12 pm
The only good thing is perriman and Grayson are both fast. Can both stretch the field. Along with Miller. Gonna need production out of the run game and hope Gronk and Evans can do work against the double teams sure to come their way.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:15 pm
In a way. It could be advantages for our Bucs. This will be a totally different offense than it was a month ago. W
January 7th, 2022 at 12:18 pm
Streaky good
Not sneaky good
That is what has concerned me all season
Getting to the One and Done part of the season and dramatic comebacks against the best of the best is frightening and depressingly anxious
January 7th, 2022 at 12:29 pm
Chris Godwin is a potential Hall of Fame receiver? I like Godwin, but that’s a strong statement. I hope you didn’t mean that other clown.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:30 pm
Well we seem to play better when we are “underdogs” and not praised constantly by the media! Let’s get healthy and catch fire for another run! Neeee our boisterous playmakers to step up and level up…I’m looking at you D White!!!!
January 7th, 2022 at 12:31 pm
I will say I feel better about our chances to beat whoever we play in the first round than I felt about our chances against the Saints in the playoffs last year.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:34 pm
Joe, you have a quirky habit. Instead of looking at actual performance, you take previous performance as your standard and ignore what is happening in real time. You did this with Heineke and you are doing it with the Jets. That was not a 4-11 team on the field last week. They played well; Wilson made some NFL throws. I think the victory against a hard-fighting team was significant. By your thinking, Warner will forever be a dud because he played in Europe, regardless of anything he did with the Rams.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
They have some hard losses to swallow with a mostly junk schedule. Home field was the only way this team could repeat. They ain’t winning multiple road playoff games two years in a row.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:43 pm
Johnnymoon, AB played in 2.5 play off games, he was injured 2nd half of Saints and missed the GB game, so those numbers are better than you think, not to mention his stats pre injury this season and the Carolina game. Not sticking up for him but the man can play. The bigger hit was Godwin, would of loved to see how he finished the season. The problem is O has to score 30 or close to 30 to win, don’t think this O can do that anymore. Unless JMark says they can then it’s etched in stone.
January 7th, 2022 at 12:51 pm
Johnnymoon, I think in those PO games Brown had 2 or 3 tds. I know he has at least one in Wash and 1 in the SB.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:01 pm
There is no question that losing AB & Godwin both is a serious blow to our offense….but losing 3 out of 4 of our starting LBs is worse……we must get Shaq, JPP & LVD back….if we do, we can win.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:06 pm
Bucs will have #2 seed in playoffs-GUARANTEED-mark the tape. Bucs may have to win only one on the road against a QB that is 7-8 in his career in the playoffs. TB12 is 34 Wins – 11 Losses in his career in the playoffs.
Bucs win Lombardi Trophy again-FIRE THE CANNONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
January 7th, 2022 at 1:07 pm
Now Lstn…
Don’t go getting all in your fee fees…
I think we will all move past your anti BA, AB love fest, now that it has become completely clear that you have no idea what you’re talking about.
After you get finished defending AB ( while you’re not defending him), you should look up Rod Muncher, and start up your own version of NFLQ. The conspiracy podcast.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:11 pm
As long as TB12 is leading we have a legitimate chance to win the Super Bowl.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:12 pm
JMark, no one has mentioned how BA got covid. Could it be from a dirty toilet licking ho? Just saying.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:27 pm
Really reaching now…
January 7th, 2022 at 1:33 pm
This team has won 12 games so far. I see the good side of ugly wins because this team has ended up on the wrong side of them many times in the lost decade. Injuries and illness will be a part of the playoffs. Just remember how the talking heads write this team off for them, while they will make excuses for when it happens to the golden boy in GB. You cant bet against TB12, I look forward to hearing what AB has to say after every week after this team continues to grind out win after win.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:39 pm
AB likes women with a potty mouth.
Honestly, I didn’t want to believe that his actions were premeditated, but I do find it curious that AB ranted to potty mouth about Covid testing. What led to his suspension was AB turning in fake vax card. Now I wonder if he’s blaming the team and the league for that suspension and that he plotted revenge by attempting to spread Covid among his teammates.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:42 pm
Repeating as champs is way harder than winning the first one. If we win 13 games with these injustices and the AB crap, that’s testament to how good this team is.
If we don’t win the SB I’m not going to cry – I’ve seen too many 3-13, 2-14 type seasons to get upset about not winning two Super Bowls back to back.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:44 pm
Injuries not injustices lol
January 7th, 2022 at 1:46 pm
UK.
Yep. In most seasons we’d be in our third month of draft discussions by now.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:51 pm
at least we’re resting the vet running backs.. Offensively we’re OK vs the Panthers .. But the defense is shaky–but its Carolina this sunday–not the Packers
January 7th, 2022 at 1:52 pm
@”….They played well; Wilson made some NFL throws….”
———————
Really??!!!
For over 59 min they kicked our a$$es; and with whom???
– A high school QB (J Wilson)
– A minor like WR 5-9 and 120 pounds(wet) (B Berrios)
Some here don’t like the “doom and gloom”, attitude. The like to lie to themselves..
Well, is a movie playing out there: ‘Don’t look up’
Watch it, choosing not to accept that the problem exists, does not mean the problem is there.
🙈🙈🙈
January 7th, 2022 at 1:53 pm
Passing thru
The enormity of his ignorance is unfathomable. Not to mention if he really wanted to harm the team by spreading Covid, he would have waited another week.
Can’t help but think that if toilet tongue keeps talking about his intentional plans that law enforcement may get involved. Didn’t a woman in FL. Get time for intentionally coughing in someone’s face? Although the victim might have been a cancer patient.. can’t remember.
Anyway, he broke team protocols and would think if it was done intentionally, some league protocols as well. It will blow up in his face. Always does.
January 7th, 2022 at 1:55 pm
…not “is there” but “isn’t there”….
January 7th, 2022 at 2:08 pm
@”….Not to mention if he really wanted to harm the team by spreading Covid,…”
————-
wow, is not just AB losing his mind; there are plenty here as well…
How can you harm the team, by screwing a b$tch in you room???!!! wow
Even if you try a covid te$$orist attack, i don’t know how can you pull it using a HO…. like making her to screw all the players one by one???!!! even covid is going to die if you do that…..
They are in NJ, morning of the game day, do they test???
Is omicron, lighter then a common flu, BA @ ’70 with two previous major health problems, was back in three days!!!!!!
Looks like you guys choose the fear/panic, over logic/facts.
I guess that can’t be fixed. wow……
January 7th, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Crazybucs
If having outside people in your room or going out to dinner while we n the road is no problem, why would the team setup rules?
January 7th, 2022 at 3:06 pm
Oh how easily some people get spoiled so easily.
I’ve been here since ’76. Went to every home game for 20 years.
I hate hearing all the crying. Back your team or GTFO.
We are all supposed to be in the same boat why do some people make holes?
January 7th, 2022 at 3:09 pm
@Crazybucs
You truly need to hook up with Medicated Pete and see if he will share.
If Anyone needs it you do!
Rules are rules you Flippin’ MORON!
The fact that you even attempt to defend AB shows just how stupid or demented you Really are.
January 7th, 2022 at 3:16 pm
Tom will find the open man
Our secondary should stay healthy and is a top notch group
Secondary will help the pass rush, which could get JPP and Shaq back God willing
O-Line is best in the league
I’ve always felt good about Vaughn, consistently getting 5-10 yard gash runs.
Might not be the undefeated season with a pro bowl roster across the board we had hoped at the beginning of the year, but we are still going strong
January 7th, 2022 at 4:05 pm
Are people still betting against Brady? All the man does is find a way to win. Loves being the underdog and overcoming adversity. I’ll take my chances with the GOAT.
January 7th, 2022 at 4:26 pm
The Antonio Brown drama could galvanize them. We’ll know soon enough.
January 7th, 2022 at 5:10 pm
@sas, AB galvanized himself, fk that POS!
January 7th, 2022 at 5:31 pm
This week will tell quite a lot. Brady can suk when his team is limited. Also the coaching.
So be prepared for the suk out like he did in NE after winning SB in 2018. It’s not a guarantee but I would be ready for it. Just sayin.
January 7th, 2022 at 5:42 pm
this is nothing compared to deflategate
January 7th, 2022 at 6:14 pm
Feeling like a real chump here after loudly defending AB during the vac card incident. It was a minor discretion. So I thought.
Sometimes some of us just can’t see the forest for the trees. I feel sick for defending him. He’s a bad guy
January 7th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
Can they win 4 in a row in the post season, maybe, but not likely.
No the Bucs are not in good shape.
You need consistency to win the Lombardi.
And right now that is not what this beat up, distraction filled team has shown they can do.
Is it impossible no, but highly unlikely.
I sure would like to see it, we will see.
GO BUCS!!!!!
January 7th, 2022 at 7:24 pm
It all depends on the scheme the offensive and defensive coordinators come up with.
If they can game plan for the talents of the players on the field, they will be fine. If they try another high school scheme it won’t go as well.
I hope it works well.
January 7th, 2022 at 9:37 pm
@SB
Great idea. Medicated Pete hooking up with Crazy. LMAO
BTW For actual sane posters. Please avoid lowering yourself to the status of crazy.
Hyperbole and just screaming stuff out your backside is not all that impressive.
“A high school QB (J Wilson)”
I don’t ususually bust people for spelling, grammar, or typos but I believe he meant Z Wilson.
So a high school QB has to be a true star to get recruited for D1 football. A D1 star has to be a collegiate star to get drafted…to get drafted NUMBER FREAKING TWO in an entire NFL draft…
So yes it’s obvious that the poster overstated…perhaps he thought he was being “clever” with such massive BS…high school QB…get it? Haha?
But it’s not clever it’s a waste! It’s like taking a shotgun to hit a target six feet away that could have been cleanly nailed with a .22. SLOPPY…no display of writing talent…tighten it up Crazy.
January 7th, 2022 at 10:31 pm
I understand how this all may seem hunky dory for y’all. After all you’re accustomed to going 5-11 or at best 7-9. This is different y’all, you have the greatest football player in sports history, and btw he’s a QB, only the most important position in sports. Furthermore, he’s 44 freaking years old, so needless to say, it’s superbowl or bust. Championship are won and lost during the regular season, and partly because of Antonio Brown and his dear friend Tom Brady, who made him a huge part of the team, they will not repeat
January 7th, 2022 at 11:48 pm
Three games that still bother me are the losses, 2 to the Saints one to the Rams. All three were a solid butt kicking. Add the desperation win against the lowly Jets and the injuries and its hard to see the Bucs make the Super Bowl again thus year. But hope springs eternal eh?
January 7th, 2022 at 11:54 pm
@wild Bill, both times we won the SB, we lost both our games to the aints during regular season, so theres that my friend lol.
January 8th, 2022 at 10:58 am
No, ben, once again you prove what a maroon you are.
Championships are won in the playoffs, not the regular season, with injuries being the regular season influence.
Sheesh…casual fans. Can’t educate them. Can’t shoot them…
January 8th, 2022 at 11:01 am
@August: the odds of winning the SB if you make the playoffs is around 1 in 14.
The odds are stacked against EVERY team, not just the Bucs.
Enjoy the ride, because like last year, it’s one game at a time, with the likelihood of going home.
January 8th, 2022 at 12:33 pm
You don’t all of a sudden recover from seasonal injuries to play outstanding in the playoffss. It does not work that way. Especially when, many teams are hitting their stride just like we were this time last year. Are we in bad shape? YES. can we win a game or 2 in the playoffs? Of course. We are still a good team. But not a great team. great teams win superbowls. A healthy David and White are Key. And neither are even 75%. Our D line is banged up. Offense can survive but you gotta be able to stop the good teams. We will see if we can overcome. But don’t be hurt if we do not.