Critical Games Today In Bucs’ Playoff Chase
October 29th, 2023
“I like your thinking, Joe.”
Joe is thinking playoffs!
It’s either playoff hopes or draft fantasies in Joe’s world. There’s not much in between.
And since the Bucs are clinging to the final NFC wild card space, Joe is in full postseason mode, which is far more fun than draft mode.
Of course, the NFC South crown is very much on the table, so Joe will be dialed in today on two 1 o’clock games. Atlanta at Tennessee and the slimy Saints in Indianapolis.
The Titans (2-4) are coming off a bye and their defense is good. Tennessee also was screwed by referees in Week 1 and absolutely should have beaten the Saints in that game. However, Tennessee has no quarterback. Ryan Tannehill was ruled out and it’s either rookie Will Levis or forgotten second-year man Malik Willis. Joe wouldn’t bet nickel on the Falcons (4-3), but Joe can’t wager on Levis or Willis, either. Don’t be surprised if the Titans find a “W” here. They’re better than their record.
The Colts offense was special last week and beastly running back Jonathan Taylor has shaken off the rust.
Still, the Colts (3-4) have serious defensive issues but the Saints (3-4) have trouble scoring. It also feels like the Saints have some in-fighting, in addition to issues with Chris Olave. Joe has put a little cash on Indianapolis -2.
As for the game Joe will watch at 1 p.m., that’s probably the Vikings (3-4) at Green Bay (2-4). Joe wants to see if the Packers are total jokers and unable to take out the Vikings playing on a short week. If so, Joe will add the Bucs-at-Packers game in December into Joe’s hypothetical win column for Tampa Bay.
If the Vikings win, then they fall a game back of the Bucs and Tampa Bay owns a head-to-head tiebreaker.
October 29th, 2023 at 10:51 am
Hope there is enough parity in the NFL now to help.
October 29th, 2023 at 10:59 am
Reminder that tanking is for losers, go Bucs!
October 29th, 2023 at 11:07 am
Falcons go to 5-3 it will be tough for Tampa to catch them.
Fire sale might happen after that.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:10 am
The Falcons, Saints, and Panthers are all incompetent teams so I’m not worried about them getting too far ahead of us
October 29th, 2023 at 11:13 am
Playoffs? We’re talking about playoffs? Playoffs?
Playoffs?
October 29th, 2023 at 11:26 am
I can’t believe Baker is only 28. He has the body shape of Mario
October 29th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Bucs just lost three in a row and 4 of 5. We’re the incompetent team.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:28 am
I wish I could be optimistic But the .defense gives up 2 td’s and field goal. We score 1td and 2 field goals. I just don’t see us winning a lot of games this way. Unless we luck into a team So bad? Unless change is made.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:34 am
Mostly Peaceful Trask Fan Says:
October 29th, 2023 at 11:27 am
Bucs just lost three in a row and 4 of 5. We’re the incompetent team.
We were expected to lose 2 out of those 3 games (Lions, Bills), and the game we lost was to a division rival so we have an opportunity to redeem that loss if we can beat the Falcons in their home stadium.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:37 am
Baker is still living off his college career and draft status.
If he was picked where Trask was picked you think he would be the starting QB today with his NFL career numbers?
It’s not like his college numbers are significantly different than Trask’s – they’re not.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:38 am
Garbage ass games. I have the ticket and I am boycotting the nfl today due to Tampa annoying me.
Thanks Tampa !
October 29th, 2023 at 11:41 am
This is why Bucs ain’t out of it. League is full of mediocre struggling teams.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:44 am
Imagine if we end up with the first pick…and Bowles doesn’t get fired.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:50 am
Bonzai please I know it’s Halloween but you don’t have to scare us like that
October 29th, 2023 at 11:53 am
Que Jim Mora
October 29th, 2023 at 11:57 am
Mostly Peaceful Trask Fan Says:
October 29th, 2023 at 11:37 am
Baker is still living off his college career and draft status. If he was picked where Trask was picked you think he would be the starting QB today with his NFL career numbers? It’s not like his college numbers are significantly different than Trask’s – they’re not.
Baker Mayfield contract from his college career and draft status is over. Now he has to win starting jobs by outperforming at least 31 other NFL quarterbacks. Our coaches have seen both Baker and Trask play and chose to start Baker Mayfield because he gives us the best chance to win right now, probably because he turns the ball over the least and can score at least 2 touchdowns a game.
October 29th, 2023 at 12:17 pm
I really don’t understand all of the QB talk. The Bucs have an NFL veteran signal caller and an untested non-experienced back up. IOf the Bucs are looking to win games and make the playoffs, they have chosen the best QB of the two. If the team continues on a downward spiral and falls to far out of the race, The Bucs may make a change to gage their future at the position. But talk of turning to Trask now? That’s just not going to happen.
October 29th, 2023 at 12:18 pm
That’s a picture of Maybefield sending payments to the media so that they don’t write mean things about him.
October 29th, 2023 at 12:31 pm
Saints are just like the Bucs awful defense head coach to much talent to be this bad. Bad O like Bucs. I can’t stand the saints but they have same exact problems as the bucs
October 29th, 2023 at 12:34 pm
JBF, in what galaxy do you think the Bucs are a playoff contender? This team is much closer to a total re do from the bottom up, including a new GM. Bucs need at least 2 new maulers on the Dline, 2 new LBs, 2 CBS, 2 new maulers on the Oline, 2 TEs, 2 RBs and a new QB.
October 29th, 2023 at 12:38 pm
Baker had a 91 rating. Two TDs no picks. He didn’t lose the game. He’s the reason we were still in it at the end. Trade the dead weight for draft picks because it looks like we’re not getting a RB.
October 29th, 2023 at 12:44 pm
“Joes in playoff mode” hahahahahahaha
October 29th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
K_bassuka Says: “That’s a picture of Maybefield sending payments to the media so that they don’t write mean things about him.”
Or sending payments to Joe to keep writing that the only choices are Baker or the draft since backups – think Brady, Favre, Purdy – never bear fruit.
October 29th, 2023 at 1:11 pm
First picks don’t mean much..
Jay miss.., Bake Bake … ring a bell?
October 29th, 2023 at 1:19 pm
Jmarkbuc Says: “First picks don’t mean much”
^THIS. Look at the 2020 draft. 5 quarterbacks were taken in the first round. 3 are already busts (Justin Fields, Trey Lance, Zach Wilson). A 4th is close to being a bust (Mac Jones). Only 1 of the 5 is a legit franchise quarterback (Trevor Lawrence). A football insider I know said it then and I believe he was right: Kyle Trask will have a better NFL career than any of those 4. Once he gets out from under the dysfunctionality at One Bucs Palace.
October 29th, 2023 at 1:23 pm
Bojim Says: “Baker had a 91 rating.”
Not during the first 3 quarters when games are won and lost.
October 29th, 2023 at 1:29 pm
Keanu Neal with a huge play for Pittsburgh meanwhile were stuck with Ryan Neal…way to go Licht!
October 29th, 2023 at 1:35 pm
Why do I keep getting surprised by the loser attitude of most of the “fans” on this site? The more I think about it, whiners like MPTraskFan, Mike S and a ton of others, don’t deserve to be called losers. They deserve to be called traitors! We have 10 games left in the season, we’re in the thick of it in the South, yet you’re crying about it. Do us all a favor and go back to your glory days as members of your HS marching band, or watch some Trask college highlights… whatever memories make you laugh the most.
October 29th, 2023 at 1:42 pm
So who is the next HC going to be? Jim Harbaugh or something like that
October 29th, 2023 at 1:43 pm
Now Kwon Alexander causes a fumble for Pittsburgh, you can’t make this stuff up!
October 29th, 2023 at 1:45 pm
Joe’s where do u or anyone put some action in at?? I’m still waiting for stupid Hard Rock gets its app back if ever
October 29th, 2023 at 1:52 pm
Playoff chase?
This front office, coaching staff, and team of Players DOES NOT DESERVE to go to the playoffs.
Why would anyone want to see such a group of slackers rewarded?
Its Nauseating.
This team embarrassed the greatest QB to ever play the game, in his final season.
With an off season to change things- they instead got worse- and its on all of them.
In my opinion- Canales, Mayfield, Wirfs, Gholstein, Diaby,and David should be given the rest of the year off.
The remainder of this “ orgnization” should have to face the humiliation that their effort deserves, for the rest of the season.
And at the end of the season- fire and cut as many as possible.
Ive wtched this team since year one. I supported them when they played hard, but had no talent.
This team isnt giving any effort. Our Stars are giving half assed effort, along with the less talented teammtes.
Playoffs?
It would be an injustice for this team to go to the playoffs
October 29th, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Baker = chance to back into the playoffs. Maybe even get an undeserved home game.
Trask = Chance at a better draft pick.
Take your pick. I’m torn.
October 29th, 2023 at 2:13 pm
Falcons losing 14-3
Saints losing 17-14
So far so good. Ridder is terrible, for all the weaknesses the Bucs have were absolutely still in the playoff race as long as the Saints keep imploding.
October 29th, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Playoffs? Lol
October 29th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
The important games are the Panthers and Bears, because the Bucs should be playing for the #1 overall pick.
October 29th, 2023 at 2:42 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
Ridder is terrible
——
Correct, he turned the ball over 3 times, multiple times inside the Bucs 20, and yet the Falcons still won.
Mayfield had the ball in his hands with a chance to win the game – and instead they played for a tie. The only good play Mayfield made in the final 20 mins was a run. Ridder actually passed downfield and moved the ball and got the game winning score.
That’s why there is no hope. Yes, Ridder stinks – and yet somehow Mayfield is worse.
October 29th, 2023 at 3:02 pm
Prob drinking a little to much joe if your focus is playoffs. We have a lot of games we need to win before we can even start thinking post season.
October 29th, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Well the Falcons can actually run the ball that’s the difference. The Bucs obviously cannot.
October 29th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
If you think Ridder has outplayed Mayfield this season you have 0 clue what your watching
October 29th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
Tbbucs3 Says:
October 29th, 2023 at 3:08 pm
If you think Ridder has outplayed Mayfield this season you have 0 clue what your watching
———
He literally lead his team down the field to beat the Bucs, while Mayfield had two chances to win the game, and didn’t.
And yes, Ridder stinks, Mayfield is worse. You win games by scoring more points than the other team, not by ‘limiting turnovers’ and throwing 3 yard passes on 3rd down to help your completion percentage stats.
Mayfield, in fairness, had some decent games early on – but that was him at his absolute best – and it was just a ‘lukewarm’ streak. The team has lost 4 of 5, and Mayfield has been awful three straight, and 4 of 5, and if you watch his tape, you know he’s not turning it around. He is what he is, and that’s why he was on his 4 team in a year when the Bucs got him for mid-level backup money.
October 29th, 2023 at 3:32 pm
Rod Munch Says:
October 29th, 2023 at 2:32 pm
The important games are the Panthers and Bears, because the Bucs should be playing for the #1 overall pick.
———-
lolol …I sure do love me some Traskites comedians. This one thinks the bucs are going to catch the panthers for the first round pick no less
They all should do late night 🙂
October 29th, 2023 at 3:44 pm
Stormy says baker who lost 4 of the last 5 is our chance to get back into the playoffs lol. Midfield riders are delusional.
October 29th, 2023 at 3:49 pm
Steelers Trubiski is a Mayfield clone.
October 29th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Capt Tim … ‘This front office, coaching staff, and team of Players DOES NOT DESERVE to go to the playoffs. Why would anyone want to see such a group of slackers rewarded?’
We’ve got TEN games still to go in this season. We’ve got the POTENTIAL to finish 13-4 or 3-14 or anyplace in-between. We also still have the POTENTIAL to win the NFC South and the POTENTIAL to make the playoffs.
The pirate ship is definitely listing, but it hasn’t capsized yet. Still time to right the ship. I don’t see this roster as a ‘group of slackers’ though. Young? Most definitely. Inexperienced? For sure. Talented? Some but not enough IMO. I’m convinced that several are playing injured, and that’s impacting the team strategy. Also convinced that our lack of depth is forcing us to put several guys in the starting lineup on offense AND defense who really aren’t starter-quality. Have to keep telling myself this is Year 1 of about a 3-year rebuild.
October 29th, 2023 at 4:04 pm
Tbbucs3. I told you Baker Mayfield was gifted the starting job and he didn’t earn it. He suck and now you see why he’s on his 4th team in 6 years lol 🤣🤣. It’s time to bench Baker Mayfield just like the Titans did Ryan Tanahill and see how the other quarterback play. If we lose to the Texans who just lost to a 0-6 team Baker Mayfield needs to be cut .
October 29th, 2023 at 4:07 pm
Playoffs?!?!!
October 29th, 2023 at 4:08 pm
Canales has no clue. I saw at least 30 great plays on Red Zone by other teams…and we have none of them. Why wouldn they copy 15 of them???
No creativity, shameful w all of the film available today. 3 losses in a row and not one change or adjustment. Pathetic
October 29th, 2023 at 4:20 pm
Panthers and Stanks win. Falcons lose….parity
October 29th, 2023 at 4:22 pm
Will Levi’s played better than Baker Mayfield in one game than Baker Mayfield played in 6 games lol 🤣🤣! Washington quarterback is better than Baker Mayfield lol 🤣🤣!!! But y’all want to stay with him as the starter because of your emotional hatred for Kyle Trask lol 🤣. If Texans beat us and Baker Mayfield plays like he did against the falcons and Bills the bucs the season is over bench his sorry behind!!
October 29th, 2023 at 4:23 pm
Well Atlanta did lose to Tennessee (28-23) but unfortunately New Orleans won (38-27). And miracle of all miracles, Carolina also won 15-13 over Houston. Looks like the Bucs are gonna have to step up next Sunday and whoop Houston. We’ve got a decent chance; we’re not playing at RayJay.
October 29th, 2023 at 4:23 pm
Joe wins a little cash on Titans over Falcons….Beer Money!!!
October 29th, 2023 at 4:25 pm
You’re thinking playoffs with Baker as QB? He hasn’t scored more than 20 points in any game this season.
He is so good that the Bucs dropped from first in the NASCAR division to third in just three days.
The way the Bucs have been playing we will be lucky if Carolina doesn’t pass us by the end of the season.
October 29th, 2023 at 4:42 pm
Pickett and the Steelers are down 9-3 to the Jaguars at halftime and now it looks as if they will be without their starting quarterback for possibly the rest of the game. The quarterback has 73 passing yards so far in this one, and we will see if he can come back in the game.
October 29th, 2023 at 4:42 pm
There’s a lot of very dumb cornerbacks in the league. Amazing to see how poor so many of them.play. Penalties galore.
Also watching all of the games today, there’s probably
27 that can beat us. Changes better come
October 29th, 2023 at 4:56 pm
(In Bill Belichick’s voice) “we’re on to the draft”
October 29th, 2023 at 5:03 pm
My other team watching is looking for 3 and fewer win teams to win. We should be tanking at this point as we have zero chance of beating a quality team.
October 29th, 2023 at 5:05 pm
As long as Canales is the offensive coordinator this team is going nowhere #!! Fire Bowles light and clean house and finally draft a franchise qb #!!
October 29th, 2023 at 8:04 pm
can you say tank this team is under coached to much tallent to suck
October 29th, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Sad that Cousins appears done for the year. Doubly sad that the Falcons and saints will face a weaker Vikings squad..I was counting on a resurgent Vikings getting wins against both, now….
October 29th, 2023 at 9:46 pm
HC should be Eric Bienemy if the Bucs lose before the 49er game.
October 29th, 2023 at 11:32 pm
Baker to Minnesota?.. Vikings GM familiar with him. He’s cheap. Coach from Mcvay coaching tree. If the Bucs were 2 and 5 right now, instead of 3 and 4..but it wont happen. Bucs too close to winning this division at this time. Would send a terrible message to squad. Im guessing Tannehill fills that spot.