“Very Much To The Disadvantage Of Tampa Bay”
January 19th, 2024
A key component to the Bucs-Lions matchup doesn’t play or coach for either team.
It’s the game officials.
The Lions, as astute NFL fans know, are a grabby, handsy, aggressive and almost-dirty defense. Joe thinks it’s by design, in part, to cover for their not-so-great secondary. But Detroit often gets away with the penalties, as was evidenced against the Rams on Sunday.
And the zebras seems to slightly eat their whistles in the postseason, so that’s a bad combination for the Bucs offense in two short days. The Bucs’ strength is in its receiving corps.
“”They do it all the time, do it well and get away with it. … Very much to the disadvantage of Tampa Bay,” explained Hall of Fame GM Bill Polian on SiriusXM NFL Radio this week. Polian further emphasized how the “let them play” mentality of postseason officiating gives an edge to Detroit.
Joe would counter that Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean are physical cornerbacks, and Davis known for being a little grabby. The duo played well against the Eagles and Joe thinks the any loose officiating is a bonus for the Bucs corners, too.
Also, Mike Evans is known for pushing his way open and initiating contact with defenders.
As Polian said, Evans is “maybe the greatest rebounding receiver in the league,” referring his physical, aerial style.
Great chess match ahead. The Lions often play a lot of man-to-man defense, which is what the Bucs want to see.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:21 pm
There is no question the Lions will get a home town edge with officiating…..let’s just hope it doesn’t cost us a win.
The way to overcome officiating is to dominate and maintain a healthy lead.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:24 pm
The Refs are going to favor the Lions, count on it, its part of the script. If I was the Glazers I would already be complaining to Roger about the lousy officiating.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Hope we surprise everyone and destroy the Lions.
Heard ticket sales are most ever for a game other than super bowls.
700-1100 per seat.
Hope we out physical them and pummel them in their own house, sending their fans home in shame out several thousand dollars.
Hope we take that loud mouth POS out who put that cheap shot on Godwin.
Who’s gonna step up and be our equalizer?
Time to unleash Ko Keift
January 19th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Didn’t we just greatly benefit from a slew of penalties not being callled on us?
January 19th, 2024 at 12:26 pm
F the Lions. These perennial losers have won NOTHING and yet they’re talking shyt all week about the Bucs. I hope we send them all home crying Sunday.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Davis & Dean are critical to the outcome of this game.
Lockdown Goff’s first read and the pressure will get to him.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:33 pm
The game will be decided by 3 main factors- none of them the refs
OLine doing it’s job
Pressure on Goff
Good Baker shows up
January 19th, 2024 at 12:39 pm
Cobraboy Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 12:32 pm
Davis & Dean are critical to the outcome of this game.
Lockdown Goff’s first read and the pressure will get to him.
Think Mayfield is going to have time to read a book?
January 19th, 2024 at 12:40 pm
Let’s introduce these cats to Zygotes n McCollum. Hoping he can play good, clean football and hit some WRs too make them think twice ala the eagles. He was an enforcer.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:43 pm
Is this game being over anylized? All that is out the widow at kickoff time.
January 19th, 2024 at 12:48 pm
In before we get called for ticky tac penalties while Lions get away with blatant holding because #itsabucslife
January 19th, 2024 at 12:49 pm
We need baker to put up 30 if we are serious about winning this game. We aren’t holding the lions to under 21 points
January 19th, 2024 at 1:10 pm
I want to win this week and then face green bay at home. Go Bucs!
January 19th, 2024 at 1:19 pm
I think Bowles will dial up a defense that shuts the Lions down. He has a game full of Ben Johnson’s tricks in his memory banks now. Johnson is pretty good but i thank Bowles has a trick or teo he’s going to show that young ‘un
January 19th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Buccaneric, I have been dreaming of a NFC championship game in Tampa for 20+ years……. I would lose my $#%@ing mind!!!
January 19th, 2024 at 1:38 pm
Go Lions. I long for the days of Tampa Bay in their orange uniforms when you were the only team in the league the lions could look down on
January 19th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
I am worried about the refs too. There is so much push for the Lions going all the way. The Bucs have been counted out since day one, and they proved them all wrong. Go Bucs!
January 19th, 2024 at 1:46 pm
The lions are a team who’ve traditionally been stiffed by the zebras, home or on the road. The key is to learn how the refs are gonna officiate the game early, and play just to the limit of their rules
January 19th, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Jose, Davis is anything but physical. Dean was quite physical last week. Not great at coverage in general but is a very willing tackler. And his coverage was above average, by his standards, last week.
January 19th, 2024 at 2:35 pm
Sometimes the zebras lean towards the team with momentum.
So get an early lead and don’t let up and the calls should go our way.
Neither the Bucs nor the Lions are perennial favorites of the refs.
Hoping for a cleanly called game.
January 19th, 2024 at 3:27 pm
Are we talking about the Bucs secondary?? The same secondary that can’t get off the field on 3rd down? Goff 4575yds, 30 td’s 12ints. Mayfield 4044, 28 10. Goff also won a NFC Championship game and played in a SB. Joe how about you write about that instead of planting the ref excuse seed. Bucs had what, 3 maybe 4 penalties called last week? The receivers the Bucs saw last week are as good if not superior to the Bucs and I would take Stafford over Baker hands down. This is going to come down to one variable, can the Bucs get to Goff, Donald couldn’t and last I checked, he’s pretty good. Get to Goff and Baker doesn’t pull a Carolina you win. That’s the formula.
January 19th, 2024 at 3:55 pm
Dirty??? Let me guess, you heard Stafford crying and now that’s your stance? This defense isn’t dirty. Injuries happen! Make your excuses now sounds like a good plan. We whooped you without a bunch of our best players plus the development of our young studs. The Bucs don’t belong and you’ll see that on Sunday. Hutch is having Mayfield knee caps for dinner. #onepride
January 19th, 2024 at 3:57 pm
If the game is called fairly, then whatever.
The issue is when the refs see their venmo accounts light up during the game, then it just comes down to what owner wants to spend the most, and it’s rarely the Glazers.
January 19th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
The refs cost us the playoffs against the Lions in 2010. There was an offensive interference calle on Kellen Winslow in the end zone that was clearly defensive interference. We won 10 games but missed the playoffs because the refs screwed us on that call
January 19th, 2024 at 4:54 pm
Gotta come out firing on all cylinders and be aggressive front the start. Test the secondary and linebackers over and over, because they’re stout up front.
January 19th, 2024 at 5:39 pm
Buccos Says:
January 19th, 2024 at 4:08 pm
The refs cost us the playoffs against the Lions in 2010. There was an offensive interference calle on Kellen Winslow in the end zone that was clearly defensive interference. We won 10 games but missed the playoffs because the refs screwed us on that call
_________
I remember that play.
Of course, in hindsight, I’m positive that Kellen Winslow was the one who instigated the molestation.
January 19th, 2024 at 7:17 pm
I think the Bucs only disadvantages are Bucs running backs and edge rush… Detroit backs and Hutchinson are better… Bucs win
January 19th, 2024 at 7:23 pm
Refs in all sports favor the aggressor. The Bucs can be more physical than the lions, IMO.
January 19th, 2024 at 11:24 pm
You Buc’s are already making excuses for the loss you’re going to get Sunday. The Lions offense is going expose your D line run by running right over it into the enzone.
January 19th, 2024 at 11:27 pm
You Buc’s are already making excuses for the loss you’re going to get Sunday. Weak Lol
January 20th, 2024 at 1:34 am
Their DBs are not good. PASS !!!
Their pass rush is though, the line better block!
ME13 is due for a monster game. You can cash in with prop bets that have the overs at any TD, 71.5 yards, 4.5 catches.
January 20th, 2024 at 7:23 am
I wonder if Kancey will pancake Sewell again? LOL.
January 20th, 2024 at 8:54 am
Joe we have been playing against Rogers boys and the other team for years!
Nothing new here. I almost expect Mike to get called this week for OPI!
Go Bucs!