Closing The Season
May 19th, 2024
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield.
Could the Bucs be knotted in another close division race? It’s possible. And it seems NFL.com is all but bracing for such an ending to the 2024 regular season.
Last year the Bucs didn’t take care of business against the slimy Saints and had to survive a dogfight with the worst team in the league to clinch the playoffs.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com suggested the way the schedule ends for the Bucs, he could see another playoff berth come down to the final game.
[The regular season closes] with back-to-back divisional foes. [Todd] Bowles’ club finished the 2023 season strong, winning five of its final six games to secure the division title. Last season, the Bucs ended the campaign with a home game against New Orleans (loss) and at Carolina (win). In 2024, Tampa finishes with the same two division rivals, hosting the Panthers and Saints in Weeks 17 and 18, respectively. Once again, the NFC South could come down to how these final two games shake out.
Well, Joe will start off with the good: Joe really believes the way the 2024 schedule shakes out, there is a clear path to 10 wins. Maybe more.
All the Bucs need to do is take care of business against the bad teams, steal a win or two against good teams, and 10 wins is a real possibility.
Anything can happen, sure. That’s why the NFL likes to schedule division games in the final weeks of the season. You could make the case the Bucs got a bit lucky in Week 18 last season. Baker Mayfield was clearly hurt and probably never should have played. That enabled the Stinking Panthers to damn near pull off an upset.
Strange things do happen between division foes.
May 19th, 2024 at 1:06 am
I still couldn’t have seen Trask start his first game when the Division and Bowels career are on the line. Maybe Wolford, but Mayfield knew the offense and was WILLING. Glad it worked out.
Keeping him healthy this year is paramount. Stay away from the beer Baker. Please.
May 19th, 2024 at 1:47 am
Yes. If we stay healthy I cannot see any reason that we won’t be better than last year. I don’t like to prognosticate at all, but the
whole team looks very good to me.
May 19th, 2024 at 8:46 am
All I know is that Jordan Whitehead is going to kick everyone’s arse.
Like seriously.
He’s going to be the bain of our opponents’ season.
I mean like he’s going to open a can opener of whoop arse like you’ve never seen.
He’ll single-handedly win us three games we otherwise would not have one.
I know he’ll read this.
“Jordan, like your boy Antoine did, speak it into existence! You’re going to be an All Pro in 2024!”
May 19th, 2024 at 9:21 am
I think the Bucs will hit the ground running on offense this year. Think this team will be a lot more consistent and competitive. I blame Canales for not adapting last year and hoping Coen is a lot better on playing to the Offense’s strengths. Also, think the O line will be greatly improved. Hoping the Bucs run away with the division and leave NO and Atl in the dust by game 10.
May 19th, 2024 at 10:00 am
Trask=Trash, Billy.
May 19th, 2024 at 10:01 am
We addressed every weak point from last year: guy rid of DW, picked up Whitehead, picked up Barton, picked up an edge. See no reason why we can’t hang with anyone
May 19th, 2024 at 10:01 am
Well no one is expecting Carolina to win the division, so the NFL is saying N.O., and Tampa might come down to the last game. According to most predictions I guess we’ll be vying for wildcard, because the experts are calling Atlanta the favorites. Yes that great coaching, and QB combo, Morris, and Cousins! lol
May 19th, 2024 at 10:43 am
The Falcons last 4 games are vs Raiders, Giants, Commanders and Panthers-
quite probably 4 Falcons wins.
Bucs will need to be in 1st place mid December.
May 19th, 2024 at 11:07 am
Bucs, Falcons, Panthers, Ain’ts. F Cam Jordan.
May 19th, 2024 at 11:22 am
They will all be fighting for the 9th win.
May 19th, 2024 at 12:41 pm
HC Grover Says:
May 19th, 2024 at 11:22 am
They will all be fighting for the 9th win.
^^^^^^^^^
Yeah, and you and the Rod Munchers on here predicted complete disaster last year. Zero credibility.
May 19th, 2024 at 1:09 pm
Joe said it and I agree that a guard isn’t going to get us over the hump and Braswell was still there at the end of the second round. Let’s be real, With the exception of the Packers every single playoff team we faced smashed us in the mouth, every single one.
Every team gets better even the panthers.
Saints were 9-8 just like us and that 6 of 7 winning stretch was against nobodys. Beat relevant teams and the national media won’t say we’ll lose the division. I can easily see why they are picking the falcons to win this division
May 19th, 2024 at 1:11 pm
@Todd
You’re cool bro.
Whitehead was my favorite pick of that draft class.
I knew he was going to be special.
He looks like a Falcon to me.
May 19th, 2024 at 1:55 pm
People forget that Morris was the DC when the rams won the superbowl . Even when he was here we won 10 games with a young quarterback with a bad roster and Brees was still in his prime. The one thing about Morris he believes in the running game he wants a balance offense. Unlike our coaching staff and GM they want to throw just about every down . That’s why I didn’t like the Bucky Irvin pick not that he’s a bad runningback but his size is telling us that Baker will be throwing the ball 40 times a game. And that’s not good with him at quarterback. Baker needs to throw 35 times a game or less to win with him at quarterback. You can’t put games in the hand of Baker Mayfield let him be a game manger. Ain’t nothing wrong with being a game manger at this point of his career. He will never be a hall of famer or even consider a nominee for the hall of fame . So let him mange the game and play good defense and run the ball and we will win or at least make it to the NFC championship I will be happy with that.
May 19th, 2024 at 3:36 pm
Oneilbuc: I guess you missed the memo about the Bucs running the ball more this year, and hopefully more effectively.