Five Things
December 30th, 2024
Defensive tackle Vita Vea hugs OLB YaYa Diaby in celebration of a defensive play in the Bucs’ beat down of the Stinking Panthers.
Happy Victory Monday! Fun game yesterday. But Joe senses Bucs fans couldn’t fully let loose with robust hilarity and emotion because they were on pins and needles over the Dixie Chicks game late last night. But everything turned out fine. So grab your mug of coffee and let’s roll!
Win and In
Yes! The Commandos made Bucs fans sweat gallons of perspiration last night. Joe got a text from a hardcore Bucs fan who mocked the Dixie Chicks, typing “Good thing Atlanta’s defense is worse than the Bucs’.”
With the score Atlanta 17, Washington 14 in the third quarter, Joe replied to the text, “Not bad enough.”
Joe just wanted to barf when Kyle Pitts hung on to an absolute rope of a pass from Dixie Chicks rookie QB Michael Penix. (Who is laughing at Atlanta for drafting Penix now?).
But one of the best clutch quarterbacks in the league, fellow rookie Jayden Daniels, once again pulled out a win in the final minutes or overtime.
Next time Joe is in our nation’s capital, Daniels’ beers are on Joe’s tab.
So what does this all mean? Very simple: Win and in.
If the Bucs win Sunday against the slimy Saints (1 p.m. kickoff at The Licht House), Tampa Bay will win the NFC South and host a playoff game (again) two weeks from now in the wild card round.
Yes, Joe has vivid, haunting memories of The Lost Decade, so while Joe was typing “again” in regards to hosting a playoff game, Joe had the shivers thinking about how surreal that would have sounded just five years ago.
No need to muddy the waters or cloud the objective: Beat the slimy Saints and win the division. Joe doesn’t want to start thinking about the help the Bucs would need from the Panthers (!) in Atlanta if the Bucs cannot get the job done Sunday.
Sadly, Bucs fans know too well what happens with this team after they curb-stomp an opponent, like they did crushing Carolina 48-14 yesterday.
Beat the Lions; get your arse handed to you by the Broncos. Beat the Eagles, and choke against the Dixie Chicks. Kneecap the slimy Saints and then get MMA’ed by the Crows. Knock the socks off the Chargers and then look like dog manure against the Cowboys.
While the goal is simple as can be and the Bucs will play a 5-11 team Sunday, Joe knows the Bucs’ pattern this season all too well.
Regardless, should be a fun week leading up to the game.
Stay Locked In
Yesterday, Joe spoke to several offensive players and found out something interesting. Joe’s observation of the first half when the Bucs scored all their first five possessions was the team played pissed off.
It was almost as if Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen was ashamed how sloppy his offense was last week in Dallas. They came out flaccid rather than strong and the Bucs never recovered.
Yesterday felt like Coen had been on his offense’s case all week and was pressing the pedal to the metal knowing the defense needed a break. And if the Bucs offense played to its potential, the Stinking Panthers couldn’t keep pace.
That’s pretty much what happened. Tristan Wirfs admitted to Joe that Joe’s observation was credible. Other players said they had an intense focus and a rapt attention to detail on Sunday.
Joe sure hopes that attitude sticks next week.
January football is not the time to play uninspired football and not have an ironclad-like focus.
Mike Evans, Baker Mayfield Within Striking Distance Of Records
Future Hall of Fame receiver Mike Evans needs just 85 yards next week and he will have 1,000 yards receiving for 11 straight seasons, tying the great Jerry Rice’s all-time mark.
It would have been a little less had the Bucs not accepted a penalty that wiped out an Evans catch for six yards.
Evans also now ranks 21st all-time in total NFL touchdowns surpassing former Bucs receiver Tim Brown and Packers icon Don Hutson. Evans has 107 touchdowns.
Also, Baker Mayfield is one touchdown pass away from 40 this season. Only one Bucs quarterback has thrown for 40 or more touchdowns. That would be Tom Brady in 2020 (40) and 2021 (43).
The Duck
Joe hopes whatever Bucs staffer carried the Bucs’ lucky duck off the field yesterday takes care of the thing and brings it back to The Licht House next week. The Bucs can use all the luck they can get on Sunday.
The duck took on a life of its own in the stadium and even the players were playing along crediting the duck for luck.
If someone is just waking up from an all-day snooze, Joe will set the scene.
Midway through the third quarter the Stinking Panthers were back to punt. All of a sudden, both the CBS network feed and the Bucs’ JumboTron showed that a duck had circled and landed on the field of The Licht House and waddled up to Trey Palmer who was back to receive the punt.
Palmer, Buccaneers Sideline Reporter T.J. Rives told Joe after the game, was startled by the duck. He kept looking to the Bucs’ bench thinking play would be halted or looking for advice so the poor thing wouldn’t get trampled.
Instead, as if the football gods were protecting the duck like a guardian angel, Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (!) blocked the Johnny Hekker punt. The loose ball went straight to J.J. Russell who scooped and scored from 23 yards out to give the Bucs a 41-14 lead.
The game was oh-vah!
“I don’t even like ducks,” Bucs receiver Jalen McMillan said, noting the duck was taking attention away from Bucs players who deserved run.
“I’m not supposed to like ducks,” JTS howled with a huge grin on his face. “We had to take care of the duck.”
Why the disgust over the duck by JTS and McMillan? They played for Washington in college. Their hated rival is the Oregon Ducks. They probably even despise Daffy Duck.
So the legend of the duck lives on. Hopefully, the duck got care and a lot of corn to munch on this week so it can make a grand reappearance at The Licht House, sort of like the Auburn eagle.
Impressive Rookie Class
You know it was a good day for the rookies when Chris Braswell came out of hiding to record a sack.
But look at the rookies who had an impact just yesterday: Center Graham Barton was pretty much invisible outside of an early holding penalty, which means he did a helluva job. Didn’t even notice a bad snap.
Tykee Smith has had a solid, not great, but solid year. The nickel back got burned once or twice but overall he’s a solid if not dangerous member of the Bucs’ secondary.
Jalen McMillan had two touchdowns and was wide-ass open on both his touchdown catches. He has six touchdown catches in the past four games.
Bucky Irving? What do you want Joe to say? He’s a beast. Even seventh-round (!) pick Devin Culp was making plays yesterday with three catches for 52 yards.
That’s a helluva draft class. The lone rookie you didn’t see yesterday was Elijah Klein and you don’t want to see him. That would mean the Bucs have an injured offensive lineman.
December 30th, 2024 at 5:13 am
We were spying Penix….thats how we came across McMillan and Kulp…just shh…options are always open, Baker was our man, but what if he asked for too much….thats why you check, double check, triple check all options and what ifs…
Now Baker has two new ones coming along nicely to pass to. Thats how it happens….you watch one, then another catches your eye….scouting 101
December 30th, 2024 at 5:15 am
Culp…sorry
December 30th, 2024 at 5:16 am
Great article Joe! As great as yesterday was with the Bucs boat racing the Panthers and the ATL losing in OT, there is a strong possibility the Bucs could come out flat against the Saints as that does seem to be a trend our Tampa Bucs tend to follow. If that happens, then launch Bowles immediately and promote Coen before he gets a chance to interview in New England, New York, New Orleans, etc. If the Bucs do win, then I think Bowles future depends on how the Bucs do in the playoffs. One and done is not improvement from 2023 and thus he should still get launched.
December 30th, 2024 at 5:47 am
JTS blocking a punt and Russell taking it in for a touchdown! That never happens on a Buc team! Stars aligning?
December 30th, 2024 at 6:28 am
the saints acted yesterday like they have packed it in, maybe they want a better draft pick… if we can roll the panthers we can beat the saints
December 30th, 2024 at 6:31 am
Love the “Five Things!” The “Legend of the Duck lives on.” We will never forget it. Lucky duck.
So glad the Commanders came back for the win last night.
December 30th, 2024 at 7:14 am
Hey Joe,
Is there a possibility that our Bucs can get the 3rd seed if the Rams lose or not and we are locked at 4 ?
December 30th, 2024 at 7:17 am
Nevermind i got it hahahahaha
We have better conference record so we can be 3rd
Go Bucs
December 30th, 2024 at 7:18 am
Always….take a Duck.
December 30th, 2024 at 7:23 am
@bringbackducky
December 30th, 2024 at 7:27 am
Anyone noticed that Bucky is on top of the depth chart now?
December 30th, 2024 at 7:43 am
What the DUCK is going here!
……You mean the Yucs actually have a chance? Again?
The Saints aren’t laying down for anyone Joe.
I’m not worried about the offense….. it’s that damn defense and all the soft zones Bowles be playing……the secondary still are suspect.
December 30th, 2024 at 7:49 am
MJ Says:
December 30th, 2024 at 6:28 am
the saints acted yesterday like they have packed it in, maybe they want a better draft pick… if we can roll the panthers we can beat the saints
__________
Don’t be fooled.
The Saints HATE the Bucs and would LOVE to whoop our azz.
December 30th, 2024 at 7:49 am
MJ Says:
December 30th, 2024 at 6:28 am
the saints acted yesterday like they have packed it in, maybe they want a better draft pick… if we can roll the panthers we can beat the saints
__________
Don’t be fooled.
The Saints HATE the Bucs and would LOVE to whoop our azz.
December 30th, 2024 at 7:53 am
Duck Duck Duck !
December 30th, 2024 at 8:12 am
Dear Jason, Todd and Liam…
Joe NAILED it with this:
“Beat the Lions; get your arse handed to you by the Broncos. Beat the Eagles, and choke against the Dixie Chicks. Kneecap the slimy Saints and then get MMA’ed by the Crows. Knock the socks off the Chargers and then look like dog manure against the Cowboys.”
Please make this bulletin board material in the locker room. Print it and stuff it in each player’s locker. Put it on the jumbo tron during pregame next week. Mail it to all the player’s parents and wives. Begin and end all practices by reading it as if it’s and opening/ending prayer.
Perhaps bring in some talented shrinks for therapy sessions throughout the week.
Whatever you do, do NOT hand wave this paragraph.
The week after an arse-kicking is your kryptonite.
Own it. Address it. Defeat it.
And you’re in the playoffs.
Don’t…and…well Todd, perhaps you can ask Liam for a defensive coordinator job.
Good skill.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:13 am
Bucky Irving was an Oregon Duck. The Duck landing on the field was an omen. The Bucs will ride Bucky to a Super Bowl win. The Tampa oracle has spoken.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:17 am
I saw 3 ducks fly over my house yesterday.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:21 am
I wonder if Ducky Irving and Sean Ducker will walk into One Duck Place this week and do the secret duck handshake that will be the key to our ducking playoff victory in the wild card round.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:27 am
God works in mysterious ways. The symbolism is extraordinary. To go deep into the playoffs the Bucs need Winfield and some help from Michael the archangel.
Let us pray…
December 30th, 2024 at 8:32 am
It turns out Atlanta was smart after all. They drafted the best player at that position regardless of need. Penix made plenty of bad throws, but he flashed quite a bit.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:34 am
“Yesterday felt like Coen had been on his offense’s case all week and was pressing the pedal to the metal knowing the defense needed a break.”
——–
Sometimes you read or hear something that is just so far beyond the pale that they just leave you speechless.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:38 am
@Todd, post of the day…..but will they get it? Who knows. Its a weird team…drunk play calling on D….
I dont know, but you very well nailed it Brother! Thank you.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:42 am
Joe, you should check out the NFL’s account on X.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:46 am
Look out for Atlanta next season. They have their QB now. Had they benched Cousins earlier we might not be talking playoffs. The way it looks now we draw Philly at home.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:48 am
ONE-THING: Can Baker be as good as Jayden Daniels? Baker was awesome yesterday. It’s the version we need him to be next Sunday, and hopefully in the playoffs. These are the type of games Baker thrives in though. It’s the one score games that to me make the difference between championships or going home early. Baker has had moments, but where Brady succeeded here in Tampa and throughout his career, Baker really has not.
Enter Jayden Daniels and this Commanders team, I’m seeing this rookie Daniels as a killer. This kid has already been on several big stages this season, he’s had several amazing close finishes and/or comeback wins. I mean, even in that Dallas game over Thanksgiving, kind of hard to hang the loss on him after bringing the Commanders back from the dead, only for the miraculous kick return by Dallas to close-out the game. Perhaps it’s a little of Rookie Naivete? Even Josh Freeman had some of that in him. If Baker can’t find that next gear in his decision making, we need to be good with making the playoffs but not seeing a NFC championship game and/or Super Bowl for a while.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:50 am
Ignorant me, of course it was a staffer that carried the duck away. I thought yesterday it ws a fan, but how could anyone else get to the field level. One of my many moron moments I guess. But as far as a reappearance goes, if anything we’ll probably have to settle for pictures on shirts or something similar. I don’t think wild animals can be taken as pets or kept captive. Maybe someone at the stadium could blast a duck quack over the speakers after something special happens. That could be funny and get a rise out of everyone if it’s done only once and without any explanation (nothing on jumbo tron, etc.).
December 30th, 2024 at 8:52 am
There actually was an Elijah Klein sighting yesterday. He came in on the last drive when Trask was in for handoffs to Sean Tucker.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:52 am
Thanks to Canales for tanking a meaningless game for the Panthers and giving his former team a chance for the playoffs. What a good sport.
Lotsa talk about dumping/keeping Bowles. Something to consider. What if Evans and Godwin don’t get injured and play every game?
What if the defense doesn’t get creamed by injuries? What if Bucs stay healthier all season? Wait, just play along here.
This season Bucs lose 3 games by 3 points or less. They lose another 3 games by less than a TD. At full strength how many of those games do they win? Three? Four? Assuming they beat Saints and go 10-7, instead maybe they the end up 13-4, 14-3?
So now do you still want to dump a coach with that record? Among the leagues elite. Not at all farfetched, they have already beaten some of the leagues best. Just some food for thought.
December 30th, 2024 at 8:55 am
Baker is better than Jayden Daniels. He’s thrown for almost twice as many TDs and almost 1500 yards more than him. Daniels has had an amazing rookie year but let’s see if his thin frame can hold up to all the hits he takes running the ball season after season. Hopefully he doesn’t turn into another RGIII
December 30th, 2024 at 8:57 am
For love of God bring back the Duck! It’s a female mallard so she needs a blinged out crate branded with the Bucs logo and a small viewing window with a miniature football field complete with all the yard lines and end zones spray painted on the bottom of her bougie crate. And she can live at Trey Palmer’s house where they can practice fielding punts together and he can teach her his moves.
December 30th, 2024 at 9:02 am
Yeah, no kidding! He looks like a cornerback out there instead of a quarterback. His frame is leaner than Bryce Young’s.
December 30th, 2024 at 9:09 am
Duck, Buck, and Tuck! The Duck did a great job on special teams, let’s move her to defense too!
December 30th, 2024 at 9:43 am
Thing Six: none of anything that happened before today now matters.
Win next week or be considered one of the biggest failures since 1976.
Get over beating Carolina and get focused on winning Sunday.
A week of worrying about Coen being linked to the Bears or Jets or Saints will not be welcome.
December 30th, 2024 at 9:46 am
@Theycallmebruce…injuries aside, there were a couple of games the offense was given a chance to finish and/or salt the game away. @Dallas, and at least 1 of the ATL games, the 49ers walked us to the 7-yard line, we get 6 pts there and we most likely win the game. KC, meh? We go for 2, maybe we convert and win?
Realistically, even with injuries we could have had 12 wins. But that’s football. A play here, play there is sometimes the difference. It’s agonizing when fans want to circle back to the first half of football to blame the defense when the offense couldn’t finish.
Still need to finish against a dreadful Saints team.
December 30th, 2024 at 10:29 am
Got a feeling Ducky will be incorporated into the Ray Jay pre-game video next week.
December 30th, 2024 at 10:45 am
Saints aren’t going to tank for a draft spot. They can’t really hurt their draft stock with a win. honey are pretty much locked in to where they are. Don’t be surprised if Carr and Kamara play and give Tampa all they can handle. They hate us and would love nothing more than to ruin our season. Been dreading this game since the schedule was released. This team is never easy to sweep!
December 30th, 2024 at 10:47 am
Great team win.
And glad to see Bucky visit taking over RB1 duties and being our workhorse.
S Tucker should get the 2nd most touches and R White can get in there at the right time too…
But Bucky averaging 5.5 yds/carry on the season is a great accomplishment and Tucker could have an even higher yards per very over the course of a season, so they should be 1 and 2 in terms of touches from the RB position.
December 30th, 2024 at 10:48 am
*finally
December 30th, 2024 at 11:04 am
Bucs Radio was having a field day with Ms. Duck. And the turnover into a TD? Too much. The Defense came to play and so did the Offense. Now, it’s prep for the Aints. I don’t know how far Bucs will go in the playoffs. They still have injuries so I can’t see the Stupid Bowl nor the Conference Championship. If they were at full strength, I would feel different. I want the Ravens to get destroyed cos of CG14. Go Bucs and 10-7 Sunday!!! And thank you kindly dumbo NFL for finally letting us know what time the game will kick off.
December 30th, 2024 at 11:38 am
I’m with Hodad on this. The Sixth takeaway this weekend is that Atlanta might have found a franchise QB. I liked Penix during the draft, he had the best arm talent with that lightning-quick release, shades of Dan Marino. But he was a high-risk/high-reward prospect as he looked shaky at throwing between the hashmarks. I thought he deserved to be drafted in the early-middle of the first round. I was shocked that Atlanta took him.
He looks like he’s maturing faster than anticipated. This draft class might not be very good on offense, but there’s plenty of talent on defense. If Atlanta drafts well, they’re a very serious threat next season.
December 30th, 2024 at 11:42 am
deckerhoff on the duck play – https://twitter.com/i/status/1873464076338348482
December 30th, 2024 at 11:52 am
Why should Hodad be right now? He has been consistently wrong about Mayfield.
December 30th, 2024 at 11:59 am
Amazing rookie class
December 30th, 2024 at 12:41 pm
This thread is gold. Love the duck creativity! And if Coaches can’t point to all the post good game rotten duck eggs laid by the team all season as Joes point out, shame on them. A real winner will have put away the game against the Saints by halftime, including getting Mike his 85 yards on five targets in the first half.
Let’s go.
December 30th, 2024 at 2:06 pm
Allen Lofton Says:
December 30th, 2024 at 8:27 am
God works in mysterious ways. The symbolism is extraordinary. To go deep into the playoffs the Bucs need Winfield and some help from Michael the archangel.
Worst post ever.