Gameday Tampa Bay
September 18th, 2014
Game 3
Tampa Bay at Dixie Chicks
Kickoff: 8:25 p.m.
TV: WTSP-TV Channel 10, NFL Network, DirecTV Ch. 212
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WDAE-AM 620 and WFUS-FM 103.5 in Tampa-St.Petersburg region); SiriusXM Channel 93.
Weather: Per Weather.com, kickoff temperature will be 79 degrees and clear outside the Georgia Dome. Great weather for partying Bucs faithful who made the trip.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Atlanta -6.5
Outlook: Time to call this game what it is: a must-win for those fans aching for a postseason berth. Oh, sure, the Bucs could still come back and rally excitement among fans by midseason, but going 0-3 pretty much torches all postseason plans. Why? Because teams that go 0-3 stink out loud, and it’s a massive road to climb.
The Bucs’ mountain would be even higher than most. Tonight’s game in Atlanta represents the start of Tampa Bay playing eight road games in their next 12, before ending the season with the Packers and Saints in Tampa. Gulp!
Alleged pass rushing defensive end Michael Johnson (who?) is expected to play tonight on his healing ankle and has got to look like a guy getting paid massive cash on a big stage. With Gerald McCoy having a broken hand, a pass rush must emerge consistently from someone else. Will anyone rise to the challenge?
Speaking of challenge, Dane Fletcher jumps into the spotlight at middle linebacker and playcaller. He’s new to Lovie’s defense, but not completely new to starting. He at least got some decent playing time for Bill Belicheat last season. Joe expects the Bucs cornerbacks to win and lose their share of battles, but it sure would be nice to see the allegedly great safeties, Mark Barron and Dashon Goldson, rise up and make plays.
On offense it’s simple: Mr. McCown will need to play like a smart, talented, veteran quarterback for the Bucs to have a chance. Matty Ice will put up points, and McCown won’t be able to just manage the game and dink and dunk, and toss a stupid interception, and still keep it close.
September 18th, 2014 at 4:48 pm
Wow! Look at her. Who’s playing?
September 18th, 2014 at 4:56 pm
At least I’ll have something good to look at tonight. I will compare tonight’s game to a really bad car accident, you don’t want to watch but you can’t help it. I’m hoping my bar will have enough alcohol for me to forget this game.
September 18th, 2014 at 5:15 pm
Just checked, only one beer left in the fridge. Gonna have to hit the cabinet.
September 18th, 2014 at 5:19 pm
Joe, please post these type of pics in the game’s open thread. It might keep our interest UP!
September 18th, 2014 at 5:35 pm
If Atlanta registers more than 2 sacks and puts plenty of pressure on our QB, we are not only in for a long night but a long season as well.
Atlanta has had zero sacks after two games and their run defense is porous to say the least. Bucs need to go out and punch the falcons in the mouth and their reputation of being soft will appear.
Take their fans out of the game and the Falcons are the same type of team the Bucs are.
September 18th, 2014 at 5:42 pm
Where’s DallasBuc? Joe called it a “must win”!
September 18th, 2014 at 5:43 pm
No beer for me… For some reason I want milk…
September 18th, 2014 at 5:51 pm
oh my……
September 18th, 2014 at 5:59 pm
Will anyone rise to the challenge?
McDonald will. So will Soloman after MJ goes out with a boo boo on his pinky. Go bucs!!
September 18th, 2014 at 6:02 pm
They say great works are performed not by strength but by perseverance.
My heart has been heavy watching our beloved BUCS this season. But for some odd reason I feel the resilience, we’ve shown toward the end of games-some how-will bond this team together. Eventually leading to success.
Here’s to our 1st “W” of the season
GO BUCS!!
September 18th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
On a bright note, nice set of fun bags on Christy Walker.
September 18th, 2014 at 6:03 pm
We have no defense and Matt Ryan will practically score at will. McCown will play even worse than the first two games since all the Falcon fans will be LOUD and ready to watch their team embarass their nfc south rival. Poor Mike Glennon. For the second year in a row he gets thrown in when the team is 0-3 and ruined. Only this year he gets thrown in AT PITTSBURGH! Why Llovie why.
Bucs 20 Falcons 48 Ryan 457 yards 4td all to Julio.
September 18th, 2014 at 6:09 pm
I….uh…..the Bucs are….uh…um…for some reason, I uh am….uh having a hard time (no pun intended) concentrating.
September 18th, 2014 at 6:27 pm
New Bucs Cheerleaders are awesome.
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=hoXORtIibwQ
September 18th, 2014 at 6:30 pm
According to this national media, if the Bucs win it wil be because that Falcons didn’t play well, if the Bucs lose, it will be what they expect, Bucs will not win with this national media. Until they get some HEART, they won’t change the heart of the media. If they were 2-0 going into this game, the conversation would still be about the Falcons, SMH, Go Bucs.
And in other news,mom my goodness, game on (pic)
September 18th, 2014 at 6:31 pm
*oh my goodness
September 18th, 2014 at 6:52 pm
Lovie would probably screw that up too
LOL
September 18th, 2014 at 6:53 pm
To hell with the game, post more pics of that hottie.
September 18th, 2014 at 6:55 pm
Daaaaaaaaaammmmmm
Christie!!!!!!
September 18th, 2014 at 6:56 pm
@Rrsrq, I liked the first one better..lol
September 18th, 2014 at 7:00 pm
This woman is waaaay hotter than Rachel
September 18th, 2014 at 7:01 pm
Joe’s are you guys at the game??
September 18th, 2014 at 7:07 pm
77:
Joe is working the game, yes.
September 18th, 2014 at 7:11 pm
Let’s go Bucs! Show the faithful what you’re made of!
Sacks, pressures, turnovers on defense and McCown given the go-ahead to throw. If we lose, and McCown doesn’t get us going, then bring in Glennon.
September 18th, 2014 at 7:19 pm
Ok Lovie flea-flicker on the first play
September 18th, 2014 at 7:38 pm
Man those tits!!! Dayyuuuummmm
September 18th, 2014 at 8:03 pm
Bucs go Boom all over the falcons uniforms.
Bucs 27
DirtBirds 20
September 18th, 2014 at 8:29 pm
Swarming D. Just awesome baby!
September 18th, 2014 at 8:53 pm
Embarrassing effort so far. Embarrassing!!!!
September 18th, 2014 at 10:06 pm
@JT.
Now known as the prophet …