Gameday Tampa Bay
December 6th, 2015
Game 12
Dixie Chicks (6-5) at Bucs (5-6)
Kickoff: 1 p.m.
TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13; DirecTV Channel 713.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WDAE-AM 620 and WFUS-FM 103.5 in Tampa-St. Petersburg region); SiriusXM Channel 126.
Weather: Just about perfect weather for watching a football game. As you start your tailgate party, expect it to be in the low 70s, per AccuWeather.com, The temperature will quickly rise to 80 at kickoff and should hold steady through the game, all under partly cloudy skies.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Bucs -1.
Outlook: Well, it is do or die time for the Bucs. The Pewter Pirates must win these next two home games, starting today with the Dixie Chicks, if they want to be serious wild card contenders. A win over the Dixie Chicks pulls the Bucs into second place in the NFC South and gives them a tiebreaker over Atlanta. This game, however, scares the hell of out Joe. First, the defensive line is a shambles physically. No George Johnson, no Jacquies Smith and even Gerald McCoy is expected to sit out. Given how the secondary returned to its grotesque self last week against Matt Hasselbeck, Joe fears what Matty Ice can do to the Bucs. Also, RB Devonta Freeman should return from concussion protocol, so the Dixie Chicks will be at full strength minus their No. 3 receiver, Leonard Hankerson. They also get back dangerous returner legend Devin Hester. In Joe’s eyes, the only way the Bucs win this game is to outscore them, which in this case means score toe-for-toe. Right now, Joe doesn’t see how it will be possible to hold the Dixie Chicks under 30 points today. For the Bucs to win, they will have to ride their offense.
Nuggets: The Bucs are third in the NFL in rushing per game at 141.3 yards. … With one sack, McCoy moves into fifth place in franchise history. … Doug Martin is tied for first with Todd Gurley for most runs of 50 yards or more (three) this season, and he leads the NFL in number of runs over 20 yards or over (11). … The Bucs have had at least three sacks in their last three games. … Tampa Bay has allowed just one 100-yard rusher this season, tied for best in the NFL. Lavonte David and Kwon Alexander lead NFL linebackers in passes defended with 11 and 10, respectively. … In the last game between the Bucs and Dixie Chicks back in November, Matty Ice and Julio Jones set Atlanta records for the 44-game history between the two division foes. Matty Ice threw for 397 yards, 162 of them to Jones. … Atlanta is fifth in the NFL in offensive yards per game with 392.8. … Freeman and Jones have accounted for 2,429 yards, 56.2 percent of Atlanta’s total offense. … The Dixie Chicks are second in the NFL in third down conversions with a 45.5 percent rate. …Matty Ice has thrown for at least 200 yards in 37 straight road games. Atlanta’s defense has allowed only 13 passing touchdowns this season, fifth-best in the NFL.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:38 am
@Joe
are you anti Doug Williams??? or is it because Mark Dominik does not get along with him and you have to follow suit???
December 6th, 2015 at 10:49 am
I don’t know whether the line has moved and whether -1 is the opinion of oddsmakers or what the betting public has determined.
Whatever..since home field advantage usually counts for 3 points this means the Falcons are considered two points better.
December 6th, 2015 at 10:53 am
SPBF…if I were to place a bet on this game, I’d bet that the Falcons fans that show up will be louder than the Bucs fans.
It’s a sure thing.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:04 am
87
I hope you’re wrong but I gotta say I wouldn’t take the bet. I haven’t kept up with ticket sales and how many have gone to out of area fans but you know much more than me about this topic.
December 6th, 2015 at 11:25 am
This game should be close. The Bucs can shove a 5th loss in a row Atlanta’s way, the Falcons having lost all close games on their losing streak. We will see this division foe’s best game today. The Bucs must match the level of intensity and best it. Go Bucs!!
December 6th, 2015 at 12:08 pm
Nice pic
December 6th, 2015 at 12:14 pm
Yes..we are going to kick some a$$ today! The OL is going to be LT Donovan Smith, LG Logan Mankins, C “Brawley” Hawley, RG Ali Marpet, RT Demar Dotson. Now were talkin. Throw in ASJ, V-Jax and a new and improved Mike Evans and we have an offense. Go Doug, Go Sims, Go Jameis, Go Bucs!
December 6th, 2015 at 12:54 pm
Win these next two division foe home games and the last home game over Chicago and the Bucs can finish above .500 at home. I know, like that’s a sure thing.
December 6th, 2015 at 1:03 pm
Atlanta won the toss and deferred the kick. The Bucs get the ball first. Oh what a concept. Score first Bucs!
December 6th, 2015 at 1:04 pm
Go Bucs!
December 6th, 2015 at 1:05 pm
Go Bucs!!!!
December 6th, 2015 at 2:36 pm
I am a fan of Doug Williams but I don’t see how he get on the ring of honor. However, I am a big fan of see through panties. She can hang those on my ring of honor anytime.