Battle Tested
December 13th, 2016
Says Bucs are forged for playoffs.
What an absolute run the Bucs are on.
Shutting down the Chiefs, choking out Russell Wilson, upending Philip Rivers and suffocating Drew Brees, Bucs fans haven’t seen a string of defensive lockdowns like this since Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch, Ronde Barber and Simeon Rice were prowling the field of the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway (it wasn’t yet the Den of Depression).
And that is exactly why Adam Schein believes Bucs playoff opponents — yes, he believes the Bucs are a wild card — will shudder in their sleep at the thought of hosting the Bucs next month, as Schein wrote for NFL.com.
The Falcons can’t slip up with the Bucs on a roll. Tampa Bay has taken five straight and will end up with 10 wins. The Bucs are gonna lose this coming Sunday night in Dallas, but then I see them finishing off season sweeps of the Saints and Panthers. Jameis Winston has been incredibly tough. And Gerald McCoy, who is getting my vote for first-team All-Pro, continues to spearhead a defense that is hitting its stride at the right time. The Bucs’ D has now smashed Alex Smith, Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers and Drew Brees in consecutive weeks. That’s playoff impressive.
Schein makes a helluva point. If the Bucs can dominate teams and quarterbacks like they have shown they can these past five weeks, then no quarterback should scare them come playoff time, not even Matty Ice, who Joe will remind his faithful readers the Bucs set fire to in Atlanta to open the season.
So let’s see; two NFC teams that are virtual locks for the playoffs, arguably the two best teams in the NFC, Atlanta and Seattle, the Bucs already beat.
First thing is first, the race to 10 is real. Gotta win two of the next three games. It’s an absolute must.
December 13th, 2016 at 5:07 am
I think this gets ahead of the reality that Redskins and Packers and Vikings are nipping at our heels. I also don’t discount the Bucs ability to beat the Boys. The magic streak for the Cowboys is done. The Bucs still have one on. The Bucs and win out….or lose out. “Next up” is all we should care about. For now. I do like the buzz that is out there.
December 13th, 2016 at 5:28 am
Let’s shock the world and win in Dallas!
December 13th, 2016 at 5:45 am
Part of me still gets worried when I see the bucs play But I think that’s all due to what has happened the last ten years. This winning thing is new to me, and this defense? I’m still shocked at this turnaround. There has to be some sort of record this defense is setting. It is so impressive that those on espn and Nfl network are starting to believe.
December 13th, 2016 at 5:57 am
I think we beat Dallas! IF we lose a game, it might be to the Saints the week after, but Dallas is beatable if we can shut down Zeke Elliot!
6 in a row is within our grasp!
December 13th, 2016 at 5:58 am
I love these guys giving Dallas the win already. I’m 90% certain we win against Dallas, and do it handily. It will be the most physical game they play this year. If Jameis and his boys get it rollin’, it will go downhill for the ‘Boys rather quickly.
December 13th, 2016 at 6:05 am
Jameis and Ayers in a must win situation, I like our chances. Watch ME breakout again and the backs get it rolling. Ezekiel might score two, but that’s it, we score four with FG. Points off turnovers, but you know Jason Garrett preaching to Dak to protect the ball, so it is going to have to be strip sacks
December 13th, 2016 at 6:08 am
We need Dotson, Stocker and Humphries to get our offense in gear again. Stocker and Dotson will help get the blocking right for Martin, Rodgers and Simms.
I still believe the 3 headed monster in the running game can takes us to the promise land.
Go Bucs!!!
December 13th, 2016 at 6:17 am
@Adam Schein … “The Bucs are gonna lose this coming Sunday night in Dallas, but then I see them finishing off season sweeps of the Saints and Panthers. ” Wrong. One game at a time. Dallas may have an 11-2 record, but they’re totally beatable. This most recent Giants game provides the model. (1) Giants stopped Cowboys run game (102 yds total); then (2) took away the intermediate & deep passes to Dez Bryant (9 targets, 1 catch for 10 yds). Also (3) Giants stuffed Dallas on 3rd & 4th down conversions (kept them to 2-for-17); and (4) created 3 turnovers on the night (2 INTs & 1 fumble).
That’s Buc-ball right there, but it starts with us shutting down their run game AND keeping pressure on Prescott. Cowboys defense is excellent against the run, but the Redskins & Steelers games showed that they’re vulnerable to the short & intermediate passing game, especially over on the right side. If Humphries, Stocker & Dotson make it back, and IF Bucs get away from the Run-Run-Pass thingie and stress the short passing game more, we’ll beat Dallas. Bucs will win 24-17.
December 13th, 2016 at 6:18 am
C’mon BUCS
Please oh please take the cowboys to the WOOD SHED
Yea and thanks for the ride this year… It’s been a thing of beauty
December 13th, 2016 at 6:22 am
This D has been rolling do to getting pressure from our front 4. I don’t see that happening in Dallas. Hopefull M. Smith has some good blitz packages to get in daks face.
December 13th, 2016 at 6:24 am
Let’s not forget that young Jameis BEAT the Cowboys last year. This team will not be intimidated by the big stage in Dallas. The Bucs have just beat Jay Cutler, Alex Smith, Russell Wilson, Phillip Rivers and Drew Brees. Rookie Dak Prescott you’re next! Bucs will beat the Cowboys 24-10 then on to New Orleans. Week by week, keep stacking W’s. GO BUCS!
December 13th, 2016 at 6:39 am
Im looking at the dallas game a lot like the chiefs game. Jameis is gonna have to be on for four quarters and put up points. That run game kills a lot of clock and they ate going to be ready to play a big game at home. Cant wait to watch it!!!
December 13th, 2016 at 6:45 am
I’m not so sure why everyone is counting us out in Dallas. I get it they won 11 straight but they have had a weaker schedule an you saw what they did sunday night and it wasn’t impressive. If we can keep Zeke in check I really like our chances. Lets get this W and show these guys we are for real.
December 13th, 2016 at 6:48 am
Hope bucs are watching New York Giants tape on how to stop the cowboys since they beat them both times. Definetly winnable but in Dallas after struggling will be tough. Very tough. Getting back humphries, Dotson and locker would help
December 13th, 2016 at 6:49 am
Stocker
December 13th, 2016 at 6:51 am
Joe where do we sit with tiebreaker. GB. They are the only team behind us the worries me. They wont lose again. If we do who should get in?
December 13th, 2016 at 6:51 am
Tampa Bay will smack Dallas back into reality and show Dak and Dallas that the postseason begins in December,not January.
December 13th, 2016 at 6:52 am
Does anyone else feel like 2010 again ? 10-6 and missed the playoffs. I’d hate to see that happening. I hope we come out healthy and with a win against Dallas. Someone made a point about Dak and Zik that this is sort of unknown territory for them, they are not used to playing football at this time of the year (college season is over) and that kinda showed last Sunday. Like I’ve said before, I have more confidence in this coaching staff and players than I’ve had in a decade.
December 13th, 2016 at 7:37 am
After that Seattle game it felt like a huge darkness and weight was lifted. That was the point of break through. It feels like 2002 to me. Defense is rolling and offense is doing enough. Everybody involved with this franchise has been beaten down the last 10 years but that is over now! On to Dallas and a BUCS WIN 24-10. Stacking W’s. GO BUCS!!
December 13th, 2016 at 7:47 am
DefRules, Concur. Nice analysis. We CAN do all those things. We just have to be dialed in for 4 quarters, all three phases.
December 13th, 2016 at 7:49 am
I maybe a little crazy but Dak has been looking worse the last three weeks , if the Bucs can stay ground and not drink too much of their own kool-aid , we might have a chance to beat them , the def will have to force turnovers that’s the key to the game , and of course the good JW , look for hump to play a big part and I say Evans return from his quiet two weeks and man handles Carr
December 13th, 2016 at 7:50 am
I say screw the cowboys it’s all about us one game at a time Dallas may have a rb but I will tell u what they don’t have is a #bigMFsick go Bucs
December 13th, 2016 at 8:08 am
The Bucs may very well lose to the Boys – even good teams lose from time to time – but you have to play the game. Nothing is a given. If the Bucs’ defense can make Brees, Wilson, and Rivers look ordinary (or worse), then why do so many think a rookie QB is a lock to beat them?
December 13th, 2016 at 8:22 am
I agree with others … cowboys game is more winnable than our second tilt at the saints. Big mfnstick!!!
December 13th, 2016 at 8:28 am
Let me say it again I ain’t fearing a 21st rank defense or rookie QB who is ineffective being forced to play from the pocket. Us winning Sunday night may come as a surprise to many of you it won’t be to me. Y’all get caught up in records but when you break down dallas scedule this season they really haven’t beatin anyone. They’ve beatin teams that were decent last year but have fallin to a degree this year. Shiny records don’t mean spit ask the 2015 panthers.
December 13th, 2016 at 8:49 am
we are going to have problems vs dal
our weakness is run defense and dallas major strength
they wont let dak throw too much like vs NY and back to game manager. he will gain 5 1st downs on 3rd downs like wilson gashed us for 80 yards
they will run nonstop 1st and 2nd down to wear us down. they will playaction/screen when we start keying the run. our front 7 is too small to handle dal oline. when they put their hands on our small light linebackers…we will be runned over into the ground
they will run right into noah spence
only way to win this game is my a shootout. they are going to let jameis pass and control the clock by the short passing game. tampa has to lead the whole game to get dal into a passing contest and into daks hands which we want
however, koetter doesnt know how to playcall a short passing attack. he will try to run martin into a waiting wall and give jameis 1 shot per drive to convert 3rd and long against awaiting pass coverage and pressure
he will try to let the defense win the game but by the 4th quarter they will be mush
we win the next 2 games and pray we win tiebreaker with greenbay/detroit at 10-6
December 13th, 2016 at 9:13 am
I think we can upset the Cowboys. Having to try to beat Brees and his Saints twice in 3 weeks will be a challenge and Newton seems to have the Bucs number, so I am more concerned honestly with those NFC South games. I will be wearing my lucky Undefeated Bucs shirt at the New Orleans game and hopefully it will still be undefeated by then. Funny thing is, I booked that trip before the season began not even realizing that game would be so meaningful for post season aspirations. Go Bucs!!!!
December 13th, 2016 at 9:17 am
Why do people say they are leaving this site, then never do?
December 13th, 2016 at 9:17 am
Hey Kobe AKA Nostradamus, since you know ahead of time exactly how the game this Sunday is going to play out, how about sharing the next winning power ball numbers with us as well.
December 13th, 2016 at 9:21 am
One game at a time. Don’t look back,Don’t look past Dallas. The Buc’s Defense can hurt you so I hope the rookie Prescott is ready for the Giants 2.0. Nothing and no record for any other team should have any concern for the Team or Management. Sunday night is a whole new 1 game season nothing more, nothing less. Go Buc’s
December 13th, 2016 at 9:59 am
I not sure why folks are putting dallas on a pedestal.Honestly i was more afraid of the NO game than Dallas. The Bucs are a perfect match up for Dallas. The squad will handle the running game and we should be able to get enough pressure on dak to take a W home.
December 13th, 2016 at 10:22 am
Bucs win 5 games and all of a sudden they are..battle tested? Give me a break!
Now if they had beaten New England or the Cowboys….Beat he Cowboys and then we can start talking. Lose to the cowboys and you are either one and out in the playoffs or don’t make the playoffs at all. Just…keepin it real here overzealous peoples!!
December 13th, 2016 at 11:49 am
Kobe, you’re giving Dallas way too much respect. We are better than them, and it’s not close. Their trying to hang on, and we’re coming fast. No contest. They’ll be crying “uncle” by the 3rd quarter.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:49 am
I wouldn’t be so quick to mark off the Dallas game as a loss. Dallas has been struggling lately on O…Prescott hasn’t thrown for 200 yards in his last four games. Perhaps defenses have finally caught up to him?
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Mike Johnson Says:
December 13th, 2016 at 10:22 am
Bucs win 5 games and all of a sudden they are..battle tested? Give me a break!
Now if they had beaten New England or the Cowboys….Beat he Cowboys and then we can start talking. Lose to the cowboys and you are either one and out in the playoffs or don’t make the playoffs at all. Just…keepin it real here overzealous peoples!!
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Let’s see, the beat the Chiefs, one of the very best teams in the league, in Kansas City, where they had won 10 straight and not lost in over a year (also KC has the best record in the league over the last season and a half) and they spanked the Seahawks as well. They went out and beat a tough Chargers team on the road and beat a tough division rival. Yeah, they’re battle tested. You can only play, and beat, the teams on the schedule. They’re playing their absolute best football of the season when it matters the most…and they co-own the longest current winning streak. It is what it is.
December 13th, 2016 at 11:50 am
“they’re trying….”
December 13th, 2016 at 1:04 pm
10 wins not enough unless the packers and redskins also lose at least 1 down the stretch