“Can They Do It?”
December 4th, 2019
Loves Bucs defense.
The Bucs defense is starting to get hot, perhaps enough to give the Bucs a taste of meaningful games in December. This is a rare occurrence around these parts that has only happened a few times this decade.
The defense as a whole is starting to come alive. The Bucs had strong play from their front-seven throughout the season but now the rookies are starting to round into a force.
Linebacker Devin White picked the perfect time to get hot. Corner Jamel Dean has made Bucs fans fully forget about Vernon Hargreaves. And fellow rookie corner Sean Murphy-Bunting is contributing as well.
However, did the Bucs get hot too late? Former NFL offensive lineman Brian Baldinger of NFL Network breaks down the Bucs defense in a Twitter video below and thinks the Bucs just might have enough horses to carry the team into a playoff chase.
.@Buccaneers have won 3 of 4 and I feel like they are a team that can WIN OUT; primarily b/c of the crazy number of playmakers on defense lead by DPOY candidate @MOOCHIE048 . They force you into mistakes. #BaldysBreakdowns pic.twitter.com/jIxFoECQ8h
— Brian Baldinger (@BaldyNFL) December 3, 2019
December 4th, 2019 at 5:37 am
No, it won’t be enough. It will be enough to lay the foundation for the future. It’s called progress. They are learning how to win. They are expecting to win, and they will, but not enough to reach the playoffs. Next year they will.
December 4th, 2019 at 5:54 am
If only they didn’t give away the Giants game, they’d be 6-6 and any playoff talk would be more fun and certainly more realistic.
Stinks that we have to wait yet another year to see what happens– as usual.
December 4th, 2019 at 5:58 am
Agreed 1sparky! It might not be enough, but it sure does set the tone.
If they stack some more games playing like this, we might go from a team that everyone wants to play against into a team that nobody wants to face.
Either way, it sure is fun to watch…for a welcome change!!!
December 4th, 2019 at 6:20 am
Too late, unfortunately.
December 4th, 2019 at 6:34 am
Agree with Sparky & ’79. Its progress, but its a shame about both the Giants game and the Titans. Should-a, would-a, could-a… “Maybe next year…” That should be the Glazer’s business slogan!!
December 4th, 2019 at 6:37 am
Going 9-7 is doable. But, almost surely, won’t be enough. Playing for pride and lower draft picks.
December 4th, 2019 at 6:38 am
Perfectly said 1SparkyBuc, and I don’t think that it’d be enough for a playoff spot either. Giants, Titans, Seattle losses loom big right now, but that’s water under the bridge. We’re setting the stage for 2020, just like the Bucs did in 1996 under Tony Dungy. My biggest HOPE now is that MANAGEMENT doesn’t screw it up now. Keep what’s working and fix the holes, then this TEAM has a very good chance of making the playoffs in 2020 & probably beyond that.
December 4th, 2019 at 6:39 am
The Giants & Tenn games killed us……but we are playing good football nonetheless. Don’t tell our players & coaches that its over so “play for the draft”……hopefully, Joe and many fans have changed their tune on the “meaningless games” theory.
There is no such thing as a meaningless game….even in preseason…..a player can either win or lose a job or be injured for life…..that’s pretty meaningful.
December 4th, 2019 at 6:44 am
I think if they win out they will make it to end the drought. I just wonder if the Vikings go 9-7 and we finish 9-7 do we own the tiebreaker or do the Vikings have to lose every game. I do believe if the Bucs finish 9-7 they will get in this time and they will go on a run as well similar to the Superbowl year. I really just hope the team continues to take everything one game at a time. We gotta be focused on beating the colts right now to reach 6-7. We gotta be playing to be over .500 because as far as playoffs we don’t control our own destiny.
December 4th, 2019 at 6:44 am
In the words of OBAMA …Yes We Can…Yes We Can…Yes We Can! With FAMOUS leading the way …Yes We Can!! Lady Luck is gonna let us kick that backdoor to the playoffs in!! YES WE CAN!
December 4th, 2019 at 6:54 am
Ridiculous article. Bucs have played 2 bad teams and still have a bi polar QB, horrible GM and questionable play caller in Leftwich. There are no guarantees for next year either. We fans always say next year while we watch other teams like SF do a quick turnaround.
December 4th, 2019 at 6:54 am
ha ha ha ha…….can it be enough
ha ha ha ha ha………so stupid
This team will nit win out can Jameis will give away another game; just watch because it’s coming again.
Jameis needs to go just like GMC
December 4th, 2019 at 6:56 am
and it’s so stupid cause this team played two bad teams and won
once again….two bad teams
This secondary still sucks too
December 4th, 2019 at 7:08 am
A good push through year end would be reminiscent of Dungy’s first year. Didn’t make the playoffs but the schemes starting clicking in 2nd half of year.
Making the playoffs this year….comical. There’s a team that’s 10-2 in the wild card slot leaving one slot that’s currently filled with an 8-4 team. So we need them, along with 7-5 Rams and 6-6 Bears to lose the majority of their games while we also win all of our games. Not happening. As someone mentioned above, the loss to the Giants will be the one that we look about on wondering what if. The loss to Tennessee with Tannehill at QB….loss to NO with Bridgewater at QB. You have to be a rookie QB on a crappy team in your own stadium….You have to split a division rival when they are missing Brees. Those will be games that bite us in the rear.
December 4th, 2019 at 7:26 am
The Bucs battle cry is “we really are improving! Just wait till NEXT year!! “ YAWN!!!
December 4th, 2019 at 7:30 am
WE are playing good Football lately, too bad we blew games we should have won.
December 4th, 2019 at 7:52 am
Finish the second half of the season with a winning record. Win three in a row for our longest streak in I don’t know how long. Point the arrow up heading into next season. They won’t make the playoffs, but they have to believe they could’ve, and will next year learning from this years mistakes.
December 4th, 2019 at 7:54 am
If, big if, we finish 9-7, that would far exceed any realistic preseason dreams I had. And, yes, it’s possible. One game at a time. Come on Jameis, make us all believers in you!
December 4th, 2019 at 7:58 am
Who cares. No playoffs and we can only beat teams with losing records. Sure we won 3 out of 4 games but the one loss was an arse whipping by the Saints….at home. Also don’t forget: the Bad Jameis will arrive soon enough.
December 4th, 2019 at 8:13 am
To circle back…..we’ve only beat ONE team with a winning record. THREE of our five victories are over teams that are LAST in their divisions. One win came against a team that is 2nd to last in the division and just fired their HC. We’ll get a glimpse of reality with Indianapolis and Houston.
December 4th, 2019 at 8:46 am
Too late? He’ll no! Everyone knows real football starts in November. Right Lovie?
December 4th, 2019 at 8:49 am
I remember 3 years ago with the Dirkster 9-7 I got my hopes up then two 5-11 years in a row. So 9-7 doesn’t mean sh_t. Playoffs are all that matters. Baby steps are more BS, someone said you can flip a team easier now than before.
December 4th, 2019 at 8:55 am
giants and panthers in London cost us big…..
GO BUCS!!!!
December 4th, 2019 at 9:45 am
When Jimmy G came on board late in the season, the 9’ers won out 5-6 games.
Next year, with high expectations, he blew his knee out running out of bounds. Season lost in the 2nd game.
The difference was that SF drafted well.
Now the 49’ers future looks promising.
December 4th, 2019 at 10:06 am
I can’t even think about playoffs with this team and have no expectation they can win out. They just need to prove they can beat the Colts at home. No interceptions and no fumbles would be a big accomplishment.
December 4th, 2019 at 10:34 am
ClodHopper:Where, Who and What has any of this got to do with Lovie?…besides I bet he ain’t worried about you! He too busy getting his team ready to go BOWLING!!! Give me some good reading on that JOE …I know you heard about it!! ps..Clod ha ha ha ha ha ha !!
December 4th, 2019 at 11:24 am
Big hog
Lovie said real football don’t start until November. It’s a joke about a past Buc coach. You don’t like that? Tough sht, maam
December 4th, 2019 at 11:27 am
Yes we are playing better. Playoffs? No Way. I”ll take every bet on that. 7-9 will not cut it this year. At least we are not mathematically eliminated yet.
December 4th, 2019 at 12:14 pm
I did the NFL playoff predictor and it looks like if Vikings win any nfc game we lose the tiebreaker. So we need min to lose all 3 division games they have left or we’re eliminated. Giants game, titans blown call. Smh. Now how do we keep this team together to really give it a go next year?
December 4th, 2019 at 12:16 pm
Unless Detroit beats Vikings this week, it’s over. No other reasonable scenario. Detroit win and Bucs win and the dream of a miracle continues. Go Lions!
December 4th, 2019 at 12:17 pm
Its still possible to finish 8-8. Although I’m thinkin probably 7 wins is doable. A couple of early losses really hurt us bad. Esp. The Giants one pointer. And this Colts game is tougher than most of you think. Everything and Body is gonna have to be clicking on this one for a good outcome. But Playoffs guys is quite the long shot. Could it happen? Of course it Could..But it… Won’t. You see, although we are playing a lot better, Good teams are kicking it up a notch for their playoff run.
December 4th, 2019 at 12:54 pm
Detroit is down to a 3rd string QB. Even if Dalvin Cook sits out with his dinged up shoulder, I don’t think the Lions have much of a shot to win. Unfortunately, I think the only chance is for the Vikings to lose all remaining games and the Bucs win out. The Colts will be tough but beatable but Houston will most likely beat the Bucs. I think at best we finish 8-8 and very likely we lose to the Colts also leading to7-9.
Hopefully late season success can be something to carry over to next season if we can keep some of the talented guys that will become free agents. I also am still undecided on Winston. If the Bucs go 8-8 or 9-7 with him playing much more consistent good football, then maybe franchise tag him for 1 season.
December 4th, 2019 at 2:13 pm
Im not worried about it….sure would be nice but im more worried about keeping these stars for next year and drafting smart.
December 4th, 2019 at 4:35 pm
So many ups and downs this year. Gosh dammit, I’m getting excited again.
December 4th, 2019 at 9:04 pm
Nobody remembers letting Seahawks off the hook. That hurt about as bad as the Giants miskick and the Titans officiating. This is a pretty good team.