Gameday Tampa Bay (Divisional Round Playoffs Edition)
January 17th, 2021
Divisional Round
Bucs (12-5) at Slimy Saints (13-4)
Kickoff: 6:40 p.m.
TV: FOX (WTVT-TV Channel 13, locally).
Streaming: Fans may stream the broadcast from Buccaneers.com or on a mobile device using one of the following: Buccaneers official app, or Yahoo! Sports app. Geographic restrictions apply.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network WXTB-FM 97.9 in the Tampa-St. Petersburg region; 97.9 FM ESPN Radio in Tallahassee (Transmisiones de radio en español en WTMP-FM 96.1 y WMGG-AM 1470 en Tampa); SiriusXM Channel 82 (Bucs broadcast) or SiriusXM NFL Radio Channel 88 (Westwood One national feed).
Weather: While the game is in the Superdome, the slimy Saints are letting in 3,500 fans. In case any Bucs fans attend and loiter in the French Quarter before and after the game (and why wouldn’t you?), watering holes are open with outdoor seating and pickup windows like at many bars on Bourbon Street. So for those who will venture outside, daytime temperatures will hover in the mid-50s under sunny skies, per AccuWeather.com. After the game, skies will stay clear with the temperature in the high 40s.
Odds: Per BetMGM, as of midnight Friday, Saints -3; 52.5 is the over/under.
Zebras: The game will be officiated by Shawn Hochuli’s crew. In 2018, his crew set an NFL record for flags thrown with 253. This year Hochuli’s crew has the fourth-most flags with 189. His crew does have the second-most holding calls (62) and they pretty much lets defensive backs play, as the crew has tossed only 16 pass interference flags, third-least in the NFL. This will make Marshon Lattimore smile.
Outlook: It is as simple as this: Win and play at Green Bay next week in the NFC Championship game. Lose and watch on TV. A year ago, if a Bucs fan was told the Bucs now would be two wins from a Super Bowl, the cops might have been called on the guy. But here we are. The Saints absolutely have the Bucs’ number winning the last five games. Take away a freak show, like what happened with Ryan Fitzpatrick in 2018, and a rare game-winning throw in the final seconds by Mr. Entertainment, America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston, and the Saints would be on a nine-game winning streak over the Bucs. Are the Bucs a different team since the Saints seal-clubbed them at home on Sunday Night Football before the nation’s gaze? Yeah, the offense is better. The defense may not be. If the Bucs lose today, Joe is convinced it will be on the defense. The way the defense played last week was fully embarrassing against an XFL backup hack who rang up 300 yards passing and looked like Russell Wilson. Joe is convinced for the Bucs to win this game it will have to be a shootout like what the Bucs did with Fitzpatrick in that 2018 season opener. First one to 40 should win. The Saints have an excellent defense, so this may take a near-perfect offensive explosion by the Bucs. They have the tools to get it done. Let’s send Drew Brees into retirement with a big fat “L” on his forehead, shall we?
Trinkets: … QB Tom Brady is the postseason all-time leader in starts (42), completions (1,047), pass yards (11,769), pass touchdowns (75) and Super Bowl titles (6). In the regular season, he ranked tied for second in passing touchdowns (a Bucs franchise-record 40) and third in pass yards (4,633), and he became the fifth quarterback in NFL history with 2+ seasons (2) of 40+ touchdown passes. Last week, he set the postseason single-game franchise-record 381 passing yards and 2 touchdowns against 0 interceptions in the NFC Wild Card game at Washington. … RB Ronald Jones will be a game-time decision. … RB Leonard Fournette, who will start tonight, has 418 scrimmage yards (104.5 per game) and 5 rushing touchdowns in 4 career playoff games. He had 132 scrimmage yards (93 rushing, 39 receiving) and a rushing touchdown last week. … WR Mike Evans is ranked fourth in the NFL in receiving touchdowns (13) this season, and had 1,006 receiving yards in the regular season. He’s the first player in NFL history with 1,000+ receiving yards in each of his first 7 seasons. Last week at Washington, he had 6 catches for a postseason single-game franchise-record 119 receiving yards. … WR Chris Godwin has a receiving touchdown in 5 of his past 6 on road, including playoffs. Has a receiving touchdown in 2 of his past 3 games at New Orleans. … WR Antonio Brown has 53 receptions for 886 yards (80.5 per game) and 5 receiving touchdowns in 11 career playoff games. … TE Rob Gronkowski has 12 career postseason receiving touchdowns, tied for second-most in NFL history. … LB Lavonte David had 9 tackles and a sack in his postseason debut last week. He has 24 forced fumbles since 2014, tied for second-most in the NFL. … LB Devin White was the first player since 2000 with 140+ tackles (140) and 9+ sacks (9). He looks for his fourth game in a row against New Orleans with 10+ tackles. … LB Jason Pierre-Paul has 5 tackles for loss and 5 passes defended in 5 career postseason games. … DT Ndamukong Suh had 1.5 sacks in his last playoff game against New Orleans (January 2019 NFC Championship game with the Rams). … In 17 postseason starts, QB Drew Brees has 5,232 pass yards (307.8 per game) and 36 touchdowns against 12 interceptions. He had 2 touchdowns against 0 interceptions in the NFC Wild Card game against the Bears. Brees looks for his fourth game in a row against the Bucs with 2+ touchdowns and 0 interceptions. … RB Alvin Kamara led the NFL with 21 touchdowns (16 rushing, 5 receiving) and ranked third in scrimmage yards (1,688). He also led all running backs with a career-high 83 receptions, and he had 116 scrimmage yards (99 rushing, 17 receiving) and a rushing touchdown in the NFC Wild Card game against the Bears. He has 850 scrimmage yards (106.3 per game) and 9 touchdowns (6 rushing, 3 receiving) in 8 career games against the Bucs. … RB Latavius Murray had a receiving touchdown in the NFC Wild Card game against the Bears. He is 1 of only 2 running backs (Todd Gurley) with 5+ touchdowns in each of the past 6 seasons. … In 6 career postseason games, WR Michael Thomas has 43 receptions for 566 yards (94.3 per game) and 4 receiving touchdowns . He has 74 catches for 899 yards (99.9 per game) and 4 receiving touchdowns in 9 career games against the Bucs. … WR Emmanuel Sanders is 1 of 3 receivers (T.Y. Hilton and Julio Jones) with 500+ receiving yards in each of the past 9 seasons. Looks for his fourth in a row against Tampa Bay with a touchdown catch. … WR Deonte Harris had career-highs in catches (7) and receiving yards (83) in the NFC Wild Card game against the Bears. … TE Jared Cook has 22 receiving touchdowns since 2018, second-most among TEs. … DE Cam Jordan is the only player with 7+ sacks in each of his past 9 seasons. He has 5.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss and 4 passes defended in 10 career postseason games. He has a tackle for loss in 6 of his past 7 at home against the Bucs. … DE Trey Hendrickson is tied for second in the NFL with a career-high 13.5 sacks. … LB Demario Davis has 10 passes defended and 5 tackles for loss in 7 career games against the Bucs. He had a sack to open the season against Tampa Bay at home. Was 1 of 5 linebackers with 100+ tackles (119) and 10+ tackles for loss (10) in 2020. … CB Marshon Lattimore looks for his 8th in row with a pass defended, including playoffs.
The Last Word: Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski are tied with Joe Montana and Jerry Rice for the most postseason touchdowns with 12. One more and Brady and Gronk hold the record. Montana and Rice? That’s the gold standard. For Brady and Gronk to surpass Montana and Rice, wearing Bucs gear, is just crazy for Joe to think about.
LFG. pic.twitter.com/fAGDg3UmNm
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 9, 2021
January 17th, 2021 at 12:30 am
I hate the saints!!!!!!!!
January 17th, 2021 at 12:58 am
We got this in bag…. Antonio Brown will be player of game
Go Bucs!!!
January 17th, 2021 at 1:04 am
They’re Slimy Joe!
Remember Bounty-Gate!
January 17th, 2021 at 1:06 am
What kind of coaching staff puts a bounty on injuries? Sad.
January 17th, 2021 at 1:20 am
Can’t stand the Saints. Time for a little payback. Let’s go!
January 17th, 2021 at 1:56 am
Bucs win, 38-27.
January 17th, 2021 at 2:04 am
Bucs play their hearts out but fall short 24-20 saints. Great season time to improve for next season.
Like our pass rush
January 17th, 2021 at 2:30 am
coward blowsell is correct…
that bounty-gate thing was no joke…
let’s whoop some azz!
January 17th, 2021 at 3:11 am
Saints fans already complaining about refs and the game hasn’t even started yet.
January 17th, 2021 at 5:21 am
BTW The first Bucs win ever took place in Nawlins in 1977. It is Time to put “Uncle Drew” out to pasture tonight. GO BUCS!!!!
January 17th, 2021 at 5:27 am
The Bucs are 12-3 when not playing the Saints…
They’re also 1-5 vs teams .500 or better.
Who are the real Bucs? Just a team that beats up on jobbers, that beats a sub-500 team in the playoffs and acts like it’s a big deal – or are they a legit contender?
It all comes down to this game.
January 17th, 2021 at 5:38 am
I want player of the game to be Devin White or Shaq!
January 17th, 2021 at 5:41 am
Thank you, Joe, for including the tidbits, however unwelcome, about the officiates in your post. You (two) think of all angles and possible storylines when covering the Bucs. That’s one of the many reasons why I am om your site five times a day. I am confident that Bucco Bruce has briefed the team on these refs’ tendencies. Let’s just hope our guys can check their sure-to-be ignited tempers and keep their cool. Penalties, especially OPIs in favor of Mike, will be one of the top five keys of the game, for sure.
I hope our guys are supersonically hyped up. I want the win so very much — and am sick thinking about the possibility of the Slimy Saints playing in the Super Bowl in our stadium. Must never happen. Go Bucs!
January 17th, 2021 at 7:27 am
Rod Munch, Bucs only losses this year to playoff teams and they were all out of sync. Joe nothing in your post promotes our DB’S, hence lies the problem. Hendrickson has to be stopped and I know Gronk said he would like to own the record with his buddy TB but neither give a crap about it. It’s not a hard game plan. Protect Brady and get Brees off the field as many times possible and Bucs win. GAME DAY, GO BUCS!
January 17th, 2021 at 7:54 am
Bucs 38-31. Big interception of choke artist Brees late. The rat still gets away with three intentional grounding throws though. You gota learn to chew your food Drew!!
January 17th, 2021 at 8:08 am
First game was a throw away with zero preseason ..The Sunday beat down with a battered Oline made it 0-2 ..Bucs are scoring on half their drives in 2nd half of season ..The weapons are there offensively ..Joe nailed it ..It’s the defense most importantly the pass defense’s Time to step up to NFL championship Level..Send that punk Sean Peyton home today boys …
January 17th, 2021 at 8:13 am
#PoundBressIntoRetirement
January 17th, 2021 at 8:19 am
PFT reporting this morning that Taysom Hill is unlikely to play today. This is huge! Takes away that scrambling / wildcat component from their arsenal, ain’t gunna be no Heinickie moments this week boys!
Also a chance to “make Drew feel us” and potentially test America’s turnover machine! 10 hours to go…..
January 17th, 2021 at 8:22 am
And NFL.com too…. that’d be one heck of a con by Payton if not true
January 17th, 2021 at 9:09 am
Jameis may play tonight
January 17th, 2021 at 9:15 am
Knock Brees out of the game early.
Then, the Savior, JayMiss Winsnone can come in and show the world……….
That he still sucks.
Go Bucs!!!!!!
January 17th, 2021 at 9:18 am
Last team Bucs wanted to see is NO kinda feel like I’m being talked into the Bucs winning…. the realist in me says bucs lose…. but the fan in me think Bucs win lol
January 17th, 2021 at 9:37 am
I just think the Saints are a much better team than the Bucs.
We’ll see.
January 17th, 2021 at 10:07 am
Remember what happened the last time we saw a 3rd string QB. Be careful what you wish for. Winston has a chip on his shoulder, making less money and riding pine doesn’t sit well with an exfranchise QB. The question would be if he plays how many snaps has he had with first team? Hill was scratched just today unless Payton waited to announce Hill purposely. I hope Bowles prepared his d for this.
January 17th, 2021 at 10:11 am
Betting odds say Saints at -3, which is basically the home team advantage. Other than that it is all even.
Except, we all know where the Saints stand. The Bucs have an unproven but enormous upward potential. We’ll see.
January 17th, 2021 at 10:33 am
Thanks Court! 👍
January 17th, 2021 at 11:05 am
Tied 21 21 in the beginning of the 4th,Bree’s goes down with another rib injury. JW comes in and throws 8 pics 6’s, Bucs win 77 21
January 17th, 2021 at 11:06 am
They may be slimy but that cheerleader is DAMN fine! Thanks for that Joe!
January 17th, 2021 at 12:26 pm
A year ago, if a Bucs fan was told the Bucs now would be two wins from a Super Bowl[in Tampa], the cops might[would] have been called on the guy.
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Good one, joes!! I’m still laughing. Worse case, Aints will not get by the Pack team I watched play the Rams. Bucs will be going to Lambeau anyway. C’MON, Tampa Bay!! You can play another perfect game, sheesh!
January 17th, 2021 at 2:23 pm
I use only 1 screen-name instead of 200 different ones like you do and I’m the coward? Also, what would the real HC’s son think of your bastardization of my screen-name?
January 17th, 2021 at 3:59 pm
This has been the best season for the Bucs, in decades!!
No matter what happens
It sucks we are playing the Saints. Its like they are tailor made- to play the Bucs!
January 17th, 2021 at 4:05 pm
This Cleveland defense is mind boggling. It’s like they watched Bucs tape on how to defend the chiefs. I can easily see Todd Bowles being dumb enough to run this same sorry zone scheme and getting picked apart by Brees
January 17th, 2021 at 4:15 pm
If any of you dopes know a single thing about Bucs history, the last thing in the world you’d want to see is Winston in the game – there is no way he’d destroy that soft Bucs defense, then he’d be their starter for the next 15 seasons and put up 40 points a game against us.
January 17th, 2021 at 5:15 pm
Mahomes hurt looked bad as if he was on verge of collapse
January 17th, 2021 at 5:48 pm
Ever notice how everything falls into place for Brady? like there’s a higher power at work?
KC now has Chad Henne at QB who was once compared unfavorably to our own backup, Blaine Gabbert in the epic song “Blaine Gabbert is a real American”
January 17th, 2021 at 6:46 pm
Umm hmm lol 2002 Bucs my arse