“I Have The Bucs Going 10-7 And Winning The NFC South”
September 8th, 2022
Tristan Wirfs
Some astute NFL analysts actually think the Bucs will be three games worse than they were last season — when their defense was decimated by injuries, and they lost receivers and running backs to injuries, vaccine cards and/or mental issues.
Oh, well.
Former NFL MVP quarterback Rich Gannon works as an analyst for CBS and is a co-host on SiriusXM NFL Radio.
He’s one of those guys believing the Bucs will finish 10-7, but Gannon thinks that’s good enough to beat the slimy Saints without needing a tiebreaker.
Gannon says “the party’s over in the Big Easy,” with the Saints going 9-8 because they’re unable to overcome the loss of legendary playcaller/head coach Sean Payton and relying on a QB coming off ACL surgery in November. “I don’t trust Jameis Winston,” he said.
As for the Bucs, Gannon sees too many question marks, starting with Todd Bowles as head coach, to assign Tampa Bay more than 10 wins.
Gannon said Bowles’ bad Jets teams were awful beyond their quarterbacks so he questions how many losses the departure of Bucco Bruce Arians will mean. (Keep in mind Gannon called Jets games for CBS during those seasons). Gannon also added that there’s no evidence the loss of Ryan Jensen can be overcome on a week-to-week basis.
Joe respects the takes, but Joe has faith in general manager Jason Licht when it comes to the offensive line, and hell, Tom Brady has won more than 10 games with less talent around him in New England.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:14 pm
Have you actually looked at the schedule the Bucs play? They’re playing a ton of really really good and elite teams. This isn’t the AFC East were you win 12 games by just showing up.
I don’t care if the Bucs win 10 or 11 or 12 or more, so long as they’re in the playoffs and get hot when it matters.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:16 pm
Joe, help me out.
Why is Todd being treated and talked about like a new coach for this team.
I get that he is the new head coach. BUT he has been here and has done an excellent job the last couple of years.
It’s not like he is implementing a new Defensive or Offensive scheme either.
I just don’t understand how all these pundits are overlooking the continuity factor. How does this equate to less wins and more uncertainty?
September 8th, 2022 at 1:18 pm
Gannon still reeling from his 5 INT’s that we picked off in the Super Bowl, so here’s his “payback.” Not sure what happens Sunday Night, but we’ll do better than 10 wins.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:19 pm
Didn’t Rich Gannon lose a Super Bowl to us?
If it’s all the same to you
Every year, I look at the record before our first game and see that at that point, we are undefeated.
Why would I think that my team would ever lose a game?
17-0 until the first unacceptable loss!
September 8th, 2022 at 1:26 pm
The only thing I am uncertain of with the team is our Special Teams.
Even with that, I am certain and can’t get much worst in the return game and I am hoping we won’t have to worry about in clutch kick/FGs in the elimination games.
I am even confident that we can remain competitive if Brady goes down. MAYBE we are a 10-win team without Brady.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:32 pm
WK 1 @ Dallas – W
WK 2 @ NO – L
WK 3 GB – W
WK 4 KC – L
WK 5 ATL – W
WK 6 @PIT – W
WK 7 @CAR – W
WK 8 BAL – L
WK 9 LAR – L
WK 10 SEA – W
WK 12 @CLE – W
WK 13 NO – W
WK 14 @SF – L
WK 15 CIN – W
WK 16 @ARZ – L
WK 17 CAR – W
WK 18 @ATL – W
So that’s 11-6.
That Baltimore game is the one I really go back and forth on. If they W that, then I think they win that SF game as well, then suddenly you’re 13-4.
Conversely, say the Bucs lose that WK13 @NO game, now they’re 10-7 and the probably are trying to get a wildcard, which is not guaranteed at 10-7.
Big thing, to me, is they can’t get swept by the Saints again. Even Dirk didn’t always get swept by the Saints.
September 8th, 2022 at 1:36 pm
Tom Brady:
2001 – NE 6.5 11-5 Over
2002 – NE 8 9-7 Over
2003 – NE 8.5 14-2 Over
2004 – NE 10.5 14-2 Over
2005 – NE 11 10-6 Under
2006 – NE 10.5 12-4 Over
2007 – NE 11.5 16-0 Over
2009 – NE 11.5 10-6 Under
2010 – NE 9.5 14-2 Over
2011 – NE 11.5 13-3 Over
2012 – NE 12 12-4 Push
2013 – NE 11 12-4 Over
2014 – NE 10 12-4 Over
2015 – NE 10.5 12-4 Over
2016 – NE 10.5 14-2 Over
2017 – NE 12.5 13-3 Over
2018 – NE 11 11-5 Push
2019 – NE 11 12-4 Over
2020 – TB 9.5 11-5 Over
2021 – TB 12.5 13-4 Over
September 8th, 2022 at 2:41 pm
@ Crack, I completely agree. I’m not sure we “lost” BA or that we’re getting a “new” head coach. Usually a new head coach means a new coaching staff, new systems, etc. As you point out. So I’m with you in that I dismiss those naysayers.
@ Rod, I agree with you on almost all of your picks and feel exactly the same way about the Balt. and SF games. The only thing I don’t agree on is Arizona. That team has fallen off a cliff at the end of the past 2 seasons and I expect the same this year. Also, I expect Todd Bowles to absolutely dumfound Kyler Murray. His escapability is scary, but he’s not going to be able to decipher our D.
Still, I see us taking that W and I’ll flip a coin on Balt. and SF. Health is going to determine more about those games than any guesses at this time.
September 8th, 2022 at 2:43 pm
Id be ok with 10-7, and winning the division.
No faith in Bowles.
Major concerns about Oline and Pass Rush.
In Todays NFL, if you cant protect your QB- and pressure theirs, you lose.
Hope Im wrong, but 10-7 is my prediction also- IF- Brady stays healthy.
September 8th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
If Brady stays healthy and Hainsey works out and stays healthy … I see 13/4.
September 8th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
6-11 with the offensive line as currently configured
If The Bucs bring in two seasoned OL Vererans I would say 12-5 ( would have been 13-4 If they acted earlier )
September 8th, 2022 at 3:42 pm
I’d really like 1-0.
September 8th, 2022 at 3:45 pm
I don’t know why these so called experts fail to point out that Bowles was given the worst roster in the NFL with the Jets. The front office was clearly tanking and Bowles players never quit. When Bowles was fired, the Jets got what they wanted which was and early draft pick. Go look at the Jets roster when Bowles was there. It was comical. The front office was all fired afterwards.
September 8th, 2022 at 4:19 pm
As this Goatfarmer has often said, due to 46 years of Bucs PTSD from too many high expectations crushed like a stiletto on an egg, I’ve said 10-7. Every time I’ve ever said 11 or more wins, it’s how many losses they rack up. So, using the reverse karma trick.
But it pisses me off when these talking heads do it. And I normally like Pat Kirwan. But Gannon is obviously still sore about the Bucs skewering his one lone chance to win a Super Bowl. Make him eat rancid crow, Bucs.
September 8th, 2022 at 4:45 pm
George,
You trippin’, my man. Aint no way this team only gets 6 wins, this year, with this roster. How many wins is anybody’s guess, but I promise, it aint even close to 6.
September 8th, 2022 at 5:59 pm
With nonsensical opinions like this I have to question how “astute” these analysts truly are. Maybe Gannon is still sore for losing to us in the superbowl? Anyways, the only way we end up only winning 10 games is if we are ravaged by injuries or Brady gets hurt. I think it’s Brady weariness and just the general disdain by national dudes for our team that clouds their judgement. Go fly a kite rich gannon.
September 8th, 2022 at 6:31 pm
I prefer to wait and see. Too many variables to make an easy march to the playoffs. But if Tom and most of the key offensive and defensive playerstay healthy I think 13 wins are possible and 10 wins are likely. If Gronk comes back and the O line holds up the Bucs play in the superbowl. If Brady can’t play due injury early on 9/8 might happen. Same kind of shiet can and will happen to any of the other contenders too. With 17 regular season games the top teams with the fewest injuries will dominate the playoffs.
September 8th, 2022 at 7:05 pm
Oh, that’s funny. Saints win the NFC South. Brady doesn’t finish the season.
September 8th, 2022 at 10:08 pm
If I recall correctly, one of the Joes chose that same record for our beloved Bucs on Ira’s latest podcast. Just saying
September 8th, 2022 at 11:40 pm
Greg G – That’s fair on the Cards, I just hate those late season west coast games, the Bucs, historically, don’t do well with those. But it’s a good point on how the Cards fall apart each season, so hopefully you’re right.
The other game that scares me a bit are the stupid Panthers at the end of the season. The Bucs have recently been dominating them, but if Mayfield is actually good, by the end of the year, they might be the type of annoying team that wins a game they shouldn’t win. So if the Bucs did beat the Cards on the road, I wouldn’t put it past them to then give back that W vs the Panthers. That’s assuming the playoffs and the NFC South are not on the line, if they are, Brady won’t let them choke it away. But in my mind they’d have probably a 2-game lead at that point and start looking at the playoffs a bit early.
But it’s pure speculation – but I got a good track record. Each year since 2017 I’ve posted my w/l projections here and I’ve nailed it each year. Although that also could mean I’m due to be wrong.
September 9th, 2022 at 4:22 pm
It will be interesting to see if the Bucs become more physical on defense this season with an improved pass rush. Teams are certain to continue to pass the ball instead of playing into a great rushing defense.
The issue in 2021 was JPP was a non-factor rushing from his edge spot. Moving Barrett to that side permanently is a bonus. Joe Tyron flashed speed last season but didn’t know where the ball was. He over ran so many plays. He has to improve and play much smarter. I’m not worried about Logan Hall, he has a very low center of gravity and will be part of an improved defense.
I suppose Leftwich’s play calling will change from Arians by working on the short passing and running plays to keep the heat off of Brady until the new members of the interior offensive line get used to the speed of the NFL.
I think the Bucs defense is in for a revamped Dallas offense without Cooper and Gallup. It does set up more opportunities to fly around.
Cowboys have a good defense but when Evans, Gage and Jones are on the field together, Dallas secondary will lose that matchup if Brady is comfortable in the pocket. Looking for a Bucs solid win over a depleted Cowboy passing game.