Bucs Hype Soars
December 17th, 2024
Bucs Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht.
It’s so much fun to hear national media types throw love at the Bucs. Especially now, after an offseason full of Kirk Cousins nonsense.
Joe greatly looks forward to the Falcons missing the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season.
What a fun day that will be.
One man firmly in the Bucs’ corner on a national stage is Mike Florio, the NBC super insider and the guru at ProFootballTalk.com, and a friend of Joe. Preseason, Florio picked the Bucs to reach the NFC Championship game.
And in new power rankings, he’s got the Bucs ranked as the best 8-6 team in the NFL.
9. Broncos (No. 9; 9-5): Bo Nix had a bad day, and they still won by 23.
10. Commanders (No. 10; 9-5): They managed to get some breathing room for the No. 7 seed. Barely.
11. Buccaneers (No. 13; 8-6): They’re peaking again, at the perfect time.
12. Texans (No. 14; 9-5): With the Chiefs and Ravens coming up, we’ll find out if they’re ready to win games they’re supposed to lose.
13. Rams (No. 15; 8-6): They can beat anyone in the NFC playoff field. Which means everyone in the NFC playoff field should hope they don’t get in.
The Bucs sure are peaking. That win against the Chargers was a massive step forward on both sides of the ball, especially on defense.
Joe’s not going to bark about the Commanders getting a higher ranking than the Bucs. Joe’s feeling the Commanders love in expectation of them hammering the Falcons in two weeks and clinching another NFC South title for the Bucs with one game to play.
December 17th, 2024 at 12:51 pm
I also enjoy celebrating Atalanta Falcons’ Day on March 28!
December 17th, 2024 at 12:54 pm
yep…people are now starting to jock the bucs…
also man oh man…that dam sean payton…he’s one heck of a coach…he’s really doing something over there in denver…they’ve been no joke all season long…and once his guy bo nix got his feet set over there they’ve been good to go…
and let’s just get it correct…i’m no payton supporter…just giving props where they are well deserved
December 17th, 2024 at 12:58 pm
I’m conflicted. I wanted ATL to lose but the win keeps pressure on the Bucs. The team needs to stay focused and keep building.
December 17th, 2024 at 12:59 pm
Question. If we lose and the Falcons win we drop out of 1st place, but do we go to the last wild card or fall completely out of the playoffs?
December 17th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Looking at the Cowboys defense the Bucs offense should dominate. Especially on first and second down. The goal will be to avoid 3rd downs. The Cowboys are ranked 3rd in third down defense. Got to stay ahead of those chains.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:00 pm
Props indeed. Game ball to Bowles for having the defense Chargers READY!!!
December 17th, 2024 at 1:02 pm
But if we don’t make the playoffs Coen will be our new head coach. You can put money on that one.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:03 pm
What are there three wild card spots? It will be between us, Washington and probably Minnesota, I don’t see any other teams being there. San Francisco doesn’t even have a winning record
December 17th, 2024 at 1:06 pm
We just drilled the number one defense!!! Yet we need to worry about the Cowboys????? Smh
December 17th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
It’s going to be a wild playoffs despite the records going in. Detriot is banged up, Mahomes might be banged up. The Rams beat the Bills and Vikings. The Bucs beat the Eagles and Lions. The Texans beat the Bills. The Bills beat the Chiefs and Lions. Every team is beatable.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:07 pm
ATL isn’t going to disappear. To be sure of anything, Bucs need to win the next three. None of the next three is assured. 11-6 is a very nice season notwithstanding the disappointment over the two ATL losses.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Just win next week and things take care of themself ,,,, people don’t know Bucky yet , but they will after a stand alone Sun night game against americas team ,,,
December 17th, 2024 at 1:20 pm
Even nfl.com got into the Bucmania with a little piece about our favorite receiver Trey Palmer, Jk Mike Evans. I was thoroughly shocked. They avoid the Bucs like they’re the ones who started covid
December 17th, 2024 at 1:23 pm
SF is no longer in the picture Beej. It’s down to Bucs Falcons Seahawks Rams Cardinals and Commanders … 6 teams competing for 3 spots. South and West winner plus a WC. We are in the drivers seat for last WC if go 2-1 but lose the division to ATL going 3-0. Let’s just win out and make it easy.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:28 pm
The Falcons have one more tough game, at the Commanders, and then they take on the Giants and Panthers. If they lose to Washington they finish 9-8, but if they win they’re 10-7. The Bucs need to win out to finish 11-7 and ensure they capture the Division crown. One slip and it’s possible they’re best hope is a wild card. They’ve got to keep the momentum going!
December 17th, 2024 at 1:29 pm
Colin Cowherd has the Bucs ranked at #9
December 17th, 2024 at 1:33 pm
The Bucs are now 8-1 (.888) in December/January games dating back to the start of the 2023 season and 20-5 (.800) dating back to the start of the 2020 season.
Tampa Bay’s eight such wins and .888 win percentage in December and January since 2023 are each tied for the best in the NFL during that span.
December football – Like coach says!
December 17th, 2024 at 1:41 pm
we cannot get ahead of ourselves yet and need to take care of business vs. the cowboys! even if a dogfight we have to comne out on top. if we win that game, we will have a very good chance to clinch the division come the evening of december 29th at the conclusion of snf. either way if we win next week, it will be huge for even wild card if commanders lose this week to the eagles.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:48 pm
ZERO Confidence in a Todd blows led team to win out and bury ATL
Bucs could very easily lose out with an awful defense and a Head Coach who has no idea how to scheme up pass defense or manage a game
December 17th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
With good game management and even poor defense, Bucs should have the division clinched and be 11-3. Losing to Kirk Cousins twice is so shameful. But OK. The hammering of the Chargers proves the Bucs have all the talent they need. Hoping Coach doesn’t decide to do some highly intellectual stuff and just keeps bringing the pressure and man coverage with a double on CeeDee Sheep all game.
December 17th, 2024 at 1:58 pm
First name greatest you’re an idiot. Since the bye week Bucs given up 14.3 ppg the epitome of bend but don’t break. If you’re a casual just say that my guy . TB has done the best he could with the talent at his disposal with this abysmal injury bug. Just walk the plank honestly
December 17th, 2024 at 2:01 pm
Beeeeej and SaskBucs, you both forgot about the North – very likely three teams from that division make the playoffs this year.
Possible playoff teams from each division are:
East: Eagles, Commanders.
– Eagles should win the division, Commanders at 9-5 are currently #7.
North: Lions, Vikings, Packers.
– Winner will probably be the winner of the Lions-Vikings game in 3 weeks.
– Currently, Lions #1 at,12-2, Vikings at 12-2 are #5 and GB at 10-4 are #6.
South: Bucs, Falcons.
– Bucs in driver’s seat, currently the #3 seed at 8-6. Atlanta at 7-7 is #9 and probably can’t make the playoffs without winning the division.
West: Rams, Seahawks, Cardinals.
– Probably just the division winner makes it as the Rams still play the Cards (7-7) and Seahawks (8-6), though the latter could sneak in at #7. Rams are #4 at 8-6.
December 17th, 2024 at 2:03 pm
So very happy for all the hype. Looking forward to the Dallas game. Bucs going all the way!
December 17th, 2024 at 2:18 pm
We have the Bake Show so we are not losing out,,,, But 10-7 is still a possibility ,,, I still think that gets it done either division or being a 8-4 in conference tie breaker for wild card 7 seed,,,, rather take care of business and win division beat Detroit first round in playoffs (yea I said it,, Minn wins division)
December 17th, 2024 at 2:21 pm
Damn the hype, that’s usually when we sh!t the bed. Especially on national TV. Time to Buc the trend eh?
December 17th, 2024 at 2:39 pm
The biggest hype on earth is this site acting like were superbowl champs at 8-6 and Falcons are trash at 7-7, despite them sweeping us.
I hope the Bucs go on a run but give me a break….
December 17th, 2024 at 2:42 pm
Yeah, forgot about Packers and Seahawks. Doubts about Catds
December 17th, 2024 at 2:51 pm
Letting Cousins throw for 800 yards against this defense and losing to Raheem Morris twice is disgraceful. Embarrassing. With even mediocre to poor coaching, Bucs have the division sewn up. But, no. On the bright side, Bucs have avoided losing for four straight games and looked like a complete team against the Chargers. Except for the second quarter, which is a bizarre phenomenon.
Press man coverage and more selective use of screen passes and the Bucs might just sneak away with another NFC South title.
December 17th, 2024 at 2:55 pm
Go Bucs.
December 17th, 2024 at 3:09 pm
I’d be interested in knowing the zone snaps vs man this last game. 🤔
December 17th, 2024 at 3:10 pm
About 4 or 5 weeks ago Todd Bowles said it well. If we look ahead of the next opponent we will get beat badly. Something like that. He’s dead right about that one. We are a better football team than our next three opponents. All our guys have to do now is prove it. This season is proving to be alot of fun.
December 17th, 2024 at 3:15 pm
Kirk you
December 17th, 2024 at 3:44 pm
Problem is this is exactly what happens right before we start believing our own hype and thinking all we have to do is show up to win….
December 17th, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Just win out!
December 17th, 2024 at 4:10 pm
@ PSL Bob, 11-7….that would be a feat!
December 17th, 2024 at 4:24 pm
Bucs need to win out, period! Any loss in the next 3 games can cost them a playoff spot. Let’s not get all hyped up. Nothing has been achieved yet. Been a fan since 76 so some of you will understand my concern.
December 17th, 2024 at 4:25 pm
The love is great, but please let’s not take the damn cowpokes lightly. Offensive line needs to be great again, and impose their will on the Dallas front 7. Let’s just do that and drive those falconian fans to the outhouse. No premature celebrations please.
December 17th, 2024 at 4:31 pm
There are some folks who still want to trash Bowles and the Bucs for losing to the Broncos. But, look where they are ranked now!
This is two years in a row that the Bucs have lost “Who knew?” games; games where inexperienced quarterbacks who have looked bad finally start playing like the NFL quarterback they were drafted to be.
Last year, the woeful Texans knocked off the Bucs and headed to the playoffs; this year it is the Broncos.
How can film study prepare you for when things finally click when the tape only shows new guy who has been awful?
It would be nice to avoid those “Who knew?” games. Maybe program AI to generate film to predict the Stroud/Nix transformation?
Can Madden NFL do that yet? Maybe with these “bad rookie” QB’s, they should spend the week VR gaming instead of watching film.
December 17th, 2024 at 4:57 pm
Packers & Vikings likely WC teams…..then there is Wash……if we lose a game and Wash loses to Atlanta….we would have the tiebreaker vs Wash. but Wash would have to lose 2 games…perhaps a loss vs Eagles……that is our only path if we don’t win the division.
We control our own destiny…..need to take care of business in Dallas.
December 17th, 2024 at 8:22 pm
Cowturd had the Bucs at #9 in his “Herd Hierarchy” today!!!!
December 17th, 2024 at 9:56 pm
Bucs just need to beat Cowjerks. One game at a time.
December 18th, 2024 at 5:13 am
Anyone still paying any attention to the “national Media” needs some therapy me thinks. If I had stunk it up that bad at my job, I never would have made it to retirement. Different standard for these dudes though…
Go Bucs!