Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

For nine days, the Bucs heard all the chatter. The naysayers were out in force, pointing out the relatively easy early schedule and Tampa Bay’s self-destructive tendencies.

And then, on a muggy October Sunday, the Bucs buried their skeptics in the soft turf of Raymond James Stadium. For an added bonus, they pushed the smarmy face of Aaron Rodgers into the sod for good measure.

Jamel Dean lit the match and every Buccaneer danced on the flames during a nasty beatdown of the previously unbeaten Packers. The final three quarters ushered in a dominant performance by the home team in front of an adoring crowd.

Any early enthusiasm by Cheeseheads in attendance melted once Rodgers suffered his first interception of the season. The Packers led 10-0 at the time and even though they didn’t know it, they would offer only token resistance the rest of the way.

This was the team Buc Nation envisioned once Tom Brady arrived — focused, physical and brimming with talent. The Packers flew home to Wisconsin Sunday evening, probably wondering how Tampa Bay managed to lose two of its first five games.

If this was a crossroads moment for this franchise, the Bucs chose the right path, the one that leads to postseason play. Here’s how they ransacked Mr. Rodgers’ neighborhood: (more…)

Probabilities.

With the shameful display along the lakefront in Chicago last week and the slimy Saints rallying from a 17-point deficit to beat the Chargers in overtime to force a three-way tie for first in the NFC South, teams’ playoff chances have been recalculated. (more…)

“Next time I’m gonna pull your hair.”

The Buccaneers’ offensive line had a four-frowny-face Thursday night and the numbers reveal it was worse than it looked. (more…)

Shop now at BillCurrieFord.com. Bill Currie Ford quality and service is second to no other dealership. Family owned for the past 60 yards, a mile north of Raymond James Stadium.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Buc fans woke up Friday morning on what would have been John Lennon’s 80th birthday, lamenting a hard day’s night.

Bucs beating Bucs.

Again.

CBS analyst Scott Pioli called out Tampa Bay as a dumb football team after the sloppy setback in Chicago — and he has a point. If you viewed the mug on Bruce Arians following the 20-19 loss, you saw a face of disgust.

He surely wasn’t happy with the officials, but most of all, Arians is frustrated with yet another defeat sowed by mistakes and penalties. Officials marked off 11 flags thrown at Tampa Bay, and there were others that weren’t accepted.

At least Arians didn’t make excuses at the end of a 3-game winning streak. He didn’t want to hear about the absence of Chris Godwin or O.J. Howard. That’s because he knew the Bucs were still the better team — a better team that deserved to lose. (more…)

Nothing drives Joe to scream at the TV quite like when announcers in the last two Bucs games talked about how the Bucs have really just completed ___ preseason games, so they’ve not yet jelled because the starters haven’t — or have barely — completed the equivalent of their August snaps. (more…)

Remember when Josh Freeman was flagged for back-to-back delay of game penalties coming out of a timeout? It was a classic 2013 Schiano moment.

Joe thinks Tom Brady topped it last night with a senior moment on what could have been the game-winning drive. (more…)

The Buccaneers and the Bears will clash tomorrow night in Chicago, and the teams have a lot in common.

First, neither club has beaten a good football team this season. (more…)

Joe is bringing up last season on this glorious Monday because Bucco Bruce Arians did immediately following yesterday’s thrilling win. (more…)

Last year, the Buccaneers’ starting quarterback hurled 33 touchdowns and 30 interceptions, hitting the rare 30-30 plateau — and not the Jose Canseco kind. (more…)

“Wait till I get your arse in my house, Drew.”

Yes, the Bucs are 3-1 for the first time since 2011. (more…)

Would have been proud.

Bucs coach Bucco Bruce Arians once worked for famed Alabama football coach Bear Bryant. (more…)

It really is a new day in Tampa Bay.

The Bucs are 3-1. College kids from Lakeland to Largo were in elementary school the last time that happened. (more…)

Bucs C Ryan Jensen.

It seems Bucs center Ryan Jensen excels in three areas. (more…)

Won’t play against Bucs.

You think maybe park-violating, home-invading, NFLPA-ignoring Bucs quarterback Tom Brady is already dreaming of lighting up a backup corner? (more…)

NFL fans have a sick obsession with the comparison game.

This was never more evident 10 years ago when hater Bucs fans, still bitter that Chucky was fired in favor of Raheem Morris, bellowed that the 10-win, 2010 Bucs team was a fraud. (more…)

Look who closed out the victory today with five consecutive runs for two first downs, allowing the Bucs to take a glorious knee two consecutive times.

His name isn’t Leonard. (more…)

This fresh teammate take on rookie safety Antoine Winfield, Jr. got Joe’s attention. (more…)

Bucs RB Leonard Fournette.

Until the Bucs started feeding Leonard Fournette the ball in the second half last week, if most Bucs fans were like Joe, they just wanted to slam an empty can of Big Storm Brewing beer into their skulls. (more…)

Pro Bowl sacks king linebacker Shaq Barrett, who the Bucs made a very, very wealthy man, is sackless through two games, but one former Buccaneers is incredibly impressed by what Shaq produced Sunday. (more…)

Future Hall of Fame tight end Rob Gronkowski has 11 yards receiving in two Bucs games.

Yes, he’s healthy.

Joe’s trying to find a silver lining. (more…)