Tagged: Tampa Bay Bucs
Round 2 vs. Saints: Not This Time
Well, you can drop all that talk of, “what if the Bucs run the table and make the playoffs…”
There was no repeat of the magic in the Superdome from the opener. Tampa Bay played well in the first half against New Orleans. But then, just like last week when I was at Ray-Jay, the offense went to bed in the second half (for what it’s worth, I also went to bed before the Saints mounted their comeback, but anyway…)
The game turned in the third quarter when the Saints blocked a punt, and turned it into the go-ahead touchdown. New Orleans scored 25 straight points. The Bucs couldn’t muster any offense after the Saints took the lead. Most of the yards they got were in “garbage time” at the very end.
The end result: Saints 28, Bucs 14.
Cairo Santos missed two field goals. He hadn’t missed since joining the Bucs a fee weeks ago. Yes, we’re back to this problem again.
The Buccaneers had 10 penalties in this game. That, too, is a problem. So is the offensive line and the lack of running game. That’s been an issue all year.
Well, it was a fun two-game streak while it lasted. The best the Bucs can do now is finish at .500, and that would mean beating Baltimore, Dallas and Atlanta. Dirk Koetter’s grave is already dug.
Photo courtesy: Tampa Bay Times
Photos and Videos: Bucs vs Panthers 12/2/18
Bri Goes To Tampa, and Bucs Win
On Sunday, I made my annual trip down to Ray-Jay to see the Bucs play in person. I left the stadium with a big smile on my face, as Tampa Bay knocked off Carolina.
This one went according to script (you will smell the sarcasm shortly.) The Bucs’ defense came into this game with three interceptions all year. Well, some guy named Andrew Adams doubled that total, in just this game alone. Throw in a fourth pick by Javien Elliot, four sacks, and you’ve got yourself a 24-17 upset.
I, and other Bucs fans, have been bashing this defense all year. Well, over the past few games, we’ve seen some improvement, so I am more than happy to give credit where credit is due. It was the defense that won this game.
Jameis Winston did not throw a pick, though he did have a couple of passes that made me say, “ay ay ay.” Chris Godwin a had a big game, catching a key TD just before the half that I had a good look at.
This team is far from perfect. The Bucs needed every one of those interceptions to win this game, because after they went ahead 24-10 early in the third quarter, the offense went to bed. It felt like Carolina had a zillion chances to tie it up in the fourth quarter, but the defense stepped up, even with so many starters injured. Whatever Mark Duffner is doing with this group, it’s working.
Dear Bucs: see what happens when you don’t turn the ball over as often as the opponent? You usually win.
The Saints come to Ray-Jay next Sunday. We all remember that tremendous opener in the Superdome. I’ll bet New Orleans hasn’t forgotten, either.
Photo courtesy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Heading South
There are eight home games every year for the Buccaneers. There’s always one in particular that I look forward to, and it’s not always the same team or time of year.
I only get one chance per NFL season to head to Ray-Jay to see the Bucs in person. That chance is this weekend. I’ll be flying down to Tampa to cheer on the home team against the hated Panthers.
Normally I update the blog on Sunday nights after the game. This time, I will write something here later on Monday after I return home, perhaps Monday night. In addition to my thoughts about the game, I hope to have a bunch of photos – and maybe a video or two – to share with you, my readers.
That’s it for now. We’ll chat again on Monday. Go Bucs!
Bucs Finally Win Again!
Well, this was a nice change of pace. Consider everything that happened in today’s game against the 49ers.
Jameis Winston threw for over 300 yards, two touchdowns and, most importantly, no interceptions.
The Bucs sacked Nick Mullens four times.
The Buccaneers had two interceptions – their first takeaways in two months. Yes, I said months. And Tampa Bay didn’t turn it over at all.
Is it any coincidence that the Bucs actually won this game?
And please, don’t give me this, “well, they were playing the ‘Niners.” Listen: the way the Bucs have been going, no game should ever be considered easy.
Oh, and Cairo Santos hasn’t missed a kick since joining Tampa a couple of weeks ago. It’s only two games, but is it possible they’ve at least stabilized that problem spot?
Next up: the Panthers come to Ray-Jay. Ever since beating Tampa, Carolina has lost three straight. Throw in the fact that I’ll be at the game, and you’ve got a wee bit extra intrigue next Sunday afternoon.
Photo courtesy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
O.J. Howard: Oh, No
It just keeps getting worse for the Buccaneers.
Tight end O.J. Howard, who was having an outstanding second season, is done for the rest of the year. He injured his foot and ankle in the game against the Giants on Sunday.
O.J. had five touchdowns this year, and was averaging over 16 yards a catch. Simply put, he was right up there with the most productive tight ends in the league.
The Bucs still have Cameron Brate, but this is another big loss for a team that’s seen its season go down the drain in a hurry.
In other news, Jameis Winston is once again the Bucs’ starting quarterback. Ryan Fitzpatrick is back on the bench. I mean, at this point, what the heck…
Photo courtesy: Tampa Bay Times
…and the Bucs Lose Again, in Familiar Fashion
Stop me if we’ve seen this act before from the 2018 Buccaneers.
They can’t stop anyone from scoring, consistently making other bad teams look like Super Bowl contenders.
They keep turning the ball over.
They can’t take the ball away.
They fall behind by a ridiculous amount of points, then rally in the second half to make things interesting, only to come up short in the end.
The game against the Giants was almost a mirror image of what we saw in Cincinnati. This time, it was Ryan Fitzpatrick who got benched in the second half after throwing three interceptions – including a pick-six – and Jameis Winston coming in off the bench to lead the charge.
Heck, Eli Manning only had one incompletion for the entire game. One! And I happened to be watching when it happened. The receiver was open; it was a poorly-thrown ball. The Buccaneers did sack him four times – got to give them credit for that.
Am I surprised the Bucs lost this game? Of course not. This is what Tampa Bay does best. I’m sure they’ll make the 49ers look like superstars next Sunday.
But in two weeks, Buccaneer Bri is coming to Ray-Jay. The excitement is building.
Photo courtesy: Associated Press
