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Apologists will be quick to point out that the Bucs were finishing a three-game road trip Saturday, that finishing such a task undefeated is simply not realistic in the NFL.
There is truth to that, just as there is to the thoroughness of the whipping New England applied to them. Both teams left the field at 9-5, but there would be NO truth in saying that they’re comparable in any other sense at this point.
A shockingly decisive win in Carolina left no doubt in the minds of most that the Bucs were destined for the playoffs. That should still hold true, even after Saturday’s debacle. When the hottest team in their conference is the notoriously-fickle Vikings, the rear-view should hardly be the first thing on their minds.
Just as importantly, the remaining schedule (home games against Atlanta and New Orleans) is more than conducive to reaching the “tournament” Jon Gruden so often refers to.
The question is: What then?
Will they fold as horrendously as they did against the Patriots? Will they be as thoroughly inept in some NFC venue as they were in the den of the defending champions?
Clearly, New England senses that the time to push ahead is now; that’s how championship teams operate. Maybe they would have applied the same pasting to anyone, and the Bucs were simply in the wrong place at the right time.
But if they don’t treat this game as a blueprint for how to operate from this point forward, the postseason will prove to be anything BUT their place.
Posted by Jeff, Valrico, FL on 12/17 at 06:37 PM
This looked a lot like their late season collapse a few years ago against the Raiders...they were just not “there” today...you could tell that the Patriots came out with the desire to win, and the Bucs just looked flat...3 road game series this late in the season definitely reared up and bit them, but no excuse for such a lackluster showing...it just looked like they were ready to call it a game at halftime...no fire, no desire...but a 2 home game stand to end the season against division rivals should be much better football to watch...this was just painful.
Posted by Adam Locascio, Tampa FL on 12/17 at 05:58 PM
Okay, so three road wins in a row was a little much, but the Bucs usually have a game like this late in the season. I think they’re good, personally. Remember, in 2002, they came out and laid an egg versus Pittsburgh at home and it was the last game they lost en route to a Super Bowl. I think a butt-kicking like this is good to get the team refocused...just take care of business for two weeks and the Bucs are in.
Posted by Daniel, Tampa on 12/17 at 06:44 PM
The Bucs were in this game until the costly running into the kicker penalty. That turned a 7 point deficit to a 14 point deficit. The penalty on the punt return didn’t help either. My biggest concern was Gruden’s refusal to mix up the ofensive play-calling to keep N.E. off balance. How bout a screen, a reverse, a flea flicker or something other than Caddy running into the middle of the line for no gain on first down. The Bucs defense looks like they made some adjustments, they just didn’t take advantage of their opportunities: Bolden dropping a sure interception, Brooks had his hand on a ball but didn’t make a play. On offense there were drops all over the place, bad protection and overall bad execution. As fired up as most of the Bucs were for this game I expected a better showing.