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It was one the Bucs had to have to assure a home playoff game (read: a chance to play past next weekend). Yet, given even that situation, why would this game have been any different than the previous 15?
Maybe the Bucs just play to the level of their competition - well, at least when they’re not in Boston in December. Maybe the NFL’s cherished “P” word, parity, is firmly in effect. Perhaps the Bucs are just marginally better than most teams they play.
Playoff-bound Panthers or Bears? Mediocre Dolphins or Falcons? How about the horrendous 49ers or Lions? Doesn’t matter who lines up on the other side: the Bucs always make it intriguing in a fingers-meet-chalkboard sort of way.
A 3-12 New Orleans, having played on the road all season, should have had no business keeping this game close when it meant so much to Tampa Bay. Observers always throw out disclaimers when describing the Saints - “talented”, “dangerous”, “underachieving”, etc. Truth is, they’re a bad team playing without its starting quarterback, its running back, even its city.
But there they were, at midfield well into the fourth quarter, a solid chance to tie the Bucs. And without Dewayne White’s heroics, the game might well have been a 74-minute marathon just like the week before. Granted, Todd Bouman probably didn’t have the home defense shaking in its cleats, but he did more than enough to get his team into that situation.
Still, to paraphrase Simeon Rice, the Bucs are what they are. They continue to break in a quarterback, and they keep relying on a rookie runner to deflate the clock late in games when they’ve already done just enough to win. They’re not pretty (though they have their moments when the lighting is just right), they’re an odd amalgam of young and old, and after getting husked by New England they have to be wondering if they belong in the postseason at all.
But they’ve won more than twice as often as they’ve lost, and their visitors next week will certainly approach the assignment with hesitation.
That’s exactly what the Bucs have avoided this season, which is why it’s not over yet.
Posted by CT, on 01/02 at 11:01 AM
Congratulations to the entire Bucs Organization on an NFC South Division Championship!! Absolutely NOBODY had picked the Bucs this year to reach the playoffs so do NOT listen to whatever these “experts” say!! They don’t know jack! I agree that the Bucs approach the playoffs with a Killer Instinct- every offensive/ defensive play, every down, every special team play in the playoffs, every kick need to be approached with a Killer Instinct. “Remember the 2002 SB run!!”
should be our motto for this year’s playoff run. The Bucs had heart and determination that playoff and SB year.
They need to “pound the rock” on every play. Don’t turn the ball over and don’t leave the other teams a chance to score any points! The game should remain in the Bucs’ control right after the Opening Kickoff!! The Bucs have earned this NFC South Division title. Now, let’s get that Lombardi Trophy!! Go, BUCS!!
Posted by Alfred Allen Confesor, Orlando, Florida on 01/02 at 09:41 AM
All I can say are these lovely words that should sooth any Buccaneer faithful....
“TAMPA BAY, ALL THE WAY!!!!”
“TAMPA BAY, ALL THE WAY!!!!”
Great job Bucs on winning the 2005 NFC South Division. Good Luck in the playoffs!!!!
GO BUCS GO!!!!
GO BUCS GO!!!!
Posted by Victor Barney, LeHigh Acres, Florida on 01/02 at 08:28 AM
To Shawn, Phoenix on at 01/01/06 at 11:15pm: I could not have said it better than you! The sad part is that what you have described would not have happened in either Saban’s Miami or in New England (remember the recent New England debacle)! Oh,by the way, I am a Bucs fan, but I’ve yet to see this “offensive genious” that everybody keeps writing about! Yes, William’s is okay, unless to focus on stopping him to stop the Bucs!Victor
Posted by Victor Barney, LeHigh Acres, Florida on 01/02 at 08:13 AM
I’m happy that we are in the playoffs, but we should have been there anyway! However, we keep making too many “mistakes” to keep it going if we don’t get better disclipined! Look at Nick Saban’s Miami team, he is about to build a “winner” through “leadership” in just one year! And this being done on a losing team that has far less talent than we do! (Saban reminds me of New England’s coach-remember them?)! WE at Tampa don’t need a cheerleader, we need a leader! Again, this does not appear to be the “Gruden” at Oakland!
Posted by Slick, Clearwater on 01/02 at 07:25 AM
Great job Bucs! I knew you could do it.
Critique - Get the penalties under control. Please. That’s three weeks in a row that a touchdown has been called back for a penalty. You are going to need those extra scores down the road and the teams you are about to play are going to take serious advantage of mistakes.
This Buccanneer team can beat anybody provided they play mistake free ball. The team that gets to, and wins the Super Bowl, is going to be the team that executes best and makes the fewest mistakes. This team CAN do it!
Thanks again Bucs. Best of Luck in the playoffs.
Slick
Posted by lou brock, Delaware on 01/01 at 11:24 PM
Millions of opinions on this Soundoff page throughout this season boils down to one thing...The Bucs are NFC South Champs and have a solid opportunity to go to the Super Bowl! I am so proud of them. I want to thank them for a great year!
P.S. - I personally see Super Bowl on the horizon. That’s just my opinion.
Posted by Shawn, Phoenix on 01/01 at 11:15 PM
Think the Bucs would be better off - had they taken the trade the Chiefs offered them for McCardell - Johnson seems to be one of the best backs in the league - Williams is OK but he’s no Johnson - and they still would have had that pick to address other needs.
Posted by Daniel, Tampa on 01/01 at 10:03 PM
With an 11-5 record, the Bucs owe nobody an apology for making the playoffs. How many out there, fans writers, etc, had the Bucs over 10 wins and hosting a playoff game? Not many. Most publications had us last in the division, which is why they play the games. And please enough about the Bucs being lucky or playing weak teams or getting refs calls in their favor.
The difference between this year and last is we made our field goals at a higher rate, stopped the run, and added a few playmakers on offense. Had the Bucs made their FG atempts last year, they are in the playoffs with 9 or 10 wins. This team might even be more talented than 2002 because of the speed at WR and depth at RB,TE and QB positions.
Posted by B.Powell, Tampa on 01/01 at 09:49 PM
Congrats to the Buccaneers for becoming NFC South champions.I didn’t think it was possible. The Bucs have had a history of playing up/down to the level of their competition. I dont suppose now would be a good time to change that.Im not sure how these lucky hucksters have been able to score points with an offensive line that, well, have perfected the “lookout block”. My hat is off to Caddy, and Simms (as well as others) for making things happen, many times on their own. Attn to Mr."Drive Killer”, as well as Mahan and A.Davis, Don’t get your hands on the outside of the jersey!! If our O-Line quits tackling the D lineman we might be in better position to win and I can quit going to the emergency room with heart failure evey weekend. Oh and D- Try not looking your age so much...Youre making me feel old. Special teams..Not enough space. Overall, I think the Bucs as a team have pulled some serious magic outta their hats (as well as other places) Simms, you made a believer out of me.
Posted by ken davis, lecanto on 01/01 at 09:37 PM
It just seems that this team lacks the killer instinct. It seems during the middle part of the game they just kind of go thru the motions and they let the other team hang around until they are about to go ahead or maybe do go ahead and then the Bucs seem to wake up.Is it just me or does anyone else see it that way?
Posted by rocko, detroit on 01/01 at 08:34 PM
happy to see my bucs take the divison now lets hope the offence does not choke and the D does not show its age.lets go Bucs
Posted by ken davis, lecanto on 01/02 at 11:02 AM
I think I have coach Gruden figured out. He thinks he is allowed just so many points per season and doesn’t want to waste any on just one game because he may need them the next week so he scores just enough points to beat the team they are playing at the time.Therefor they just coast through the middle part of the game and wait until the fourth quarter to see how many points they are going to need to win. And they called Bill Clinton “Slick Willy”. He was a piker next to our coach Gruden.” Gruden for president”!