Considering a foot gained and the Bucs probably would be one game up in the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their fans will have to settle for the reality of 3rd place by one game (one half game behind New Orleans). But did that loss hurt the Bucs really bad? Well, perhaps not, when you consider the week 10 schedule coming up. One thing is for sure, Josh Freeman will have to avoid making mistakes he untypically made Sunday like this toss up for a pick.
Atlanta will have to play a very physical Baltimore football team going on only 4 days of rest. Tampa Bay meanwhile gets to play the Carolina Panthers at home when the news hits that two of the Bucs next opponents will be without the services of their starting Quarterbacks. Matt Moore was put on injured reserve, and now were learning that Mathew Stafford is lost for the year too. Tampa Bay hosts Detroit later in the year. With a loss to Baltimore, and a Tampa Bay win over Carolina, both of which you would have to say are pretty safe bets, would put Atlanta back into a tie with the Bucs and New Orleans at 6-3. WHATS IN STORE FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR? Well its time to disregard the old prediction sheet, although I will always stand by it, but lets take a more up to date look at how the Bucs could fare this year. 11-14/ CAROLINA- The Bucs will face Casey Clausen and both Carolina running backs are hurt. Probably the only LOCK win for the Bucs. If they lose this game, they do not deserve to be mentioned in the same sentence with the word ‘playoffs’. Atlanta hosts Baltimore, who should win. Saints have Bye. Bucs, Falcons, Saints all 6-3. 11-21/ at San Francisco- The Bucs have not won in San Francisco since 1980. George Bush Sr. was not even a vice president yet! Doug Williams was in his 3rd season. James Wilder was not even a Buc yet, but Kevin House was a rookie. That’s a long time. However this Bucs team is doing stuff it never could do before. So I call the Bucs to win. The Saints host Seattle at home, but Atlanta faces the Rams in St. Louis. Tampa Bay 7-3. 11-28/at Baltimore- We can all agree on one thing; if the Bucs beat Baltimore, no matter WHO is out for the Ravens, the Bucs are playoff bound! I don’t see it happening though. Atlanta hosts Green Bay while New Orleans plays at Dallas on Thursday Thanksgiving. Hey, I’ll be a Dallas fan one day this year! Bucs 7-4 12-5/ATLANTA- Week 13 in the NFL finds the Bucco Bruce clad Buccaneers playing the Falcons at home. Bucs beat the Falcons with the fans behind them in record numbers. This game could be moved due to flex scheduling. Wouldn’t this make a great night game to go to?? Saints at Bengals. 12-12/at Washington- Bucs should be able to beat the Redskins who should be quitting right about now. Tampa Bay goes to Washington and wins another close one as Atlanta has a gimme game at Carolina and the Saints play the Rams in New Orleans. 12-19/ DETROIT LIONS- In what could be pivotal, New Orleans plays at Baltimore. Atlanta is at Seattle, while the Bucs play the Bradford-less Lions. Bucs run their record up another win at home. 12-26/ SEATTLE- Who knows what situation the Seahawks will find themselves in after Christmas, but Seattle has to travel across the country, and the Bucs have what could be their last home game of the year. Will people come out if the Bucs have a chance to clinch a playoff spot? Talk about Pivotal, Monday Night Football; New Orleans at Atlanta. I think the Bucs lose a close one. 1-2/ at New Orleans- Atlanta hosts Carolina, so you may as well give them a win on the final Sunday although sometimes the finality of things can bring about surprises. But not IN Atlanta! Tampa Bay has played well in New Orleans, winning two of the last three years there. Will Josh Freeman steer the Bucs into a playoff spot? YES! Bucs beat New Orleans on a last second, last play win that typifies the season like most season finale’s do.
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