In 2001, the Bucs started the year 3-4, and fought their way back into contention. This was before the re-allignment, so the Bucs and Saints were not division mates, but were still fighting it out for a wild card spot.
Both teams were 7-7 and the Saints came to Tampa to play the game that would give one team a BIG, HUGE One up in the wild card race. The Bucs had been in the playoffs 3 of the last 4 years. The Saints had one winning record in the last 5 years. When they met, it was obvious who the team was that knew what it took to win a big game.
The Bucs took the opening kickoff the closest to a KO return for a TD ever until they finally did it in 2007. Aaron Stecker was stopped just outside the 10 yard line. Brad Johnson hit Karl Williams for a TD before most fans got into their seats.
Aaron Brooks got the ball for the Saints, and on third down was picked off by Ronde Barber. A few plays later, Mike Alstott ran up the middle and with 10 minutes left in the game the Bucs had a 2 touchdown lead. The BUCS, not the Saints, knew what it took to win big games in December, and how to get into the playoffs.
Why am I going back to 2001? Because you can fast forward now to yesterday, and the Saints under Drew Brees knew how to do it. The Saints have been a winning for years now, while the Bucs have been losers. In time, the Bucs will learn what it takes, but for now, this is part of the process, and part of why the Bucs may not really deserve a playoff shot at this stage of the game.
The need for defensive help was never more apparent with the loss of Kwon Alexander. The Bucs will have a hard time stopping the run the rest of the year, the goal now should be one more win, to win one more game than the Bucs have won in the last two years.
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