Bucs now need Saints to save season, make playoffs
Fighting both the pesky Panthers and the rainy weather for the entirety of the 1st half, the Bucs looked to be in prime position to take home a victory Saturday evening.
Luckily, despite a subpar offensive performance, the Panthers’ offense managed to submit an even worse one, as Tampa Bay took home a 16-14 victory.
Baker Mayfield had yet another confusingly bad interception in the first half but managed to take care of the ball for the rest of the evening.
Bucky Irving had another so-so game behind a banged up Bucs offensive line, only managing a little over 3 yards per carry.
Tight end Cade Otton had a solid performance, hauling in the Bucs’ only touchdown of the game in the 1st quarter.
Rookie corner Jacob Parrish also managed a pick, contributing to the Bucs’ stellar defensive outing.
The story of the game for the first half was the nasty weather though, as both teams struggled to get going offensively through the pouring rain.
Neither team looked comfortable with their footing or with the slippery ball, as mishandled snaps, a botched flea flicker, and a couple awful picks contributed to what was a sloppy game.
Unfortunately the team will now have to rely on an even more injured team, as the New Orleans Saints have to defeat the Atlanta Falcons Sunday afternoon in order for Tampa Bay to win the division and sneak into the playoffs.
After finishing the season on a 3-7 run, it would be a bit of a sick joke for the Bucs to make the playoffs with their sub-.500 record.
They’ll likely face either the San Francisco 49ers or Los Angeles Rams should the miracle of the Saints take place.
Either way, they’ll have their work cut out for them even as the home team, and it shall be an ugly, unentertaining affair.
Either of these teams would qualify as being one of the worst playoff teams in recent memory.
Each roster and coaching staff has a long list of flaws and shortcomings, in all phases and aspects of what is in their case generously called “football.”
But change is still unlikely for either team, especially the Bucs.
Todd Bowles’ job security has been reported by multiple sources to not be in jeopardy, with the Glazers either unwilling to pay the buyout required to fire him.
Or perhaps they truly believe this could be a successful team under Bowles’ leadership.
Right.
But hey, the Bucs won, so fire those cannons.
I guess.
