Crossroads Weekend Coming In NFC South

September 27th, 2016
Division leader

Division leader

Given the early developments across the NFC, one could easily make a case that the Bucs’ best chance of reaching the playoffs for the first time since 2007 is winning the NFC South.

Here’s how the division stands after Atlanta beat up the Saints 45-32 in New Orleans last night.

Atlanta 2-1
Tampa Bay 1-2
Carolina 1-2
New Orleans 0-3

The Falcons host Carolina on Sunday, a real crossroads game in the division. A win by Atlanta would put them in impressive position and it officially would certify that the Panthers have a problem. If Carolina wins, then the pecking order is somewhat restored to the division.

The Saints fly to face the 1-2 Chargers, a team averaging 29 points a game. San Diego is sure to ignite the Saints’ crappy defense. If New Orleans falls to 0-4, then write off their season. The Saints have a bye in Week 5, followed by hosting the Panthers and heading to Kansas City.

The Bucs host undefeated Denver on Sunday. Good luck!

Joe’s not sure how any of this shakes out. Joe thinks the Saints will keep struggling, and Atlanta did beat the Panthers the last time the two teams met — when Carolina was 14-0 last year. The Bucs are going to have their hands full, especially if they can’t clean up their defensive act and the kicking game.

27 Responses to “Crossroads Weekend Coming In NFC South”

  1. Buns Collector Says:

    Our season will be over quick once we lose this weekend and then get destroyed on MNF @ Carolina

  2. Ph Fan Says:

    This makes Sunday’s loss even more frustrating.

  3. LargoBuc Says:

    Hey its not likely but a win on Sunday is possible. Let’s keep going GO BUCS!

  4. Buc1987 Says:

    Our season is still young and most fo the wins are going to come on the back end of it anyways.

    Rams game hurt though as I had that chalked up as a win before the season.

    Unfortunately I also have us beating the Saints twice instead of splitting and that looks like that may hold. Their D looks worse than ours.

    7-9 or 8-8 on a bounce.

  5. rrsrq Says:

    So if by some miracle chance the Bucs get one of these wins in the next two weeks, what kind of team are we, we are who we thought we were, a Jekyll and Hyde team. I’m not throwing on the towel after three games, look at the league, the Steelers get smoked, the Cards get beat, Panthers got tagged, Eagles are 3-0, this team can turn it around because the talent is there.

  6. Dave Says:

    Hey we are only getting 3 from denver and vegas knows all so its a winnable game in my books

  7. rayjay1122 Says:

    I just don’t know how we beat the Falcons in week one. We will take one at least from the Saints probably split with Atlanta and get swept by the Panthers. So I see 3-3 in the division and total record 4-12 to 6-10. We will win one that we should have lost and will pull out a couple of other non division wins. Too bad we have to struggle when the rest of the division is starting slow.

  8. Eric Says:

    you never know but when one of most ineffectual offensive teams in the league lights you up for 37 at home it is not very inspiring.

    I hope these idiot don’t end up ruining Jameis.

  9. Mike Johnson Says:

    Right. We all know where the crossroads for the Bucs end this year…top 5 draft pick!! maybe even..the 1st.

  10. iamkingsu Says:

    Believe it or not I think we can split with Carolina and that will put us at 4-2 or 5-1 in the division. I think we sweep the Falcons and split with the Saints. I know the saints defense is horrible but we just are prone to a turnover backed up inside our territory or with us driving ready score which kills all momentum we have. And that’ll be enough for Brees.

  11. ElioT Says:

    This team will win games this year but it’s going to be an up and down season.

    Not enough talent and grit for them to be a consistent winner.

  12. Tampa Tony Says:

    With realignment the entire NFC south plays the AFC West And NFC West so as difficult as some think the Bucs have it the other teams have it just as bad

  13. Tampa Tony Says:

    ATL beat Carolina when they were 14-0, they then beat the Bucs for their 15th win

  14. SOEbuc Says:

    Oh my God you people piss me off soo much. Don’t come on here and talk about the Bucs’ guaranteed loss on Sunday and MNF and the rest of the season cus us real bucs’ fans don’t wanna hear your b!*ching.

  15. VegasBuc Says:

    Broncos are only favored by 3 pts this week over the Bucs. Vegas Oddsmakers always knows something most don’t. So what their trying to say…is we have a chance.

  16. 813bucboi Says:

    we’ll see….. can smitty get this defense together?…can they generate some pressure?…what happened to the 3-4 4-3 looks and confusing the offense?….the broncos qb has been gaining confidence week by week…looks a lot better than case keenum and has more tools…will dirk become pass happy once again or will he stay committed to the run game?….will jameis drop back 58 times again like he did vs the rams?…if so glennon better get ready….will this coaching staff create a great defensive and offensive game plan against a great team…we’ll see…GO BUCS!!!!

  17. Coulditreallybeworse? Says:

    No way bucs beat the Broncos.

  18. Erik w/ Clean Athletics & United Games - a new 'Interactive' Fantasy Sports app by the makers of Madden Football Says:

    I admit that it’s not likely that we beat the broncos, but it IS possible (if we play up to our true capability).

    Man, I don’t even feel like commenting these days, I’m so disappointed in this start…

    C’mon, Bucs. Turn it around!!!

  19. BigMacAttack Says:

    I don’t think a fan being pessimistic about the Bucs’ next two games makes them less of a fan at all. Sure I want the Bucs to win but we play the Super Bowl Champs and Runners Up in those games. Combine that with beating themselves against The Rams and our chances are very slim. I love the Bucs and have faith in our coaches but they have a long long way to go. Losing Martin and Ayres is also proving to be a serious blow to the team. Not to mention referees absolutely hate the Bucs.

  20. The Buc Realist Says:

    Wow, look at the whole NFC South record!!! I don’t hear anyone talking about “schedule do not matter” anymore!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Go Bucs!!!!!!!!!

  21. Chris@Apple Roof Cleaning Says:

    Wanting Tampa to win, and BELIEVING they will are 2 different things. Than new kicker we have makes me awfully nervous. That, and no running game is not exactly a recipe for success against Denver.

  22. Dusthty Rhothdes Says:

    7-9 and that is doing some fuzzy math with the schedule

  23. Pawel Says:

    Sorry to tell you this guys but without Ayers and Jaquis we aren’t going anywhere.

  24. 813bucboi Says:

    dusty rhothdes…7-9 wont get it done…..especially if we continue to play the way we’ve been playing….some folks, like @realist will scream we made an improvement but those same folks bashed the previous staff after they improved by 4games….with the talent this team has now and so call competent coaches at the helm, we should be a playoff contending team….by the look of things we’ve seemed to have regressed on defense and coaching decisions(run game, ball control, time management)….GO BUCS!!!

  25. dusthty rhothdes Says:

    I blame licht for the crappy talent on the defense, was not a fan of drafting vh3 but its done, the bucs should have signed some nfl safeties like reggie nelson or others available then trade down for a starting safety but of course licht and lovie traded away a safety better than the slugs out there now, offensively i think its good except timeouts and kicking, offense needs a tavon austin/crooks gamebreaker but lcht is sooo smart he is stoopid

  26. Mike Johnson Says:

    Every last one of you are..TRIPPIN IF..you even think we have a chance against the Broncos. They are going to show you/us what a championship team is suppose to look like..with very little effort.

  27. GhostofTedford Says:

    All the prognosticators and junior Jimmy the greeks have the sky falling this weekend. Anything can happen and usually does. Anyone remember the first half of our game at Seattle a few years ago? Anything can happen and that’s why you love this game. Just like on Saturdays when some no name school from the middle of nowhere rolls into a college powerhouse and beats them. All the experts have the college powerhouse heavily favored only to see the no name come ready to play. That’s what this team must do…come ready to play for 60 minutes. Maybe Dirk should get Ric Flair to give a pre-game pep talk about going 60 minutes. WWWWHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO