Gameday Tampa Bay

December 19th, 2010

Week 15
Lions at Bucs
Kickoff:
1 p.m.
TV: Blacked out locally. Those living outside the Tampa/Orlando TV markets can watch the game on DirecTV 713. The game can be viewed for free on NFL.com at midnight via Game Rewind (free registration required).
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (in Tampa WFUS-FM, 103.5 and WDAE-AM, 620); Sirius Channel 158.
Weather: Per Accuweather.com, nice day but a little bit chilly. Jacket weather. Sunny all day with kickoff temperature expected to be 66 and will drop slightly at the end of the game. Little wind is anticipated.
Odds: Per Bodog.com, Bucs -4.5.
Outlook: The Lions are garbage. Simply put, if the Bucs lose to this team today, the Bucs have no business in the playoffs. Of course, the Bucs have a gift for making nobodies at running back look like Tony Dorsett. So, as always, stopping the run will be and should be a concern for defensive coordinator/head coach Raheem Morris. Given the Bucs are basically putting a defense together with bailing wire and duct tape, this may be a challenge, even against the toothless Lions. One way to get around this would be, of course, light up the scoreboard offensively which the Bucs have the capability of doing. Arrelious Benn has really broken out of late and that cannot but help take heat off of fellow rookie wide receiver Mike Williams. Take pressure off of those two and looky here, Kellen Winslow is wide open. And, oh yeah, the defense forgot about LeGarrette Blount. In Joe’s eyes for the Bucs to get to the playoffs Greg Olson will have to throw caution to the wind (except on third-and-short) and punch the gas pedal. The Bucs have the horses to do that.
Video: The fine folks of NFL Films preview today’s game. … The Playbook crew of the NFL Network examine what makes the Bucs offense click. … The TBO gang looks at the Bucs playoff chances as well as how the Bucs continue to find a way to win. … Good guy Stephen Holder and Rick Stroud of the St. Petersburg Times discuss how the Bucs will replace Gerald McCoy. … slur-hurling Trey Wingo, Mark Schlereth and Mike Golic of BSPN make their predictions for today’s game.
Fun facts: Today could be an interesting day for both team’s tight ends. Kellen Winslow has at least three catches in 10 straight games while Detroit’s Brandon Pettigrew is second in the league with most catches for a tight end with 62 catches.

5 Responses to “Gameday Tampa Bay”

  1. justin f Says:

    Hopefully We Win And No One Else Gets Hurt

  2. Teddy Says:

    So, after last week’s amazing Redskins cheerleader pic, I was eager to see what Lions cheerleader Joe could pull. Is this ACTUALLY a photo of a Lions cheerleader? If so, I’m shocked.

    BTW, you do know why they only have field turf in their stadiums in Detroit, right? To keep the Lions’ cheerleaders from grazing.

  3. Joe Says:

    Teddy:

    The Lions have no cheerleaders. Above is the reigning Miss USA who was the former Miss Michigan. This is about the only good thing I can say about someone who is a Wolverine.

  4. buc40 Says:

    I couldnt agree more that if they do not win today than they have no business even in the same sentence as playoffs. It would be gutwrenching to lose to a team that has lost an NFL record 26 straight road games. The hand is laid out on the table, we now must play the hand we have and it starts with the lions, the hawks and then to drew brees and company in the bayou. Im pumped for the game and about to head out to the bar and enjoy a stella and some jameson. Good luck boyzzzzz…Have fun on the bus joe and take care of your wingmen.lol

  5. MichiganBucsFan Says:

    wow take it easy on the Wolverines Joe, your talking about the greatest college football team in history ; )

    also I cant help but notice you fail to mention the effect of the Lions defensive line against our beat up offensive line. that’s the thing I’m most worried about, the lions have a VERY good D line and pass rush, and the Bucs, due to injury, have a few questionable guys on the O line. I’m hoping we can overcome and win this match up, but I’m scared…