Gameday Tampa Bay!
September 25th, 2016
Game 3
Rams at Bucs
Kickoff: 4: 05 p.m.
TV: Locally, WTVT-TV Channel 13; DirecTV Channel 714.
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WDAE-AM 620 and WFUS-FM 103.5 in Tampa-St.Petersburg region); SiriusXM Channel 84.
Weather: Joe loves Florida fall. You can have your 70 degree days: Joe will take sunny Florida where it is still summer no matter what the calendar says — and when you can still wear shorts at night. Tailgaters may have to deal with thunderstorms and 92 degrees, per AccuWeather.com. Kickoff is expected to be 91 under partly-sunny skies. By the fourth quarter, the temperature should cool off to 85.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Bucs -4.5.
Outlook: The term “must win” is thrown around way, way, way too much almost to ridiculous lengths, especially in September. But if there is a must-win game in September, the Bucs are looking at it this afternoon. If the Bucs lose to the rotten Rams, the Bucs will be 1-2 with the Broncos and Panthers the next two opponents. If the Bucs lose today, they are heading into the bye with a 1-4 record, the season in the tank, and for yet another friggin’ year, draft talk will heat up in October. Just the thought of this makes Joe want to shove his head into a toilet. But that’s the bed the Bucs made for themselves. Why the pessimism? Look no further than last week where the Bucs, coming off a thrilling road division win, shat all over themselves and looked like the same old Bucs we have become accustomed to watching since Chucky was fired. Same old sorry Bucs who got blown out by good teams just like they did under Raheem Morris, under Greg Schiano, under Lovie Smith. SOS. So, with an offense that is beat up playing a team with a defense that has no problem blasting a pair of brass knuckles into someone’s grill, this has the classic set up of the backyard bully beating up a kid for his lunch money on his way to school. The Rams defense is a bunch of brawlers. With Doug Martin out, Charles Sims is anything but a proven runner (though an excellent receiver). On paper, it sure seems the Rams easily can turn the Bucs into a one-dimensional offense. which is exactly what makes defensive coordinators drool. Just what Jeff Fisher wants: Robert Quinn and Aaron Donald to pin their ears back and go after America’s Quarterback, Pro Bowler Jameis Winston. This game scares the hell out of Joe. But you know what, we should all know by 7 p.m. tonight what kind of Bucs team this is. Will it be soft and roll over for the Rams? Or will the offense punch back and square off against the bully? Are the Bucs dawgs or puppies? It may not be a must-win game, but this season is very much at a crossroads on Sept. 25. Which way do the Bucs turn? The beat up Bucs offense vs. the bruising Rams defense: That’s a bad match-up for the Bucs.
Trinkets: Fisher is 8-1 all-time vs. Bucs, including wins over the Bucs in each of the past four seasons. … Rams PR Tavon Austin is tied for second place in Rams history with three punts returned for touchdowns. … Rams TE Lance Kendricks is tied for third in Rams history with 15 touchdown catches. … In his first season as Rams MLB, Alex Ogletree leads the team with 27 tackles, 21 solo. … OLB Mark Barron is second on the Rams in tackles with 15. He led the Rams in tackles last season with 135. … The Rams are last in the NFL in total offensive yards per game (234). … WR Kenny Britt leads the Rams in receptions (10) and receiving yards (161). … RB Todd Gurley has only 98 yards rushing this season. … The Bucs are eighth in the NFL in rushing yards allowed per game (76.5). … WR Mike Evans leads the Bucs in receptions (11) and yards receiving (169). … LB Lavonte David needs a half-sack to surpass Shelton Quarles (13.5) for fourth-most sacks by a Bucs linebacker. … With a touchdown catch today, Evans would become the first Bucs player to catch a touchdown pass in each of the first three games of a season. … WR Vincent Jackson currently has 4,215 yards receiving as a Bucs player. He needs 76 more yards to pass Jimmie Giles for third-most receiving yards in franchise history.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:03 pm
Alright Smith, lets see if your defense can stop a backup quarterback and the worst offense in the league, or will they get carved up?
If our defense doesnt produce today its the scheme and the coaching, not the players. Fingers crossed.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:06 pm
Kendricks is third all time in TDs catches for the Rams???? 15? Really? Bruce and Holt must be 1 and 2, but Kendricks, that surprises me.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:10 pm
Joe, if the thought of early draft talk makes you put your head in a toilet, make sure ASJ flushes it first!😛😂
September 25th, 2016 at 1:15 pm
Where are accidents when you need them? Look at the above captioned gal. If only the young lady’s bra would somehow break!! That and a Bucs victory would cap my Sunday!!
September 25th, 2016 at 1:19 pm
The ticker on the bottom of the screen is still claiming that LVD is out? WTF?
September 25th, 2016 at 1:22 pm
Break up the Bucs sleepwalking. Playing in a familiar place, expecting an unfamiliar result. A win here is a near must. Make it happen.
September 25th, 2016 at 1:35 pm
MikeJ, I wholeheartedly agree!!!
September 25th, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Great QBs rise to the occasion, and this is a good test for America’s/2nd Most Hated Quarterback, Jameis Winston. We are all hoping that he leads the Bucs to victory!
September 25th, 2016 at 2:03 pm
Joe says:
Charles Sims is anything but a proven runner (though an excellent receiver).
———————
Finally coming around to that realization? We’re better off letting Jameis run the option than handing off the Simms all game. Although, if you put Simms in the slot he’s a game breaker.
And not for nothing, I see you guys sleeping on Keenum but that boy can throw the long ball. Conte will get burnt at least 3-4 times if he’s not careful. Why is Conte our starting safety again? Oh yea cuz our real starting safety is playing for the Rams today. Oh man, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:06 pm
Sims might surprise some of you.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:09 pm
It’s early, but the Bills are (as of the mid-second quarter) shutting down the Cardinals 17-0. The Cardinals really must have been focusing on the Bucs last week.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:12 pm
Bodacious Ta-Tas: Sid Worley
September 25th, 2016 at 2:16 pm
Let jacqiuizz be the feature back
Sims strength is recieving
**damn wish the rams and denver game was at 1pm. Arizona is sleeping coming from west
September 25th, 2016 at 2:24 pm
Can i get some support on the need to get JW OUT OF THE POCKET early in the game to help him burn off some of that extra “JUICE”???
September 25th, 2016 at 2:32 pm
Joe……now seeing on Fox scroll that LVD is out for the game with a shoulder.
I realize that Koetter said he was good to go yesterday….but seems unlikely two networks would get this wrong.
Do you have any new info?
September 25th, 2016 at 2:36 pm
LVD is out??? Did I miss something??????
September 25th, 2016 at 2:38 pm
Joe wrote Friday night how Koetter said Lavonte would play. Not sure why some of you chose not to believe him orJoe’s reporting.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
Ugh, I hate these later games!!! I’ll b hammered by the start again… Well on my way anyways!!! PLEASE SHOW UP TODAY BUCS & BUCS FANS. I wanted to jump off a bridge after the last game, I love this team so much but they also love to punish me. Masochist maybe, but I really want to see these boys succeed wether it’s against the Lambs or whoever the fcuk! We can win this one so let’s!!!!!!!!!!
September 25th, 2016 at 2:43 pm
It’s not that we don’t believe your reporting or Koetter……the question is why do Fox and the NFL network not believe it because they both are reporting LVD out…..I simply and asking if something has changed since Koetter made his statement.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:44 pm
Yea, joe I believe u. It’s just confusing that NFL is saying he’s out
September 25th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
ESPN JUST SAID LVD is in!!!!!! Thank god… wait, can we trust em?
September 25th, 2016 at 2:48 pm
Lol, nfl just reported LVD and Ryan smith will play. Crisis averted
September 25th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Trust in Joe, why would we not… we all turn here for all things BUCS! Let’s gooooooooo
September 25th, 2016 at 2:49 pm
Vikings could pull this one out. And Scam is banged up, been getting hit all day
September 25th, 2016 at 2:52 pm
That’s good because we desperately need a good game from LVD & Kwon today.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:53 pm
Ye of so little faith.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:55 pm
Joe
Can I get a reprieve on my ip so I can use my wiwi? Please.
September 25th, 2016 at 2:58 pm
@DB55
Mine is also still blocked…..
September 25th, 2016 at 3:07 pm
Vikings finally ahead of Panthers..Go Vikings!!!
September 25th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
Ineed to be replacing my hot water heater, but football is back baby! Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
September 25th, 2016 at 3:16 pm
THE CARDINALS ARE GETTING EMBARRASSED.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:17 pm
The Bucs are giving the Rams 4.5 points. Hey we’re supposed to get points like usual.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:18 pm
We are worst then I thought. The Cardinals are getting destroyed against Bills and we barely scored once. We suck as always. 🙁
September 25th, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Speaking for Pablo
“Pablo doesn’t want JBF amigos to worry….Pablo is not injured…..there are reports that Pablo pulled his elongated arc…..no concern….Pablo pulled it deliberately….several times”
September 25th, 2016 at 3:33 pm
Pablo
Hahahaha
September 25th, 2016 at 3:35 pm
Bradford is carving up the Stinkin’ Panthers. Quick passes..moving the chains…
Go Vikings! Love it if Carolina goes to 1-2 with a home loss!
September 25th, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Meanwhile the GMen are choking at home against the deadskins.
We gotta win today and wild card possibilities will be available after the bye.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:39 pm
@Mike Johnson
She’s not THAT great. You must be single, lol.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:42 pm
My game prediction:
I personally believe the Rams will end up with the first pick in the draft, or close to it. I would moark this down as a sure win, but because of the Bucs record in recent years against backup QBs, you have to give the Rams at least some chance of a win.
Bucs Chances of win: 75%
So yes…we SHOULD win this one…barring a disaster.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:44 pm
I am nervous as hell. The bills are stomping Arizona. Which bucs team will show up.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
This giants v redskins game is everything football is supposed to be. Great game.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:45 pm
Last I looked, Cards were getting beat 17-0. If the early scores hold up, some whales will get hurt bad. Good. We’ll win. This is the 3rd regular season game played with a new coaching regime. Enough said. Go Bucs!!
September 25th, 2016 at 3:51 pm
Every team will have a bad week in a season, even the best. The Buccaneers just usually don’t get to be the team that benefits from it.
The fact that the Cards are getting hurt means nothing.
September 25th, 2016 at 3:57 pm
Panthers will lose….
September 25th, 2016 at 3:59 pm
How does the weather look? We are beginning to get storms in O-ville.
September 25th, 2016 at 4:09 pm
its sad that the bills the darn bills are whooping the cardnials butt smgdh but were. better than the bills and get smashed by the cardinals i so pissed i know its a new week but smh just sad
September 25th, 2016 at 6:30 pm
Buc Bonzai…Perhaps no Marilyn Monroe. But I bet..You would not turn her down now would you? Especially if that Bra breaks.
September 25th, 2016 at 6:34 pm
How is it? An NFL team (Rams) can have absolutely no offense until they play the..Tampa Bay Bucs? Amazing isn’t it?
September 25th, 2016 at 7:06 pm
I’m gone. 4 min left in the game. You losers freak me out. Koetter this, Defensive coordinator Smith that..This teams Defense is no better than it was under Lovie Smith!! matter of fact, it looks worse. You got a team that could not score a TD for 2 straight games..come into our House and score 30 plus?
Fire Koetter and Fire Smith!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So much for your offensive coordinator ..the great Koetter. Welcome to loserville Dr Koetter. No more hiding behind..Lovie Smith. Better get ready for Denver. And I hear..they are much better than the Rams. grab some wood people. Its gonna be a long long season.