Gameday Tampa Bay!

November 26th, 2017

falcons cheerleader 2

Game 11

Bucs (4-6) at Dixie Chicks (6-4)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13; Outside the Tampa Bay area, DirecTV Channel 709.

Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WXTB-FM 97.9 in Tampa-St. Petersburg region); SiriusXM Channel 134.

Weather: The Bucs will be playing in the comfort of the new domed stadium in downtown Atlanta. But for the tailgaters, it is perfect football weather. Per AccuWeather.com, look for temperatures to be in the low 50s at 10 a.m. under sunny skies, gradually warming to 59 by kickoff. That temperature should hold to the end of the game.

Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Dixie Chicks -9.5.

Outlook: Joe has this ugly feeling and it had nothing to do with the quality ribs he had last night in downtown Atlanta. This is the turning point of the season, a T-intersection. Bucs win and they still have a prayer of a wild card. Lose, and there really isn’t any way of spinning it, the season is over. And the team the Bucs have to overcome in order to keep the season alive? The defending NFC champs in their house. The Bucs defense struggles terribly on the road, especially against the pass and that is the bread-and-butter of the Dixie Chicks. Somehow, some way, Bucs defensive coordinator Mike Smith is going to have to find a magic trick to pull this off. The only way the Bucs can stop the Dixie Chicks is to force turnovers. Those are the great equalizers. Joe also is crossing his fingers that playing on a short week and having to travel from Seattle will catch up with the Dixie Chicks. That’s a whole lot of hope and prayer in Joe’s eyes.

Trinkets: Even with the past 10 quarters being navigated by QB Ryan Fitzpatrick, the Bucs are ranked No. 4 in passing offense averaging 263 yards a game. … The Bucs are tied at ninth in turnover margin at plus-five (+5). … The pass defense of the Bucs is just wretched, currently at No. 31 and gagging up 276 yards a game. … Since the start of the 2016 season, only the Baltimore Crows (51) have more takeaways than the Bucs (48). Tampa Bay’s rush defense isn’t too shabby, listed at No. 13 (107 yards a game). … TE O.J. Howard is one receiving touchdown from tying the team rookie record for tight ends of five held by Tim Wright. … DT Gerald McCoy leads the NFL in quarterback hits for a defensive tackle (20) and is one sack away from leading the NFL in sacks by a defensive tackle. Geno Atkins and David Irving each have six. … WR Mike Evans currently has 4,202 receiving yards, now in his fourth season. He only needs 106 more to move ahead of James Lofton who is No. 10 in most receiving yards through a first four seasons. … The Dixie Chicks are No. 7 in the NFL in pass defense, allowing 200 yards through the air a game. … Atlanta, unlike the Bucs, likes to get at the quarterback. Atlanta is fourth in the NFL in sacks (29). … The flip side is QB Matty Ice does not get put on the ground much. The Dixie Chicks have allowed 16 sacks, seventh-best in the NFL. … In kind of a cool coincidence, both Atlanta’s offense and defense is ranked No. 10 in the league. … Matty Ice currently has a 31-game streak at home of throwing for 200 or more yards in a game. … Atlanta does not give up many deep passes. Opponents have only completed 21 passes this season of 20- or more yards on Atlanta, second-best rate in the NFL. … The Dixie Chicks have recorded 11 of their 29 sacks on first down. … LB Deion Jones leads the Dixie Chicks in tackles (82). … Only twice this season has WR Julio Jones had 100 yards or more receiving in a game. … Now in his third season, LB Vic Beasley has 23.5 sacks in his career, most for any player in Atlanta history through three seasons. Mike Pitts had 19.

10 Responses to “Gameday Tampa Bay!”

  1. Defense Rules Says:

    Still holding out hope for that wildcard berth I see. Good job Joe … Keep hope alive.

  2. EasyTheGreat Says:

    This game is gonna ugly and it could happen fast.

  3. DoNUTS Says:

    Whoever wins the turnover battle, wins the game.

    Most likely> ATL 34 Bucs 28

    If the Bucs can get 1 DEF TD or a turnover for quick TD then the score will be flipped. Bucs 34 ATL 28.

    GO BUCS!

  4. StPeteBucsFan Says:

    Great choice of pic Joe!!! Like many here I’ve had reason to spend time in Atlanta on an off. The city just grew too big for my taste but I still enjoy Atlanta.

    I remember in my younger days always looking forward to a long weekend in Hotlanta.

    The Beach Boys may have been close with “California Girls” but I’d put up the Hotlanta ladies against any area of the country.

    A fun town for sure….but I’m afraid not today!!!

  5. Tackleblockwin Says:

    If we could somehow someway find a decent running game we might keep it close.

  6. orlbucfan Says:

    Here’s hoping Koetter has a massive brain fart and allows the offense to finally come into its own. Chicks won’t know what hit ’em! C’mon Tampa Bay!!!!!

  7. EasyTheGreat Says:

    OJ Howard matched up with those LBs is an interesting matchup but it’s gonna we down to Bucs ting a rushing attack Nebraska playing ball control

  8. MadMax Says:

    I think the streak comes to an end with this one. But i wanted the last 2 wins just because JW was out and those were crappy teams….decent team we’re playing today. But if we pull out a win, that will be another good one to see. D better be on their game though!

  9. buccadawg Says:

    I hate to feel like this, but i think the tv will be switched by half time. I hope the AFC match up is a good one

  10. Mike Johnson Says:

    The Absolute HORROR..of being a Bucs fan. Hoping, wishing, praying..for anything..a victory. Every GD Sunday a Buc fans sadly sits..clutching his cross, sayin 10 hail Mary’s..asking the football Gods to..catch the opponent off guard..anything. Don’t you just luv it? Hers a tip to help the anxiety…..Have 2 double shots of your favorite and chase it with a beer prior..to kickoff. It eases..the pain!!!