Falcons 24, Buccaneers 21

December 18th, 2017

Will Gholston’s blocked field goal wasn’t enough. (Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

Add fragile to the list of negatives for this year’s Buccaneers.

What a train-wreck season.

Injured during this game were O.J. Howard, T.J. Ward, Robert Ayers, DeSean Jackson, J.R. Sweezy, Ryan Smith, Devante Bond, Adarius Glanton and Cameron Brate (who returned). Things got so bad that Joe Dirt, aka linebacker Riley Bullough, saw action and was pushed aside by the Falcons like raw Brussels sprouts on a buffet.

The Falcons racked up a whopping 201 yards on the ground from just 35 carries. They ran down the Bucs’ throat and didn’t stop.

Despite all that, the Bucs hung in there behind a stellar game by America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, who really used his legs effectively and was exceptionally efficient. Jameis was a surgeon, carving up Atlanta for 299 yards on 27-of-35 passing with three touchdowns and no interceptions.

A costly fumble/turover by Peyton Barber at the Falcons’ 5 yard line was a killer. It was the first of his career

On the upside, Julio Jones was held to just three receptions for 54 yards, and your 4-10 Bucs nearly snuffed out a Falcons team that was playing well and is cruising toward a Wild Card berth. Atlanta had 11 days to prepare for the Bucs after beating the Saints two Thursdays ago.

The long arm of Will Gholston blocked a third-quarter Falcons field goal. Mike Evans looked super dangerous again, even with those pass interference penalties. But Patrick Murray couldn’t play the hero from 54 yards out with five seconds remaining.

And so it goes. The Bucs keep fighting and keep losing.

Stick with Joe through the wee hours for more out of this game.

108 Responses to “Falcons 24, Buccaneers 21”

  1. zwh99 Says:

    I want to see this jameis more

  2. WeAreLost Says:

    I’m not nearly as depressed as the last few weeks, win I say.

  3. Bucs_Sam Says:

    Offense is bad, defense is bad and special teams is bad.

    If you don’t fire the head coach or the GM or both, you deserve empty stadiums… Why support a bad team across the board?

  4. Lakeland Says:

    Matty Bum tried to throw the game, that dude is terrible.

  5. Season Is Over Says:

    Dirk “We were done by Halloween” Koetter loses another one. Only wins are Jets, Bears, Dolphins and Giants. The worst teams in the league.

  6. Pa Privateer Says:

    Hats off to my team tonight. I was so proud to see that game on National Television

  7. Rod Munch Says:

    Said it before the game, Winston averages something like 290 yards and 3 TDs and 0 INTs versus Atlanta – he had 299 yards, 3 TDs and 0 INTs versus ATL. Winston owns the Falcons and if Dirk wasn’t a coward who punts from the Falcons 43 in the 4th quarter when the defense is completely spent then Winston would be 4-1 versus Matt Ryan right now.

  8. tmaxcon Says:

    Bucs defense keeps the score much closer without cancer93…

  9. Rrsrq Says:

    Another shoulda, woulda, coulda…., missed opportunities with the Freeman fumbles

  10. Herbiebuc Says:

    Heartbroken was i the only person who saw falcon players holding our guys down to kill the clock? Where the heck was the flag it was back 2 back plays!

  11. Kevin Says:

    Anybody that honestly thinks Jameis is the problem with this team is either willfully stupid or a Gator fan.

  12. Bird Says:

    Agree. I’ll say it again.

    Jameis best game in maybe last 2 years.

    People can yell at koetter all they like. Down 4 starting lineman and pretty much both tight ends , the team still fought for coach and could have tied at end of game. Maybe out 10 starters total. Don’t know what team can win that game.

  13. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Jameis was great tonite…..carried the team…..fumble on the 5 was a killer……didn’t get to the sideline in final drive cost us valuable time.

    A really good game….with many walking wounded.

  14. Pierce Says:

    But they keep fighting. I like it. The players haven’t given up. This just isn’t our year. Stay the course.

  15. Rrsrq Says:

    JW only had about 7 incompletions, 2 spikes and 2 drops (3 if you count the first one to Brate).

  16. Grt1 Says:

    Where are the Jameis trolls…. damn it Jameis why did you push it right

  17. I'm tired and 87 is right Says:

    True grit on the field tonight. As Bucs fans this is all we ask for is to leave it on the field. Probably the story of the year where many times guys just didn’t play up to their potential. We saw on the field who really wants it. Go Bucs and pound the rock!

  18. Lamarcus Says:

    The defense played alot better tonight without gmc

    I will stand by McDonald > gmc

    And when McDonald is in the game he never seems to disappoint

  19. BigDaddio Says:

    The Bucs put forth a great effort. This the Jameis we are hoping to see more of. The defense played as well as they have in a while especially given injuries (they still are pretty bad and have terrible schemes).

    The game came down to the Falcons making an improbable FG while the Bucs missed one. The Falcons fumbled at the goal line and recovered for a TD. The Bucs did the same and lost it. The Falcons fumbled again in the 4th QTR and got it back. Its too bad all the breaks went the other way on a night when the team actually played well.

  20. cmurda Says:

    Jameis was amazing. I love that dude. If he doesn’t have at least 4 to 6 clear drops, he would have set the all-time Bucs record for completion percentage. I think the drops may have been as many as 6 or 6. I can remember 5 right off the top of my head. D needed to get off the field one series earlier and still Jameis gave us a chance but Murray couldn’t do it. He did have the leg though.

  21. WeAreLost Says:

    @ Pierce yes please for the love of all things holy stay the fuking course.

  22. Bucs_Sam Says:

    Born in Saint Pete, I live in Oviedo Fl Now….. Going to drop coin to watch Bortles in the playoffs, not interested in being the new dog pound celebrating a bad team. I will support you if you put on a quality product. Gruden ring of honor only enhances the lack of winning this leadership had done in a decade. I have kids who don’t know a winning Bucs season. Come on man. Give us something. Without hope what do we have?

  23. mike10 Says:

    Interesting how the defense looked without McCoy!… trade him, he’s negligible on that line

  24. Lakeland Says:

    NFL Standings

    Cleveland 0-14
    New York Giants 2-12
    Indianapolis Colts 3-11
    Tampa Bay Bucs 4-10
    Denver Broncos 4-10
    Chicago Bears 4-10

  25. kgh4life Says:

    The Bucs lost? I guess Jameis Winston is to blame.

  26. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    They run for over 200 yards….and Tmaxcon thinks wie play better without GMC……that is more than delusional…..

  27. I Bleed Pewter and Red Says:

    I second zwh99 comment

  28. cmurda Says:

    3 drops? Brate, Alan Cross, and Brate again, maybe that last Godwin one. I thought Hump missed one but I know I’m forgetting a couple.

  29. tmaxcon Says:

    Tbbf

    They do that with gmc who is a proven iability in run game… 64th ranked tackle against run… try again fanboy

  30. DB55 Says:

    When Jameis goes to a real city he’s gonna pull off FSU records in the nfl. Most of you dudes quit early just like your mentor captain marshmallow crunch

  31. Lamarcus Says:

    Those 200 rushing yards sir….. This team tonight had no quit. They fought. Unlucky bounces on the fumbles. No quit

  32. Larrywoods3 Says:

    I can’t say I’m disappointed with the fight that these men put up tonight. What I am disappointed in, is the officiating all the way round. Starting with blatant holdings on our defensive players, the falcons holding our guys down in order to kill the clock and the damn ref falling and costing us precious seconds with the clock still running smh

  33. JameisDungy Says:

    Dirk and Licht are the problem.

    Dirk went with the buddy system hiring Mike Smith.

    Licht…who the hell hires Lovie Smith’s OC?

    Falcons fans have laughed at the Bucs the last two years making those two be in charge.

    Awful

    Dirk not going no huddle against this Falcons defense was brutal. Mike Smith not blitzing until the final drive on 3rd down is horrible.

    Teams like the Eagles, Rams, etc went out and got real coaches.

  34. Ed Says:

    I dont understand what changed Winston’s playing tonight. He looked poised and played an almost perfect game. No hurries, no overthrows, moved well around the pocket, threw some nice deep balls, gave receivers chance to make plays and the deep throws were on the money. Where has this guy been all year? He finally played tonite like a very good QB. Bucs really are under coached.

  35. NFLNut Says:

    *************************

    You want to see near-PERFECT and absolutely ELITE QB play? Re-watch Jameis play this Falcons game over and over!

    Jameis was 27-35 with 4 drops, 2 clock-spikes and 1 incomplete pass (the first of the game) that the MNF Commentators agreed was a defensive pass interference.

    In reality, Jameis was 27-29 for 299 yards, 3 TDs and 0 TOs with a couple nice scramble runs as well … most NFL QBs simply are not even capable of playing as well as Jameis played tonight.

    *************************

  36. Rod Munch Says:

    Winston isn’t going anywhere – posters on message boards aren’t going to run him out of town when there is a franchise tag. Everyone, well anyone who has an IQ larger than their shoe size anyways, knows Winston is a franchise QB. What Winston needs is an OC like he had in his rookie year – and not some head coach who is vastly overmatched trying to be OC and HC and doing both horribly.

    I saw it again, and yeah I know it won’t happen, but just fix the coaching problem. Make Mike Smith the real HC and move Dirk back to the booth and leave him to be the OC, then get a real DC in place. The Bucs should have done that earlier this year. I know I know, you can’t do that because it might hurt peoples feelings and no one does that, but I don’t know about hurt feelings, Dirk makes the same money in the booth or in the unemployment line, so try putting Dirk back in a position where he excelled and for God’s sake get Mike Smith out of the booth since he’s overmatched there – but apparently is a pretty good HC.

  37. Lakeland Says:

    The Yucs did advance in the draft standings.

  38. tmaxcon Says:

    Tbbf

    Falcons avg 36pts with gmc and have hung 56 and 44 on his pathetic arse… thats 12 pts below thier avg… much better without the crying POS clown.

  39. passthebuc Says:

    one of the top 5 games Jameis has played. The plug and play O & D did not do badly at all. Maybe they were playing over their head and maybe some of them need to play a lot more. Even without the so-called missing talent, they played with more gusto than any game I have seen this year.

    Even with the great game by Winston, he would be on my trading block as well as Evans, McCoy and a couple others who will fetch draft picks. Then I would rebuild the team from the core out. starting with the D. We have VG tight ends and Goodwin will do just fine. Hump stays and with the draft picks I have accumulated from the trades mentioned, I start to rebuild.

  40. DBS Says:

    Credit where credit is due. Jameis played a great game. But 1 or 2 games does not make him elite nor change my mind. If he played like this more often it would have. Also notice how it was done. W/O all the Weapons for Winston BS and what worked last year.

  41. Lakeland Says:

    GMC didn’t play when the Falcons hung 56 on the Yucs.

  42. unbelievable Says:

    @Bucs_Sam

    you have kids who have ever seen a winning Bucs season?

    They literally had a winning season last year. 9-7

    Jameis played great tonight. Barber fumble may have cost us the game. Cam
    Brate and Alan cross has some critical drops as well. Offensive line might be better with the backups. Joe Hawley is def a better center than marpet right now.

  43. NFLNut Says:

    ********************

    JAMEIS just played his 8th healthy game of the year … and below are his numbers:

    200-303 (66%) – 2,436 passing yards (#1 in the NFL ahead of Brady)
    17 TDs and 6 INTS … with a … 101.0 passer rating (#6 in the NFL ahead of Rodgers, Ryan, Stafford, Russell Wilson, Roethlisberger, Rivers, etc)

    Chris Hovan was right to parrot my statement that Jameis is a future HOF’er … the kid is 23, playing with a below-average running game and below-average line and is already ELITE … you Jameis-bashers are in for a long run of looking silly …

    ********************

  44. Rod Munch Says:

    Ed- Maybe it’s because he got decent blocking and is finally recovered from being injured. Also Atlanta has a terrible pass rush. This is what it’s like for other teams fans watching games against the Bucs. Also Dirk was much less predictable than normal tonight, probably because he knew everyone wants him fired and wants Gruden hired so he tried his best not to be his normal predictable awful self on MNF and went into his bag of tricks and actually did the job he used to do when he was actually a good OC.

    That’s what I saw that was different tonight.

  45. Pelbuc Says:

    At least they didnt embarass themselves on national tv except for the run defense. Koeter and Licht way over their heads. Defense needs a total redo. All these injuries show lack of depth and a country club training camp. The rest of our division is clearly more physical and disciplined. Fire Licht!

  46. Lakeland Says:

    unbelievable

    There was more drops in this game than I have seen all year. Both teams had multiple drops.

  47. JameisDungy Says:

    Licht passed up on Kamara in the 2nd round. Unbelievable.

  48. unbelievable Says:

    Yea Lakeland lots of drops and lots of people falling down all over the field.

    It is what it is. Another game where 1 or 2 plays go different and we would have won, even with all those injuries and sloppy tackling.

  49. Lakeland Says:

    Jason Licht passed on Micheal Thomas,Shelton Rankins, Vonn Bell also

  50. Lakeland Says:

    I said this after the 2016 draft. We should have drafted the players the Saints drafted.

  51. firethecannons Says:

    Jameis was dialed in, laser focused, awesome sight to see, its all possible with this kid–we know now, Glazers know now, the future is better

  52. Ray Rice Says:

    Chucky got to see his franchise QB for next season.

  53. DB55 Says:

    77 percent completition percentage

  54. unbelievable Says:

    Still waiting to hear what’s up with Jameis not having the captain patch…

  55. Eric Says:

    I give credit for a good effort, and Jameis reaffirmed he’s a super talented guy and all.

    But I already knew that.

    And remain unconvinced our head coach could ever get us to the promise land.

    Nice tribute to Chucky and the players that showed up in support. Even though they all supposedly despise him according to the local hack media.

  56. Lakeland Says:

    DB55

    That don’t mean nothing, until the Bucs hire a GM who can build a complete team.

  57. NFLNut Says:

    *****************************

    Jameis Winston’s 8 healthy games this year vs Tom Brady’s 14 games this year:

    Jameis: 66.0 comp % – 304.5 pass ypg – 2.125 TDs – .75 INTs – 101.0 rating

    Brady: 67.1 comp % – 297.4 pass ypg – 2.0 TDs – .5 INTs – 104.0 rating

    AND Jameis is doing the above without a legit running game and a below average offensive line!

    JAMEIS IS ALREADY “ELITE” AND THE NUMBERS PROVE IT … THE KID JUST HAPPENS TO PLAY ON A TEAM WITH ONE OF THE WORST DEFENSES IN THE ENTIRE NFL, AND LIKE AIKMAN, TARKENTON, MOON AND OTHER GREAT QBS WHO HAD “LOSING RECORDS” THROUGH THEIR FIRST 3 YEARS (even JOE MONTANA had a losing record in 3 of his first 4 years), HE IS A SUPERSTAR PLAYING ON A BAD TEAM!

    *****************************

  58. Pelbuc Says:

    Hire Gruden who hires Marinelli away from Dallas. I would be stoked! This defense is light years from being average. Get rid of crybaby GMC, Swaggy, Hargreaves and of course, Drug Martin!

  59. tmaxcon Says:

    Hey doug martin nuthuggers and fanboys you have just joined the ranks of the irrelvant glennon mob… once again I’m always always right… huge mistake having the gerbil on roster last few yearz. Another career loser ala cancer93

  60. cmurda Says:

    passthebuc Says:

    Even with the great game by Winston, he would be on my trading block as well as Evans, McCoy and a couple others who will fetch draft picks. Then I would rebuild the team from the core out. starting with the D. We have VG tight ends and Goodwin will do just fine. Hump stays and with the draft picks I have accumulated from the trades mentioned, I start to rebuild.

    Aside from possibly McCoy, please tell me you’re just messing around to get a smile after a tough loss.

  61. DavidBigBucsFan99 Says:

    Jameis lost this game. He punched the ball out of Barbers hands for the fumble and pushed d linemen out of the way to Atls 200 yards rushing, he caused Murray to miss wide right. He did not throw 5 tds and he made no adjustments for the toss sweeps our D kept getting gashed with. Trade him tomorrow

  62. Lakeland Says:

    Jameis Winston can throw for 6,000 yards, 50 TD and rush for another 500 yards. It wouldn’t mean twat without a complete team.

  63. DB55 Says:

    You want to see near-PERFECT and absolutely ELITE QB play?
    ——
    Yes that’s exactly what they want to see, every single week. Bunch of clowns

  64. BrianBucs Says:

    I thought the Bucs were going to run out of players. Thought some of us may have to suit up

  65. Lakeland Says:

    Carolina, New Orleans and Atlanta has built complete teams , while the GM has blown draft picks and signed Bum Free Agents.

  66. Lakeland Says:

    Bucs GM

  67. nole4JabooANDdBucs Says:

    NEWS FLASH…when you make a NFL you are ELITE…not perfect, not experienced but ELITE!

  68. NFLNut Says:

    **********************

    DB55 … 77% completion percentage is nice but Jameis was actually 27-29 (93.1%)!

    There were 4 drops, 2 clock-spikes and one pass to Evans (first pass of the game) that both MNF commentators said was pass interference on the Falcons DB but the refs missed it.

    Jameis was near PERFECT and went 27-29 … he was unreal tonight and guys like Mariota, Dak Prescott and most others simply are not capable of playing the way he played tonight … Jameis is one of the 3 most talented QBs in the entire NFL along with Rodgers and Wentz and anyone who wants him traded or cut or wishes the Bucs drafted a guy like Mariota who is simply a gimmicky game-manager, is insane imho

    ***************************

  69. Reach87 Says:

    Tmax you’re a moron. A few days ago you claimed that you never said McCoy wasn’t good, now you say he is pathetic. You are either cofused or a natural prevaricator. He didn’t play tonight and rather than comment on those that did and played hard, you spew that same poison. Good game tonight… played hard despite being outmanned. Go Bucs!

  70. Eric Says:

    Why can’t we have an explosive running back like Freeman. He won the game for them.

    Yeah Barber is decent, but a really good back would help.

  71. Chucklehead Says:

    I loved the effort tonight. Jameis finally came through and played the way we drafted him to play. The D did a really good job of limiting Julio Jones and Ryan only threw for 200 yards. That Barber lost fumble killed us.

    Im not ashamed or embarrassed over this loss. I just hope the team looks as good the next 2 games.

  72. DB55 Says:

    Nflnut

    Yo the def nvr quit gotta give them much respect. ✊🏾

  73. Lakeland Says:

    Drew Brees passed for over 15,000 yards and 102 TD the past 3 seasons. And they missed the playoffs all three seasons. This year he has pass for 3854 yards and 21 TD and they are in 1st place in the NFC South. GM Micky Loomis has put a complete team around him. Now he don’t have to carry the team on his shoulders.

  74. Eric Says:

    I’m pretty sure that Freeman run for the td in the 4th was through the biggest running lane in NFL history.

  75. Season Is Over Says:

    I love these cherry-picking stats. Mr. Magoo has made horrible throws for years. The first overall pick in the entire draft has one good game and now he is better than Brady? Lmao!

  76. unbelievable Says:

    Honestly that’s one of the best games Jameis has played.

  77. tmaxcon Says:

    Reach87

    Good player pathetic captain and leader… just another career loser and face of basement years… if bucs are lucky that cancer has played his last down in tampa… jyst anotherr fraud

  78. tmaxcon Says:

    Reach87

    Being a nuthugger of a career loser who has never won a meaningful game in his career is far more moronic thasn having high standards and not falling for his bs… total fraud

  79. nole4JabooANDdBucs Says:

    JW played his butt off with a plug and play cast…You expert Madden players should really get off on that.

    JW stood toe to toe with Matt, and MATT made more mistakes but they one! Amazing enough because they are winning you tag Matt as elite…I really don’t think that is what the GLAZERS saw!

  80. Lakeland Says:

    Matty Bum isn’t elite, he never was. There’s no elite QB in the NFC South.

  81. c-spann Says:

    This was one of JW’s best games. Personally I think the first game against all in 2016 was his best game

  82. Lakeland Says:

    Elite means superior, I don’t see that in any NFC South QB.

  83. NFLNut Says:

    ^ Drew Brees is elite and one of the most under-rated QBs in NFL history.

    Jameis is also elite, RIGHT NOW … check the numbers … his 8 healthy game numbers this year are right there with Brady’s and better than almost everyone else not named Wentz … if Jameis had a defense, or a running game, or a line … he’d be an MVP candidate.

    Cam … he’s an elite athletic talent but not as a pure passer

    Ryan … he’s just always been a “solid” QB … barring injury he’ll likely retire with good enough numbers to enter the HOF ala Philip Rivers … I don’t think he’s as good as Rivers was in his prime but I think both guys will get into the HOF when all is said and done.

  84. NFLNut Says:

    Lakeland … I suppose you can make the case that Brees is no longer elite as he has slipped a little, but I still think he’s definitely elite and I think it’s indisputable that he was elite in the past and has had an elite career … and I honestly believe Jameis is elite right now as well and his numbers through 8 healthy games this year prove that … I don’t view Cam or Ryan as elite though they deserve props for having one elite year each in the past.

  85. DB55 Says:

    So Drew Brees the future hof’er isn’t elite? You sure about that?

  86. Pelbuc Says:

    Always seems like this team plays harder and with more effort when crybaby fake Batman McCoy is not playing. Trade his sensitive arse for a couple of 3rd rounders and remake the defense. The new coach has 8 yrs of McCoy film to to realize the defense continously sucks. This team has no physicality, is mentally and physically weak and easy to demoralize.

  87. DB55 Says:

    Haven’t they all won mvp honors? Yet gmc is elite? Omg give me a break. Come on lake you better than that

  88. Capt.Tim Says:

    Jameis came in to this game,with a 42.8 quarterback rating.
    Totally unacceptable for a 3rd year QB.

    But Tonight- he played like the QB we had hoped we drafted.
    If he can continue to make those kind of smart decisions, we might still have a franchise QB

    If.
    And if hes not fondling uber drivers.

    Gruden pointed out, Time and time again, that Tampa couldnt produce any pressure on Ryan.
    Ryan is really strugglng in the new OCs system. Not only did he consitently miss short passes- he sometimes got happy feet, In a perfectly safe pocket

    Why cant we get pressureon Ryan,even when we blitz 2 Lbers and a safety?
    Its insane how bad our DEs are. We should bench Gholsten and Ayers both- and start Russell and Clarke.
    Given time, they may not suck.
    Gholsten and Ayers definately suck.

    No pass rush or tun defense without our 5 time Probowl DT, Gerald McCoy.
    I think everyone mistakes Conte for Sabby Piscatelli.
    Conte had a goid game, and is always decent
    Noone in our secondary is going to look good, when we have no pass rush

  89. not there yet Says:

    The fumble hurt but just as much as the coward head coach pointing the ball at the 50 to a team he couldn’t stop at full strength let alone with a bunch of backup’s. It’s time to start packing it on you won’t return. This offense baked out despite the coach

  90. Jim Says:

    Jameis put on a show.

  91. Eric Says:

    Jameis has had a lot more than one good game. That is 68 touchdown passes in less than three years in the league.

    Number two all time behind Marino.

    Only a total moron wouldn’t recognize the skills.

    But we got plenty of those around here. Always have. Same nut jobs that liked it when we lost Doug Williams.

  92. Vico Says:

    So what’s the latest draft talk news? Who is on reach right now? Let’s say number 3 or 4?

  93. dis Says:

    We lost. #blameJameis

  94. Tony from Los Angeles Says:

    Anyone who doesn’t realize that 23 year old Jameis is the best QB in Bucs’ history and the absolute future of this organization’s rise to prominence once again is – and let me speak plainly – an ignorant neanderthal who is simply bad at life.

    I can already hear the negative commenters trying to muster their grammatically incorrect responses… just stop. Simply write “blah, blah, blah”. That will have far more meaning than anything else you have to say.

  95. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    I have read every comment tonight..every single win..Capt. Tim, you are spot on with everything you said…

  96. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    Vico..right now 6th…

  97. Lamarcus Says:

    Yeah Brees probably age caught up with him. Payton does a good job hiding his decline a bit.

  98. Not As Angry in CT Says:

    Now that was heart I was really proud of this team tonight.

  99. The Anomaly Says:

    If J(he ate his other initial) can string together multiple games like this…great. A step in the right direction. If he follows this up with his normal keystone Winston fumbles and INTs then I’ll pass on the $120 mill dollar man.

  100. LifeOfABucFan Says:

    “he ate his other initial”..that made me LOL loud enough to wake up my family..lol..

  101. AtlBucFanDan Says:

    I think they played a great game considering the injury bug

  102. Capt.Tim Says:

    LifeofaBucFan.
    Thank you.

    Again guys- you can sing Jameis praise all you want to.
    Numbers dont lie.

    He came into tonights game, with a Wuarterback rating of 42.8.
    Thats worse than Fitzpatrick. Worsr than Glennon. Worse than Josh McCown.

    That kind of number tells of horrible play and decision making

    I hope tonight is a sign of the future.
    But Id still draft a QB number 1, with the 4th pick

  103. John Says:

    I think we need a new mlb, Kwon has been pushed around all season and he really got abused this game. I don’t think the few splash plays he makes Make up for constantly being out of place and pushed around.

  104. Defense Rules Says:

    This game … and most of these fan comments … just leave me shaking my head. Never have I seen so many Bucs’ fans (and media) euphoric about a loss. But not just any loss. We ONLY lost by 3 points. And our offense produced an unprecedented 21 points. Oh wait, that’s what we produce on average every game. So we must’ve lost because of our badly-depleted defense allowed 24 points to a great offense. Oh wait, that’s actually the same as what we’ve allowed on average every game this year. I’ve got it: Praise Jameis, Blame Smitty. Aah yes, the Life of a Buc Fan.

    Jameis played an awesome game, probably the best of his 3-year career IMO. Yup, Good Jameis had a GREAT night against a very good defense (that coincidentally lacks a pass rush), so lots of fans & media hop back on board the Jameis Train. Newsflash: Dirk Koetter’s play-calling was MUCH better in this game than in any so far this year. He used the talent available MUCH more effectively (especially in the short and intermediate passing game), and Jameis was able to deliver the ball accurately. Bucs’ offense looked like it played a lot more ‘under control’ this game, even though our TOP was still less than 27 minutes.

    Bucs’ defense is-what-it-is: a badly-depleted hodge-podge of mostly average to not-so-average players … who played their hearts out last night and held an excellent offense to ONLY 24 points. And did it without any pass rush, without being able to stop the run, and with a LB/Secondary corps that missed oodles of tackles & left way too many guys wide open. Thank heaven no one praised Smitty for finding a way to cobble together a defense that worked around all of those limitations.

    Still, I haven’t seen anyone yet praise Jason Licht & the Glazer Boys for building a team that ONLY lost by 3 points. Oh by the way, has anyone noticed how the Falcons & Saints (plus a number of other teams) identified their weaknesses then methodically went about fixing them? Yup, their ownership & GMs used good drafting, free agency and trades to fix their holes and become more competitive. Joel, Brian, Jason … you might want to take note of what they did to develop winning franchises.

  105. Clodhopper Says:

    Lotta injuries on a team that hasn’t had a bye week. ijs

  106. Bucsfanman Says:

    @Defense Rules- Hilarious, isn’t it?! Somebody’s got JW’s stats comparing to Tom Brady up there!
    Now, I have to admit that I’m still not convinced that Smitty should remain, BUT……..the defense did actually play their heart out. It is abundantly clear that we have very little talent on this d-line. By “very little,” I mean NONE!
    By the way, can someone please explain why TJ Ward is on the field?! The last time I saw so much toast was at breakfast at Trips Diner!

  107. Defense Rules Says:

    Bucsfanman, I’m convinced that Jameis will be our QB for a long time to come … as long as his handlers don’t ruin him (or if he pulls a Josh Freeman). And you’ve certainly got LOTS of company in thinking that Smitty should go. I’m not totally convinced that he (and his style of defense) is the answer for the Bucs, but I’ve never believed in canning quality people for ‘underperforming’ if you haven’t given them adequate guidance AND resources to perform with. DLine played their hearts out last night, but were clearly over-matched. Not only were they being pushed around, but it looked on a number of plays like blitzes were ineffective because the DLine actually got in the way.

  108. Bucsfanman Says:

    Trust me D.R., I’m with you on the “empty cupboard”. It’s so puzzling as to why this area has not been addressed when it is so glaring. With Smitty though, his defenses were labeled “soft” when he was HC with Atlanta. That moniker has followed, I’m afraid.
    I think Jameis will be fine with proper coaching and better play-calling. A run-game won’t hurt either!

    #BuildtheTRENCHES