Gameday Tampa Bay!
December 31st, 2017
Game 16
Saints (11-4) at Bucs (4-11)
Kickoff: 4:25 p.m.
TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13; DirecTV Ch. 718
Radio: Buccaneers Radio Network (WXTB-FM 97.9 in Tampa-St. Petersburg region); Buccaneers broadcast SiriusXM Channel 83, national broadcast SiriusXM NFL Radio Channel 384.
Weather: Per AccuWeather.com, given how the rest of the country is living in a walk-in freezer, a kickoff of 68 degrees just before dark on Dec. 31 is not bad whatsoever. Be prepared, by the time the game is over, it could drop to 60. That’s a big drop in three hours. Look for the skies to be partly cloudy.
Odds: Per FootballLocks.com, Saints -7.
Outlook: Well, we know Dirk Koetter is not coaching his last Bucs game. But defensive coordinator Mike Smith and other defensive assistants? That’s another story. Really, there just isn’t any interest in this game, short of the Bucs making sure they have a decent draft position to get defensive end Bradley Chubb. Joe hopes this is the last time he sees Swaggy Baker disgrace an NFL uniform. It very likely could be the last home game for running back Doug Martin and cornerback Brent Grimes. Martin is done as an effective running back and Grimes is a free agent. Joe understands it is risky as hell, but this guy deserves another contract, in part because the Bucs are horrid at cornerback. This game has nothing to do with the present, and everything to do with the future. Happy New Year!
Trinkets: Saints can clinch the NFC South crown with a win. … The Saints are No. 2 in total offense averaging 395 yards a game. … New Orleans is second in the NFL in sacks allowed (18). … QB Drew Brees has 70,200 career pass yards and joined Peyton Manning (71,940) and Brett Favre (71,838) as only players in NFL history with 70,000+ pass yards. Brees has 1,911 pass yards (273 per game), 12 touchdowns and three interceptions in past seven NFC South games. … RB Mark Ingram has 310 yards from scrimmage (103.3 per game) and a rushing touchdown in his past three divisional road games. … RB Alvin Kamara has franchise rookie records in scrimmage yards (1,426) and touchdowns (12). Ingram and Kamara are only teammates in NFL history with 1,300-plus scrimmage yards and more than 10 touchdowns in the same season. … WR Michael Thomas ranks fourth in the NFL with 98 catches. He has 46 receptions for 544 yards (90.7 per game) and three touchdowns in his past six road games. He has 190 career receptions and needs just five to surpass Jarvis Landry (194) for most catches in his first two seasons in NFL history. … WR Ted Ginn, Jr. had a 54-yard touchdown catch last week. He has four receiving touchdowns in his past five games against the Bucs. … DE Cameron Jordan is tied for fifth in the NFL with 12 sacks. He had two last week. In his last six games against the Bucs, Jordan has 5.5 sacks and seven tackles for loss. Jordan is the only defensive lineman with more than 10 passes defended (11). CB Marshon Lattimore is tied for fifth place in the NFL and leads rookies with five picks. … S Vonn Bell had a half-sack and a forced fumble in his last game against the Bucs. He leads NFL safeties in sacks (3.5). … DE George Johnson (remember him?) has 2.5 sacks in his first two games with the Saints. … The Bucs are fourth in the NFL in passing (268.1 yards a game), but yeah, let’s cut the quarterback. … The Bucs are dead-last in the NFL in pass defense (262.5 yards a game) and sacks (20). … QB Jameis Winston completed 21 of 27 (77.8 pct.) for 367 yards and and a last week. In his last four games, Winston has 1,221 pass yards (305.3 per game), eight touchdowns and two picks. In his last five home games, Winston has thrown for 1,460 pass yards (292 per game) and nine touchdowns while coughing up four picks — but yeah, he stinks and should be cut. … WR Mike Evans has 186 receiving yards (93 per game) and a touchdown in his last two games. Evans needs 54 yards today to join A.J. Green and Randy Moss as the only receivers to have 1,000 receiving yards in their first four seasons in the NFL. … WR Chris Godwin had career-high 98 receiving yards last week. … DT Gerald McCoy had a sack last week at Carolina. He has three sacks in his last four home games. … LB Lavonte David had seven tackles and a forced fumble in his last game against the Saints. In his last four home games against the Saints, David has 29 tackles (7.3 per game), 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble and four passes defended. … LB Kwon Alexander 33 tackles (Joe cannot confirm if he tackled Swaggy Baker for his 34th tackle) and a pick in his last three games. … LB Kendell Beckwith is fourth in tackles among rookies (70). … CB Brent Grimes has an interception in two of his last three home games.
December 31st, 2017 at 12:02 am
Yo…Broy….lol…
December 31st, 2017 at 12:08 am
We don’t have to worry about sitting people for the playoff’s that’s kinda nice!
December 31st, 2017 at 12:20 am
So do we want to play spoiler for Saints? Or do we want to completely tank? Or do we want another “close” game?
If we get blown away, it’s happen before, does Koetter get back in the hot seat?
I mean what do we really want? Me?…I want to lose out…
December 31st, 2017 at 12:21 am
And quite frankly…Koetter needs to send a message and sit “Baker Act” down on that cold bench!!!!!!
December 31st, 2017 at 12:51 am
I think I may just watch the redzone channel and enjoy the last week of the regular season.
After 32 years of hardcore fandom I give up.
December 31st, 2017 at 12:57 am
This game is the difference between picking Calvin Johnson or picking Gaines Adams.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:01 am
I’d love to see a Bucs win but at this point landing a potential elite pass rusher in Bradley Chubb is way more important. Get Mike his 57 yards and coast into the offseason with the #5 pick.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:11 am
T minus till the first loss of the new Dirk era.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:23 am
It’s now December 31st…last day of the year, last game of a season that I rather forget..
That being said..can someone explain how can we make sure we pick in the top 5 spots? Any chance of moving up a bit more??????
I did see the Penn St game today..I was so impressed with Barkley..but I know it’s a luxury pick for us…but dang it…he would be able to get us those points we seem to lack in every game..ugh..
December 31st, 2017 at 1:57 am
Saints 30
Bucs 20
Jameis has the #1 passer rating in the entire NFL in December (over the past 4 games) but the Saints D may drop him down the list as they are quite good …
December 31st, 2017 at 2:07 am
I’m ready for this season to be over and can once again focus on The Lightning praying the glazers learn on how a world class organization is run. It’s possible to be competitive and pack the stands who would think they go hand and hand
December 31st, 2017 at 3:01 am
Scary thought we pull a Gaines Adams/Adrian Peterson repeat and take the Clemson DE Clelin Ferrell the number 2 ranked DE behind Chubb, who will probably be gone, in stead of future stud Saquon Barkley
December 31st, 2017 at 3:09 am
Joe(s), you might have to trade in Rachel Watson for this cutie 👩🌹🔥👍
December 31st, 2017 at 3:16 am
JOE … Jameis also has the highest passer rating in the entire NFL this December (4 games) …
December 31st, 2017 at 3:51 am
@life
The only way we move up is if Houston beats Indy and we lose to saints. We would then move up to #4. That is the highest we can get
December 31st, 2017 at 3:52 am
If we Fluck up and win tho, we could drop down to #9 or something
December 31st, 2017 at 6:52 am
Tank the game get top 5 pick , if Chubb is gone trade up get extra second and still take keys or Ferrell and with two second rd picks grab a Rb and CB , sign Eric Reid for safety and find another serviceable DE in FA or rd 3 and we find a much different defense next yr
December 31st, 2017 at 6:56 am
@Guzzie, if Chubb is gone but Barkley is still there, we should go ahead and grab him. I wasnt much into him until after last night. If both are gone and Minkah is still there…..hmm, i dont know. But i dont see qb sam darnold going too high), i say trade down and pick up Nelson (top 10) or Vita (probably in the late teens to 20’s). A few multiple trade downs could net us some really good 2nd and 3rd round picks.
December 31st, 2017 at 7:20 am
I am looking forward to seeing Koetter and the Bucs put forth a strong effort today.
At the end of the day, we need to lose to the Saints and have the Texans best the Colts. That would give the Bucs the #4 pick. We desperately need talent along the trenches.
December 31st, 2017 at 7:29 am
I am so tickled that Koetter and Jamie’s get a 3rd year to see what’s what.
We need better linemen on both sides of the ball, a running back, and a corner.
Go Bucs!
We can’t expect to become a playoff contender by starting over every two years. Anyone who is dissatisfied with the lack of a franchise reset can go appreciate the Browns and their constant change throughout their cycle of suck.
Put your big girl panties on and deal with it, we are going to get a third hear for Koetter and Jameis.
December 31st, 2017 at 7:30 am
We can get some FA , D Poe , E Ansah , along with Chubb/keys/Ferrell in draft and our line is set .
December 31st, 2017 at 7:35 am
George Johnson @ 2.5 sacks in 2 games with the Saints speaks volumes about the total ineffectiveness of Mike Smith and Jay Hayes’s “scheme”.
Happy we’re keeping Dirk……but Mike and Jay need to hit the effing road.
Add Cincinnati to the do not trade/hire list along with no draft picks from Clemson.
December 31st, 2017 at 8:39 am
Hopefully, DK takes a valium or tokes a good one before this game kicks off. Perfect weather-Chamber of Commerce is loving it. Happy New Year and GO Mighty Bucs!!
December 31st, 2017 at 9:55 am
Great…. after the bitch slap and middle finger the Glazers gave their fans by keeping the status quo I am not wasting a New Year’s Eve to watch this piece of ship. I sold my tickets and I’m going out with my wife. At least I’m guaranteed some fun. Have a good off season losers…. err Bucs.
December 31st, 2017 at 10:50 am
DK here to stay? Man that sucks but I hope the Glazers know/see something we don’t.
December 31st, 2017 at 11:08 am
MEGoat…
Huge difference if we win…we need to tank then! It might not take too much effort with these Saints..lol..
December 31st, 2017 at 12:14 pm
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MadMax,
I’m thrilled you’ve come around on Mr. Perfect, Saquon Barkley! However, now it sounds like you need to come around on Mr. #1 overall pick, Sam darnold aka White Jameis as he is a bad boy with elite arm talent, very good athleticism, good leadership skills, etc … I do believe the Browns will take him #1 overall … wins and losses mean NOTHING in college and while he plays a little wild and needs to limit his turnovers, all the gifts are there for him to be a great NFL QB down the road … he’s the real deal imho.
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December 31st, 2017 at 12:24 pm
Go Bucs!! They will win today as someone slipped DK a valium/xanax to take when they get into the red zone. 🙂
December 31st, 2017 at 12:40 pm
The Bucs players are the luckiest players in the NFL. Their season end every year in December. No overtime for them, they can plan for vacations 10 years in advance.
December 31st, 2017 at 1:39 pm
Am I the only one that thinks the Browns should use both top 5 picks on quarterbacks?
December 31st, 2017 at 2:40 pm
John Dorsey will probably grab Bradley Chubb with the 1st pick and pair him with Myles Garrett.
December 31st, 2017 at 2:57 pm
Blowout loss coming. Let s be honest.
December 31st, 2017 at 3:10 pm
I hope so NFLNut, that means Chubb or Barkley will get pushed…..well unless like Lakeland said, they grab Chubb with their 1st overall. That wouldnt surprise me.
December 31st, 2017 at 3:52 pm
Team Glazer’s decision only days before this game to keep Koetter is a message to him and the rest of the team that it is “safe” to tank it in order to get a higher draft pick. I am probably wrong and hope so. #PaidFloridaVacation #GlazerLootIsTheBest
December 31st, 2017 at 4:22 pm
There is still hope the Glazers will ask DC Smith to leave. Slight..but its still there. This Defense or any future Defense is not going anywhere with him sittin up there in his pressbox. We need an emotional Defensive Leader down on the field with his troops. I have no confidence whatsoever in Smitty. Koetters gonna keep him though unless ordered otherwise. So this is our celebration for the season..Retaining 2 losing coaches long discared by the Atlanta Falcons and dumped in Tampa Bay. I’m starting to think we are cursed..snakebit. Watch Koetter return to like 8-8 next year and you fans say, Wow..Great job Koetter. What a pityful fate..Mediocrity. TRULY SAD!
December 31st, 2017 at 4:38 pm
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MadMax,
I’ve got a feeling the Browns will take Saquon #1 overall and the best QB available with their #4 pick … it may be smarter for them to sign Cousins and take Saquon at #1 and Minkah Fitpatrick at #4, but … as I see it now, I’ve got three possibilities:
#1 … Chubb
1. Browns: Saquon Barkley
2. Giants: Sam Darnold
3. Jets (trade with Colts): Josh Rosen
4. Browns: Josh Allen or Baker Mayfield
5. Bucs: Bradley Chubb
#2 … Chubb again
1. Browns: Sam Darnold
2. Giants: Josh Rosen
3. Colts: Saquon Barkley
4. Browns: Minkah Fitzpatrick
5. Bucs: Bradley Chubb
#3 … the trade down scenario … maybe our best option
1. Browns: Saquon Barkley
2. Giants: Sam Darnold
3. Colts: Bradley Chubb
4. Browns: Minkah Fitpatrick
5. Bucs: TRADE DOWN for a King’s ransom to whoever wants Josh Rosen
Personally I would have been thrilled to with Saquon … and I’d be happy with Chubb, BUT trading down might be what’s best for our team, and maybe even trading down more than once.
For example, let’s say we trade the #5 to the Jets for #6 and a 2nd rounder (similar to the Bears trading for Trubisky last year) … and then trading the #6 to the Broncos (who would want Josh Allen) for the #7 and another 2nd rounder … and then trading the #7 to the Cardinals (who would want Mayfield or Lamar Jackson) for the #11 or whatever and another 2nd and a 3rd rounder. This would give us the #11 and an extra THREE 2nd rounders and one extra 3rd rounder … that would be amazing!
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December 31st, 2017 at 4:39 pm
^ In that #3 trade down scenario, I was thinking the Browns might have signed Kirk Cousins in free agency, which is why they’d take Minkah … however even if they drafted a QB we could still probably trade down at least twice.
December 31st, 2017 at 8:40 pm
Yeah, now at #8 i doubt we’ll do much at DE unless we can get Key there. And id still like Vita to replace Baker.