“I Look At This Game As A Mismatch”
January 15th, 2022
As of noon Saturday, rain is out of the forecast for the Bucs-Eagles kickoff tomorrow!
Also as of noon Saturday, the Eagles still have little chance against mighty Tampa Bay.
Face it, if the Eagles win, it will be one of the great upsets in NFL playoff history.
Joe won’t waste much time thinking about that, but it’s reality. Tom Brady against first-timer Jalen Hurts and his first-year head coach heading to the hostile turf of the defending, returning-everybody champs.
Grumpy Brady buddy and retired acclaimed NFL offensive coordinator Charlie Weis was moaning about what he considers fools that believe the Eagles have a shot against the Bucs. And Weis especially considers anyone who thinks rain or bad weather will make things worse on the Bucs to be a moron.
Weis shared his thoughts as a co-host on SiriusXM NFL Radio. He called the game a “mismatch” many times.
“I think Philadelphia’s had a great year. I admire the job that they’ve done,” Weis began. “You know, I like the way that they changed midstream and started running the ball with physicality. I like the way they play. But you look at their roster and you look at Tampa’s and say, ‘C’mon!’ Plus Tampa’s playing at home and they got No. 12. I look at this game as a mismatch.”
Joe agrees wholeheartedly.
And for the inevitable fan commenter who thinks Weis is a terrible coach, please tell Joe how he guided the likes of Vinny Testaverde and Matt Cassel to Pro Bowl seasons after he left a rookie he developed named Tom Brady.
January 15th, 2022 at 12:22 pm
Seems when “experts” predict a blowout or “mismatch”, the game comes down to nearly the last 2 minutes.
I expect a slugfest won at the LoS, with penalties & turnovers the difference.
January 15th, 2022 at 12:27 pm
Agree with Cobra. Don’t get overconfident.
January 15th, 2022 at 12:30 pm
As soon as someone says, “Enhh… they ain’t got a chance against us”… that’s when I start worry. Guess Saints 2 is still fresh in my mind, still reeling from it. So going forward all I do is hope and pray game day is our day. Hope and pray.
January 15th, 2022 at 12:35 pm
With LVD and Godwin I’d agree. With the team that’s playing tomorrow that can’t get any offense going until the 3rd Q and can’t stop the perimeter runs? I think they got enough to get by but I’m definitely not overconfident.
January 15th, 2022 at 12:44 pm
And the Jags-Colts was supposed to be the biggest mismatch ever, especially for a team needing an easy win to get into the playoffs.
As the Bucs prepare for the Eagles, and the Colts will be watching the playoffs from home, it’s imperative every player and coach remember how easily fortunates can change in this “any given Sunday” league.
Ain’t no guarantee wins in the NFL.
January 15th, 2022 at 12:50 pm
I GAR-ON-TEE the Iggles studied the Saints’ 9-zip game more than any other game. Do NOT be overcofident.
January 15th, 2022 at 1:53 pm
A mismatch is only accurate if the defense comes to play. Carlton Davis’s back issue is a cause for concern, especially if it continues into the playoffs. The LBs are not splashing without LVD, and if LVD comes back, what % will he be back at?
Nothing is a mismatch if you play the Jets close and only take a lead at the end of the game.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
LOL…somehow, someway, as in the regular season, our Bucs will keep this game nail biting close.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:01 pm
I truly hope someone will take the following comments Monday and tell me to shove them you know where. Truly hoping for the best tomorrow. But I don’t see it. Not just failing to cover the spread. Straight up loss. Eagles have number 1 rushing offense. LVD’s not be 100%, and something’s off with Devin White. Plus game plans of our opponents over past few weeks focus on getting our guys gassed and then ramping up rush on us. All of that spells long drives and points scored on us. And long drives unfortunately keeps TB12 off the field. Add in a turnover or two, and that spells doom for us. Not optimistic. But here’s hoping anyway.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:05 pm
It may not be a blowout, but the Bucs will come out on top! This is a veteran team who knows what it takes to win in the playoffs. They will find a way.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:16 pm
I agree totally, this game is one big mismatch for the Eagles.
Even their Fans know it!
I was reading one of their fan forums, and several fans were lamenting that they drew the Bucs for their playoff game.
Lol, The Den Of Depression has become The Den Of Depression, for the other team.
We are 6 and 1 at home lately.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:18 pm
I really hate when everyone it seems is predicting a blowout because every time that happens it seems like the Bucs have been reading the papers and play down to the level of their competition and we end up in a nail biter. Let’s hope they play great playoff football and are revved up and smoke the Eagles. But I wish the Bucs could somehow eliminate the noise of how great they are and just play their asses off.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:24 pm
I take no opponent lightly, especially in the playoffs. I am certain the leadership of the team agrees. That said, I would love to be able to say after the game that it was a mismatch in our favor of course. Seems like with the exception of the wind and possibly damp playing field it should be relatively decent conditions otherwise.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:25 pm
Lakeland, completely agree with you.
January 15th, 2022 at 2:27 pm
41-17
January 15th, 2022 at 2:48 pm
I’m ready for the typical Bucs “let them back in the game” nail-biter……..but, I have faith in Tom Brady with a healthy Oline.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:12 pm
Our weak link is Plan 9. Keep him on the bench. He can watch the action better than his view on the field.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:13 pm
34-9
January 15th, 2022 at 3:38 pm
I hope for an Azz beating but believe that the Iggles will keep it close. To close for comfort.
January 15th, 2022 at 3:43 pm
The more local computer models, now within 24-hours, do a good job, generally – and as stated the rain should have moved out, and winds are more in the 15mph range, with gusts to 25mph. Now, with that said, 15mph winds, in person, will feel a lot stronger, people will swear they’re 25-30mph winds, but it’s a worlds difference from legit 25mph sustained winds, which would mostly ground the air game. The winds are expect to pick up slightly as the game goes along, so they’re not expected to die off or decrease, so whatever is happening at kickoff is supposed to last the entire game, there won’t be a repeave. But if, in fact, the winds are more in the 15mph range, and its steady, that will affect the long ball, but shouldn’t affect the short and medium passing game that much. If they are in the 25mph range and steady, then you’re mainly looking at only using a short passing game.
January 15th, 2022 at 5:18 pm
Who.is scoring all these points you speak of? I think Bucs are going to have to run more.
January 15th, 2022 at 6:34 pm
I’m hoping for David’s prediction.
January 15th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
If we had AB, Godwin and Lenny, yeah, maybe a mismatch. Without them it’s gonna be a brutal battle. We need fortune to smile on us and some guys to come up with some huge plays. Hopefully our guys will be fired up and give it everything they’ve got! ‘Cause this is it. No next week for the losers.
January 16th, 2022 at 10:41 am
Never take anything for granted.
January 16th, 2022 at 4:04 pm
Just like I was saying, easy victory. Lol.