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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Had it all the way.

The Bucs took advantage of some major breaks to avoid a broken heart Sunday during a 26-23 OT victory at Charlotte that left Carolina fans stunned and Buc Nation elated.

The Panthers had the better of play for much of the afternoon before dynamic rookie Bucky Irving took command and Baker Mayfield rebounded from what looked like a serious leg injury.

The result, coupled with a loss by the reeling Falcons, leaves Tampa Bay and Atlanta tied atop the NFC South at 6-6. The Falcons own the tie-breaker edge with five games remaining, but the schedule favors the Bucs and Kirk Cousins is playing so poorly, the calls for rookie Michael Penix Jr. under center are sure to grow. (more…)

“Greeny, we only buy the groceries. That’s all we can do.”

Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht has handed his head coach a stellar young offensive line, an upper tier quarterback, a Hall of Fame receiver, a Pro Bowl rookie running back, the best kicker in Bucs history and a load of talent on defense.

And still the Bucs struggle. (more…)

“What happened, Baker?”

Joe’s eyes nearly bugged out seeing this stat from the official NFL gamebook of the Bucs’ escape from Charlotte. (more…)

A happy stinker.

Hey, what happened to the old adage that says any NFL road win is a thing of beauty? (more…)

Escaped postgame hassle.

[UPDATE 10:16 p.m.] Video has surfaced on social media of a Bucs staffer and a Bucs security member holding back wide receiver Sterling Shepard from going after some Stinking Panthers players. (more…)

So the Bucs had only one official pass defensed today, a huge one by Zyon McCollum, while sad Panthers quarterback Bryce Young had a career high 26 completions and 20 incompletions. (more…)

Mulligan of a game.

The Joe typing this here post has been a monster fan of Bucs offensive coordinator Liam Coen for the job he did this season, sometimes under trying circumstances. (more…)

He threw two ugly interceptions and ate an overtime sack that simply cannot happen. (more…)

Defensive progress invisible.

Anthony Nelson saved the season. That’s great, but for Joe, it’s like a dude standing in the middle of his burning house hollering, “It’s fine, it’s all fine!” (more…)

Do the Bucs look like a contender?

Who cares? They are a contender. (more…)

Joe was flashing back to the 1990s this afternoon and slamming shots in ecstasy.

It had nothing to do with Trent Dilfer and everything to do with the Bucs running the ball 39 times for 236 yards and a TD.

Dammit, the Bucs might have the best rushing attacking in the NFL. (more…)

Accidental win.

This doesn’t even feel like a win for “this Joe.” Yeah, the Bucs won. All that matters is eating W’s. But it feels like cleaning up a bunch of puke. (more…)

Amazing, amazing stuff from Mike Evans today, even while not being fully healthy from his injured hamstring. (more…)

Damn, this game took years off Joe’s life.

Wow!

No style points for the Bucs today, but what a special day for electric rookie running back Bucky Irving, Mike Evans, money kicker Chase McLaughlin and game hero Anthony Nelson, whose overtime forced fumble might have saved the season.

Irving hammered away in the second half to rack up 24 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown in regulation. It’s about damn time the Bucs freed him up for true bellcow work. (more…)

Comment all game long below with fellow fans and a few haters and trolls.

It’s a must-win December game for Tampa Bay in chilly Charlotte. The Falcons lost. The Panthers suck.

Let’s go Bucs!

Right on cue, Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins played like crap, which is what he does when he isn’t facing the Buccaneers.

Cousins threw a key pick-6 in the second half today against the Chargers in Atlanta, plus a pick to end the Chargers’ potentially game-winning drive in the closing seconds.

Atlanta lost 17-13 and their record dropped to 6-6. The Bucs are 5-6 as they kick off minutes from now in Charlotte.

No excuses, Bucs. The table has been set!

Great news flowing out of Charlotte, where the Bucs will kick off against the Panthers at 4:05 p.m.

Buccaneers’ All-World left tackle Tristan Wirfs is ready to play with his healing sprained knee after sitting out last Sunday. Wirfs is on the active, gameday roster.

Happy day!

Inactive are rookie TE Devin Culp and fellow rookie Tyrek Funderburk, along with DL Earnest Brown and QB Michael Pratt, plus starters Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) and Tykee Smith (knee).

Flash poll posted at 9:04 a.m. Poll closed at 10:51 a.m.

Joe’s got a documented 9-8 season record in this space after last week‘s picks.

No more brown bag over Joe’s head in the Winn-Dixie frozen food aisle. (more…)

So a former All-Pro linebacker, a guy who spent years hating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is a huge Bucky Irving fan. (more…)

Panthers first-year head coach Dave Canales talks Bucs defense.

Panthers head coach Dave Canales, last year’s Bucs offensive coordinator, gave some cool insight into the Todd Bowles defense on Friday. (more…)