BSPN: Shades Of 2020, Bucs Don’t Win NFC South But Look Out In The Playoffs
September 3rd, 2025
Playoff hero?
Well this is interesting, coming from BSPN’s rigged computers.
(Why does Joe call BSPN’s computer simulations “rigged?” Well, Joe learned many, many moons ago in college an acronym in computer lingo, “GIGO.” That stands for “garbage in; garbage out.” Someone has to program the software. It sure as hell isn’t Spock. And we all know what teams and players that outfit has a boner for and what teams and players it is flaccid about.)
So Joe is confident the following will shock you to the point of spilling your morning coffee all over your shirt:
The Dixie Chicks will win the NFC South. No! Who could have ever guessed that? BSPN has wanted the Dixie Chicks to win the division so badly in recent years that Joe is convinced the NFL banned producers from the sidelines of Atlanta games because they were liable to jump on the field and block for Michael Penix.
But the following is where it gets interesting for the Bucs and BSPN’s computer simulations.
The Bucs back door their way into the playoffs but go on a 2020-like run, ending in Silicon Valley facing the Buffalo Bills for the Super Bowl crown.
No. 7 seed Buccaneers go on unlikely Super Bowl run
For much of the season, the Buccaneers looked like a mild disappointment, as quarterback Baker Mayfield couldn’t quite match his 2024 success with new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard. Entering Week 18, Tampa Bay sat at 8-8 on the outside looking in at the playoffs — a game out of the NFC South and wild-card berths. The Bucs needed that final week to break their way, and it did.The division was out of reach once the Falcons beat the Saints, but the Buccaneers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 20-15 victory over the Panthers. They got the help they needed, with the 49ers losing to the Seahawks 24-17 and the Bears falling to the Lions 38-9. That allowed Tampa Bay to grab the last wild-card spot with a 9-8 record.
The Bucs entered the playoffs with low expectations but shocked No. 2-seeded Detroit 27-24 in the wild-card round, keyed by a Yaya Diaby sack and a deflection of a Jared Goff pass that was intercepted. Tampa Bay then surprised the top-seeded Rams 27-22 in the divisional round thanks to a clinical Mayfield performance. Todd Bowles’ defense got the job done in the NFC Championship Game, confusing J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings and winning 28-13. Emeka Egbuka and Bucky Irving had big days, and the Bucs were Super Bowl bound — where they met the Bills.
So yeah, the Bucs go on the road to put down Jared Goff, Matt Stafford and … J.J. McCarthy??? Hey, whatever, so long as the Bucs get to Santa Clara.
The Bills, BSPN computers believe, will take care of the Bucs in the Super Bowl.
Sounds like a helluva story. But Joe still doesn’t believe the Dixie Chicks are all that, despite how much the crowd in Bristol is willing Atlanta to own the division.
Maybe the folks who programmed BSPN’s computers aren’t as fiendish after all?
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:16 am
The same Atlanta team that choked the division away last year? They’re chokers until proven otherwise.
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:19 am
I quit watching ESPN years ago..about when Dan Patrick, Rich Eisen and Stuart Scott (RIP) “left” the network. But I gotta say, their “30 for 30” series is a cut above.
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:31 am
Yeah and according to the story we lose against the Bills in the SB.
9-8 record, lucky playoff run and don’t capitalize on it.
Count me out.
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:36 am
Look, Atlanta has a good team. But, so do the Bucs. I’ll put the Bucs coaching staff over Atlanta’s any day. But then, Atlanta has homefield advantage. This is going to be a close game. The decisive factor will likely be QB play. You think Penix is going to play better than Baker? No way! SO, the edge goes to the Bucs.
BEAT ATLANTA!!
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:41 am
All should refrain from watching that “network.”
September 3rd, 2025 at 7:44 am
Maybe if the Bucs have either a real head coach or a full time defensive coordinator by then. Otherwise, a losing record with the cuddle toy pass defense is very plausible.
September 3rd, 2025 at 8:08 am
This game isn’t a must win game. But after them beating us twice last year if we aren’t playing with a sharp edge Sunday it would be shocking. No excuses, just righting a few wrongs. Finishing strong will always be a key to a successful season. But so is winning games like this one. I’m thinking Atlanta has to play mistake free to have a chance this week. And I think the best team will win. That’ll be us. 30-20. Maybe 37-14. We’re going to kick them dead in the a$$. Revenge is a dish best served cold. But the temperature should be at the boiling point by about 1 o’clock Sunday. The Falcons injury report post game will include some burn injuries. 3rd degree burns.
September 3rd, 2025 at 8:12 am
BSPN wins The Nut Bowl of sports reporters.
September 3rd, 2025 at 8:26 am
I guess we’ll find out how good Atlanta is Sunday. Can’t wait!!
September 3rd, 2025 at 8:30 am
Well, I have been saying and do disagree Joe, I do think Atl is going to be all that. Do hope I am wrong. I can see the Bucs losing openiny day. Additionally, I think the team due to a number of starters being out already will start slow and eventually get better as the season goes on. Do we win the division? likely to be close! Do we make the playoffs?, yes believe so unless injuries continue to occur. Yes we have a good team on paper, but too many injuries before the firat game and let’s hope we don’t get more early or the season could go south
September 3rd, 2025 at 8:47 am
I hate the fact that we are road favorites heading into Atlanta. Usually ends badly for most teams. Especially in season openers!
September 3rd, 2025 at 9:01 am
I don’t get it, every team in the NFL takes a few years to develop Edge Rushers, but Atlanta drafting 2 and making them starters are going to shut down the Bucs offense. Any improvement with the Bucs defense and Tampa will win this one going away. This Atlanta defense is going to be ranked near the bottom by season end so why will Atlanta beat one of the high power offenses in the league?
September 3rd, 2025 at 9:13 am
Atlanta has Raheem Morris at the helm, I like the Bucs chances.
September 3rd, 2025 at 9:32 am
If the Bucs make the Super Bowl, they aren’t losing!
September 3rd, 2025 at 9:33 am
One game at a time!!! Let’s get a road win to start things off in the right direction!!
September 3rd, 2025 at 11:07 am
“This Atlanta defense is going to be ranked near the bottom by season end so why will Atlanta beat one of the high power offenses in the league?”
They forced 4 turnovers in 2 games against us last year, what are you on about rankings?
September 3rd, 2025 at 11:11 am
There is no doubt about it. The Bucs can beat them if they try.
BEAT ATLANTA!
September 3rd, 2025 at 11:12 am
Falcons announced that four rookies will be starting on defense for a defense that was truly bad last year. Atlanta will have to outscore every team they play. Rookie pass rushers are notoriously slow to develop and their safeties are weak. Penix is talented but has a curacy issues.
September 3rd, 2025 at 12:51 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
September 3rd, 2025 at 11:07 am
says…
what are you on about rankings?
Take the points then Books Lynch and bet your mortgage, I for one think if Bucs defense is slightly better they will win this game and I will be watching laughing my butt off. If the defense sucks again this year I will be madder than heck for buying the NFL YouTube package just to watch the Bucs run out a crappy defense again.
September 3rd, 2025 at 12:56 pm
Buddha Says…Falcons announced that four rookies will be starting on defense for a defense that was truly bad last year.
I agree totally, every one talks about all this young talent on Bucs having a large learning curve but some how the Falcons young talent are savants and have no curve. I predict Baker is going to feast on these Birds and if we get a pass rush our DB’s will have their own feast. No more of this crap passing down the middle and running 30 yards without someone touching them.
September 3rd, 2025 at 2:04 pm
“Take the points then Books Lynch and bet your mortgage, I for one think if Bucs defense is slightly better they will win this game and I will be watching laughing my butt off.“
I find it hilarious you think it was just on the defense that we lost the those games, when 3 of our 4 turnovers against them came in the 2nd half.
One of which happened when we were up 3 with 3 minutes to go.
LVD had a pick 2 plays after Baker tossed one and after another one of our other TOs the defense put up 2 points on the board.
This team is looked at in the most simplistic and unbalanced way, it’s so weird to me
Offense, good.
Defense, bad.
Very peculiar perspectives amongst Bucs fans
September 3rd, 2025 at 2:21 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch. Absolutely the offense bunged up losses as well as the defense. But the defense wasn’t able to make big plays at the end of games like you need a defense to. Hence the draft heavy defense and free agent signing. Ball Hawks and playmakers stressed. Injuries were part of it and lack of true competition another. 2 overtime games and we didn’t get a possession? San Fran and Washington scoring on games final play? I can absolutely understand fans frustration with that. We totally couldn’t stop anyone, or make a single play when we needed it. And that has to change. No doubt about that.
September 3rd, 2025 at 2:34 pm
Atlanta game one OT right down our throats. KC game one OT right down our throat. Washington and San Francisco right down our throats and we don’t see the ball. That’s 4 tied ballgames and the offense didn’t get a shot. That’s not something a defense wants to make a habit of. I was wrong though about us not making any plays. If Nelson and Diaby hadn’t made that play against Carolina we’d have lost that game. But that was Carolina and we sure weren’t stopping them by any stretch. Had to get that turnover.
September 3rd, 2025 at 3:44 pm
This game will be tougher than it needs to be. The last few times we have played ATL, it seems Raheem and ATLs offense knows Bowles playbook better than our defense does.
September 3rd, 2025 at 5:46 pm
“Todd Bowles’ defense got the job done in the NFC Championship Game, confusing J.J. McCarthy and the Vikings…”
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🤔🤔🤔
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