Extra Incentive To Hammer The Saints Early
December 7th, 2025
Leading the NFC South in a December playoff hunt should be enough motivation for the Buccaneers defense to play inspired football today.
Facing a hated division rival should jack them up, too.
But wait, there’s more!
Joe emphasized this on the Ira Kaufman Podcast and it’s worth sharing here.
The Bucs play the Falcons on Thursday night in Tampa. That division game is every bit as critical as today’s contest against the miserable two-win Saints.
How beneficial would it be to jump on the hapless Saints early so the Bucs can rest starters in the fourth quarter and freshen their legs for Thursday’s quick-turnaround matchup? Joe thinks it would be huge.
The Falcons (4-8) host the explosive Seahawks (9-3) today on the unforgiving fake turf of the Georgia Dome. Rest assured, Atlanta starters are not getting off the field early.
The Bucs can do more than win today; they can get Vita Vea, Lavonte David, Haason Reddick, Jamel Dean and others a game that won’t steal their legs for Thursday night.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:56 am
Even if they were to jump on them early it wouldn’t happen. The only time they would be pulled would be the final kneel down.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:58 am
Dean is due for another injury.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:04 am
Sooooo….”Facing a hated division rival should jack them up, too.”? How has that worked out in the past for the Bucs?
December 7th, 2025 at 9:04 am
My Italian friends will know this team gives u agita every week! Currently we don’t blow anybody out, and Bolwes doesn’t pull starters wisely…look at Godwin vs Ravens where he ruined his career practically, and just recently Baker in Rams game! So while it would great to be able to do that Joe…We will be in a dog fight till the end as per usual
December 7th, 2025 at 9:12 am
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That Raves game was still winnable,(unlikely) but winnable. (mathematically)
December 7th, 2025 at 9:14 am
👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆👆As an Italian you are correct but we did blowout the Saints earlier this year.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:17 am
Sure, sounds great, 31-3 at the half. Love it! I just hope we get a solid win. I don’t think it’s realistic to think about resting players.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Anthony i said recently
December 7th, 2025 at 9:56 am
How about we just win this game, our history on Thursday night games tells me we are likely to get blown out by Kirko and the dirty birds. Hell he may even throw for more than last year. Win this game, worry about Thursday tomorrow.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:57 am
Fire Todd
December 7th, 2025 at 10:01 am
The most positive fan base in America!🇺🇸 Lol
December 7th, 2025 at 10:12 am
Run up the score and get Baker off the field.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:14 am
That would be great. But I don’t think Saints liked being passed on last year when the game was over to get Mike 1k. I don’t think they forgot about it and want nothing more than to dethrone the South champs. They might not be able to do it themselves. I also believe they play soft late in the game to improve their draft position. They do want to send Bucs into divisional play bruised and sore while playing for individual incentives before vacation.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Only thing the Bucs will be running up is getting Baker sacked and 3 and outs. But maybe this is a good thing – considering Chase young completely destroyed Wirfs the last time they played. 17-13 Bucs win, Saints cover the +8.5 but I’m sure we’ll throw out some long time cringeworthy cliches like “a win is a win” and “it’s hard to win the nfl” and then talk ourselves in to thinking this is the beginning of something epic
December 7th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Have’nt Reddicks legs had enough rest? He’s played one game in the last 6 weeks. He needs 8.5 sacks to reach double digits for the season. He better get busy, and rest next season when he’s playing for someone else on a one year prove it deal.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:40 am
needing a real “get right game” today…
to gain some momentum and start rolling with the dirty birds coming in turdsday…
it sure would be nice if everything comes together today for a nice 31-13 win…even if it’s only against the lowly saints
December 7th, 2025 at 10:50 am
Reddick will NOT be in the league next year. What a washed up waste of 14 million.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:59 am
I’m just hoping for a technically sound game. Good pass protection for BM6. Minimal mistakes. Good tackling. Sustained drives. Scoring when in the red zone.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:22 am
What makes anyone think that with Grizz and Bowles coaching and calling plays that they will jump up on ANY TEAM??? If I remember right the Week 8 game Chase Young ate up Wirfs play after play, so who is going to blocking him today?
Hope they have an answer or it may be Mayfield with a major injury and then there goes the season.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:27 am
I predict Reddick will be on the roster next year. He’s the only one close to an edge rusher we have. Nelson is a good backup period. Reddick might be good under a different defensive coach/system. That’s what half of you are implying.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:28 am
Trap game. Bowles will have them come out flat like all important games. It’ll go to the last 2 minutes.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:30 am
“Keep it close Bowles” isn’t running anything up. Shough about to show out against his terrible scheme.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:46 am
Wirfs confirmed to be OUT today….
Oh boyyyyyyyyyyy
December 7th, 2025 at 11:49 am
The Buccaneers are so much more loaded with talent on offense and defense than the Saints. Combine that with us playing on our turf in a divisional game and there’s just no reason the Bucs don’t win this contest with the Saints today !!
Baker is back to scrambling, BI 7 can’t wait to have a breakout game, RW 1 is feeding off of Bucky. Tucker is pounding that rock!! Not to mention our very talented receiving corps!!
We got this game !! 8-5 to Thursday Night Football!!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Slimy Saints !!
December 7th, 2025 at 12:11 pm
Whose get right game is it going to be today. Hopefully our defensive guru’s.
December 7th, 2025 at 1:13 pm
alright, figuring nfl, is pro wrestling at this point. they say, winners. except, baker.
December 7th, 2025 at 4:11 pm
Soooo, how’d THAT work out for us, SMH.
A purge coming, perhaps?
Whatch out, y’all, this could be the end of this regime as we know it.