Christmas in September.

Ho, ho, ho, boy did the Bucs find a lot of gifts under the palm tree today. [read more]

T.J. Ward gets up after blasting Bears running back Tarik Cohen. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com)

Winning Bucs coach Dirk Koetter isn’t one to throw around accolades much. But he sure did in his postgame presser. [read more]

Ira’s also got some locker room nuggets mixed in to today’s takeaways. Nice!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Someone in the national media is sure to diminish Sunday’s dominant opener by reminding us that the woeful Bears were in town.

Yes, the Bears were awful, but there are no mitigating circumstances in the NFL. Chicago almost beat Atlanta last week and besides, the Bucs have lost a lot of games they should have won over the past decade.

A win’s a win, so here’s how this one breaks down: [read more]

No Victory Monday day off

Tampa Bay has a much tougher opponent next week in Minnesota, and scoring just three second-half points and guys getting gassed probably won’t cut it if the Bucs want a victory against the Vikings. [read more]

Update his status

Exhale, Bucs fans, the reigning NFL leader in solo tackles and the heart and soul of the Tampa Bay defense delivered great news in the locker room after today’s pounding of the Bears. [read more]

“Gumby” is dangerous.

Bucs defensive end/outside linebacker Noah Spence may not yet be known as a sackmeister, which is what the Bucs terribly need from an edge rusher, but he has become something perhaps more important. [read more]

Nick Folk had the last laugh today

The only thing weaker than the kicking of Roberto Aguayo is his ghost, which was barely heard from in today’s thunderous 29-7 victory at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.  [read more]

Forget the win, Bucs RT says.

Last year the Bucs had a thrilling win at Atlanta to start the season. It seemed better times were about to take place. [read more]

Star in the making?

If anyone was able to push through their hangover this morning and read Joe, then they would have seen a prediction that rookie linebacker Kendell Beckwith would have a solid game today. [read more]

Wanted a goose egg.

A Bucs type told Joe last year there was something with Robert Ayers the Bucs never detected when they signed the free agent defensive end. [read more]

New order shows up early

Call it the DeSean Jackson Effect, or the result of too many Bucs weapons. [read more]

Vernon Hargreaves

If you want to nitpick a negative in this big opening-day victory, the Bucs’ third-down defense might be the easiest target, just ahead of America’s Quarterback’s inaccuracy on the deep ball.

Last year, the Bucs had the best third-down defense in the NFL.  [read more]

Thankful

Almost out of left field, America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, had interesting words on the Buccaneers Radio Network after today’s throttling of the Bears in the home opener. [read more]

Impressive in his absence

However you may view the talent and value of suspended Doug Martin, he wasn’t missed today in the Bucs’ huge opening-day victory.

Jacquizz Rodgers and Peyton Barber were consistent and flashed at times, too. [read more]

Mike Smith should get a game ball. Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

It’s universally understood that the Buccaneers’ greatest offseason move came when Team Glazer opened its fat wallet and showed defensive coordinator Mike Smith the money in a rarely seen power play.  [read more]

Photo courtesy of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Once upon a time, Raheem Morris boldly stated, “Stats are for losers.”

Today, Joe suspects Dirk Koetter will say, “Rust is for losers.” The expected rust on your Buccaneers was just a mirage. The malaise and fogginess instead was all over the Bears.

Your Bucs have won five in a row at home!! [read more]

Comment through the game

Fire away all game long in the comments section below with fellow Bucs fans and the occasional troll.

Keep it clean and lose the personal attacks. Joe’s filters are tuned up for the regular season.

Most important, have fun and prepare for Joe’s award-winning postgame coverage.

Go Bucs!

And all the college games and NFL action, too. Abe’s Place Tap & Grill food is a true Clearwater tradition. Joe is proud to dine there regularly. Did Joe mention the A+ craft beer selection?

Click to see the spectacular Abe’s Place menu and website

Jacquies Smith

Here’s who doesn’t get to put a helmet on today against the Bears. [read more]