The locker room scene did not look good for six-time Pro Bowler Gerald McCoy.

Joe saw McCoy wearing the dreaded boot on his right foot/leg. Fans watching at home saw him leave the game in the fourth quarter and limping on the sidelines.

Usually, the boot means at least one missed game, typically two or three. Don’t expect an official report from the Bucs until Wednesday.

What the hell was that, Dirk Koetter/Todd Monken?

From the 21 yard line of the Falcons with seven seconds remaining, you approve a high school trick play when the Bucs are loaded with big receivers and a quarterback very capable of throwing the football? [read more]

The bar is very high for America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, as it should be for any healthy, veteran No. 1 overall pick saddled with the worst defense in the NFL and a lethal arsenal of targets. [read more]

Typical Bucs game in so many ways starting with Matt Ryan completing 76 percent of his passes and Bucs defensive players too often looking confused and helpless.

When will this defensive nightmare end? Because the offense is good enough to win a lot of games. [read more]

Fire away with fellow fans in the comments section with Buccaneers faithful from downtown Bradenton to Crystal Beach and Westchase and beyond. Share your every thought on today’s critical Falcons-Bucs matchup. Kickoff at 1 p.m.

Play nice and maintain your composure!

And stick with Joe and Ira Kaufman (and Joe’s on-scene photographer) after the game for spectacular postgame coverage.

Old and rich meets old and rich

Now that’s the kind of headline you want to read on an Atlanta newspaper website the day your team plays the Falcons. [read more]

Pressure.

Heavy burden for America’s Quarterback these days. [read more]

“Hey Ali, where does this leave me?”

A very interesting and bold call was made by head coach Dirk Koetter on Friday. [read more]

What run game?

Judging by Joe’s Twitter timeline yesterday, a lot of Bucs fans are moaning about how Ronald Jones is still the Bucs’ No. 2 running back behind Peyton Barber based on the words of Bucs coach Dirk Koetter on SiriusXM NFL Radio Friday night. [read more]

Contender or pretender?

Joe likes the way Thomas Bassinger thinks. [read more]

Bucs linebacker talks to Joe.

News you need to know, Bucs fans. [read more]

Update.

UPDATED 2:23 a.m. – News concerning Bucs tight end O.J. Howard has surfaced. [read more]

Game 5

Bucs (2-2) at Dixie Chicks (1-4)

Kickoff: 1 p.m.

TV: WTVT-TV Channel 13, DirecTV NFL Sunday Ticket Channel 709.  [read more]

A 3-2 record is right there in the grasp of your beloved Buccaneers.

Outside of an injury to Matt Ryan, who hasn’t missed a game since 2009, it doesn’t get any better than this when it comes to facing the rival Falcons on the road. [read more]

“The funeral” is over, says Derrick Brooks, and the Bucs season has new life after the bye.

Professor Brooks talks about studying “foundational tape,” approaching an elite Atlanta passing game, “stance, alignment assignment” and more with JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman in TAMPA TWO, presented by Caldeco Air Conditioning & Heating.

Where the Bucs game will be shown on free TV.

Unless Bucs fans live in the heart of SEC country, they are out of luck. [read more]

Remember when Lovie Smith was asked about young cornerback Johnthan Banks, he consistently found a way to share some love for veteran corner Mike “Toast” Jenkins.

Dirk Koetter channeled is his former boss a bit yesterday. [read more]

More ugliness.

The brutal numbers continue to pile up. [read more]