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BY IRA KAUFMAN

It’s in their trembling hands with four weeks remaining.

If the Bucs win out, there’s not a damn thing the Falcons or Saints can do to deny Tampa Bay a third consecutive division title and a home playoff game.

The Bucs were handed a few breaks Sunday, but they made some key plays en route to a thrilling 29-25 triumph in Atlanta.T he defense set up a touchdown with a takeaway and registered a safety before fading in the fourth quarter. The offense awakened from a slumber to run the ball down Atlanta’s gullet in the second half and Baker Mayfield led a game-winning drive that kept the Bucs from falling into a 5-8 abyss that would have effectively ended their season.

Instead, an array of unlikely contributors stepped up to provide momentum heading into next week’s matchup at Green Bay. [read more]

Yeah, the Bucs won. That doesn’t mean Joe’s going to bury his head in the sand when really bad coaching rears its head. [read more]

Made Bucs history Sunday.

Can’t blame this on Mariah Godwin. [read more]

Devin White and his future.

Look, Joe isn’t fully sure why Devin White was not in Atlanta at the Bucs big game yesterday. [read more]

Kicker Chase McLaughlin.

Lots of great stories unfolded in yesterday’s Bucs-Falcons wrestling match, but one could opt to boil down the Bucs’ 29-25 win very simply. [read more]

Cade Otton and Chase Edmonds celebrate Otton’s game-winning touchdown catch behind dejected Dixie Chicks’ safety Richie Grant who Otton beat on the play. (Photo courtesy Buccaneers.com.)

Yes, it is true. Your first place Bucs! That’s right. The Bucs now control their own destiny for a playoff berth. Victory Monday, indeed! Grab your mug of java and let’s get to it! [read more]

Bucs GM Jason Licht.

Two weeks ago the Bucs’ projected 2024 draft slot in the first round was a prime position. [read more]

Most NFL veterans know how the league works when it comes to chewing up head coaches and spitting them out. [read more]

Joe floated a thought during today’s game on X. “Is Zyon McCollum now the Bucs’ best cornerback? [read more]

Joe served the question up to Baker Mayfield after today’s thrilling Bucs win in the loudass Falcons’ dome. [read more]

Done?

Joe scoured the Bucs sidelines today inside the Falcons’ dome looking for one of the Bucs captains, a familiar face, a cornerstone of the franchise.

No, not center Ryan Jensen. But Jensen was here and engaged with teammates. [read more]

“See, we can run!“

Boy, with the Bucs running the ball for only 38 yards in the first half, Joe never imagined typing the following sentence. [read more]

Leads offensive comeback.

Man, the way the Bucs played offensively in the first half, the way many Bucs fans reacted on Twitter, they would have been happy if the NFL brought back television blackouts. For road games. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles reacts.

Was it seeing Atlanta’s stud kicker Younghoe Koo miss two field goals (which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game) that spooked Bucs coach Todd Bowles? [read more]

Season-changing catch?

Joe thought for sure through most of the win over the Dixie Chicks today that Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ fate was sealed. [read more]

Clutch.

Maybe Trey Palmer’s significant other needs to torch Todd Bowles on social media, too? [read more]

Survivalist.

Cancel the PODS reservation. Return the bubble wrap. Put the résumé PowerPoint in draft. [read more]

“Hey Baker, we got this.“

The Bucs played another stinker and walked out with a deuce — as in back-to-back division victories.

How about them Bucs!!!!

Tampa Bay is now 6-7 with a two-game winning streak and sitting pretty atop the ugly NFC South. Yes, the Bucs own division tiebreakers with Atlanta, the team they squeaked past today. And the Bucs have the edge on the Saints (6-7).

With four games to play, the Bucs control their destiny.

Now the bad news. [read more]

OK, boys and girls. Comment all game long below!

Bucs players said today’s game at Atlanta is a playoff game. Bucs coach Todd Bowles reinforced on the Buccaneers Radio Network pregame show saying it is “playoff football in December.” Even Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht said today is a playoff game.

The Bucs aren’t mathematically eliminated with a loss but man, they would be painted into a corner.

As always, Joe kindly asks that you play nice.