How well do the Bucs match up with the Saints?

[Lomax to Green 84]

Do the Bucs have a chance beating the Saints in New Orleans? I haven't seen any Bucs games this year, and was just curious what folks thought.

Thanks!!

 

[NeverSayDieFan]

Hey! Holian.

Hope you n yours had a GREAT Christmas!

I honestly think there's lil' chance of the Saints losing. (Home field; solid coaching, importance of the game, etc.)
...And T.B. has been pretty dysfunctional all year.

However, NO TEAM likes to go into the off-season on a "loss" so I expect the Bucs to at least play hard.

I am glad that their game is taking place the SAME time as ours. It would suck for our guys to take the field already knowing the season was over.

MARK IN SC

NOTE: I realistically thought the Falcons had NO SHOT last Mon. nite and well....almost. NOTHING IS EVER IMPOSSIBLE!

JUST ASK THE SEAHAWKS ABOUT BEING UNBEATABLE AT HOME!

 

[BullheadCardFan]

I am thinking that TB will put up a good fight. So I picked them in the Swami thread.

We still have a chance. Albeit slim.

 

[SeattleCard]

Here is all you need to know about Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8S4G9zFK8

 

[Cheesebeef]

Here is all you need to know about Sunday:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL8S4G9zFK8

big differences unfortunately are that a) the Cardinals were playing at home and b) that Vikings team had lost like five of six games after starting the season 7-1.

if this was a road game, I'd give the Bucs a much better shot. but playing in that dome, with the Saints needing a W to make the playoffs? yeah, that's about as long as long shots get.

 

[SeattleCard]

big differences unfortunately are that a) the Cardinals were playing at home and b) that Vikings team had lost like five of six games after starting the season 7-1.

if this was a road game, I'd give the Bucs a much better shot. but playing in that dome, with the Saints needing a W to make the playoffs? yeah, that's about as long as long shots get.

I wholeheartedly agree with you. But dreaming is free, right?

 

[Jetstream Green]

Tampa really does not stack up well at all but the Saints still have a way of misfiring sometimes. Their offense is like a Ferrari and when it is not tuned up just right, it can run like crap but most of the time is runs very very well lol

 

[Cheesebeef]

I wholeheartedly agree with you. But dreaming is free, right?

yup and i'm going to be dreaming right along with you. hell, I'm coming in from California for the game just IN CASE we somehow get that big break from the Bucs and win the game to get into the playoffs. wouldn't want to miss that in our stadium for anything.

I'm just really glad they flexed that Saints game to the same time as us. keeps the dream completely (albeit still pretty unrealistically) alive for at least the first half!

 

[football karma]

Tampa's d is solid, particularly up front. That suggests they will be in the game

Apparently, NO has had poor play from their starting LT-- made a switch last Sunday, and new guy got lit up by the panthers

Curious to see who they go with this Sunday

 

[devilalum]

The worst possible outcome is not the Bucs losing. It's the Bucs winning and the Cards losing. That would hurt.

 

[Russ Smith]

The game at Tampa was 16-14, Saints kicked a FG as the clock expired.

Tampa had Freeman as the QB then, so they're probably better there. They had Martin (144 yards rushing) so they're worse off there.

They're not playing very well now, it's a longshot we're not going to get a we want to win for the coach scenario, they hate the coach.

 

[BigRedFan]

Tampa has only averaged 207 yards the last 5 games and playing a Drew Brees team that needs to win. That's not good. However, the bucs have won 4 of their last 7 for whatever that's worth and the Saints 1 of their last 4. The first game played in Tampa was a close game too. And the Cardinals beating the Patriots last year away gives hope for anything happening on any given week.

 

[FORKTUNG]

The Seahags vs Rams game gets played at the same time too

Lotsa scoreboard watching will be going on

 

[Buckybird]

Sucs stand no chance!!! In Nawlins, it's a blowout!!!

 

[Duckjake]

Sucs stand no chance!!! In Nawlins, it's a blowout!!!

I agree. I watched nfl network and espn all week and have yet to see any highlight of the Cards win over Seattle. The Cards just don't have enough NFL Reward points to get the league to have them beat out the more marketable, in the NFL's eyes, Drew Brees for the playoffs.

Maybe after a year of Arians quotes interest in the Cards will rise enough for them to get some love from the NFL.

 

[TJ]

There is nothing about the Bucs that gives me confidence they can pull off the upset. They're playing with their backup rookie QB and #3 RB. The team has a good defense but an offense that strikes fear into no one. New Orleans plays lights out at home and has something to play for other than pride.

35-13 New Orleans. Hope Jay Feely has his tee times set up for next week.

 

[Jttsaz]

Bucs are 12 1/2 pt Dawgs..but then again the Cards were a 10 pt underdog last week! Stranger things have happened..Cards need to take care of biz on Sunday!

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

The pressure is all on the Saints. Otherwise I got nothing.

 

[PACardsFan]

If the Bucs win, I will order a $250+ authentic TB jersey & wear it every chance I get!!! Only if the Cardinals also win.

 

[CT Card Fan]

I'm reaching, but the only other thing I can think of.....If the Panthers win at 1:00, Saints will know they can't get the bye and will only be playing for the 6 seed. For them, that might be a little bit of a letdown. Probably not, but we can dream.

 

[GimmedaBall]

Panthers D really took it to NO last week to claim the division. Brees got hammered and was on the injured list with a knee bruise. NO has a long list of other battered players on their injury report.

Tampa players are going to have to put their resume on tape for the next coaching staff. If their D line can attack Brees and sack him the way the Carolina did, Tampa has a fighter's chance.


Cards have to take care of their own business---and maybe get a late Christmas present from Tampa.

 

[ajcardfan]

Our best shot was the Falcons beating the Niners. Obviously, one bad bounce and that was over.

This would be like the 03 Cardinals sticking it to the Vikings so the Packers could make it in. Except these Saints are a lot better than those Vikings (especially at home) and these Bucs are pretty much just as miserable as those Cards were.

Whatever. The first game of the year, the Rams game, haunted us the entire season. Beat the damn Niners, regardless of what Tampa does, and I will be happy.

 

[SeattleCard]

We need a football miracle.

 

[Jim Otis]

If the Falcons were to beat the Panthers ( playing the early game ) the Saints would have lots more to play for . A win over the Bucs. would give the Saints the Div. Title , and a first rnd. bye . There could be a bubble burst for the Saints should the Panthers pull out a victory late in the forth qtr.
Saint players stand around looking down at feet thinking what could have been .

Hey ! It could happen .

 

[Cheesebeef]

If the Falcons were to beat the Panthers ( playing the early game ) the Saints would have lots more to play for . A win over the Bucs. would give the Saints the Div. Title , and a first rnd. bye . There could be a bubble burst for the Saints should the Panthers pull out a victory late in the forth qtr.
Saint players stand around looking down at feet thinking what could have been .

Hey ! It could happen .

Um, lol...right. They could be so crestfallen they didn't win the division that...they have little motivation to even make the playoffs? Saying that's a stretch is a huge stretch in of itself.

Here's to hoping for something crazy tomorrow!