The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are playoff-bound and their first opponent is set. Though the team will play the seven and nine Washington Football Team nothing is guaranteed. In order to secure victory, the Buccaneers must approach this game as if they were playing against the number one seed.
Flashback to February 7th, 2010
Poised to make history the New Orleans Saints earned their place to play for their first-ever Super Bowl appearance. Both the Colts and Saints, with high aspirations, were the number one seed entering the playoffs. The game looked like it would be close. At halftime, the Colts were up 10-7. Multiple lead changes kept the viewers on the edges of their seats. Unfortunately for Indianapolis, the game got out of the Colts’ reach with the Saints scoring 18 unanswered points. The Saints were Super Bowl Champions for the first time in their history.
Recap January 8th, 2011
Occupying the fifth seed playoff position the Saints were preparing to make a run at back to back Super Bowls. They had lost the division to the Atlanta Falcons but earned a wild card spot. The Seattle Seahawks earned the fourth seed by being the best team with a losing record in the NFC West. Written off as a joke and laughing stock while they prepared for the playoff game as if it were their last of the season.
Then came the game day. Riding high and possibly under the impression this game would be a walk through the Saints took the field. After all, they were the defending champs. The Saints scored first jumping to a 10-0 lead but the Seahawks would not go away. Eventually, the Seahawks would grab the lead in the second quarter and never look back.
The most memorable play, one very indicative of the game, Marshawn Lynch rumbled and bounced off every tackler imaginable to a 67-yard touchdown. It summarized the Saints game as a whole with their inability to pull it all together.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the 2021 Playoff Seeding
The Saints’ folly should be a valuable lesson for the Buccaneers this season. Though they have finished strong they cannot take their foot off the gas. Even when facing the Washington Football Team, with a losing record, things should not be taken lightly.
First off Washington is currently coached by Ron Rivera, a man who knows the Buccaneers team well. He’s coached against them with head coach Bruce Arians and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles at the helm. Though this is a different team he has been exposed to what the Buccaneers tend to do. Additionally, Alex Smith is back. He brings playoff experience and a methodical approach to playing under center. Even though he will not WOW you with his talents he too cannot be taken lightly.
The Buccaneers CAN NOT look past this match up.
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