I typically write these Buccaneers’ previews earlier in the week. If I’m being honest, this year has taken a toll on me and I know I’m not alone.
As die-hards we get emotionally invested in our team. Even though we have nothing to do with the outcome, many of us replay each loss and think “if only they would have made this one stop, one first down etc etc.
However THAT is what separates the good teams from the bad. When the dust settles and we take an honest look at our team, we realize that we just aren’t good enough to make those one or two plays each game to turn a loss into a win.
One Last Dance
So, now we have the last game of the season against the Panthers. The Bucs cannot even win their division by beating Carolina, they also need the Saints to beat the Falcons.
The fact that this 7-9 team can still make the playoffs is crazy on its own. Having to wait an extra day to see if they get in is just cruel punishment for the fans.
I had to chuckle when I saw that Vegas had the Bucs as a favorite last week against Miami. Have they not watched this team during the last 2 months? My stubbornness and blind loyalty is unfortunate because I would have made money betting against the Bucs. They simply don’t deserve to be favored against anyone.
The End of Two Eras?
The game against the Panthers is most likely the last one for Lavonte David. He’s had a great career and it would have been nice for the team to go out as a winner in his last year but that isn’t happening.
Gene Deckerhoff, the voice of the Bucs since 1989 is also retiring. I was fortunate enough to meet him this year. He will be missed.
You would think that with all that’s at stake the Bucs could muster enough energy for one last game right? Sadly, for maybe the first time ever, I’m picking the Bucs to lose 27-20. Yeah that’s how sad things are right now.
