Currently on a two-game losing streak, the 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers find themselves in a must-win situation this Sunday against the 3-9 Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles, who started off the year 3-1, have drawn comparisons to the 2011 Bucs that had a ten-game losing streak to end their season. However, the Eagles have been very competitive in the majority of their games, so this won’t necessarily be the easy win fans are expecting.
This week, the Bucs will be honoring the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Super Bowl team. If they succeed in these five steps, Tampa Bay will remain in the playoff hunt while making the anniversary celebration that much sweeter.
Key 1. Give Martin Wiggle Room
Opposing defenses have held Doug Martin to under 70 yards in three of the last four games. In those three games, he has averaged only 3.0 yards per carry, and his longest run was just 14 yards against the Chargers. It is clear that after Martin exploded for 251 yards and four touchdowns against the Raiders, defenses have been working to stop the rookie sensation.
While the Eagles will likely game plan for Martin as others have, the Bucs need to find a way to win the battle in the trenches. Many fans may be quick to blame the "rookie wall" for Martin’s recent struggles, but that isn’t the case. Over the last month, the offensive line has been unable to create enough room for Martin to make it to the second level. In fact, the rookie runner deserves credit for not quitting on plays and working hard for every yard he earns.
The Bucs will have another tough challenge this Sunday against an Eagles defense that has yet to allow a 100-yard rusher this year. Tampa Bay hopes to break that streak while giving Martin and the offensive line more confidence going into the remaining three games of the season.
Key 2. Fire The Cannons
Tampa Bay’s explosive offense has been one of the biggest turnarounds from the 2011 season. However their production has steadily decreased ever since scoring 42 points against the Oakland Raiders in week nine. Since then, the Bucs offense has scored 20, 27 (against the Panthers, in which the offense was dead until the final six minutes), 23 and 23 points. They have been 2-2 in those games, winning the Chargers game because of defensive and special teams scores.
The Bucs vertical offense has the opportunity to turn things around this week against the Eagles poor pass defense that is known for giving up big plays. If the Bucs stick to their game plan – run the ball and take deep shots, the cannons will be firing all day long.
Key 3. Stop The Sensation
After replacing an injured LeSean McCoy, breakout rookie star Bryce Brown has exploded for 347 yards and two touchdowns on 43 carries. He is averaging 8.2 yards per play, including a 65-yard scamper against the Panthers. While he has been the biggest surprise of the past two weeks, he has had issues with ball security. In just two games as a starter Brown has fumbled three times, loosing all three.
Brown will have his work cut out for him against the league’s number one rushing defense in Tampa Bay. The Bucs will need to continue being impressive against the run this Sunday if they hope to win. If Brown has anywhere near the success he’s had the past two games, it will open up the passing game for the young rookie quarterback Nick Foles, who looked very impressive against a strong Cowboys secondary.
Key 4. Make Your Alumni Proud
The hype surrounding the 10th anniversary of the 2002 Super Bowl team has been escalating over the past few weeks. Media members have been asking current Bucs players what they remember from the 2002 team and the influence it has had on them. There is no doubt that players and coaches will be emotional going into Sunday’s game.
Having the presence of that legendary team on Sunday should be a good thing for the Bucs. Being surrounded by Super Bowl champions and future Hall of Famers should remind the (mostly) young Bucs players of the glory that this game can bring. Playing in front of defensive stars like Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and John Lynch should encourage this young defense to go out and make their predecessors proud.
Having the presence of that legendary team on Sunday should be a good thing for the Bucs. Being surrounded by Super Bowl champions and future Hall of Famers should remind the (mostly) young Bucs players of the glory that this game can bring. Playing in front of defensive stars like Derrick Brooks, Warren Sapp, Simeon Rice and John Lynch should encourage this young defense to go out and make their predecessors proud.
Media members and fans have made many comparisons between Gerald McCoy and Sapp, who has actually mentored McCoy, as well as Lavonte David and Brooks. I expect McCoy and David to be extra motivated to show they deserve these impressive comparisons. Players like Ahmad Black and Leonard Johnson, who were huge Bucs fans growing up, will surely want to show off to their childhood idols as well.
Also, among players who will be extra motivated on Sunday is, of course, Ronde Barber. He will be playing in front of his former teammates, while being honored for the 2002 season. Barber had the game-sealing pick-six against the Eagles in the NFC championship game; maybe fans will get to see another one on Sunday.
Key 5. Start A Streak
After the Seahawks' upset win over the Bears last Sunday, it became clear that the Bucs would likely have to win out in order to make the playoffs. Tampa Bay was able to pull off a four-game winning streak earlier in the season, so it is not an impossible feat. The winning streak was kicked off by an impressive and decisive win over the Minnesota Vikings on Thursday Night Football. Maybe what the Bucs need to jump-start this team is another decisive win.
The Buccaneers have the perfect opportunity to do that this week. While the Eagles aren’t a pushover by any means, the Bucs are definitely a better football team. Combine that with the energy and emotion surrounding the team and the fans, and it’s the perfect atmosphere to have a special, momentum-building win.
Pewter Predictions
Haley Cornish: Buccaneers 34-17
Mark Cook: Buccaneers 28-27
Scott Reynolds: Buccaneers 31-17
Mark Cook: Buccaneers 28-27
Scott Reynolds: Buccaneers 31-17
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