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TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (5-10) VS. ATLANTA FALCONS (6-9)
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 30, 1:00 P.M. ET
RAYMOND JAMES STADIUM (65,618)
NETWORK TELEVISION: FOX
PLAY-BY-PLAY: DICK STOCKTON ANALYST: MARK SCHLERETH SIDELINE: JEN HALE BUCS RADIO: 98ROCK, FLAGSHIP STATION (WXTB-97.9 FM)
PLAY-BY-PLAY: GENE DECKERHOFF ANALYST: DAVE MOORE SIDELINE: T.J. RIVES
LAST GAME: TAMPA BAY LOST AT DALLAS, 27-20; ATLANTA WON AT CAROLINA, 24-10
Publisher and Bucs Beat Writer Scott Reynolds
Here were are – at the end of yet another very disappointing season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. This is a meaningless game outside of determining whether the Bucs will pick around No. 5 or No. 10 in the NFL Draft in April, and whether Tampa Bay will finish last in the NFC South division (again) or whether the Bucs might inch up to third ahead of Atlanta with a win over the Falcons on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
This game will likely be the last for Bucs head coach Dirk Koetter and other Tampa Bay players, such as defensive tackle Gerald McCoy, who is set to make $13 million next year at age 31, and right tackle Demar Dotson, who has battled injuries over the last two seasons and will be 34 next year. It’s most certainly the final game in red and pewter for cornerback Brent Grimes, who seems like he’s been retired all year and just hasn’t told anyone, and wide receiver DeSean Jackson, who wants out of Tampa Bay because Jameis Winston can’t hit him with the deep ball. Good riddance, DJax and Grimes.
The Bucs have played better at home this year than they have away, and that gives me hope that Tampa Bay could knock off the Falcons and end the season on a high note. But Atlanta has actually been coming on the last couple of weeks and has won two straight games, while Tampa Bay has dropped three in a row since winning back-to-back games at home against San Francisco and Carolina.
I like the Falcons in this one because of Matt Ryan and Julio Jones, in addition to Matt Bryant, whom I think kicks the game winner. The Bucs keep it interesting until the fourth quarter, but the Falcons win in it the end – just like so many of Tampa Bay’s opponents have done all year and throughout the Koetter era. Why not add one more close loss to end the season? It would truly be a fitting end to another 5-11 season.
Reynolds’ Score Prediction: Falcons 23, Buccaneers 20
Reynolds’ Pick To Click: WR Mike Evans
Editor and Bucs Beat Writer Mark Cook
In movies they take the wounded or sick horse out back and put them out of the misery. I feel like a wounded horse (or jackass, y’all decide) after 15 games. Someone put me out of my misery. It has been a rough one huh, Bucs fans?
By now does anyone care how any of us think this game plays out? I didn’t think so.
Bucs lose. Again. Another close loss as the pattern continues. Matt Bryant kicks a 62-yarder for the win just to put an exclamation point on the season.
Cook’s Score Prediction: Falcons 26, Buccaneers 24
Cook’s Pick To Click: WR Adam Humphries
Buccaneers Beat Reporter Trevor Sikkema
This is it. This is the final week – in many ways. It will likely be the final week of Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter being the team’s head coach. It could be the final week of general manager Jason Licht managing the team. And it will surely be the final game in a Buccaneers uniform for many players on the current roster.
Sikkema’s Pick To Click: CB Carlton Davis
PewterReport.com Intern Taylor Jenkins
As the Buccaneers return home to play the Atlanta Falcons in their season finale, you have to look at this game for what it is. The Bucs have more to gain by losing than they do winning.
The Bucs’ draft spot could land as high as fourth with a loss or nearly out of the top-10 with a win. Regardless of draft scenarios, players and coaches within the Bucs locker room remain adamant that winning is the most important thing.
Sure, that’s fair. Head coach Dirk Koetter has no reason to improve the team’s draft position with his job at risk and the players know that it’s their job to win and the front office’s job to worry about draft picks, but does it even matter?
The Bucs haven’t bested the Falcons since September of 2016 and they’ve lost their last four meetings by an average deficit of just over nine points. In addition to their recent struggles against the Falcons, this Bucs team has shown this season – just as they have for much of the past decade – that they aren’t a winning football team. It’s a culture issue, it’s a mental issue and it’s become evident time after time that they don’t know how to win when it matters, let alone in week 17 when the playoffs are out of reach.
This is a winnable game for the Bucs, even with the injuries that have plagued the team, but I can’t see Tampa pulling it out. Look for Julio Jones to tear up the Tampa secondary like he’s become accustomed to. Look for Matt Ryan to make the plays he needs to. Look for a shootout. But if the Bucs’ shots can’t hit the end zone and they can’t force a few turnovers it’s likely going to be another losing effort.
Jenkins’ Score Prediction: Falcons 27, Bucs 17.
Jenkins’ Pick to Click: WR Mike Evans
Winning Might Be Losing in Bucs’ 2018 Season Finale
Rapoport: No Final Decision Made On Bucs' Koetter
