TPP Pregame Report: Buccaneers vs. Jaguars

JACKSONVILLE, FL — Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9)

Location: EverBank Field, Jacksonville FL

Time: 1:00ET/Noon CT

TV: FOX

Announcers: Sam Rosen, Chad Pennington

Weather: Windy/Rainy; 62°

Line: Buccaneers by 3

Injury Report: JACKSONVILLE — CB T.J. Heath (OUT), DE Aaron Kampman (OUT), DE Matt Roth (OUT), S wight Lowery (QUESTIONABLE), DT Tyson Alualu (PROBABLE), RB Greg Jones (PROBABLE), RB Maurice Jones-Drew (PROBABLE), TE Mercedes Lewis (PROBABLE), WR Cecil Shorts (PROBABLE), T Guy Whimper (PROBABLE)

TAMPA BAY – DT Gerald McCoy (OUT), CB Aqib Talib (OUT), S Larry Asante (DOUBTFUL), DT Albert Haynesworth (QUESTIONABLE), QB Josh Freeman (QUESTIONABLE), DT Brian Price (PROBABLE), S Tanard Jackson (PROBABLE), TE LUke Stocker (PROBABLE), T James Lee (PROBABLE), DE Micheal Bennett (PROBABLE), LB Adam Hayward (PROBABLE), TE Kellen Winslow (Not Injury related, Expected to Play)

Key Matchup: Buccaneers vs. Themselves

Last Week: Buccaneers lost to Panthers 38-19, Jaguars lost to Chargers 38-14

Last Meeting: October 28, 2007 — Jaguars 24, Buccaneers 23

Series History (Since 2001): Jaguars lead series 2-0

Last Minute Preview: I’ll start with this: how in the world are the Bucs favored in this matchup? Nothing they have done during the duration of this six game skid gives credence to them being favored. Plus this is the first time all season long that they have been an away favorite.

They’re so bad right now that yes, I believe even the Jaguars can beat them.

Look at the factors against the Bucs: they are on the road, they can’t win at home let alone anywhere else. THey are facing one of the premier rushers in the league; Tampa can’t stop my eighty-year old grandmother from rushing 150 yards on them. They will be without Aqib Talib (excuse my lack of sobbing) and they may have to go with Josh Johnson again. I don’t hate Johnson, he’s just not the chosen Josh.

Despite all this, the cnisim, the evidence stacked against them, I see no way the Buccaneers should lose this game. If this team drops another dud and if it’s to the lowly Jacksonville Jaguars, then forget the blowouts, forget the lack of focus, this will be hard rock bottom. With all the hype and hope that was invested in this team, if they lose to the Jacksonville Jaguars — a team that can’t even beat itself in practice — then heads will roll.

No one will get fired, I just want everyone to be on the same page. It’s the opposite if the preseason where those who doubted the power of the Bucs were crucified. If the Bucs drop another game and if it’s to the Jaguars, they will officially finish the 2011 season with a losing record. If anyone is still trying to defend this team, then put down the kool-aid my friend and let that false sense of accomplishment ware off. Maybe then we will all be seeing the same terrible football team that has been pretending to be a winner all season.

Of course if they win — well good for them, the ‘Drive for the Top Five’ will have been put off for another week. That’s what it’s come to folks, the Drive For Five gives us all something to root for in what has been an absolutely horrendous and forgettable Tampa Bay Buccaneers season.