NEW ORLEANS — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers needed to beat the Saints and the Bears and Redskins to win to make the playoffs this year. Put a gigantic check mark next to beat the Saints. It was a dominating win for the Bucs over the Saints putting up 23 points in New Orleans’ finest. If anyone needs any further proof that the Bucs have arrived stick this stat in your pipe and smoke it: Josh Freeman out performed Drew Brees in yards thrown, interceptions and touchdowns. The Bucs also finally managed to beat a team with a record above .500.
Blount Force
It was an all around win in the Big Easy, with everyone having a big day. First off LaGarrette Blount put an exclamation point on his incredible season by rushing for 66 yards. That puts his season rushing total at 1,007 yards making him the first Buccaneer to break the 1,000 yard barrier since Cadillac Williams did it in 2005. Blount didn’t reach the endzone but it didn’t matter. He did what he was doing all year, just pounding the rock and eating up clock. He carried the ball 19 times against the Saints, a majority of those touches coming in the second half.
I’m a Freeman!
Josh Freeman was coming off a career game last week against the Seahawks and people doubted if he could keep it going against the Saints. Doubters be gone, Freeman lit up the Saints for 255 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the season finale. Freeman made use of receivers who many probably forgot were on the roster. Dezmon Briscoe was notable before this game as the guy the Bucs plucked off the Bengals waiver wire, upsetting Marvin Lewis. Briscoe became more than that on Sunday by catching his first TD pass of his career in the second quarter. He finished with 65 yards and was Freeman’s target 4 times all his stats led the Bucs receiving core. Briscoe even had the longest catch which a was a 54 yarder, a pass usually thrown to Mike Williams. Williams wasn’t left out of the fun, he had a touchdown grab of his own in the fourth quarter which pretty much sealed the deal for the Bucs.
Freeman proved on Sunday that he can be the leader this team has been so desperate for. He came in, wasn’t once intimidated and was an entirely different quarterback than the Saints saw week 3. Freeman closed out the fourth quarter with ease and brilliance which shows a lot of promise for seasons to follow. It also gives Bucs fans confidence should Tampa make the playoffs; the Saints are as good as any of the teams in the playoffs and if the Bucs can go toe to toe with them and beat them, that’s a helluva statement.
Who Dat Defense That Beat Dem Saints?
The Buccaneer’s defense came into this game greatly diminished at almost every position. That didn’t stop the Bucs from headlocking the Saints and holding them down for the entire game. The Saints have notoriously torn up defenses all season long by hitting their plethora of weapons. The Bucs were having none of that today, constantly pushing the Saints down every time they tried to stand up. Drew Brees was held under 200 yards passing and forced Brees’ biggest target to be something called Adrian Arrington. Barrett Ruud showed why he’s the leader of this defense, making 8 tackles and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Frank Okam.
Now We Play The Waiting Game
the Bucs have done their part, now they must await their aid to see if they get in the 2010 playoffs. Th Bears must beat the Packers and the Redskins must beat the Giants in order for Tampa to punch their ticket to Philadelphia for a Wild Card Weekend match-up against the Eagles. Bucs fan’s are on the edge of their seats, but no matter the outcome this has been one of the best seasons the Bucs have had in a long while, and thats not only in terms of wins and losses.