Defending AFC Champions visit Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Greetings Bucs fans! This weekend, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the defending AFC champion Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals are red-hot and have won their last five games. The Bucs are back home after a disappointing loss at San Francisco last week.
As I see it, the Buccaneers are at a crossroads. This is a measuring stick type of game against a playoff contender. Last week’s game against San Francisco was also a measuring stick game, and the Bucs came up way short, losing 35-7. The Bucs are leading the NFC South division and are slated for a home playoff game, with the regular season coming to a close soon. Four games are left. Carolina is a game behind for that playoff spot.
Two years ago, the Bucs came out of a bye week, never lost again, and went on to win Super Bowl LV! The offense attacked opposing defenses with a mix of deep passes, running attacks, and winning the time of possession. The defense tightened up and stopped the opponent’s running game before it got started. The Bucs are at a crossroads for the 2022 season. A win Sunday would put the Bucs at .500 and the team needs to step up in all three phases of the game for the remaining regular season. If there is time to get healthy, start playing consistent, dominant offense, defense, and special teams. It has to start this Sunday.
There isn’t a second half of the season left. Whatever works best needs to be put out on the gridiron. The time to “gel, get on the same page, execute a winning game plan is now.” I’ve seen teams get hot this time of year, take that momentum into the postseason, and win the championship. If the Buccaneers are going to pull off a storybook season in 2022, that momentum has to start this weekend. The loss to SF should be the last loss of the 2022 Bucs season! This team has the talent to create that type of momentum heading into the postseason but it has to be executed on the field of play.
Bucs fans we need you at the game Sunday, to create that home-field advantage. Raymond James has become one of the most difficult venues for football teams to come into and come away with a win. Let’s keep that going! The game is at 4:25 PM EST and can be seen on CBS. Enjoy the game and go Bucs!
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