Dolphins @ Buccaneers Discussion

[King Bootz]

Our 1st 1pm EST game of the season is against the in-state Miami Dolphins. Miami is 1-3 with several injuries. Most notably starting QB Tua Tungaviloa is on I.R. with broken ribs and will miss this game. Jacoby Brissett will start in his place.

The Bucs are probably more beat up. Numerous injuries all over the defense. But we should have more than enough talent to get a W against the Phins.

[King Bootz]

Not great news on AJW

[King Bootz]

Good news here.

[King Bootz]

The sooner SMB returns the better.

[13F11B]

Brissette is a good QB. Not Franchise but not Jameis Winston either. Given the injuries to the secondary, he may have a career day on Sunday. I am very nervous about how the Buccaneers will manage to get through the games with so many dudes injured.

[CannonFire]

What should happen: The Bucs should shut them out and our offense should be able to put up 40+ points
What will happen: The Dolphins, like everyone else, will move the ball through the air and get about 24 points and our offense will be lackluster again and put up only 31.

As crappy as we're playing, we're still winning. So while this game should end 45-0 with a lot of snap from Blaine Gabbert and/or Kyle Trask, the Dolphins will keep it close enough for it to be considered a game and we'll end up winning 31-24.

[King Bootz]

What should happen: The Bucs should shut them out and our offense should be able to put up 40+ points
What will happen: The Dolphins, like everyone else, will move the ball through the air and get about 24 points and our offense will be lackluster again and put up only 31.

As crappy as we're playing, we're still winning. So while this game should end 45-0 with a lot of snap from Blaine Gabbert and/or Kyle Trask, the Dolphins will keep it close enough for it to be considered a game and we'll end up winning 31-24.

I'm hoping yesterday was a wake up call. This team has really been feeling themselves lately. I think this week will not be a close game. We were able to get the run game involved offensively so that should help us balance things out. I expect a convincing win this week.

[CannonFire]

What should happen: The Bucs should shut them out and our offense should be able to put up 40+ points
What will happen: The Dolphins, like everyone else, will move the ball through the air and get about 24 points and our offense will be lackluster again and put up only 31.

As crappy as we're playing, we're still winning. So while this game should end 45-0 with a lot of snap from Blaine Gabbert and/or Kyle Trask, the Dolphins will keep it close enough for it to be considered a game and we'll end up winning 31-24.

I'm hoping yesterday was a wake up call. This team has really been feeling themselves lately. I think this week will not be a close game. We were able to get the run game involved offensively so that should help us balance things out. I expect a convincing win this week.

They've been together for a year plus, they shouldn't be feeling anything out. They should be dominating teams like Atlanta and New England. They were never really in that game against the Rams. That's unacceptable. They brought everyone back so that what's happening right now... didn't happen.

[King Bootz]

More on the injury front

*CD3 having an MRI today
*JPP unlikely to play as of now
*Dean should be back
*Gronk TBD
*Gio TBD

[King Bootz]

I'm hoping yesterday was a wake up call. This team has really been feeling themselves lately. I think this week will not be a close game. We were able to get the run game involved offensively so that should help us balance things out. I expect a convincing win this week.

They've been together for a year plus, they shouldn't be feeling anything out. They should be dominating teams like Atlanta and New England. They were never really in that game against the Rams. That's unacceptable. They brought everyone back so that what's happening right now... didn't happen.

And we are at 3-1. And your gripe is the wins aren't pretty enough. It's the NFL man. Not college.

[CupidStunt]

I like the wins. I fear what they portend. If we as fans see trends and concepts that we feel are generally bad, like play calling or individual or group performances of basic tasks, etc. and we don't see them being meaningfully addressed, we fear future games that we had assumed would be wins end up being losses.
Granted, I'm no expert, just working off what I see and hear.

Injuries expose depth or lack thereof too. Makes for a longer season than we had hoped

[Babeinbucland]

What should happen: The Bucs should shut them out and our offense should be able to put up 40+ points
What will happen: The Dolphins, like everyone else, will move the ball through the air and get about 24 points and our offense will be lackluster again and put up only 31.

As crappy as we're playing, we're still winning. So while this game should end 45-0 with a lot of snap from Blaine Gabbert and/or Kyle Trask, the Dolphins will keep it close enough for it to be considered a game and we'll end up winning 31-24.

I'm hoping yesterday was a wake up call. This team has really been feeling themselves lately. I think this week will not be a close game. We were able to get the run game involved offensively so that should help us balance things out. I expect a convincing win this week.

All our games so far SHOULD have been wake up calls. They weren’t. And we are still playing sloppy, penalized, lethargic football.

[CannonFire]

They've been together for a year plus, they shouldn't be feeling anything out. They should be dominating teams like Atlanta and New England. They were never really in that game against the Rams. That's unacceptable. They brought everyone back so that what's happening right now... didn't happen.

And we are at 3-1. And your gripe is the wins aren't pretty enough. It's the NFL man. Not college.

Yeah, let's pretend that's what my point was.

[King Bootz]

And we are at 3-1. And your gripe is the wins aren't pretty enough. It's the NFL man. Not college.

Yeah, let's pretend that's what my point was.

Well what is your point exactly? We're 3-1, lead our division all while not playing our best. What's your issue?

[BJJ34]

My buddy made a joke that if we lose to the Dolphins, Tom’s soul selling is in question.

[13F11B]

What should happen: The Bucs should shut them out and our offense should be able to put up 40+ points
What will happen: The Dolphins, like everyone else, will move the ball through the air and get about 24 points and our offense will be lackluster again and put up only 31.

As crappy as we're playing, we're still winning. So while this game should end 45-0 with a lot of snap from Blaine Gabbert and/or Kyle Trask, the Dolphins will keep it close enough for it to be considered a game and we'll end up winning 31-24.

I'm hoping yesterday was a wake up call. This team has really been feeling themselves lately. I think this week will not be a close game. We were able to get the run game involved offensively so that should help us balance things out. I expect a convincing win this week.

Someone hoped that the Rams game was going to be a wake-up call. I think (humor) the team keeps hitting the snooze button. In reality, I think the defense is hurting due to injuries but they were not all that much better the first game.

[IronDog]

Brady, it turns out, is human, like most of us. As such, and in spite of the outward heroics, the Patriots game affected him more than he wanted us to know. I saw that press conference before they flew north. He looked physically and more importantly, mentally, drained. One can't help but to have seen how that inward stress affected his play last night.

I heard some talkimg heads today, I want to say it was that "Undisputed" show with Shannon Sharpe and Skip something-or-other. Anyway, Skip made an astute observation in which he theorized that the first 3 games were in prep for the Pats game, and reflection would seem to bear this out. Last night's poor performance on TB12's part, let alone the group that has been screwing off for years around here, would demonstrate how that place's aura abused his game. Once over, and the time could be devoted to Tom's many relationships, and watching his post-game press conference, you could see the dramatic difference in attitude.

So, given all of that hoohah is behind him, hopefully the O will come back to life like the group from 9 months ago. With any luck, the D will find its way back as well. I am hoping the laser focus Brady is known for resurfaces and we get the kind of offensive performance we got spoiled by last year.

[Nano]

Miami is a team we should beat by double digits even with the Injuries. Their defense is...actually worse than ours. They allow over 400+ yards per game and are shit against both the run and the pass. This is a game where we should run the ball...because Miami hasn't shown that they can stop the run.

On offense...they are bad lol

31st in total yards, 30th in passing, 28th in rushing, 31st in points

[uscbucsfan]

Brady, it turns out, is human, like most of us. As such, and in spite of the outward heroics, the Patriots game affected him more than he wanted us to know. I saw that press conference before they flew north. He looked physically and more importantly, mentally, drained. One can't help but to have seen how that inward stress affected his play last night.

I heard some talkimg heads today, I want to say it was that "Undisputed" show with Shannon Sharpe and Skip something-or-other. Anyway, Skip made an astute observation in which he theorized that the first 3 games were in prep for the Pats game, and reflection would seem to bear this out. Last night's poor performance on TB12's part, let alone the group that has been screwing off for years around here, would demonstrate how that place's aura abused his game. Once over, and the time could be devoted to Tom's many relationships, and watching his post-game press conference, you could see the dramatic difference in attitude.

So, given all of that hoohah is behind him, hopefully the O will come back to life like the group from 9 months ago. With any luck, the D will find its way back as well. I am hoping the laser focus Brady is known for resurfaces and we get the kind of offensive performance we got spoiled by last year.

I can't believe anyone would buy, "The first 3 games were in preparation for the Pats game". That's such a ridiculous talking head reach. I think most reasonable people would turn the channel at that.

Yes, it was emotional. Yes, the Pats D played great. Yes, we have many injuries and suffered more, but that's it.

Brady and the Offense were great games 1 and 2. They weren't in 3 and 4. It happens and it almost always happened while Brady was on the Pats outside of 2007. It's just the nature of the NFL and there are numerous factors to cite.

But again, "the first 3 games were prep" is a ridiculous narrative that is routine for Skip to the level of a previous stance of his of, "Lebron James intentionally lost in the playoffs to get Russell Westbrook and come back better/healthier than ever".

[LFAHFN22]

Incoming 3-2

Are you a betting man?

[Digital_Damage]

Incoming 3-2

Are you a betting man?

Who signed up the burner?

[kaimaru]

Brissette is a good QB. Not Franchise but not Jameis Winston either. Given the injuries to the secondary, he may have a career day on Sunday. I am very nervous about how the Buccaneers will manage to get through the games with so many dudes injured.

IDK about that. I saw a few of those Indianapolis games. He's started 35 games, yet if you took his career total yards and divided by those 35 starts (7042), he is barely makes it past 200 yards on average (201.2). That is not good. That's Lamar's rookie season passing bad.

[Crocaneers]

What's that stat with Bucs playing teams coming out of a bye week?

It's something just about as bad as how they play coming out of a bye week

[Primeminister]

Good news here.

I said it before, but I think Desir ends up being a great pickup.

[AJPG]

My only concern is with Flores who is a good defensive coach. He knows Tom well since he grew up in the Patriots organization before going to the Lolphins. He'll probably copy a lot of the schemes Belichick tried against Tom, so having just gone through it at Foxboro actually will help.

I agree with running the ball more against them to balance the attack. Blitzing Tom won't work. Keep Jacoby in the pocket and Bucs win this comfortably 31-17.

[Cheb]

I think we will right the ship somewhat in this game.

Sherman will have another week of practice, as will Desir. Dean might be coming back. We will be playing in familiar Florida weather and have a short flight. The Dolphins offense is inept. Our running game may have turned a corner in that Pats game; hopefully we will be able to maintain that momentum on the ground.

And perhaps most importantly, Tom Brady played the Dolphins twice a year for 20 years (23-12 all-time record). He knows that squad and knows that stadium.

I think we cruise to an easy win, margin of at least 10 points.

[Terry Tate]

I Don't sleep on Cockrell either. I wouldn't want him on an island with DHop or anything but he's played smart, effective football. If we run Sherm, Dean and Cockrell out there, it won't be the worst CB group we've started in the last 5 years.

[LavonteDavid54]

I think for starters we’ve done pretty good this year. We are 3-1 at the 1/4 pole. With partial or entire secondary pieces out EVERY single game including Whitehead, who many overlook. Also Without our best big game sack guy & TB12 top two targets in AB, Gronk.

3-1 is a 13-4 season!! Yet this fan base complains over everything. With the circumstances I listed above we’ve played 2 of the top 4 teams in the entire NFC and a very good defensive team in an unusual game in bad weather BUT because TV morons just say idiotic things like Tampa should kill them or Brady’s gonna go in and whoop them, etc. We believe this. Those who say the players are reading their clippings, I say YOU GUYS ARE. This in the NFL . There’s 20 teams where 2-3 plays are the difference between a win or loss if they go head to head. We’ve shown to be better at this point this year than last imho. How often does anyone play a perfect game vs a formidable opponent. Mistake free yes, perfect ..no. A WIN is a WIN!! If or when we can get our guys back watch what happens.

Now against Miami their weakness is their Oline. So this should be a game our pass rush gets home. Just contain Waddle n Gesicki. Offensively I want continued balance with the run. We should be able to score and win this one.

[Grahamburn]

I think we will right the ship somewhat in this game.

Sherman will have another week of practice, as will Desir. Dean might be coming back. We will be playing in familiar Florida weather and have a short flight. The Dolphins offense is inept. Our running game may have turned a corner in that Pats game; hopefully we will be able to maintain that momentum on the ground.

And perhaps most importantly, Tom Brady played the Dolphins twice a year for 20 years (23-12 all-time record). He knows that squad and knows that stadium.

I think we cruise to an easy win, margin of at least 10 points.

Game is in Tampa.

[IronDog]

He said it was to be a short flight!

[MJW]

This is a game where we should "announce ourselves" against an inferior team.

That said, I'm not all that optimistic. Inferior or not, I think Flores is a good coach. And he knows Brady well.

This should feel like a slam dunk, but if feels more like a one-score kinda game.

[Roach On My Pizza]

Just another reminder that this isn't college football and another tough matchup defensively. B Flo, like Belichick, will employ a lot of zone flood concepts rushing 3. The difference in the two will most likely be more Casino blitz's than what the Pats did on Sun evening.

Offensively, they're another nickel and dime passing game with swings to the RB and they really like to hit overs with the TE. They'll more than likely continue to pick the LB's with the TE's to free up RB's to the field side, then fake the pick and have the TE's run overs and seams.

Patient, physical, limited errors + solid special teams play should get the job done.

[King Bootz]

I really think we can win this game convincingly if we take things seriously. We're 3-1, absolutely. But it's clear and obvious that the team is still riding the high of winning the Super Bowl. You have to know that teams aren't going to lay down for you. Nothing is going to get handed to you. We have to play up to our competition for 4 quarters. Credit all 4 of our opponents for competing as hard as they did. Now the Bucs have to turn it up and get going.

[Dread]

Bucs win this by double digits.

Fins aren't a good team right now. They have good CBs, but can't rush the QB.

Oline is not good and Brissett can't overcome not having a run game and poor pass protection.

Bucs just need to execute better than they did last week and hit the plays that there for them. Score fucking TDs when you get inside the 20.

Going 1-4 in the RZ is how you leave the door open for lesser teams to make it a game

[Kress]

Those who say the players are reading their clippings, I say YOU GUYS ARE. This in the NFL .

Bingo. Half the board had this team going 17-0. Seriously, check the thread. As we know, this is very close to the same team that crushed KC in the Super Bowl after upending NO and GB. But this is also the same team that lost 3 out of 4 in the month of November, beginning with a 38-3 drubbing at home. Those are the clippings of your world champs.

We should beat the Dolphins, but we do have obvious problems going on. No need to rehash them, but they are not "want-to" problems. Regardless, I don't see how the Dolphins hold this offense under 30. I also don't see how we stop the Dolphins from dinking and dunking us to death. It might be a painful game to watch, but absent some turnovers, they'll do enough to keep it respectable - if not a decently close/one-score game. Just get the W and get healthier.