5 Thoughts
- Have you ever seen a fanbase less enthusiastic about winning a division title? How many fans rushed out and bought those new “division champions” t-shirts?
2. If Anthonio Winfield isn’t all-pro, they ought to cancel the game? Wait. They already did that. Maybe they should cancel the hula-hoop competition.
3. Can Todd Bowles get “two-time champion” on his business card?
Content beyond this point is for members only.
Already a member? To view the rest of this column, sign in using the handy "Sign In" button located in the upper right corner of the GarySheltonSports.com blog (it's at the far right of the navigation bar under Gary's photo). Not a member? It's easy to subscribe so you can view the rest of this column and all other premium content on GarySheltonSports.com.
4. When you think about Chase McLaughlin and Jake Camarda, it’s fair to say this team kicked its way into whatever success it had.
5. I’m amused when I see pundits like Gerald McCoy admit that Baker Mayfield has earned two more years. Guys, he’s gonna want a standard rich and famous contract. Four or five years, close to stinking rich money.
5 Comments
(From Todd Bowles’ Monday press conference)
(On playing on Monday Night Football for the Wild Card matchup): “Well, either way, it’s the playoffs. It’s going to be tough. We can use the extra day right now. Next week we’re probably [going to] need a couple extra days, but you don’t get to work it that way. We play who we play, we play when we play, and we line up and go.”
(On if he prefers playing a team for the first time in the playoffs as opposed to playing a team they’ve already faced in the regular season): “I don’t think it compares at all. It’s about the same for the most part. It doesn’t compare because we played [the Philadelphia Eagles] so early in the year. We were still growing, [and] I’m sure they were still growing. You know, playoff time is different, it’s one and done, everybody is nicked up, everybody is hurt, it’s just a matter of who makes the most mistakes.”
(On why the offense has slowed down over the last two weeks): “I mean, we played some decent defenses, but when you execute, it goes well. When people get enough film on you, and you keep doing the same thing, you have to change something. We have to switch some things up on both sides of the ball, not just talking offensively, [but] defensively too. But you win a game, however you need to win it. You’re not going to be clicking on all cylinders all the time.”
(On if he’s encouraged that the offense is better now than when they played the Eagles in Week 3): “We’ll do whatever we have to do to win a ballgame. As long as we have one more point than they have, that’s what we are looking for right now. We want to have consistency all the way around, but the object is to win the game by any means necessary.”
(On the progression of OLB Yaya Diaby): “He came into his own. You know, he’s a physical specimen. Obviously, once he got the system down, he started playing loose and playing free. He really got back there, wreaked some havoc, and made some plays. I’m proud of him.”
Game Balls
Offense: No clear winners here, but Chris Godwin had a key catch on the run-out-the-clock drive and surpassed 1,000 yards.
Defense: Antonio Winfield should be the Bucs’ first goal at getting his name on a new contract.
Special teams: McLaughlin hit three field goals for the win.
Grades
Quarterback: Yes, Mayfield was hurt. Yes, he fiirted with turnovers. But he finished with one more win than Tom Brady. Grade: C.
Running back: Rachaad White seems to be good at closing drives. Grade: C+.
Offensive line: Not a lot of push, was there? Grade: C-.
Wide receivers: A disappointing day considering how weak the Panthers’ secondary is. Grade: C-.
Defensive line: The Panthers had too much success running the ball (4.6 yards per carry). Grade: C.
Linebackers: Lavonte David was solid, but Devin White had just three tackles. Grade: C.
Secondary: Bryce Young struggled again against the Bucs. Grade: A.
Power Ranking
- Baltimore
2. San Francisco
3. Dallas
4. Detroit
5. Buffalo
——
17. Tampa Bay
Bottom 5
32. Carolina
31. Washington
30. Arizona
29. New England
28. L.A. Chargers
7 Weak Bucs’ playoff teams
1982 5-4
2022 8-9
2023 9-8
2007 9-7
1981 9-7
2001 9-7
2007 9-7
5 Memorable Playoffs vs. Philly
2002 W, 27-10
1979 W, 24-17
2022 W, 31-15
2001 L, 9-31
2000 L, 3-21
NFL Stats
Passing Yards Baker Mayfield 9 4,044
Rushing Yards Rachaad White 14 990
Receiving Yards Mike Evans 8 1,225
Receiving Yards Chris Godwin 23 1024
Tackles Lavonte David 16 133
5 Best Punting Seasons
Jake Camarda 2023 50.1
Jake Camarda 2022 48.8
Bryan Anger 2014 45.9
Josh Bidwell. 2006 45.6
Michael Koenen 2012 45.3
Single-Season Field Goal Percentage
(Multiple Kicks)
Chase McLaughlin 2023 93.5
Connor Barth 2011 92.9
Ryan Succop. 2020 90.3
Steve Christie 1990 85.2
Connor Barth 2012 84.8
Matt Bryant 2007 84.8
2024 Schedule
Home
Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens
Carolina Panthers
Denver Broncos
Las Vegas Raiders
New Orleans Saints
Philadelphia Eagles
San Francisco 49ers
Washington Commanders
Away
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Chargers
New Orleans Saints
New York Giants