What are you looking for in the Buccaneers final game of the regular season?
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All good things come to an end. And that means another Buccaneers season has hit the final week. With great improvements here in Dirk season one, the team is guaranteed a .500 season with the chance to finish at 9-7.
A step up? I would say absolutely.
Unfortunately, our playoff dreams have drifted away with losses over the last two weeks. It would take a miracle of epic proportions, including a tie in the Redskins game, for the Bucs to find their way in. We can all dream, there is nothing wrong with that.
But it’s not happening. I think we all know that.
So the Bucs play host to the Panthers to finish out a very promising season. What should we be looking for in the final game? Our weekly roundtable discusses that very topic, so let’s get right to it.
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) makes a throw in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Come Out Swinging
Although this season seems like a disappointment because the Bucs missed the playoffs, the right strides were made. The defense improved and Mike Evans became the monster we all knew he was going to be. Going into week 17 with not a whole lot to play for (Yes, I know there’s a chance, but let’s be real), I would like to see the Bucs come out swinging like their lives depended on it.
That would tell me that this team is playing for something bigger. In his weekly press conference Jameis Winston made several references to finishing off the season strong, a win against a division opponent at home would be just that. The defense getting back to its regular self would be ideal as well. The defense hasn’t been as good as it was in the five game win streak. All things considered, 9-7 is a lot different from 8-8.
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Fire
Playoff hopes are gone. Key players are missing. There isn’t a chance to play spoiler. So really, there isn’t much to play for at all, right?
Wrong. I want to see the Bucs play with fire on Sunday. The season isn’t over. They need to prove that they’ve changed the culture around the team. They won five straight, and things were looking great. They were in the playoff picture and controlled their own destiny. Then, things came crashing down over just two weeks. There isn’t anything that the team can do now. Its response to the recent adversity is what matters at this point.
We saw them fall apart last season and lose their last four games. Things have seemingly changed this year for Tampa Bay. But, if it loses three in a row to close this season, what will that say? It’ll prove that not much has changed at all. A win over a division rival at home will prove that the culture really has turned around for this franchise.
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter reacts against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Just Win the Game
The biggest thing I’ll be looking for in the Bucs final game is to end this season the right way… with a win. Now although many starters are banged up for both teams, it should be a hard-fought game between divisional rivals. One win at the end of the season to decide whether the team is above .500 or not is crucial. Not only does it propel the Bucs into the offseason with the right momentum after a fantastic season, but it also helps solidify why Dirk Koetter was hired in the first place.
Lovie Smith was fired due to his horrendous coaching which lead to a losing skid to end his final year in Tampa. Now the victims of two straight losses, look for the team to change how they end seasons. This final game will be all about effort. Whether it’s the first string on the field or the third, the Bucs need to end this season on the right note.
Oct 10, 2016; Charlotte, NC, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Jacquizz Rodgers (32) carries the ball during the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. The Buccaneers won 17-14. Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Big Effort
Unfortunately for the Bucs their week 17 game against the Carolina Panthers will almost certainly be their final game of the season barring some epic miracle. The most important thing that I’ll be watching for against the Panthers is effort. With no reasonable shot at the playoffs, will the Bucs still play hard?You’ll no doubt see some teams push the quit button this weekend in games that have no playoff bearings and in past years the Bucs have been guilty of this very thing (like the game that got them the first overall pick). The Bucs need to prove that they’re no longer one of these teams infiltrated by quitters and this final game could be a good gauge of which role players are worth bringing back next season.While this game isn’t a “must win”, it would be a large disappointment to see a five game winning streak morph into a three game losing streak to end the season. Wins don’t translate from season to season, but for a team that’s trying to turn that’s continuing to install a winning mentality, every W counts.–Michael HoranNext: Big Day for the Kicker
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Roberto Aguayo (19) kicks and makes a field goal as Tampa Bay Buccaneers punter Bryan Anger (9) holds the ball during the first half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Big Day for the Kicker
The biggest thing I want to see in the final week of the regular season is a perfect game from Roberto Aguayo. The Bucs invested a lot into the Florida State product and the results have been less than satisfactory. The last time the Bucs played the Panthers, Aguayo went three for five, missing one from 33 and another from 46 yards out. He did however kick the game winner as time expired so it was a very up and down game for the rookie.
Roberto has been a much better kicker the second half of the season but he has still missed some kicks that he should’ve made. If he wants to finish the year off on a high note he has to make all his field goals on Sunday. He still has yet to hit from further from 45 yards so if he can do that this week it would be a huge confidence boost not only for him but the coaching staff and fan base as well.
The Bucs could’ve been a playoff team this year but barring a miracle, they will be on the outside looking in. Due to some missed kicks in the first half of the season the Bucs could’ve won one or two more earlier this season. If he ends the season making all of his kicks this week I can see this kicker officially breaking his rookie season yips and hopefully continues the streak into next season.
Dec 24, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) makes a throw in the fourth quarter against the New Orleans Saints at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Consistent Quarterback Play
In the Bucs finale at home against the Carolina Panthers I’ll be looking for two things: Jameis Winston’s maturity as a passer and the defenses ability to play consistently.
Both Winston and the defense have flashed a lot of potential this year, and both have similarly looked at times like they regressed back to their 2015 selves.
In order for 2017 to be the next step into taking this young group into the echelon of true Super Bowl contenders they need to have a good closing game to build on next season.
Two touchdown passes and 200+ yards passing will give the entire Bucs community a confident end to the year, while two turnovers and allowing fewer than 20 points would give the defense a spring-board to the off-season with their heads held high.
Last year this franchise suffered a four-game losing streak to close out the regular season. A three-game dive would be just as bad for this year’s team, and it’s going to take the quarterback and defense showing their collective growth to keep it from happening.
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) runs a route against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Just the Fun Stuff
There’s a lot to watch for in the final Bucs game of the 2016 season. There are players heading onto the field in hopes of performing well enough to stick in the coaches minds for next year. There’s the division rivalry where everyone wants to beat the snot out of Cam Newton and the Panthers. And, of course, the slim playoff hopes.
Personally, I’m watching for the fun stuff.
I’m watching to see if Jameis Winston not only gets the 178 passing yards needed to break the Bucs’ single season record, but the 267 yards he needs to break Andrew Luck‘s passing record for most yards in the first two seasons of a career.
I’m watching to see if Mike Evans can break his own single season touchdown record. He currently sits with eleven touchdowns on the season, just one behind his Bucs record of twelve set in 2014.
I’m watching to see if the Bucs finish with a positive turnover ratio. They are currently at +1, which is a far cry better than the -9 turnover ratio they had heading into the first meeting with Carolina.
Finally, I’m watching to see if Dirk Koetter becomes only the second coach in Bucs history to finish his first season with a winning record. Currently, Jon Gruden holds the distinction of the only Bucs coach to ever do that, so despite the disappointment of missing the postseason, that’s certainly an impressive feat by Koetter in not only his first year as Bucs head coach but his first year as an NFL head coach.
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) throws a pass in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Dallas Cowboys won 26-20. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Smart Play from the Quarterback
I’ve written about this before but it deserves repeating. Jameis Winston has all of the physical tools to be an elite franchise quarterback. The biggest problem he has is between his ears. His decision-making, at times, leaves a lot to be desired. He sometimes becomes hesitant when deciding whether to run or throw. He also still throws bad interceptions.
Therefore, on Sunday I want to see Winston play a smart game. Mistake free would be a good place to start. If he could finish the game with no interceptions he would end the season on a high note. It would put the momentum back in the right direction to set up a big 2017 for the young signal caller.
What say you, Bucs fans? Sound off in the comments below…
