Are The Bucs Still Super Bowl Contenders?
Photo by Gary Phillips
The question has to be asked, can the Buccaneers overcome the hardships they’ve faced all season and go back-to-back? Let’s break it down.
Coming off of a win against the Jets on Sunday, one might think that the Tom Brady led Bucs have high hopes for another title run. But it seems that injuries, player antics, and production issues might get in the way of this. The injuries that the Buccaneer secondary has faced all year has left them in disarray and seeking out veteran players like Richard Sherman and practice squad members just to have enough on the roster week in and week out. This injury list has also impacted star linebackers Jason Pierre-Paul and Shaquil Barrett, missing their respected amount of weeks. What was once a feared defense has been riddled by the injury bug and faces a tough obstacle heading into the playoffs.
Andrew Mills, NY Advance Media
But wait, the injuries don’t end there. The Bucs offense has seen its fair share of injuries and its most obvious came with their number one weapon Chris Godwin being ruled out for the rest of the season with an ACL tear. Also injured at some point of this season is TE Rob Gronkowski, WR Mike Evans, WR Scotty Miller, RB Leonard Fournette, and more. How has QB Tom Brady handled these losses in weapons? Well, he’s done what he always does; he’s put up 40 touchdown passes to 12 interceptions and a league leading 4,990 passing yards thus far.
Will these injuries be too hard to overcome in the postseason? Or are we going to see players step up to the challenge?
Photo by Adam Hunger
The other issue the Bucs face comes with player antics and production issues. With the outburst of Antonio Brown abruptly leaving the team during the third quarter of Sunday’s game, offensive production will be forced to lie onto unsung players such as WR Tyler Johnson and WR Cyril Grayson. We have seen Tom Brady elevate unknown players in the biggest moments, but can it be done again to save this season? As we approach week 18 and the team’s final game of the regular season against the Carolina Panthers, it will be interesting to see how the morale and chemistry of the team is going to shift as new players get snaps and the energy of the team holds up heading into the postseason.
