Five Things – JoeBucsFan.com – Tampa Bay Bucs Blog, Buccaneers News

Chris Godwin celebrates with Sean Tucker after the Bucs' second-year running back scored one of his two touchdowns yesterday. (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Welcome to Victory Monday! Joe will drink a few cups of Louisiana-brewed Community Coffee in honor of the Bucs trampling the slimy Saints yesterday in their own Lincoln's Tomb. Let's get started.

Continue with the new or stay with the old?

Joe can't remember the last time the Bucs had such a strong running game. Joe doesn't know what to believe. Was it a coincidence? Will Sean Tucker be benched again when ineffective runner Rachaad White is healthy? Will the Bucs go to a two-back set more often?

The Bucs have wanted to develop a strong running game for years. Yesterday we showed what this goal looks like. So will the Bucs resort to one of the subpar running attacks to satisfy a stupid, unwritten rule that starters, no matter how hard they struggle, shouldn't lose their jobs to injury?

Where are these NFL statutes written? Most players want to win, and if Sean Tucker or Bucky Irving give the Bucs a better chance to win, teammates won't cry if White loses his starting gig as long as his replacement follows suit.

Was the nasty, strong running game a coincidence? Well, the only way to find out is to keep putting Bucky Irving and Tucker on the field.

Bipolar first half

If Bucs fans felt like Joe, they wanted to take a nap at halftime. The first quarter was so great for the Bucs that they jumped out to a three-point lead. Hey, the Bucs were on the move!

Then that 17-0 lead was squandered in the second quarter as the Saints rallied to control the game.

Then the third quarter hit and the Bucs woke up and didn't allow the slimy Saints to get back into the game. The Bucs finished 27-0 in the second half.

The first quarter was pretty much the highest point. The second quarter was the lowest of the low.

Unlike in Atlanta eleven days ago, the Bucs put their boots on the slimy Saints' throats after halftime. New Orleans never got off the mat.

Joe was exhausted just looking at it, man.

Pass rush may have saved the game

One reason for the Saints' slippery second-quarter rally was that the Bucs had no answer for rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler, a fifth-round pick.

In the first half, the Bucs basically allowed Rattler to eat a roast beef po' boy from Parkway Bakery (with plenty of debris) every time he fell behind. The Bucs once again had no pass rush to speak of and Rattler dismantled their defense.

Rattler was an obscene 11 of 14, slicing and dicing the Bucs defense. Joe was completely angry.

Then, on the final possession of the first half, the Bucs decided it might be a good idea to give Rattler a pass rush in the face. On three straight plays, Rattler threw away his first two passes due to a pass rush, and then his third attempt was nearly blown off.

The Bucs have proven that a good pass rush is the best defense. Joe really isn't sure why the Bucs always want to act like they don't need an edge rush to be great. As he breathes today, Joe is convinced that if the Bucs hadn't attacked Rattler, we would all be freaking out this morning.

Chris Godwin will win the lottery

Joe can't remember a well-respected, good player, perhaps feared across the league, performing as brilliantly in a contract year as Godwin has now done in six games.

Godwin managed 125 yards on 11 catches on 13 targets and two touchdowns yesterday. That’s not counting Godwin’s physical blocking style at slot receiver. Joe doesn't know how the Bucs would fare this year if Godwin wasn't on the roster.

Godwin is on pace with 121 receptions, 1,477 yards and 14 touchdown catches. He will return to the Pro Bowl this winter just as he is currently playing. And yesterday, against a team the Bucs almost always have problems against, it was Godwin who gave the slimy Saints problems.

With Trey Palmer and Jalen McMillan not taking the next step as receivers despite looking fantastic in training camp, Godwin's value to the Bucs is even greater.

Joe doesn't know how to let a guy like Godwin walk out of the locker room.

Class Movement by Slimy Saints

Yes, Joe calls the Saints “slimy” because they are associated with all sorts of evil deeds. From missing painkillers to bounties to a serial rapist in their midst like convicted scumbag Darren Sharper. Add to that Alvin Kamara beating up guys at the Pro Bowl, and it always seems like the Saints are up to something shady.

Not yesterday. Shortly before the game, the Saints held a moment of silence for the victims of hurricanes Helene and Milton.

Louisiana suffered no damage from these storms. Florida certainly did. So Joe thought it was a very thoughtful gesture. Then Joe learned about a large monetary donation that Saints owner Gayle Benson made to local groups helping the Tampa Bay area and Florida residents affected by the storms.

Again, none of the storms impacted Louisiana.

The Saints later honored various state agencies such as the Louisiana National Guard and the Cajun Navy, among others, which were sent to Florida to support reconstruction efforts.

Even though Joe believes the slimy saints are deeper than a snake's belly, these gestures were extremely kind. Few citizens know firsthand how devastating a hurricane can be in Louisiana. Well done, saints.