Following the trend of the NFC producing the next Super Bowl Champion, perhaps the 35-1 Buccaneers could be worth a pass. No, we’re not big fans of Tampa, but we like Gruden as a coach and think he might be ready for another run.
John Gruden did wonders for Rich Gannon and I think Brian Griese will start to show similar results this year. Clayton is a great young wide receiver and the young running back Williams will make Florida fans forget about the other Williams. Also look for Larry Brackins at wide receiver; it could be draft stealing.
The defense struggled to hold up to its standards and will be challenged to uphold the tradition. The D has aged but with projected offensive numbers they won’t have to be as good all the time.
Tampa Bay has a chance to be 3-3 before its break. When they get out, they’ll be in San Francisco, which should put them at 4-3. The next two games will decide if they are going to make a run. They get Carolina and Washington home. If they head to Chicago with a 6-3 record, then they have a great shot at a playoff position. At that point, they would have about a 15 to 1 chance, so grab them now at 35 to 1.
Is this a big bet? Well, it’s 35-1, so we’ll take a chance and say no, but at 35-1 and with the Eagles the only true proven powerhouse in the NFC, why not Tampa Bay to pass?
