Why Gennaro picked the Buccaneers: Because I’m a stubborn fool. You see, I planted my flag on Tampa Bay last offseason, conducting the quarterback’s bandwagon, hyping the offense’s firepower and championing the team’s divisional reign. Then, despite falling victim to a ravenous injury bug in the early goings, the Buccaneers still hit their Week 9 bye with a two-game lead in the NFC South, making me feel smart. But since that break, the Bucs have dropped seven of eight games, making me feel dumb. And lately, I’ve looked even dumber, erroneously picking Tampa to win every single game in its current four-week losing streak. Is this the new definition of insanity? Quite possibly. My approach to this team is broke — why not fix it? Well, beyond some clear hardheadedness, I’m continually underwhelmed by the opposition. Carolina hasn’t exactly set the league on fire, invariably alternating wins and losses since mid-October. And although last week’s defeat should make this a victory, I’m deviating from the pattern because Carolina has drifted from its identity. Over the last couple months, the Panthers’ previously potent run game has ground to a halt, while their once-stout run defense has become a sieve. The Bucs have their own issues, to be sure, but they also have the more experienced quarterback and coach in this matchup, as well as the more established roster. This isn’t truly a postseason play-in game — while Carolina would clinch the division with a win, Tampa needs a win on Saturday and an Atlanta loss to New Orleans on Sunday — but it will feel like one in the moment. And with this game taking place in Raymond James Stadium, I’m all too willing to go down with the pirate ship.
