How healthy?
OK, let’s cut to the chase: NFL analyst/humorist Mike Tanier, formerly of _Football Outsiders_ (RIP), the _New York Times_, _Sports on Earth_ (remember that?) and many other deceased publications, believes the Bucs will win the NFC South.
However, Tanier does foresee the Bucs having to navigate potholes to wrap up the division. It won’t be a cakewalk, Tanier typed on his Substack “[Too Deep Zone](https://miketanier.substack.com/p/closing-arguments-the-playoff-hopefuls).”
> The Bucs endured a losing streak and a sweep by the Falcons last year, yet they still won the division. But can we really expect the Falcons to keep taking obliging steps backwards so the Bucs can remain in front? Probably. But that’s not worth risking money or bragging rights upon. And even if you aren’t worried that the Bucs have gotten worse, it’s hard to find a single reason to suggest that they can do anything more than narrowly win the Sun Belt Conference and then get hammered at home by the Commanders/Packers/Rams in the playoffs.
Well, Joe is not on the Packers bandwagon. And the Matt Stafford back watch should worry all 17 Rams fans in Los Angeles.
But in his story, Tanier points out that injuries may just stunt the growth of the Bucs this season. They’re down Jalen McMillan for who knows how long. Chris Godwin? Maybe he will be ready in October.
Tristan Wirfs? He told the Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, Ira Kaufman, yesterday that he’s shooting for Week 4 but that’s a best-case scenario. Wirfs also added that Week 3 might be pushing it.
Then, there is the Antoine Winfield mysterious “lower leg” injury. Winfield blew out his ankle in Week 1 last year, and he was a shell of himself the rest of the season.
Winfield didn’t come close to playing at the All-Pro level he established for himself in 2023.
If the Bucs can make it to Week 5 with a 3-1 or even a 2-2 record, and Wirfs and Godwin are back and Winfield isn’t hampered, then Joe believes the Bucs will be fine.
If the Bucs are 1-3 when they face Seattle, we could be looking at a catastrophe.