Sportswriters and radio talk show hosts like me always love to qualify any game they can with the ever-threatening phrase "must win". It's not so much a literal designation as a metaphoric one, but the ominous threat it poses is just the same - win this game or you are done. At least, it's supposed to be that way.
Obviously, unless it's a playoff game or late-season elimination game, that simply isn't true. That's why Sunday's Bucs-Cardinals game isn't really a "must win". Would it suck if the Bucs lost? Yes. Would they be 4-5 when two weeks ago we thought they'd be 6-3? Yes. Would they have blown a golden opportunity two weeks in a row playing at home against teams who weren't in the best shape at the quarterback position? Absolutely.
But would they be done for 2007? In no way, shape, or form.
This is one the Bucs obviously need to have. Despite the Bucs' injuries, the Cardinals are a team they should be able to handle at home. It'd get them back above .500 and send them into a bye week with a chance to get healthy. But with the way it's gone so far in the NFC South, even a team that started off 0-4 and has already lost two "must wins" by my count (that'd be the Saints) is in pretty okay shape. The truth is, we just don't know.
All I'm saying is that we should give the proclamations and forecasts of doom a break. Win on Sunday, and things look pretty nice for the bye week.
Lose, though, and I have a feeling that all we'll do is transfer our "must win" anxiety to the Falcons in two weeks, and we'll keep it up all the way to the day the Bucs are eliminated or clinch a berth in the playoffs. We're always looking ahead.
Bobby Fenton
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A Must Win? Sportswriters and radio talk show hosts like me always love to qualify any game they can with the ever-threatening phrase "must win". It's not so much a literal designation as a metaphoric one, but the ominous threat it poses is just the same...
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