TAMPA, Fla. – The Buccaneers are happy that they broke their losing streak last Sunday otherwise it would have been an even harder trip to Munich, Germany.
The Bucs will host the Seattle Seahawks Sunday at 9:30 AM EST in the first-ever NFL regular season game in Germany. Getting their rest and staying hydrated is their primary concern.
“You try to adjust to it as best you can,” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said. “We have sleep things and glasses and all that stuff for the plane. We understand we have to kick off at that time, body-clock-wise, early in the morning. We’ve got to be ready to play Sunday.”
Bucs left tackle Donovan Smith says it’s been a whole lot better this week coming to work after that last-second win over the Rams. But Smith says it’s a new challenge now in this international game but they’ve got to keep improving and block out all the distractions from this long trip.
“There’s no excuses,” Smith said. “You’ve got to go out there and do what you’ve got to do. At the end of the day, nobody feels good. somebody’s gonna be tired, hurting, whatever it may be but we’ve got to go out there and get the job done.”
Bucs rookie tight end Cade Otton is looking forward to the trip. Otton caught the game-winning touchdown pass from Tom Brady Sunday at Raymond James Stadium. Otton says the team has finished celebrating that win and is hungry for more victories.
“I think the vibe in here is really good, Otton said. “Guys are really excited to get to work again and go get another one. There’s no satisfaction with just one win here. We want to keep it going.”
Bucs QB Tom Brady is 3-0 in international games all while playing for the New England Patriots. Brady and the Pats have two wins in London and one win in Mexico. Smith is hoping to help Brady get win number 4 in international games.
“It’ll be good,” Smith said. “Anytime you can get a win it’s huge. But to be able to do it over in Germany, ah we’ll be the first team to play over there, so it’ll be pretty cool. Come back with a win.” i.
Despite being 4-5 the Bucs are tied for first place in a weak NFC South. The Seahawks are coming off their fourth straight double Bucs safety Mike Edwards knows the Bucs’ defense will have to be on their A game in order to contain him.
“He’s (Gino Smith) having a great year,” Edwards said. “One of the most improved players in the league. He’s an athletic quarterback as well, so we’ve got to keep him in the pocket and try to force him into not having that many explosive plays. and just limit the receivers. They’ve got some good playmakers at receiver and in the backfield.”
The Bucs are trying to not make it such a big deal because Bowles says football is football and you still have to play well on the field regardless of how far away from home you are.
“The time change, the glasses, and the sleep time-it would be no different than if we had to fly to Seattle. That’s a long flight too. It would be maybe an hour more, at tops. We’ll be excited to play, we’ll be ready to play.”
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