Sports

Buccaneers Practice: Bucs Look to Clinch NFC Title Sunday Against Saints with Wednesday Walkthrough

Published

5 years ago

December 16, 2021

Buccaneers practice at the AdventHealth Training Center at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa Bay Wednesday, December 15, 2021. Photo: Todd Grasley/Florida National News.

TAMPA BAY, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – Super Bowl 55 came to a close with the Buccaneers hoisting the Lombardi Trophy in Tampa. Fast forward one year later, and while we know the season will culminate in Los Angeles, the road to get there looks like it could be right at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers clinched yet another playoff berth after a 33-27 overtime victory against Buffalo on Sunday.

Tampa Bay jumped out to a 24-3 lead at the half, but Buffalo came stampeding back with their own 24-3 run to tie the game up at 27. Tom Brady, in typical fashion, guided his squad to a 33-27 comeback victory with a 58-yard touchdown strike to former UCF Knight Breshad Perriman, to become one of only three teams in the NFL to tally their tenth win of the season.

After taking their normal Tuesday off, the group was back it again Wednesday for what Coach Bruce Arian’s called a “walk through day” at One But Place. Not practicing were cornerback Jamel Dean (illness), running back Leonard Fournette (ankle), cornerback Richard Sherman (Achilles), and safety Antoine Winfield (foot).

“It was a good mental start to the week and we know the challenge ahead,” Arians said. “This time of year there are so many reps in their bodies and we don’t need to come out here and go two hours on Wednesday and run around. We can get just as much done mentally because it’s pretty much all mental this time of year anyway.”

With a win Sunday night against the Saints, the Buccaneers can clinch the NFC South title for the first time since 2007. New Orleans handed Tampa Bay one of its only three losses when they defeated them 36-27 in the Big Easy back in week eight. It seems any time the two teams go head to head, it’s always a dog fight, one that comes down to whoever makes the least mistakes.

“Whoever has won the turnover battle has won the game and they’ve won it the most times,” Arians explained. “I don’t look at them as a team that’s 1-4 (in their last five games) because there are a lot of guys missing in some of those games and a bunch of them are back now. This is still one of the best defenses we see every single season. They look as good defensively as they ever and Sean (Payton) finds a way to score points.”

Offensively, the Saints will return running back Mark Ingram, and unlike the first time, these two teams met, Taysom Hill starting under center. For the Buccaneers, this means a totally different game plan.

“It’s totally different than getting ready for Jameis (Winston) because you’ve got all the quarterback runs like we had last week with Josh Allen,” he said. “Taysom is a hell of a player and he’s a tough tackle. He can kill you running the ball so we have to keep him contained and make him throw it.”

Fans are encouraged to wear red Sunday night as part of a “red out” at Raymond James Stadium.

Game time is set for 8:20 PM.

Central Florida News

Osceola Magic Set Franchise Steals Record in 97-89 Season-Opening Win

Published

1 day ago

November 11, 2026

FNN NEWS

Osceola Magic guard JD Davison, No. 4, dribbles between Oklahoma City Blue defenders as Magic teammate No. 22 looks on.

Osceola Magic guard JD Davison (4) drives between Oklahoma City Blue defenders during opening-night action in Kissimmee, Fla. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.

Davison scores 26 points, Branham adds 23 and Osceola records 23 steals to open its season with a victory at Silver Spurs Arena.

KISSIMMEE, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Osceola Magic opened their season with a record-setting defensive performance, collecting 23 steals and forcing 35 turnovers in a 97-89 victory over the Oklahoma City Blue on Sunday, Nov. 8, at Silver Spurs Arena.

JD Davison scored a game-high 26 points and Malaki Branham added 23 as Osceola established a franchise record for steals and matched its record for opponent turnovers. Osceola Magic

Defense drives the comeback

Oklahoma City led 31-22 after the first quarter and 44-43 at halftime. Osceola pulled even at 70 entering the fourth quarter, then outscored the Blue 27-19 over the final period.

The victory gave Osceola a 1-0 start and dropped Oklahoma City to 0-2. Zhaire Smith led the Blue with 19 points, while Christoph Tilly contributed 13 points and 10 rebounds. gleague.nba.com

Osceola’s defensive pressure helped offset Oklahoma City’s early advantage. The Blue finished just 5 of 29 from 3-point range, shooting 17.2%.

Six Magic players recorded multiple steals, led by Johnell Davis’ career-high six — one short of the franchise record. Davison collected four, Jarron Cumberland had three, and Ace Baldwin Jr., Branham and Mike Sharavjamts each added two.

Osceola Magic’s Malaki Branham, wearing a black No. 22 jersey, dribbles low while driving alongside an Oklahoma City Blue defender.

Malaki Branham leans into his drive while keeping his dribble low as an Oklahoma City Blue defender guards him during the Osceola Magic’s season opener. Photo by Bernie Walls / Florida National News.

Davison and Branham lead the offense

Davison and Branham combined for 49 points, accounting for more than half of Osceola’s scoring.

Au’Diese Toney contributed 14 points in his return to Osceola, including a late 3-pointer that helped secure the victory.

Davis provided another boost off the bench with 11 points and a career-best-tying four assists, complementing his disruptive defensive performance.

Sharavjamts makes professional debut

Sharavjamts posted a team-best plus-12 rating in 24 minutes during his professional debut. Osceola outscored Oklahoma City by 12 points while he was on the floor. Osceola Magic

What’s next for the Osceola Magic?

Following a scheduled road matchup with the Memphis Hustle on Tuesday, Nov. 10, Osceola returns to Silver Spurs Arena to host the Mexico City Capitanes on Thursday, Nov. 12, at 7 p.m. Eastern. Member News

The Magic’s challenge will be to sustain the defensive pressure that helped them overcome an early nine-point deficit in the opener.

Sports

LIV Golf to begin winding down operations Nov. 9 after five years, $5 billion spent

Published

6 days ago

November 7, 2026

FNN SPORTS

LIV Golf sign in a landscaped setting in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Florida National News

NEW YORK CITY, NY (FNN SPORTS) – LIV Golf plans to begin winding down operations Monday, Nov. 9, following five years and more than $5 billion in spending.

Attorney Matthew Williams outlined the league’s plans during a bankruptcy court hearing Thursday, Nov. 5, in New Jersey. The process includes selling its remaining assets.

“We believe the wind down path is the best path,” Williams told the court.

LIV Golf confirmed the decision after a proposed restructuring deal fell through. The league said it will continue considering alternatives during the shutdown process.

Basketball

USF Women’s Basketball Opens Season With 80–54 Victory Over Furman

Published

7 days ago

November 5, 2026

NISEY LOU S.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — On Monday November 2, at the Yuengling Center, the South Florida women’s basketball team opened with a successful debut undernew head coach Kristy Curry.

The Bulls established control early with a 9–0 opening run, taking a 27–12 lead after the first quarter. Furman narrowed the margin before halftime, but South Florida maintained a 46–32 advantage heading into the break.

A dominant third quarter proved decisive, as USF outscored Furman 23–9 to extend its lead to 69–41 entering the fourth.

Balanced Scoring Leads the Bulls

Stefanie Ingram led South Florida with 15 points, followed by Hannah Kohn with 13 and Kendall Puryear with 12 points and nine rebounds.

The Bulls placed six players in double figures, shot 51.6 percent from the field and controlled the boards with a 48–25 rebounding advantage.

A Winning Debut for Kristy Curry

The victory marked Curry’s first win leading South Florida after arriving from Alabama.

Ahead of the season opener, Curry expressed confidence in the program’s potential:

“I’m so excited to be here. I truly think the sky’s the limit at USF.”

— Kristy Curry, USF Head Coach, in pregame remarks published by USF Athletics.

South Florida (1–0) will face Belmont on Friday, November 6, in Nashville, Tennessee.

– Nisey Spruill is a reporter and photojournalist for Florida National News (FNN), covering major news, sports and special events across Florida and nationwide. Contact sports@FloridaNationalNews.com