The team is on quite a win streak currently, can you explain the preparation the team has gone through this season so far in order to achieve this amount of success?
We’re on a great win streak right now, and I’m proud of how our team has responded and played through some adversity. Winning six in a row doesn’t just happen – it’s a result of hard work, focus, and preparation throughout the season. Our guys have a lot of belief in each other and in what we’re doing as a team. Morale is high right now, and that’s something we’ve worked to build throughout the year. It’s been a long season, and we’ve faced some challenges along the way, but the belief we have in ourselves is stronger than ever. We’ve been executing our game plan well and staying disciplined in all three phases of the game, which is what’s really contributing to this run.
That being said, we did hit a tough stretch in the middle of the season. We had a three-game stretch that didn’t go the way we wanted, and I’ll be the first to take responsibility for that. I was away a lot during that time for personal reasons, and I think that affected our preparation. That’s on me, and I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. But since then, our team has really found its stride. We’ve been playing our best football right when we need to, which is a good thing since the playoffs are right around the corner. Our focus now is to continue building on this momentum and fine-tuning everything as we get ready for the postseason. The preparation we’ve put in all season, especially these past few weeks, is what has us in this position, and we plan to carry that into the playoffs and make a deep run.
What does it mean to you or the team to have such a great winning record at home this season?
Having a strong home record means a lot to this team. It’s a reflection of the hard work, preparation, and focus we’ve put in, and it shows that we’ve built something special at home. Playing in front of our fans, in the atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium, is something we take great pride in. The energy from the crowd gives us an extra boost, and it’s always motivating to know that we’ve got the support of our fans behind us. When we step onto that field, it’s our chance to protect our house, and our players have embraced that mentality. A 6-3 home record is a solid accomplishment, and we know it’s important to take care of business at home, especially as we head into the stretch run of the season.
It’s also a credit to the coaching staff, the players, and the entire organization. To be sitting at 12 wins and the number 2 seed in the NFC is a testament to what we’ve accomplished so far, but we know we can’t rest on our laurels. We’ve got a tough road ahead, and we’re focused on staying consistent and executing week in and week out. But we also recognize how important it is to create that home-field advantage and make sure that when teams come to play us, they know they’re in for a battle. Our fans play a big role in that, and we want to thank them for their continued support – they’re a huge part of what makes Raymond James Stadium so special.
Can you summarize what it was like playing against the Jets last week?
Playing against the Jets last week was a real test, and it was an offensive shootout through and through. Jalen Milroe is the real deal; the guy can make every throw and create plays with his legs. He’s a tough quarterback to stop, and he kept our defense on its heels all game. We were fortunate that Isaiah Bond wasn’t on the field for them, as he’s a big-time threat, but they still had Kyle Pitts, who is a matchup nightmare. The way he controls the middle of the field is impressive, and he made us work hard to contain him.
For us, it wasn’t without its challenges, especially early in the game when Kurtis Rourke tweaked something. That’s when Baker Mayfield stepped up. His experience and leadership were critical when we found ourselves down by two scores twice during the game. The way he stayed composed and kept the offense moving really spoke to the maturity of our team. Coming back from two-score deficits not once, but twice, shows a lot of heart and the fight we’ve had all season. Scoring 61 points in a game like that, especially at this stage of the season, reinforces what we’ve been saying all year – we’re not just putting up big numbers by chance, it’s a product of the work we’ve put in. It’s become part of our identity, and as we head into the final stretch, we’re going to keep pushing to finish strong.
