Buccaneers reaction: Blackout lifted for showdown with Saints

For the first time since last December, Tampa Bay-area fans of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be able to see their Bucs play at home on television after the team announced the blackout had been lifted after the team crossed the 85 percent-sold threshold for tickets.

Over at Bucs Nation, the reaction was measured, but there was certainly a pleased undertone to the post announcing the threshold had been broken and the blackout was lifted.

I'm not sure if it's due to the Saints being in town, it being the throwback game featuring the creamsicles, or just a random act of nature, but we'll take it. Share your exclamations of joy in the comments below.

This Sunday's NFC South showdown with the New Orleans Saints was in danger of being blacked out once again, but the team announced Thursday that they had broken through the threshold.

The Bucs' last home game to cross the threshold was a Dec. 17 showdown with the Dallas Cowboys. That game -- and a game against the Indianapolis Colts -- were the only two sellouts and televised home games in the 2011 season.

The Buccaneers come into the key divisional battle fresh from an impressive victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.