The state of the union is strong at One Buc Palace.

The key cards still work, too. [read more]

Yes, the Bucs likely will play for the NFC South crown in the season finale against Carolina. That game will be played in two weeks at The Licht House, though the date and time have yet to be scheduled. [read more]

Arguably the premier NFL insider went on record this morning, planting a flag representing an official heads-up for Buccaneers fans and everyone across the NFL. [read more]

Joe was rooting for Jason Pierre-Paul in a big way yesterday.

It’s so rare for a player to get a comeback shot after being out of the game for two years, especially a pass rusher in the trenches. [read more]

You’ve seen Dolman Law Group here daily since 2010.

Learn more about them today.

Yes, Baker Mayfield’s interception to end Sunday’s game was ugly, especially since it came on second down with the Bucs arguably in field goal range to tie the game. [read more]

Losing trust.

It’s all over. Time to start prepping for the draft. Look at possible free agent targets. Study the roster on who should be launched. [read more]

Too close to call?

Dan Graziano of ESPN isn’t quite ready to start shoveling dirt in Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ face. [read more]

Flash poll posted at 5:12 a.m. Poll closed at 9:38 a.m.

The man Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht allowed behind the scenes of his 2020 NFL Draft decisions, a guy who for decades was catered to at One Buc Palace, is no fan of the current team. [read more]

Fateful slogan?

This is a depressing column and Joe fears a more depressing one is on the way within the next two weeks. [read more]

Another week, another flop.

Boy, a quarterback’s best friend isn’t a running game. It’s a Todd Bowles defense. [read more]

Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction. [read more]

Heat from national scribes now on.

It was not lost on Joe that the sweatshirt Bucs coach Todd Bowles wore on the sidelines yesterday was emblazoned with one of the NFL’s catchphrases, “Inspire Change.” [read more]

Falcons head coach Raheem Morris

Who would have thought that Falcons quarterback Kirk “You Like That Again” Cousins would throw for less than 200 yards today and an interception? [read more]

Bad game.

When Luke Goedeke was drafted in 2022, the Bucs tried him at left guard after the shocking retirement of Ali Marpet. Goedeke came into the league as a right tackle at Central Michigan. [read more]

Five weeks ago in Buffalo, Joe shared, somewhat in disbelief after a tough loss, how Lavonte David and his Bucs teammates felt the team was on the right track. [read more]

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Dumb and dumber.

It’s hard to win in the National Football League when you play sloppy and you coach stupid. The Bucs were guilty of both infractions Sunday in a 23-20 loss at Carolina that cost them a 96 percent chance to make the postseason.

Instead, the Panthers find themselves on top of the NFC South at 8-7 while the Bucs fell to 7-8 with their sixth setback in the past seven weeks. Unless Tampa Bay stumbles next week at Miami while Carolina upsets Seattle, the Bucs can still extend their playoff streak to six consecutive seasons by downing the Panthers at home in the regular-season finale.

Predictably, the Bucs don’t make things easy. [read more]

An diehard optimist might say the Bucs straightened out their horrific and undisciplined special teams unit that was hurting the team early this season.

Joe can’t say that. Just look at what happened today before the final Bucs drive. [read more]