Bucs Defense Sets Dubious Franchise Record

November 7th, 2022

Joe was not expecting to engage in a research project today. But what began as curiosity turned into just that.

The result was ugly.

Our beloved Buccaneers defense has gone five consecutive games without a turnover. That’s a new franchise record!!

Yes, Joe checked the data multiple times, and this hasn’t happened since the Buccaneers became a team in 1976. It’s quite rare to even go three straight games without a turnover.

Joe doesn’t believe in football coincidences, so it’s got to be more than bad luck that has led to Tampa Bay running dry in this department.

The Bucs have forced nine turnovers in nine games this season, a steep drop from averaging 1.7 per game last year and 1.6 in 2020 and in 2019 under Todd Bowles.

It is said that turnovers come in bunches, so perhaps Sunday against the Seahawks is when the tide will turn. Joe doubts the Bucs can beat Seattle without forcing a couple of turnovers. The Bucs’ offense isn’t consistent enough to get into a shootout with the explosive Seahawks.


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34 Responses to “Bucs Defense Sets Dubious Franchise Record”

  1. SKBucsFan Says:

    Yet our coordinators still have jobs. Especially after the weak performance on the field this season. Frank Reich is unemployed. Maybe he can come help Leftwich. Couldn’t be much worse.

  2. 74 Bucs Fan Says:

    We could use a coaching turnover too.

  3. Dooley Says:

    Well, if the turnovers are forced right? Offensively, what have we seen that it’s even a safe bet this offense who’d be the primary beneficiary of a forced TO, is going to turn that into points when they can’t do anything with the ball with the defense forcing 3 and outs or punts? Granted, you want your defense to turn the ball over, but it’s not like our offense is going to hold their end of that bargain up? Also a good thing, our offense hasn’t turned the ball over much themselves.

  4. AKicknTheBucNuts Says:

    “The Bucs’ offense isn’t consistent enough to get into a shootout with the explosive Seahawks.”

    The only explosion will be coming out of BL’s A$$.

  5. Capece is Kaput Says:

    Did anyone else notice at the end of the game and the Rams were lateraling the ball all over the place, it looked like at the end, JTS recovered the ball. I remember thinking to myself, technically, we got a turn over. Does that not count. I always thought, backwards passes are live balls? Not to say this makes what Joe’s article about any better, but still, something on the stat sheet looks better than nothing.

  6. tampabuscsbro Says:

    It’s really weird, They are playing well and good enough to win these games.

    But they haven’t gotten a turnover in such a long time.

  7. Lamarcus Says:

    The Qb has 10 tds in 9 games

  8. Lamarcus Says:

    The Qb has 10 tds in games is just as dubious. Maybe teams are not trailing so there’s really no need for opposing teams to take unnecessary risks. They can just run the ball on us

  9. Will Says:

    Glad we won yesterday but did anyone notice Ramsey took his helmet off in the field of play on broken up pass in the end zone? Should’ve been a penalty which would’ve backed the Rams up when they got the ball. It’s hard seeing things like that called one week when it shouldn’t have been and missed the next.

  10. Redeemer Says:

    In the last 4 games, (Rams not included) opposing QBs averaged 6.9 air yards per attempt. QBs are getting the ball out quickly. I think that largely explains the lack of ints. The last pick was against the Chiefs. The lack of forced fumbles is a bit harder to explain away. Maybe teams are being extra cognizant of ball security, because the bucs offense can’t score. IDK, just my two cents

  11. Chuckstutz Says:

    Darden #1in punt returns in NFL.
    Shove that in your pipe. Say what??
    I do not know anything about football anymore. I quit.
    Anyone explain how the hell that happened.
    Please.

  12. Redeemer Says:

    Chuck, I can’t. This has been the craziest NFL season in a long while.

  13. Coburn Says:

    They dropped a couple against Rams. Edwards had one hit him in the hands on sideline. Almost like he was surprised it was right there. David almost had one if I recall. Shoyinka had one for through his hands

  14. PSL Bob Says:

    I beg to disagree with Joe on this one. I think the Bucs can beat the Hawks in a shootout. The problem is, BL won’t call plays over 20 yards and will keep running the damn ball with poor results. Let Brady wing it like he did in the closing minute of yesterday’s game and the Bucs will score a ton of points.

  15. Pelbuc Says:

    Bucs won bc of Brady and horrible coaching by Raheem at end of game. Carroll won’t allow that. Bucs need to let Brady/BA call the plays. Also, play Sottie Miller instead of Julio

  16. unbelievable Says:

    I agree – no way we’re beating Seattle with this impotent offense unless our defense has another incredible performance AND forces some turnovers.

    Really hoping we get Winfield back this week.

  17. Dooley Says:

    @Chuck

    That’s why scouts and people actually involved in cultivating pro talent, don’t make hot takes and start calling guys busts in their rookie seasons. Folks were in such a rush to scrutinize Darden, some still are, but he’s doubled his return yardage total from last season, has returned 9 more punts this season than he did all of last season, and 4 of the last 5 games he’s finished the day averaging more than 10 yds a return. Dude returned 8 punts for about 80 yards yesterday w/o incident, the kid is doing his job.

  18. Adrnagy Says:

    Defense not creating turnovers ? Offense not turning the ball over. No fumbles. No int.

    We win against Seattle. And watch out…. Like I said get in playoff and you never know. Meanwhile all this bad execution will payoff. Imo the biggest change has to be on offense with lefty playcalling

  19. Beej Says:

    No fumble recoveries, because no Jordan Whitehead

  20. Oneilbuc Says:

    Veta deserve his flowers he’s been playing great and I am so glad he’s playing good because he gets criticize more than any one on this defense by most people. Defense win championships!!! Go Bucs!!!

  21. D-Rok Says:

    Just imagine IF our O can start putting up 24 PPG on average, AND we start getting a TO or two a game? We will be hard to beat, assuming the D keeps playing decent.

    GO BUCS!!!

  22. Buczilla Says:

    This is especially sad when you consider some of the truly pathetic teams that we’ve had. You know what? I barely care since we finally won a gosh damn game and I have more than a shred of hope for this season!

  23. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Joe…..note that the Bucs have also not committed a turnover in those 5 games.

    I wonder if that’s ever happened….for the Bucs or the NFL.

  24. JimmyJack Says:

    Let the defense play with some leads and let them tee off. Basically always playing from behind and it makes it much tougher to force the offense into riskier plays.

  25. alton green Says:

    I think we can beat Seattle and maybe win out. How? Move the goal posts out to the 20 yd line

  26. Flarka Says:

    G to witchy woman. Leaves w chix noddle or Tamarind soup…
    Everyone luvs the soup..

    12. 🔥🔥🔥🔥🏈🔥🔥🔥🔥

    Voodoo.
    It’s really that simple….

  27. David Says:

    After creating 10 in the first 2 weeks!

  28. JA Says:

    The Bucs were a so-so team after 12 games in 2020. They never appeared unified during their 7-5 record heading into the break.
    Their first game back they beat Minnesota by two scores, thanks to three missed field goals by the Vikings kicker.
    The mediocrity continued through two quarters the following week against the Falcons. Down 17-3 at halftime, promising was not the adjective (or noun) that came to Bucs fan’s minds.
    Then something happened …
    They rallied from the deficit to win 31-27 and never looked back, running the table on their way to a Super Bowl victory.
    I’m not attempting to compare this year to 2020, but the Bucs looked like a different team on their last two drives yesterday. Other than the Miller drop, they reminded me of a team that began to find themselves.
    Seattle will be a tough matchup, but if they win, who knows …

  29. StickinUp4Centers Says:

    Any word on Logan Ryan? We seemed to be getting more turnovers when he was on the field.

  30. ClwJB Says:

    This is why you can’t base a D scheme on turnovers – they always come in bunches and dry spells happen

    Bowles gambling with the roster just like he calls games

    Risky and not paying off

  31. captivajim Says:

    Miller is healthy & fast ; play him

  32. Manny Says:

    Dude somebody besides myself please clap your friggin hands for mr vrady for having 373 str8 passes without a pic!!! He now sits 30 attempts from having the nfl record!!! Say what you will about the offense, but this is a fantastic stat. He hasnt thrown a pic since week one bro!!! Nobody even talks about this.

    JOE, THIS RESPONSIBILITY RELIES ON YOU BEFORE THE STREAK ENDS MY MAN!

  33. Brandon Says:

    It’s funny how the previous two years when the offense was humming Brady got all the credit but now that is sucks it is all Leftwich’s fault. Either it was always Leftwich or always Brady… it can’t be one and not the other. Personally, I feel it is Brady. He has the ability to change any play he wants in the huddle or at the line of scrimmage. He is also the only one that can decide not to checkdown every time and actually try to push the ball down the field. Granted, I have no faith in Leftwich… but this is literally Brady’s offense he ran in New England… the one the football IQ deficient were hoping to see in Tampa.

  34. Oneilbuc Says:

    Just like I thought!! I knew you wouldn’t let that post go through!! Lol 🤣🤣