National expectations.

Four big names paid big money to cover the NFL believe the Bucs are a massive favorite to win the NFC South, despite being tied with the Falcons and Atlanta owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. (more…)

Gerald McCoy

Once upon a time in The Lost Decade of Buccaneers football, Tampa Bay was the 2024 Panthers, seizing losses from the jaws of victory. (more…)

Bucs RB Bucky Irving.

Joe thinks it is fairly obvious by now that Bucky Irving is the best running back the Bucs have drafted since Doug Martin, maybe not since Cadillac Williams. (more…)

Feared the worst.

For a guy who is a warrior competitor willing to play with pain and do whatever he must to help his team win, it’s a helluva confession to admit he was scared on the field. (more…)

There’s a reason for the old cliché, “It’s tough to win in the NFL.” (more…)

Flash poll posted at 7:25 a.m. Poll closed at 8:59 a.m.

What happened to heart?

Joe didn’t expect Todd Bowles to pull a Bobby Knight yesterday. (more…)

Anyone else remember how the Bucs needed witchcraft and a miracle forced fumble to beat the Panthers last year in Week 18 to make the playoffs?

Joe sure does. (more…)

Already a star? (Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.)

Welcome to a hollow Victory Monday. Yeah, a win is a win, in theory. And the standings. But man, there was nothing winning about that game yesterday. Coffee mugs full? OK, let’s go. (more…)

Available, says insider.

Last week there seemed for Joe to be unusual chatter from a respected league insider that linked currently unemployed six-time Super Bowl-winning coach Bill Belichick to the Bucs. (more…)

Earlier this year when the Bucs hosted the Dixie Chicks, Antoine Winfield sure looked as if he stripped Atlanta tight end Kyle Pitts of the football before he reached the goal line. (more…)

Happy coach.

Santa Claus came early for the Bucs yesterday in more than one way. (more…)

Das Boot.

This is very likely just precautionary, as Baker Mayfield returned to the game and sure didn’t play like he had a sprained ankle or worse. (more…)

Record still within reach.

Mike Evans has never not had 1,000 yards receiving in a season. To do this for his 11th straight year, he’s going to take it down to the wire. (more…)

Some easily could argue that Bucky Irving is on pace for the greatest season ever by a Buccaneers running back.

Yeah, it’s been that good. (more…)

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Had it all the way.

The Bucs took advantage of some major breaks to avoid a broken heart Sunday during a 26-23 OT victory at Charlotte that left Carolina fans stunned and Buc Nation elated.

The Panthers had the better of play for much of the afternoon before dynamic rookie Bucky Irving took command and Baker Mayfield rebounded from what looked like a serious leg injury.

The result, coupled with a loss by the reeling Falcons, leaves Tampa Bay and Atlanta tied atop the NFC South at 6-6. The Falcons own the tie-breaker edge with five games remaining, but the schedule favors the Bucs and Kirk Cousins is playing so poorly, the calls for rookie Michael Penix Jr. under center are sure to grow. (more…)