A Super Bowl Prediction Lands On Tampa Bay
July 17th, 2025
Last week, Joe took a poke at Jacob Robinson and Dianna Russini for a backhanded slap to the Bucs in their look at the NFC South champs for TheAthletic.com.
They wrote the Bucs are “stronger than most realize,” as if they really ran around neighborhood bars and their New York Times newsroom looking for fans’ take on the NFC South champs of the past four seasons.
However, it seems Joe might have been a little harsh. Today, Robinson explained he was asked for a hot NFL take and pointed in the direction of Bill Currie Ford down the road from the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway. “This year’s NFC winner isn’t the Eagles, Lions or Vikings. Instead, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl.”
That sure is a hot take. Joe loves it. Robinson called it a definitely reasonable hot take. He wrote about various Bucs facts and basics, but then sought perspective from retired Bucs stud defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who is now part of TheAthletic.com family.
Ndamukong Suh: “There’s no denying that luck is a big factor, but the real key is unselfishness.
“It’s not enough to have talent; players have to genuinely buy into their roles, no matter what they are. When individuals prioritize themselves, it disrupts the team’s cohesion, and you simply won’t reach your objectives. Success demands everyone playing their part.”
A winnable division and one of the league’s easiest schedules should again position the Buccaneers to start the postseason at home. If Godwin returns healthy, Reddick brings Pro Bowl pass rush production, and the turnover variable swings back in Tampa Bay’s favor, this team could be taking the field at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, competing for the Super Bowl.
For those stunned, this was written by Robinson after the Tristan Wirfs injury/surgery was announced.
Joe is not convinced the Bucs are a Super Bowl contender. But expect Joe to do an about face if/when the team can find its way to a 5-3 record at the bye with Haason Reddick and Chris Godwin performing well, and SirVocea Dennis off the injury list.
That should set the Bucs up nicely for a 12-win season.
July 17th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
I think if the defense stays healthy, puts more pressure on the QB, gets the opponents off the field more on third downs and is in the top ten as a defense, this team is definitely a SB contender.
July 17th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Depth in the trenches is the only thing holding this team back from a SB in my opinion.
July 17th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Pounce on Hendrickson. Steelers just signed Watts. Hendrickson has to be ticked.
July 17th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
We are most definitely a Super Bowl contender
I don’t see any reason why we can’t win the Super Bowl
Somebody has to win it, so why not us?
We can beat any NFL team, on any given Sunday
July 17th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
This team could very easily be a dynasty team. It’s got the talent on it. They just need a couple more moves.
July 17th, 2025 at 5:31 pm
The only thing that matters is going to Atlanta and winning game 1……all else is BS.
July 17th, 2025 at 5:40 pm
It would be nice if the bucs accomplished another SB, but too many if’s at this time
July 17th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
TampaBayBucFan, that’s exactly right. And, uh, we’ve got as good a chance to win it all as anybody. What more can we ask for?
July 17th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Agree it starts with winning in Atlanta first, then 1 game at a time. Joe I don’t know why you wouldn’t think Tampa has a chance to play in and win the SB this year. Suh was spot on with what he said and he should know. IF the injuries are kept at bay or at least spread out so as to not decimate a particular group of players at 1 spot, then I can’t see a reason not to be there. In fact I would consider it a failure not be there if we have these things fall in our favor. And speaking of luck, as Suh mentioned, Tiger Woods also knew the importance of that sometimes happening in ones favor.
July 17th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
I see them going past the first round at least. And wouldn’t be surprised at all if they went deeper. Kinda like the first year of Brady.
July 17th, 2025 at 7:37 pm
Well last time I bet the Bucs at 30-1 Brad Johnson won for us ,,,, I do have them again at 30-1 so we will see ,,, Bucs winning more than 9.5 is free money to those who dare
July 17th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
It’s the ultimate goal and the whole point all these guys come together to play. Idk about luck, but you have to be able to control what you can and keep a winning level of play as consistent as possible for the stretch of 4.5 months.
July 17th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
just keep bowles outta the way proven ckoker
July 17th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Rash
Did Todd choke in the SB win when his defense stopped Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs?
Did he choke as a DB when he won ANOTHER SB with the Commanders/Redskins?
Or is it YOU that choked with a terrible post?
Disagree with someone’s style or personality you wish but “choker” is one of the ultimate insults!
July 17th, 2025 at 8:18 pm
Why come on here
and post negative spit I love this team. I think some of you are scared
July 17th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Kenton
AMEN BROTHER. At least we are now perceived as having a chance.
I’m like you and believe we ARE SB contenders. But as Suh correctly points out…
“There’s no denying that luck is a big factor, but the real key is unselfishness.”
I think the Bucs have perhaps one of the most unselfish teams in the league.
Certainly no more Meshawns and long list of other egomaniacs we’ve suffered through.
So for me LUCK is the major factor. IF the Bucs stay healthy, get LUCKY with the Zebras (certainly NO luck there last year) they SHOULD do better than last season. Only two of the losses were more than one score.
I echo your conclusion Kenton…”What more can we ask for?”
July 17th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
I believe we’re Super Bowl contenders. Our coach is one of the best in the league. Our players are top-notch and we’re clicking on all cylinders. The rookies we drafted the rookies that were undrafted. The veterans that are around and the coaching staff we are primed for a deep playoff run. Can we make it to the Super Bowl?
Most definitely.Can we win the Super Bowl?Why not.
July 17th, 2025 at 8:54 pm
Yeah stpetebucsfan. Might be 32 teams feel like they have the chance to contend this time of the season. DR was telling us about how closely this league is balanced. It’s true. The best of the best GMs, coaches and players. Can’t always put a finger on why is one team winning a championship from the wildcard position and then 4 straight Division titles. 32 teams and most of them could only dream about that kind of success in 5 years. Licht and Bowles have been here for those 5 years. Hmm. Yep. We’re lucky.
July 17th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
Finishing strong is a key. Our injured and maligned defense last year, the final seven games, gave up an average of 17 points. That was 2nd best in the National Football League over the final seven games. If this Defense can stay healthy with the additions we’ve made it’s going to be a sight to see.
July 17th, 2025 at 9:19 pm
Geno711 Says:
July 17th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Pounce on Hendrickson. Steelers just signed Watts. Hendrickson has to be ticked.
——————————————————————— Reddick quit on his last team and teammates. This isn’t the guy you pin an improved defense on. At $12Mill this season he will be one and done and a tremendous disappointment. Bucs need to hope Air Baker will rise to the occasion. Believe the offense will be great but at some point the defense will need to shut down opponents in Q4. Have a very bad hunch about this defense. Easy to believe hype but there isn’t enough defensive talent to believe Bucs can get the ball back. Bucs will be better by subtraction but not good enough to win NFC championship. t
July 17th, 2025 at 9:42 pm
Rash probably sits down to P, just sayin
Bucs have the talent to win the Super Bowl as their window should seat open for the next 3 years.
Fire them Cannons!!!!
July 17th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
“When individuals prioritize themselves it disrupts the TEAMS COHESION and they simply won’t reach their objective. Success demands everyone playing their part.” Or pulling in the same direction.
Fans can be included in this statement. “Everyone plays their part.” When fans needlessly say things that are very negative over and over again it eventually gets to the players. Negativity can have devastating effects on an organization. People talk, people are jealous, people like to see others fall sometimes. Some are just looking for a negative rumor, something they can repeat, anything to “cut” the person they don’t like down to size. Anything to turn peoples opinions. Happens ALL the time. To do something like win a superbowl everyone has to be pulling in the same direction. The less negativity the better. Will everyone agree? Never, but the less the better. Having an opinion is good but to repeat the same negative opinion over and over and over again serves nothing but to tear something down, it never builds anything up. It would be good for some fans to try and remember this. Positivity, can work wonders. Like win superbowls!!! 🤔
July 17th, 2025 at 11:06 pm
Which Joe is this? How can you not see the Bucs as a SB contender but at the same time cite a 3-1 record vs the Eagles and Lions while saying we aren’t a class below them?
Doesn’t track… Bucs can beat anyone in the NFC.
July 17th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
July 17th, 2025 at 8:54 pm
Yeah stpetebucsfan. Might be 32 teams feel like they have the chance to contend this time of the season
*****************************************************************
I have been a Bucs fan going on 50 years now.
There has not been a single season that, at this time of the season, I didn’t think my team had the chance to go all the way to the championship round.
Some might call me a “homer” but I don’t understand “FANS” who count losses at this time of year.
From my perspective, I expect every game to be a win, until it isn’t.
Because they can be…
July 17th, 2025 at 11:36 pm
Agree with Suh on luck being a big factor. Even if everyone does their jobs effectively, injuries or a bad bounce or two can cost you a season.
But you can mitigate that risk by acquiring talented players, building depth where you can and having good coaching/management.
IMO the only two things that will hold us back are injuries and game management. If we stay healthy and the HC gets aggressive and keeps the offense on the field more often, there’s no reason to think we can’t be there.
July 18th, 2025 at 2:40 am
St Pete … ‘But as Suh correctly points out … “There’s no denying that luck is a big factor, but the real key is unselfishness.”
I’m convinced that Suh nailed it with that statement St Pete. Look at the ‘oldsters’ on our team with a good chance of making it into the HOF.
Mike Evans is the epitome of ‘unselfish’ IMO. Incredible competitor, and yet it’s always ‘Team First’. He suffered through some hard years (2014-2019), but never complained & set the perfect example.
Lavonte David is the same on the defense. He suffered through even more hard years (2012-2019), but he’s been our ‘stalwart’ and his leadership has been critical to getting us to where we are today.
We’ve got lots of other examples of ‘Team First’, but the relative newcomer who’s embraced that more than any other IMO has been Baker Mayfield. He’s definitely ‘setting the tone’ for what our Bucs have become.
July 18th, 2025 at 2:44 am
One other large obstacle needs to be demonstrated quickly.
Is the pass defense capable of actually playing pass defense?
Todd will show us the answer, whether yes or no.
July 18th, 2025 at 4:29 am
Definitely a hot take! Suh is correct about luck. It’s the luck of the coin toss, ref calls good and bad, the weather, and so much more.
Todd has developed a culture inside the Bucs of players that are unselfish and all about the team. Perfect place for Reddick vs the Jets. Go Bucs!
July 18th, 2025 at 5:54 am
Some call it luck, I say it’s timing. Being at the right place at the wrong time can cause bad luck to happen. They have to be clicking at the right time, but they also have to all be healthy at the right time. Talent wise, no reason this team can’t win it all.
July 18th, 2025 at 7:26 am
If the offense stays top 5, if Reddick recaptures his Philly form, if Diaby gets to the QB, if Kancey balls out like GMac predicts, if we stay relatively healthy….it could very well happen. A butt load of if’s, but it’s possible.
July 18th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Justin Jefferson and Emeka Egbuka have virtually identical heights, weights, 40s, splits, shuttles. In case nobody noticed…
July 18th, 2025 at 8:15 am
Just for fun, let’s say Egbuka is the second coming of Jefferson/3rd coming of Chase.
What then?
I was just imagining us at full strength suddenly shifting to an alignment of Evans at TE, Egbuka at X, Godwin in the slot. McMillan Y.
That would be the most unstoppable offense in the history of offenses. A LB trying to cover Evans?
Just for fun, mind you…
July 18th, 2025 at 8:46 am
This is a SB contender. The CW injury is absurd, he should have had surgery immediately after the season ended. Additionally, they need to speed up how fast they score and the rest will happen.
This defensive unit is so young, they will get better each week. I would say this team will be in the NFC championship game and that is all about match ups. The good news is week should be hosting Philly which works to our advantage.
July 18th, 2025 at 10:38 am
I agree with “Obvious”. He’s nailed it in short form.
I would throw in that Jason Licht is Not pushing for the Super Bowl this year. Jason has a clear path when he “Believes”… The reason I say that is because I’d throw in we are lacking depth… If Licht was in “Super Bowl Mode” he’d supply more depth and he hasn’t. At least not yet…
SUPER BOWL OR BUST!
July 18th, 2025 at 12:09 pm
We can win the Superbowl if Baker Mayfield stop turning over the ball at cusier time of the game.
July 18th, 2025 at 12:19 pm
SUPERBOWLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL
July 18th, 2025 at 12:46 pm
“Buccaneers represent the NFC in this year’s Super Bowl.”
“That sure is a hot take. Joe loves it.”
Hot????? I said the same thing MONTHS AGO. Apparently, even though I’ve been published and appear live on sceens multiple times a month, my takes are not hot.
Just ribbing you
July 18th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
We’re nothing right now…everyone is nothing….0-0
July 18th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
The people complaining about Wirfs surgery and the timing of ithow many of youwere there and know what transpired? If you werent there and didn’t take part in the decision making processyou really dont know who if anybody messed up. You have no clue as to why it was “delayed”.
July 18th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Oneilbuc: if the team as whole stopped mistakes in cusier times of the game we would win a superbowl.
July 18th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Bucblind. I have no problem with blaming the team as whole that problem I have is how a lot of people on here exempts Baker Mayfield from any criticism even the Joe’s dose the same thing. They never talk about how Baker turns over the ball in cruiser moments of the game like in the 4th quarter of playoffs games. All the Joe’s dose is blame the defense or the coaches.