A Gutsy Win

September 15th, 2025

Willed team to a win.

How awesome was this win?

It was a physical game. Bucs players were dropping like flies. Baker Mayfield got the snot knocked out of him. He’s going to be one sore SOB when he wakes up Tuesday morning.

Way too many mistakes in the second half!

Once again the Bucs found a way to win. A clutch-as-clutch-can-be scramble for a first down on the Bucs’ final drive. A critical catch-and-run by Bucky Irving. Rachaad White sucking it up from an injury and blowing up the middle with seconds left for the winning score like he was in a contract year or something.

It’s better to be lucky than good sometimes. The Bucs weren’t good tonight. They were somewhat lucky.

But once again they were clutch. Damn clutch. Resiliant!

Goodness gracious, Joe can think of a dozen Bucs games where they blew a game with so many injuries and mistakes. But this time they found a way to win. Again. Gutsy.

And maybe, a special team?

102 Responses to “A Gutsy Win”

  1. Mr. Editor Says:

    Long live the new Cardiac Kid!!!

  2. Steven #55 Says:

    That injury report is going to be long

  3. Bama Rich Says:

    Did we let them score on purpose? I like it!

  4. D-Mac Says:

    There is no question now, Baker is unequivocally the Bucs franchise quarterback! What a game winning drive! Go Bucs!

  5. firethecannons Says:

    It waas way way gutsy, Baker–one of a kind, absolutely amazing, hope our players can recover from this game, it was brutal!

  6. Oneilbuc Says:

    Good job Baker keep it brother 👍👏👏👏 that was a cluch performance !!

  7. Miller5252 Says:

    The kicker is gonna be on IR caused by Bowles donkey kickin him in the 🥜

  8. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Baker is the heart n soul of this team

  9. Ben the GA Buc Says:

    That ice bath is calling Baker’s name. Hope he gets healed up soon, along with Goedeke and Kancey. And Tristan, please come back soon.

  10. Whatevs Says:

    Baker is a beast

  11. ReeeBarrr Says:

    Super gutsy win.

    “It just shows how damn tough this team is”
    -Baker postgame

  12. geno711 Says:

    Great character game for the Bucs.

    Love especially Baker. The defense other than Dennis really stepped up too.

  13. rriddler Says:

    Perhaps use a different term than “special team”, given how poor our special teams were tonight.

  14. NaplesBucsFan Says:

    Chubb is gonna get his ass chewed for not dropping instead of scoring…only chance we really had barring a TO.
    Thanks Chubb for the chance AND
    BAKER AND THE OUS FOR GET’N R DONE!!!!
    Ride the success men, keep building that grit and no quit
    Don’t know how the helm y’all pulled it out to ight with the injuries

  15. The daily corner Says:

    Bakers game winning dry with under two minutes was worthy of a Patrick Mahomes game

  16. Stan says Says:

    Baker is as advertised love that guy.

  17. firethecannons Says:

    Bama Rich is right! wtf did they score the touchdown for?–it gave us more than 2 minutes, it was a slam dunk clock runs out and they kick but heh give us a chance, lol!!!!!!!

  18. WillS0024 Says:

    Actually Baker was GREAT when he had to be. Great job managing that final drive while gimpy. Bucky and Rachaad were great all night. Highly concerned about Baker’s health long term, especially if Luke and Tristan aren’t a 100% or close enough soon.

  19. Brandon Says:

    A special team? Not with those SPECIAL TEAMS. 😪🤮

  20. Plyflop Says:

    Hell Yes!!!

  21. Smashsquatch Says:

    A special team with bad special teams…

  22. Larrd Says:

    The defense played tough for the most part, too. Vea is the best at the goal line. A turnover or two would be nice some day.

  23. David Says:

    It is unbelievable to get a win in the NFL with only one starter on the offensive line.
    Gutsy, gutsy win. The defense kept them in it for a half, and then Baker did Baker things.!

    Give it up to Grizz for some great play calling m, the whole game really. Knowing they had to run, knowing Baker had 2.4 seconds to get rid of the ball every time he dropped back…

    GREAT WIN

  24. jcscycles Says:

    Despite the cheap hits we won. And boy did that crowd get quiet!

    Tristan PLEASE come back quickly!

  25. Rickrose Says:

    This team just has to hold on until Wirfs comes back. They are winning now..They will get better in October and beyond.

  26. Buc in VA Says:

    Houston’s defense is rugged. That showed some resolve to take that pounding and figure out a way to win

  27. rrsrq Says:

    Made it thru without Geodeke, hopefully not playing is extra rest… likely another game without Wirfs and hoping Emeka injury is not serious

  28. JReel Buc Says:

    If white doesnt recover his fumble is everyone on Baker’s jock?

  29. Alstott40 Says:

    Sounds like a backhanded compliment, but seriously love that Bowles knew his defense wasnt going to get the ball back for the offense and went for it on 4th and 10. Last year we punt it, Texans get a 1st down on a 3rd and 5 screen pass, and we lose.

  30. Joseph C Simmons Says:

    Sorry I just got done hyperventilating.

    Special teams better stay after practice this week.

    I’m very pessimistic about Calijah Kancey coming back anytime soon. Pectoral injuries can wipe out a season. Crossing fingers. Hopefully Luke Goeddeke is okay because the pass pro was awful today.

  31. Cybersecurity_intern Says:

    How were we lucky? Freaking Houston had everything going their way and couldnt close the game.

  32. geno711 Says:

    Texans total of 12 first downs tonight. Would have had only 7 if it wasn’t for all the bad angles that Dennis took.

  33. Bartow Buc Says:

    When Chub scored, I said that might be the best thing for the Bucs !! After that great drive ……. It was !! Go Bucs !!

  34. BakerTime Says:

    Too early for MVP talk?

  35. SMH Says:

    So are we holding kicker tryouts this week?

  36. Bartow Buc Says:

    Is the curse of the kicker on the Bucs again ???

  37. bakermvp@gmail.com Says:

    Baker Mayfield is an ELITE QB! There I said it…

  38. bakermvp@gmail.com Says:

    Worried about that knee tho

  39. Erik with Pilot and Driver™ Says:

    Great team win with alot of adversity we had to overcome.

    But man, do we need a new kicker?

  40. 941bucsfan Says:

    Say what you want.. and for some reason no one wants to say it. But the bucs defense balled out today. Outside of that first drive. But its cool, because giving credit to the defense would be giving credit to bowles. And I see you guys don’t wanna do that.

  41. JReel Buc Says:

    Get him some pass protection now we know why Heck wasnt day one starter, call up skule hahajk

  42. Gipper Says:

    Turns out EE is human after all. Troy Aikman had it right, a perfect pass dropped. Glad Bucs overcame that and other mistakes to win. Impressed that Grizz went to running game to slow down pass rush. He called a great game. Need to get the O line reset.

  43. cmurda Says:

    A special team or special teams? I guess both are special in their own way

  44. RagingBrisket Says:

    Mayfield is the truth. I never would have believed it when we signed him. Glad I was so so wrong.

  45. Mike C Says:

    Refs tried to take two games from us smh

  46. capnhowdy Says:

    They can’t keep what they currently have going with the # of backups starting to challenge the # of starters but, for the 2nd week in a row I witnessed a money QB and offense stand and deliver with the game on the line. Way to sac up and strut when it counted most offense. GO BUCS!!

  47. infomeplease Says:

    So far so good 😊😊😊😊😊

  48. Oscar Says:

    We weren’t lucky! We deserved to win this game. Injuries galore, bad calls by the referees, playing against a team that hits hard on their turf. Hung in their when all seemed lost and they find a way to win.Unbelievable!!!!

  49. Vanessa Anne Says:

    That was an amazing final drive!

    Bucky and Rachaad both played great tonight.

    Baker took a beating… more than I would’ve liked to see, although with our O-line the way it is, some of that was to be expected. But, the O-line still did it’s job.

    Our D got the job done. You can see where it still needs some work, but to me, they’re working on playing “sticky” defense. Maybe a little better last week against Atlanta, but I saw shades of it tonight, as well.

    Luke, Calijah… hope they’re ok and the injuries aren’t too serious. Baker will be hurting tomorrow, too.

  50. Obvious Says:

    I think the Texans were much luckier than we were.

    We were the better team.

  51. LANshark Says:

    Special Teams sucked, as did Pass Defense most of the night. The offense did very well considering we were down two starting tackles against maybe the best 1-2 pass rusher’s in the league.

    But, they found a way to win.

  52. Daniel Dream Says:

    I feel like the offense has been a bit too conservative and that’s something we could ramp up… we definitely need to fix these ST issues. Waaaay too many missed kicks and we can’t be giving up punt blocks and returns. That being said, we’ve done good things in offense, the defense is amazingly stingy, and it’s a lot nicer to look at film and fix the errors after a win than a loss! A very good 2-0 start with room for improvement imho!

  53. Josh Says:

    I wish I could put the Terrell Owens “Thats my Quarterback” meme right now….

  54. Jeff and Jack's grandpa Says:

    Whataburger tastes so much better after a Win

  55. cmurda Says:

    @941. I don’t know about that, there is little doubt that the defense balled out. It wasn’t hard to see. By the way, loving this Parrish kid and I don’t think it will be long before Morrison captures my heart. . I digress. I am not going to forget about one of the dopest goal line stands I have ever seen. Coach Bowles is playing second stringers left and right and has them playing hard. I gotta respect that no matter how many dumb mistakes I see.

  56. Oscar Says:

    Baker is such a choker huh Rod? Gets the crap beat out of him with no help from the officials but just keeps coming like Rocky Marciano not Balboa because bake is the real deal!

  57. Bartow Buc Says:

    The defense played a heck of a game tonight !! Sacked Stroud several times !! Just seemed like the offense is still trying to find its identity !! Reggie White and Bucky both were incredible tonight!! As was ME 13,EE 2, and Ryan Miller 81 !!

    Still celebrating!!

    Go Bucs !!

  58. Bucs Guy Says:

    Winning ugly on the road with injuries two weeks in a row. As Al Davis, just win baby!

  59. Oscar Says:

    BAKE!!!!

  60. SlyPirate Says:

    Kancey is likely done for the year. The way his arm went limp.

  61. Daniel Dream Says:

    LANshark, i agree with everything you wrote, except about the coverage.. sure we gave up a few plays but we held them really to 10 points not counting what the ST gave up- and the coverage was forcing a lot of tight windows throughout the game considering all the injuries we had. As far as i was seeing, we were way better on offense and defense than Houston even with all the injuries- we should’ve won by 2 TDs except for 3 easy points our kicker missed and 10 points our ST gave away with the blocked punt and punt return

  62. Marky mark Says:

    Where is Deshaun Watson now?

  63. Hammerhead Says:

    Great strategy letting Texans score a TD. Winfield didn’t lay out to tackle
    Again, perfect strategy to let other team score to increase chance to win.
    Which they did.

  64. Daniel Dream Says:

    I sure hope Kancey isn’t out for an extended period… that’d be a big loss

  65. Let ‘em bake Says:

    Not bad for a middling qb…….😊

  66. mj Says:

    Baker is a stud all those monkeys off his back!! epic win!!

  67. Canabuc Says:

    Game ball should go to White. Not only did he run great. But recovering that fumble at risk of significant injury was big also and then to score that touchdown when the defense must have known they were likely going to run the ball and given they had timeouts left. He ran hard angry and even had some wiggle tonight!
    I love Bucky but Rashad must have 30 lb more on him at least and I think they make a great one two punch. If they can they really should resign him.

    All that to say did Sean Tucker even play in this game?

  68. Bucsnbeers Says:

    I thought the Bucs have a clock manager. Still wasted precious seconds on offense with two timeouts.

  69. Davyboy Says:

    CLUTH AS CLUTCH CAN BE!!!!🤣🤣 BAKIN ALL NIGHT LONG

  70. Hammerhead Says:

    The bucs should have kneeled on last extra point attempt.

    Baker took an extra hit he didn’t need.

  71. cmurda Says:

    Yes, hammerhead. 100%. You try to stop the 2 as we did and you give yourself 2 minutes with 3 timeouts to work a GW drive. Kudos to Bowles right there and Grizz and Bake clutched.

  72. Daniel Dream Says:

    Hammerhead, when Chubb was in Cleveland he gave up multiple TDs to instead slide down at the 1 to run the clock out. I don’t think this was a situation they could’ve ran out the rest of the clock had he done that tonight, but at the time i was definitely thinking it was in our favor that they scored so quickly if they were going to after the broken return…

  73. Bucamania Says:

    Gutsy win is right. Makeshift oline. Bunch of players like Mauch, Baker, and Egbuka playing through pain. Came up clutch again on the road. Well done boys.

  74. FortMyersDave Says:

    I just hope that next Sunday is not a letdown game against a Jets team whose starting QB is in concussion protocol. Bucs started 2-0 last year and then got boatraced by Denver. Cannot let the Jets do that, hopefully Bowles does something different this season as his teams seem to read their press clipping too much when they are 2-0. Every win counts!

  75. cmurda Says:

    I don’t like throwing right there for the 2 point conversion. 1st of all we were bullying them all night in the run and more importantly, a pick 6 is much more likely than a fumble 6 and we would lose if that happened.

  76. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Great win.

    Grizz has to learn that when an RB is rolling like White in the third quarter… to keep feeding him.

  77. Daniel Dream Says:

    Canabuc, completely agree. The 1-2 punch of Bucky and White has been a huge weapon for us. Bowles seems to love White, so i bet there’s a good chance we extend him

  78. Daryl Green Says:

    Ya’lll crying we get two wins on the road with the O line in shambles, please get Dennis off the field.hood job Grizz using those two backs u have 🤙🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

  79. Winny Testaverde Says:

    I’d be shocked if Kancey doesn’t have a torn pec…it’s a shame if so.

    When kickers start to wobble…watch out! Streaky…and you can tell McLaughlin is shaken and shaky.

    And yes…kneeling on the two point conversion would have been the smart play. Texans could have scored on the attempt and won by one.

  80. Jmarkbuc Says:

    FortMyers

    I agree, but after an emotional, hard fought game like tonight getting back up will be challenging.

    Especially with the injuries. Luke won’t come back right away on a bad ankle.

  81. dumboldguy Says:

    Great gutsy win by the team. Defense actually played well. Get used to seeing 25 on the field but not hearing his name because he is just super glue on receivers and they don’t throw at him.

    One negative, it’s time to fire the entire training staff. Too many muscle injuries all over the place. Another hamstring and a pec tear on a routine play. That’s too much for show lifting and not enough stretch.

  82. Davyboy Says:

    Where is “everybody” at pray tell?? 🤣
    Josh Grizzard called one heck of a game.

  83. Oscar Says:

    Baker also purposely ran the clock down to 6 seconds so they left the Texans nothing to work with this time unlike in 2023 meeting.

  84. Daniel Dream Says:

    Yeah, I was wondering why we wanted to go for the 2, when there wasn’t enough seconds left that it could’ve possibly been relevant. Baker seemed real adamant about it though… That aside, it was beautiful clock management. If Stroud has time to run a drive against a tired much injured defense only needing a FG, it’s a tough situation, but one we avoided with expert clock management. Finally we figured out the clock management well!

  85. Hammerhead Says:

    Oscar, accurate but why did Mayfield take an additional unnecessary hit.
    Expound?

  86. Davyboy Says:

    Isn’t that 2 weeks in a row we have driven the length of the field for the win in the last 2:00?? It’s getting to be a habit for someone that can’t do it….Lmao boys

  87. Oneilbuc Says:

    Got to give it to him he’s been playing like Steve Young these past 2 weeks!!

  88. Daniel Dream Says:

    Darly Green what are u talkin bout? Everyone here is thrilled we gutted out this win with all the injuries we had and bad luck and now we’re 2-0 having beaten two very good teams on the road and Ima say right now i look forward to see us running up the score now that we got the Jets next week instead of contenders like weeks 1-2. The important thing is the W and were 2 and 0 and in 1st place! IDK what you’re talking about no one is crying. Maybe you need to read the whole comments before you decide what you think they’re saying

  89. FortMyersDave Says:

    Good points on simply running the ball on the 2-point conversion, however, fumbles happen on runs as well and the Texans could have had a scoop and score just as well as a pick to win so perhaps just taking a knee would have been best. But a win is a win and all of us Buc fans are much happier with a sloppy win rather than a gut-wrenching loss which we usually see on prime time. Nice win overall. However, since Chase has the yips, it might be a good idea to try out kickers as well if he has another bad day.

  90. Davyboy Says:

    And that was a last minute drive on a top 10 defense, too funny boys

  91. Oscar Says:

    Game manager in the positive sense. It was either Baker or Grizz in his ear making sure they left no time on the clock. They’ve learned from last years mistakes at the end of games.

  92. Daniel Dream Says:

    I was about to be real sad at the end i got worried we were gonna lose on Monday night after we in control the whole game but Baker and the Boys overcame the adversity and injuries and got the big W on rowdy Monday night!!! I give everyone an A+ except the ST who will be running extra laps this week 😆

  93. Oscar Says:

    Hammerhead; you may be right. In hindsight that may have been the best thing to do. Maybe Todd ordered it because a 2 point conversion would have at least kept them in the game if the Texans had somehow miraculously gotten in to position for a last second field goal to tie.

  94. Hammerhead Says:

    After watching replay you could see minimal effort by Bucs on Chubb to run. On next play, 2 point conversion, the Bucs suddenly EXploded into Stroud.

    Outstanding call by Bowles who had to put his stamp on the situation.

    Fully expect talking heads to praise Bowles this week.

    Get ready Bowles haters and buckle up. Ain’t gonna pretty.

  95. orlbucfan Says:

    I knew it would be a dawg fight with Cardiac Bud prevailng for the win.

  96. Hammerhead Says:

    White is such an outstanding blocker it’s easy to see why he was on field for winning touchdown. He gives the THREAT of a pass play.

    Again. perfect play call by Grizzard.

  97. Oscar Says:

    I don’t think there was any logical reason to let them score a td there. I believe that was a third and 10 play. I think the Texans would have taken the field goal on 4th down. That would have made it 16-14 Texans. If Todd did decide to let him score that would have been considered a huge mistake. All the Bucs would have had to do would be to milk the clock and kick a field goal as opposed to having to score a touchdown. I think think the Bucs fell asleep on that and just assumed the Texans were positioning for a field goal.I may be wrong but that is my recollection of the events. I’ll have to rewatch to be sure.

  98. Aqualung Says:

    Oneill, right on brother. You called for it he delivered. And after the semi regular routine allowing an opposing TD on drive one, Todd called a great defensive game. He had Stroud seeing ghosts, jittery and confused. And another goal line stand. That was really the turning point even though it wasn’t evident at that moment.

    Flowers for Todd. Daisies, because he’s still the HC and his special teams need to be loaded on the short bus and taken for a long ride.

  99. buckyfan Says:

    seeing all these fans saying we should’ve kneeled the 2pt conversion or shouldn’t have attempted it at all, you do realize 2pt plays are untimed. As far as going for 2 if we succeed the texans could’ve kicked a fg and were tied not losing, the chances of having a turnover get returned 99 yards extremely low I personally thought they made the right call even if we didn’t convert.

  100. Megoat13 Says:

    Couldn’t agree more Joe, last few seasons Bucs lose these games more often than not. I just hope they continue to play to their potential and don’t get to cocky!

  101. Gipper Says:

    Muncher, Muncher, Muncher where are you? “Middling midget” playing good enough for you? We real fans are enjoying the W. How come you aren’t?

  102. Aqualung Says:

    Can’t sleep on the Jets. Wounded, embarrassed and desperate. Aaron Glenn got the job for a reason. I don’t care if Richard Todd comes out of the nursing home to play QB for them, given our history of blowing games we’re supposed to win, can’t take it lightly.

    The special teams coordinator needs to be replaced now, and better find a new kicker to work out, like, this second.

 

Leave a Reply