Five Things
September 22nd, 2025
Emeka Egbuka celebrates making a tough catch against Sauce Gardner in the Bucs’ 29-27 win over the Jets.
Welcome to Victory Monday! What a roller coaster yesterday was. Hop in as Joe takes a look back!
Who Has The killer Instinct?
Yes, Joe is happy about the Bucs’ win, their third in a row to start the season. How could anyone be upset with a win?
Yes, Joe might be naïve. Plenty of Bucs fans are borderline outraged how the Bucs won. They may have a point, but not to the extent Todd Bowles needs to be canned the way some are carrying on.
No matter what Bowles does short of winning a Super Bowl, some fans will never be pleased.
The Bucs should have wiped out the J-E-T-S Jets, Jets, Jets. The Bucs led 23-6 in the fourth quarter yet found themselves losing late in the game. How?
The Jets’ No. 2 receiver is Tyler Johnson. Remember him? Nothing against Johnson but the guy has bounced around the league since the Bucs waved goodbye. And still, facing an offense with those types of weapons, the Bucs allowed the Jets to get off the mat and take the lead.
Bad!
Then Joe looks at the Bucs offense and for the third straight time this year, Bucco Baker Mayfield led a comeback drive to win in the final minute. No NFL team had ever started a season 3-0 with all three wins coming in the final minute of the game until Mayfield and the Bucs pulled that off yesterday.
The Bucs offense has a killer instinct. The defense? Nah.
The Bucs should have put away and buried the Jets yesterday. Instead, in the immortal words of Dennis Green, “We let them off the hook!”
Hopefully, Lavonte David tears into some guys who were too busy playing with their food in the fourth quarter. Or playing with something else rather than putting the game away.
The Rookie Is A Star
It’s been well-documented that Bucs rookie Emeka Egbuka was on Joe’s radar since February. Joe wrote back then if the Bucs were looking for a receiver, he’d be a smart pickup.
Egbuka reminded Joe of a Chris Godwin clone. Still, “this Joe” never dreamed the Bucs would draft a receiver at No. 19.
But then they did.
Joe was happy to draft Egbuka but never thought Egbuka would be this good this quickly.
Eguka made crazy catches yesterday and was robbed of another. Remember, late in the fourth quarter after Mike Evans tweaked (?) a hamstring, his annual injury, Egbuka, with all of three Bucs games under his belt, was the Bucs’ No. 1 receiver on the field.
In a score-or-die drive (which featured Egbuka having a critical catch stolen from him), Egbuka was the Bucs’ top receiver. How wild is that? Imagine how good Egbuka will be with eight games under his belt and both Evans and Godwin healthy?
Egbuka has 179 yards receiving and three touchdown catches through three games, averaging 12 yards a catch. Joe never thought Egbuka would be this good in late September.
Offensive Line In Chaos
Yes, the Bucs’ offensive line is a trainwreck, Chao. Shoot, Joe might even take that a step further and refer to the Bucs’ offensive line as KAOS, the international organization of evil. Because if the Bucs get slapped around in the coming weeks because of the offensive line, that will be chaos — and KAOS.
Of the five starters all Bucs fans associated with the offensive line — Tristan Wirfs, Ben Bredeson, Brandon Graham, Cody Mauch and Luke Goedeke — none were in their normal positions yesterday.
Only Barton and Bredeson played out of position and the rest were backups, second- and third-teamers.
The Bucs are 3-0 with an offensive line put together with baling wire, duct tape and used bubble gum!
JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, the Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, was told barring setbacks, Wirfs should return Sunday. That’s a welcome relief, which means the Bucs may go back to having the left side of their line back to normal.
With the rugged Eagles coming to town, the closer the Bucs can get to normality, the better.
But how cool is it that with the Bucs’ front line torn to shreds, the Bucs are 3-0?
Joe is trying to think of the last time a good team had no starters in their normal offensive line positions in Week 3. That may be unprecedented.
Jamel Dean Gets A Pick-Six
Watching Jamel Dean get a pick-six late in the first half, Joe couldn’t help but remember one of the best one-liners from Todd Bowles.
In training camp in the summer of 2024, Dean got an interception in practice. When Bowles was asked about this feat, he quipped that he was going to have Dean drug-tested.
That’s how bad of a rap Dean had for having hands of stone. Dean, to hear some, couldn’t catch a cold if he took outdoor showers in Alaska in February.
The cool thing about Dean getting a pick-six? It may be a helluva omen.
In Week 6 in 2020, Dean had a 32-yard pick-six against Aaron Rodgers and the Packers in Tampa. The Bucs went on to win 38-10 and that win was a loud message to the NFL that the Bucs were a league powerhouses.
As we all remember, the Bucs went on to win the Super Bowl, beating the Packers again along the way in the NFC title game in Green Bay.
Might Dean’s rare interception, a pick-six no less, propel the Bucs to bigger and better things like in 2020?
“You know, they say history repeats itself,” Dean told Joe after the game, wearing a huge smile.
Shocking Appearance at The Licht House
The Bucs had over 140 ex-players in attendance to celebrate the team’s 50 years in the NFL. Among them was the Bucs’ first quarterback, Steve Spurrier.
At halftime, the Bucs introduced each and every player who came back as they ran or walked onto the field. It was sort of what the NFL used to do for starters in the Super Bowl, with each player highlighted on the jumbotron as he acknowledged the applause and jogged to midfield. It was a Who’s Who of ex-Bucs.
Shocking, as the ceremony continued, Joe heard the name (and saw very brief appearance on the Jumbotron), of former Bucs first-round pick and quarterback Josh Freeman.
Joe thought he was hearing things. But no, it was true. Freeman returned.
This was surprising because Freeman left the Bucs 12 years ago under dark clouds of controversy and mystery. There was always mystery surrounding Freeman. Rumors about him still persist in the area, with zero evidence.
Since his NFL days went up in flames following stints with the Giants, Vikings and winning the 2015 season finale for the Colts, Freeman became a total recluse before signing with the CFL in 2018 and doing a handful of related interviews. He quit the CFL before playing a game.
In 2020, Freeman also did some sort of public relations/recruiting event with the FBI in his hometown of Kansas City, and he makes occasional appearances at Kansas State football games.
Freeman did not leave the Bucs under good terms. Not at all. So the fact he would return to Tampa at all, much less at a Bucs event, totally floored Joe.
So yes, Joe can confirm Freeman is alive and has mended fences with the franchise to some degree. Sort of like the Bucs’ prodigal son.
Joe received these photos from the Emeka Egbuka catch late in the game that was ruled incomplete and never reviewed. These came from Joe’s photographer. Feel free to weigh in. pic.twitter.com/uqoxur1yvv
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) September 21, 2025
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:07 am
The officiating. The special teams. The defense goes soft.
And Baker ain’t having it.
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:09 am
The hooters uniform is bad luck
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:24 am
Ah Josh Freeman – was there for his first snaps in London vs the Pats if i remember correctly? He came on near then end replacing Josh Johnson. Bad times lol
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:43 am
That referee crew needs to be investigated by the NFL. At the very least a performance review because that was horrific.
Seeing all the ex players and coaches come out at halftime was very cool
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:48 am
Dean’s interception return for touchdown had me howling. The fumble recovery was fantastic. Turnovers, Joe. Without those, the Bucs don’t win. I was also happy to see the return of McLaughlin.
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:57 am
Knock it off REFS!!! You did the same thing last year when it was obvious Winfield punched the ball out from Pitman before he crossed the goal line for a td in our loss against Falcons, n an objective n obvious defensive facemask on Bucky that was not called at all. Again, Knock it off!!!!
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:02 am
best unis in nfl
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:06 am
We got complacent on both side of the ball after going up 20 points. And no excuses for a blocked kick six. That FG would have iced it. And possibly the worst officiating I can remember. A bogus Jets TD and stolen catch be EE. Refs and NFL tried everything to give game to NY.
Great to see all the Bucs at halftime. And yeah, did a triple take when Freeman was announced.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:10 am
Excellent summary and great to hear about the ceremony!
Always liked Josh. Glad he was there yesterday.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:21 am
The refereelng has been bad league wide. Yesterday it went to a different level. I don’t believe in things being rigged, but it sure seemed like the NFL wanted the Jets to get a win. Can’t blame the O line, they are, what they are. Baker, and EE have been the hero’s. This defense isn’t championship material. I think there’s a disconnect between the HC, and the DC. I never liked not having a named DC, who calls the defense on Sundays. The Bucs have co DCs which means they have none. Than on Sundays Bowles becomes the DC play caller. There should be one voice, one leader for the defense all week, and on Sundays. Bowles is doing his players, and coaches a disservice with this setup. Todd, you’re not the only one, or the best one to call it on Sundays. Give it up.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:23 am
Even the harshest Mayfield critics should be giving him credit. He isn’t just a scrappy NFL QB, he’s clutch! Next time Bucs don’t take your foot off the gas.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:27 am
Didn’t know we talked Brandon Graham out of retirement to switch positions and start at center for us.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:35 am
Freeman — we had that one “on the up 7-9” year in 2012 before the wheels came off.
Then came the Winston/Mariota “whose better debate”. Both ended up in the mediocre camp, although Mariota played and won yesterday.
TB12 was a great move — we should have got two SBs!
Vinny T drove me crazy. My running joke was he would hip-slide on a QB sneak.
Thank goodness for Baker — all guts and 3-0.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:35 am
The phantom touchdown, the stolen catch, The Unequal holding criteria was not an accident. The main office, the Commissioner, the replay room are all in New York and the Commissioner is desperate to have a winning team in the largest media market like he does in the second largest (LA). The fix was on and Baker stopped the mob boss.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:37 am
The refs are able to see this replay better than any of us, frame by frame and if we saw enough on our tv screens that he had the catch with his fingers and that left foot just touching for a brief moment, I’m pretty sure a little slower and it would have been a clear indication that it was a catch. It was close, but I think it was another miss by the refs.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:37 am
Bucs were well over the 7 point spread and Vegas didn’t like that. Same thing last Monday night with the Houston walk in TD. Bucs were 2.5 favorites. Had to get it closer to the money line because it’s entertainment business. Sports betting has to make their house juice which is around 10% per sportbook.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:41 am
The harshest critics are giving him credit. But wait till he makes a mistake. They will be calling for a SadeueR Sanders trade.
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:52 am
We stopped blitzing, wheels came off
September 22nd, 2025 at 6:53 am
Buka looks Jacked in that pic…Wow!
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:19 am
Can we please talk about how our kicker was clutched with five field goals???!!!
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:23 am
Ya cut Godwin out of the photo, that picture was perfect
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:30 am
6th Thing? The Old Swashuckler uniforms look better than the new ones. Less the girly boys that is.
Go Bucs!
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:43 am
Dean with the Pick 6? Dare I say SUPERBOWL? ??
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:43 am
Joe,
Was Vinny there yesterday?
On the Emeka catch above.. maybe because two reverent down at the same time? Seems like Pickens(?)had the same issue a year or two ago in Pittsburgh?
That being said it really seemed like a catch.
It’s been mentioned.. but isn’t jumping over the center on a FG illegal? Like since the dude from Seattle did it?
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:51 am
Would be cool to see some photos from the halftime celebration…
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:53 am
Joe, I saw him walking around the 100 level at one of the games last year just like a fan would do, so I think the mending may have been in the works for a while.
People were not pointing or making a scene or anything, but that dude is super tall and has a very recognizable face.
I remember thinking, “well that’s odd” and just assumed he was on his way to some Bucs-organized alumni thing, but that was just guessing.
That 10-win 2010 season was our last hoorah before the lost decade, certainly history
September 22nd, 2025 at 7:54 am
A bit of redemption for Dean.
Congrats to him.
Great to see Winfield back.
Defense played good to great at times…..
Zyon still playing soft.
OLine Coaches gotta get credit for working a bit of magic with the front 5.
Both sides of the ball let up when they went up by 20. And that goes to players and coaches.
All said – Hot Damn – we’re 3-0.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:06 am
There’s hard proof for those of us who were bouncing around SOHO during the Josh Freeman days. He had a proclivity to a certain ‘banned” substance that wasn’t used for game days, and he’d use it mid-week in season at times. Watched his circle throw the keys to his escalade to a friend of mine (total stranger to Josh and his crew) over on St. Pete beach by Cadillac Jacks, to drive it to his house because of how cranked up he was. Also, personally witnessed him use an ATM pull several hundred in cash out and “completely forget, space out, not be in the proper head space” he’d done it and just left the cash in the ATM. We grabbed it and gave it to his sister to make sure he got his money.
By all accounts a nice guy when I met him, never a jerk to anyone but certainly had his demons or even just didn’t prioritize being an NFL QB. Glad to hear he’s doing well.
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:10 am
Dean has been healthy for THREE games ina row
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:17 am
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September 22nd, 2025 at 8:26 am
Was there a James Wilder sighting, just wondering?
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:31 am
I thought the white creamsicle’s yesterday were awesome. That’s a clean, sharp look.!
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:38 am
I came here following Baker, I live by Cleveland. Now that a certain QB isn’t playing I’m watching the Browns again and still watching the Bucs. I had both games on at the same time yesterday. Talk about crazy aXX endings to both games. Block field goals and lead changes at the end of the game. Both wins! Damn, won’t ever see that again. Never had a Super Bowl team in my 70-years. I think I got a shot with this Bucs team. We win next week, something going on for sure. GO BUCS!
September 22nd, 2025 at 8:46 am
The offense since Brady’s time here has clearly been the catalyst for this teams success which is exactly what you would want in today’s offensive friendly NFL. Why we keep hoping Bowles defense to do anything but be what they’ve always been is perplexing. Time will tell but I don’t think you go far with Bowles as the HC. The Jets are bad and once again we watch a bad team with a backup QB look capable. For a guy deemed a defensive guru, he struggles to make backups look like backups. Meanwhile our rookie OC has 3 starting linemen out, overcomes a dozen penalties, loses Evans, is missing Godwin yet finds away every week. Same last yr with Coen who’s doing well in Jacksonville. These guys step into totally new lineups and perform, Bowles has been crafting this roster for his defense for 4 yrs and it doesn’t change much.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:00 am
EE got both feet down. Horrible officiating! Then there’s the Jets touchdown catch. The ball was loose and hit the ground! NFL in NYC said it was a catch????? Repeating HORRIBLE OFFICIATING!! Not to mention all the holding calls! Sure there were some but come on…
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:10 am
There were critical dropped passes that would’ve turned the game on its head. Evans had a ball bounce off his hands deep in the red zone. He missed another one mid-field in the 2nd half as did Emeka. All 3 were first down catches with Evans’ drop inside the 5 yard line. Emeka more than made up for it but they were all 3 drops that can’t happen.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:16 am
The slanted biases between our offense vs. defense within this fan base is ridiculous lol
Game didn’t start in the 4th quarter, and up until that “game-winning”
drive by our offense they had produced as many points as the defense.
Offense couldn’t pad this lead after scoring their only TD putting us up 10-6, playing well enough to punt on 3 of 4 drives going into the half. We got 3 points off that Winfield sack fumble, even though the drive started at the NYJ 41. We only moved the ball a solitary yard on that drive, and benefitted from a 15 yard face mask to get us in FG range.
I’ll take the late game heroics at the end of games, but some
of that fire and sense of urgency in say, the 2nd/3rd quarter would make it so we wouldn’t NEED the dramatics and can actually put team away. Defense carried us for 3 quarters while our offense was stuck in the mud.
I’ll get called a hater or for pointing this out, but 1-5 in the redzone and 4-13 on 3rd down and y’all are in here talking like the offense was clicking 😂
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:19 am
On EE’s catch…. What I saw was him get 1 foot down controlling the ball, gong to the ground a knee hits out of bounds but then the 2nd foot is in bounds. Is that a catch? I am not for sure what the rule is, but it was worth an explanation by the officials, heck they had time because a timeout was called.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:30 am
Not having a legit pass rusher is going to keep us out of the Super Bowl
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:41 am
WBL, we watched the game. Drives die when receivers drop passes. But what hurts worse is holding calls. Lots of playing way behind the chains. Not making excuses. Far from it. But trying to lay blame on either side of the ball is ridiculous. Both sides played great. That stupid blocked kick cost me 1,110 bucks. Really I spent 300 on a +270 parlay so I’m out 300 bucks. Points over 43.5 and win by 7. 29-20 would have done it. Turns out the win was good enough for me. Sadly, my gambling career has come to a grinding halt.
September 22nd, 2025 at 9:42 am
I hope that someday there is a 30 for 30 that tells us the real Josh Freeman story.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:10 am
Evans was unbeatable on that slant TD. Evans did however drop two big passes, and popped a 31 year old hammy. Father time is undefeated. The Egbuka pick looks better, and better. With Godwin, and J Mac being down EE has been a savior. Now Evans is bound to miss some time, we’d be screwed without Egbuka.
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:38 am
If Chase missed that last FG, him and Bowles will be out of job this morning !
September 22nd, 2025 at 10:53 am
Kenton,
Disagree about either side playing great, maybe well enough to win at seperate points of the same game, but that’s my biggest critique through 3 games with this team as a whole. Putting it together at the same time. Heading into what might end up being the not just a top opponent on our schedule, but also the defending SB champs.
W/o any inside info on our staff/lockerroom I can guarantee you there will be less lamenting on what we do right in exchange for focusing more on what we have to clean up and where to improve closing out the first “quarter” of the regular season.
For as much as we think this team is doubted and disrespected, this Eagles game at home should be the first game where we NEED all phases playing their best ball. This week of prep can be the makings of a statement game for us in my opinion, and you cannot improve if you can’t acknowledge where you’re deficient as a team.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:23 am
I feel the refs did okay.
As to that photo, the ball wasn’t secure at that point…but by the time it was, his knee was down. So NOT a catch.
It was frustrating, but a good call.
As to the holding penalties, they were all good calls as well. First time starters eager to prove themselves were going to make mistakes at first. They settled down though.
The only reason we came close to losing was the DC going prevent. He should have never done that. Not only did it give the Jets a chance to come back, but I’ve always felt Prevent sends the wrong message to players.
The game is 60 minutes. Play like it is.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:30 am
The reason we get ripped off in ref calls has to do with Todd Bowles demeanor–they do it because they know he will not contest it, they are more afraid of Aaron Glen then Bowles
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:34 am
On the E2 catch… I thought he got it in. They possibly, didn’t have a great ‘look’ of it to begin with, but it at least DESERVED a definite ‘official’ replay, with it being under 2:00 left. 💯 I really don’t know what the referees or New York was doing there, especially after burning a time-out!? It made no sense.
September 22nd, 2025 at 11:39 am
Im confused at the NFL’s mindset about minimal importance on preaseason. In essence, the preseason went from 3-4 weeks into 7-8 weeks. It showed in the 3 games so far for our Buccaneers as injuries have riddled the Super Bowl potential and we are a handful of plays from being 0-3. In my mind i see the big kid dominating on the the 6 foot rims. As with the 3 consecutive NFC South titles against the worst of the worst, the precarious start against Falcons, Texans and Jets with a combined 1-8 record is troubling. With the Eagles, Seahawks, Lions and 49ers on the way, a combined 9-3. Translation : another Bowles mid-season swoon.
September 22nd, 2025 at 12:02 pm
What do you expect with the officials…we were playing a New York team! But that crew is the absolute worst!
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Don’t know. Wish the Bucs would have released a list of all the ex-players and coaches who showed up.
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:27 pm
Aw, c’mon Bonzai, you’ve been around as long as I have. You are also knowledgeable. You know the officiating STUNK! I’ll need a dead skunk to get that stench out of my head. I was listening so not sure about the EE2 catch. His left foot hit the ground in the photo. That’s all I know. Also, that final score is precisely what Vegas, etc. wanted. Bucs should have beat the spread. That’s a no-no. I will be ready for Sunday. Go Bucs, 4-0!
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:28 pm
Joe, I know the half doesn’t last long, but was Lee Roy (RIP) Selmon honored in any way?
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:31 pm
Didn’t see it but was away from the press box for a good chunk of the halftime.
Do know Steve Spurrier got a lot of love yesterday.
Really wish the Bucs would have released a list of ex-Bucs players who showed up. Really shocked that Josh Freeman was one of those.
September 22nd, 2025 at 2:53 pm
Officials owed an explanation as to why EE’s bobble, catch w one for down, land sideways on leg while other foot toe tapped in. It was as wierd a catch as I’ve ever seen, when slowed down it looks like a catch but so hard to tell about control.
Refs owe an explanation, the silence to me is officiating malpractice. NFL must have automatic review and explanation of why it was or wasn’t a catch otherwise fans disrespect the integrity and competence of refs!
September 22nd, 2025 at 4:49 pm
Joe – something not being discussed is the bounce back game for Chase with 5 field goals made!!! We don’t win this game without him that’s for sure. Sure is nice to have him back on track…
September 22nd, 2025 at 5:14 pm
JOE- Brandon Graham was is not part of our offensive line. I think you meant Graham Barton? Already got Philly on the mind I see