Todd Bowles Didn’t Seem To Care For Winning Close On Sunday
September 21st, 2025
Didn’t like fourth quarter defensive effort.
Winning is the greatest perfume. You win, and all the stink seems to vanish.
There was plenty of stink from the Bucs in the fourth quarter, specifically the defense and special teams. And that didn’t to get lost in the celebration of winning for Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
“It’s hard to win in this league, period,” Bowles said. “Us shooting ourselves in the foot doesn’t help it much, but the resiliency they have to come back and win those games” is great.”
Bowles is right. It’s one thing to play with your food in the fourth quarter and then look up and see the jughead Jets beating you.
Get caught playing around with something other than your food in the fourth quarter against the Eagles like the Bucs did this afternoon, and you can pretty much kiss a win goodbye.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Fire anyone related to special teams. How can you keep a coach that underperforms this bad.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:45 pm
That game was bizarre
September 21st, 2025 at 7:46 pm
Said by the dude who seems oblivious to the facts that he is responsible, accountable, and causative of the dogs’ breakfast.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:47 pm
Today seems to be the perfect day for a John McKay quote from the past.
Reporter: What do you think of the execution of the offensive line?
John McKay: I’m in favor of it.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Well whoever was on the line today besides Barton and Ben Sucked ,,, time to regroup for next week w our big man coming back hopefully ,,, Phily had a great comeback win but also got beat up against the rams
September 21st, 2025 at 7:49 pm
what happened to Bakers hand?
September 21st, 2025 at 7:50 pm
With all those injuries on the offensive line, those refs, and then losing Evans on top of it, I’m just glad the Bucs won at all. Said it all day, I don’t care if it was by 1 point or 40, just get the W, buy some time until the cavalry arrives.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:51 pm
Funny that so many are calling for the firing of the special teams coordinator, likely a guy they were singing the praises of just two games ago.
When, oh when, will these kind of fans hold the players accountable?
SIDE NOTE: Every time there is an injury and someone is replaced, it usually means the replacement is no longer involved in special teams. There are a number of new people on special teams right now. For instance, why was Sean Tucker the returner on all kicks and punts this game? (he was, in a nice word, “ineffective”).
September 21st, 2025 at 7:53 pm
To find whats wrong, Bowles only has to look in the mirror.
If this type of play was occasional, it could be tolerated, even forgiven. But its constant and has been for three years.
They start games looking unprepared, play sloppy in one or more phases, and drop to the level of the competition.
3-0 could easily be 0-3. Its nothing to celebrate and, next week, we’ll see exactly who this team is.
Then what?
September 21st, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Scotty you never heard me praise the ST coach and replacing him and getting better ST players is a must
September 21st, 2025 at 7:54 pm
We are a mash unit. Take the win and work on the issues. Get healthy boys.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I think Rod has a crush on Baker.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:57 pm
exBrowns02 Says:
September 21st, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I think Rod has a crush on Baker.
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Humm, that’s a first.
September 21st, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Eagles will destroy them if they play like that.
Both sides of the ball went turtle in the 4th. Whose fault is that coach?
September 21st, 2025 at 7:58 pm
Have to completely agree with you Rod. 3 backup O-linemen starting, 2 for the first time I believe. and the other 2 starters playing out of position. Some idiot said Grizz should be fired. What an imbecile. What do people expect when the O-line is gutted like it is?!?!
ME, please heal up buddy. We need you so badly in order to overcome our sorry defense. Our D was almost spanked by the lowly Jets, how embarrassing.
BUT PEOPLE, just as Rod said, we got the W. THAT is ALL that matters
September 21st, 2025 at 8:03 pm
Rod — It’s not the only first. Remember when I invaded the forum after Baker’s signing? That’s when I told everybody to just wait and see……
September 21st, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Joe – your comment section seems to attract the most negative bunch in the whole fan base
September 21st, 2025 at 8:06 pm
They arent going to win against Philly if they play like they are a car driving on 4 flat tires.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:07 pm
I know the O-line is banged up, but the fact is that the offense has not played a good game yet.
Some of you, who continue to complain about the defense, might want to become fans of a different, SIMPLER game….. maybe watch some corn-hole. Never mind, thats too complex for you too probably.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Lightningvinny Says:
September 21st, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Well whoever was on the line today besides Barton and Ben Sucked
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Yeah, that’s what happens when you literally lose your top 3 offensive lineman, including the best offensive lineman in football, a top 5 RT, and a top 10 RG.
Cobbling anything together is frankly impressive.
One thing that will help dramatically is getting back Wirfs, in large part because it means Barton goes back to center, and Ben goes back to LG, and that should solidify the left side of the line. If Jordan can play RG as well as he played LG the past two games, then we’ll see a massive sudden increase in offensive line play.
But yeah, if Wirfs isn’t back for the Eagles, and Godwin isn’t back – I’m not even kidding. Sign Trask, let him start and take the beating and just take the L and play for the rest of the year.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:08 pm
exBrowns02 Says:
Remember when I……
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No.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Even ME dropped a couple of easy catches. I’m glad that’s behind him now.
Jamel Dean….. I can’t believe I’m saying it, but he really helped us today.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Let’s talk about punting. If you take out his one 60 yard punt, he averaged around 30 yards per punt.
That ain’t good
September 21st, 2025 at 8:12 pm
We’re one of just six teams across the entire league to start 3-0 this season. With all the injuries we’re dealing with, we’re not just surviving – we’re weathering the storm and proving our depth and resilience when it matters most.
Coach Bowles has pulled together an exceptional group of men who play for each other
Go Bucs!
September 21st, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Ronde looked like he’s still in shape. Any chance we could sign him just for this Eagles game? We got plenty of guys on IR, so we should have a roster spot open. Just the psychological effects of seeing Barber in a Bucs uniform might be enough to make the Eagles flee the stadium in fear – and I’m sure Barber can probably get us at least a couple of INTs returned for TDs. Maybe we can also bring in Matt Bryant just to really rub it in.
BTW, going back and looking at that 2006 game box score between the Bucs and Eagles is hilarious.
The Eagles had OVER 500 yards of offense in that game vs the Bucs – and yet Ronde single handedly defeated them as the Bucs managed 85 yards passing that game.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Did anyone hear Charlie Heck’s name today? He may be a serviceable RT
September 21st, 2025 at 8:26 pm
If Todd didn’t like it, he only has himself to blame. He is the head coach, he sets the tone for the team.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:27 pm
We’re beating the Eagles this week. Oftentimes the stronger football team will win their game. Still believe we’re the best team in the league.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:29 pm
The whiny so-called fans that are trashing the team although it is 3-0 remind of the French, who surrender immediately.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:31 pm
Anything new on Evans ? Is he automatically iffy for the Eagles game ? What is it with him and his hammies ? Is it a size issue….or a genetic thing….or ?????
September 21st, 2025 at 8:32 pm
Ex-Browns that’s funny about Rod having a crush on Baker. I don’t think anyone on this forum has been harder on Baker except the Traskies.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:33 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
September 21st, 2025 at 8:27 pm
We’re beating the Eagles this week. Oftentimes the stronger football team will win their game. Still believe we’re the best team in the league.
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If the Bucs were close to healthy, I think they win as the Bucs have just had their number since 2002. But how many guys can you lose vs the defending champ and still have a chance. There is a zero percent chance the Eagles are going to overlook a 3-0 Bucs team that has dominated for them decades now.
If Bowles can pull off a win next week, it will be his great victory as head coach.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:35 pm
I did not hear Heck’s name called, but I did not catch the numbers called for all of the penalties we had either.
September 21st, 2025 at 8:45 pm
DEFENCEVPLAYED GREAT UNTILL YHE 4TH. QUARTER ! THEY WERE GASED .125 DEGREES ON THE FIELD . JETS DID IN THE 4TH. WHAT BAKER SHOULD HAVE DONE ALL GAME . ROLL OUT AGAINST THE RUSH AND HIT YOUR WIDE OUTS ! ENOUGH UP THE MIDDLE WITH BUCKY GIVE THE BALL TO WHITE ON SIDE THROWS ! OR TUCKER UP THE MIDDLE . GIZ. HAS GOT TO DO BETTER . THIS WILL NOT EORK AGSINST PHILLY !! OR O LINE WAS PLAYING FLAG PENALTY BALL . UGG !
September 21st, 2025 at 8:47 pm
Can anyone decipher what Les Says, said?
September 21st, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Coach Bowles, after careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that your new special teams coach sucks!
September 21st, 2025 at 9:01 pm
I think he said I’m a idiot!
September 21st, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Of coarse Special teams tucked . The regular Special team players were starting because of all the injuries. So they hire some guys off the street.
September 21st, 2025 at 9:09 pm
Fully expect us to lose the next 2 games even if Wirfs and Godwin come back. Guessing Evans will miss several weeks and Logan Hall has a groin injury. Still think they can get to 5-2 with games against 49ers and Saints after Seattle.
September 21st, 2025 at 9:09 pm
I actually thought the only real big problem was Klein he didn’t have a good game the Right side Haggard an Heck I thought did a decent job Heck stepped up big time compared to last week the OLine only gave up 1 sack today
September 21st, 2025 at 9:13 pm
I’m not to upset but I remember a time when this would have been a lost a few years ago. And it put Baker in a cluch situation and he came through again and we are going to have to win games like this in the playoffs. So good job Baker keep it up brother.
September 21st, 2025 at 9:49 pm
how many fumbles until we actually lose one. great hustle by recovering crew all year.
September 21st, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Baker is the NFL’s MVP at this point.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:02 pm
Oneil, with you man. Watching QBs around the league, I wouldn’t trade our QB for anyone. Circumstances, dude just makes it happen. Thought he’s sealed the deal with that awesome long scramble down the right sideline before Mr Magoo’s special wreck showed their butts. He just made awesome throws again on the final drive.
He’s the difference between the miracle 3-0 and 0-3, which is where the coaching would have us if not for Baler.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:05 pm
Hey Les !! The Bucs won the game !!
Also, last minute, game winning drives are a sign of a championship winning football team that finds a way to win!!
Go Bucs !!
September 21st, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Bowles parent defense with soft zone or off coverage was the reason for the fourth quarter collapse. I’m ssck of this guy saying the team needs to learn how to close out games when he’s the one responsible for not doing it.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Bowles is 9-1 the last 10 regular season games. So stop with all the crap about his poor coaching. As for Grizz, he is the master of the last 2 minutes. Buccaneers got back from Texas at 3 AM Tuesday and had nothing but bad news all week. Then after blocked kick touchdown had to gut out a last minute rally rally against a fired up team. That’s class!
September 21st, 2025 at 10:18 pm
And to think a few years ago Onielbuc and Rod wanted to dump Baker and now they are singing singing his praises. Many of us already knew from Cleveland or Oklahoma how good he was and were sardonically called Baker Bros. But just you wait. Baker will make a mistake and they will turn on him.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:36 pm
I understood Les perfectly
September 21st, 2025 at 10:37 pm
Marky mark – yeah, he was so great he was on his 4th team in a year… But who in the world would dare to question him!? Not you, cause you’re a Baker Boi, it’s important to spell it correctly, very important.
Anywho, stop making it about yourself and be happy people are praising Baker. Also, yes, literally everyone complains about their QB doing stuff like fumbling and losing a home playoff game. Everyone except psycho stalkers, the type of people that sit outside Baker’s home and go through his trash, but not to be weird, but to protect him vs the bad guys. LOL!
Nutjob.
September 21st, 2025 at 10:56 pm
It was an ugly win. But it was a win. Long way to go to be actually competitive in the playoffs, not just win another NFC South participation trophy.
September 21st, 2025 at 11:07 pm
Let’s get some of the late game heroics in a little earlier. Like in the 2nd and 3rd quarter, especially when the defense is literally helping you do your job by putting points on the board and keeping the opposition off the board.
Gotta get back into form converting on 3rd down, the penalties and streaky play had us 4-13 on 3rd today. There’s also no reason, OL injuries in mind that we can’t score TDs from 20 yards/less out. 1-5 in the redzone isn’t going to cut it against the better opponents on our schedule.
September 21st, 2025 at 11:50 pm
The Bucs had a 3 score lead at the end of the 3rd quarter and the moes of maroonland are complaining about the offense, forgetting it’s a cocktail waitress led injury decimated offense line.
This is Bowles trademark. Let anyone – any journeyman scrub – have all the short checkdowns for free especially when it’s the 4th quarter and make the t close, and if not for Baker we’d be 0-3.
Jason, please. Act.
September 22nd, 2025 at 1:36 am
Scotty Mack Says:
Funny that so many are calling for the firing of the special teams coordinator, likely a guy they were singing the praises of just two games ago.
When, oh when, will these kind of fans hold the players accountable?
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Punt and FG protection are two of the most basic plays in the game of football. Kicking FG’s is a very straigtforward task. Punting a football in a timely manner to avoid blocks is an easy to understand assignment.
I have NEVER sang the praises of McGaughey because he has yet to produce a special teams unit that’s consistently been worthy of it. Why Bowles hired him after years of underperformance coaching the Giants kicking units is something I’d love to ask him.
Don’t pander the idea of injury replacements being excused from blown blocking assignments on kicks. They’re brought in fully expecting they know how to do it. And if they’re not capable, they don’t get on the field. A coach like McGaughey is supposed to have the good judgement to make those calls. So far this season, he’s atrocious at it.