Bucs Maintain Two-Game Lead In NFC South

October 12th, 2025

Surging Panthers.

Big win by the Bucs at The Licht House — and they needed it badly.

The Panthers held off the Cowboys to bump their record to 3-3. It’s stunning what Carolina has been doing in their rushing attack. With No. 1 running back Chuba Hubbard out injured for the second consecutive week, the Panthers rumbled for 216 yards on 38 rushes after hammering out 239 yards last week against Miami in a comeback win.

Carolina hits the road to play the winless Jets next week as the Bucs go north to Detroit.

The Saints (1-5) hung tough with the Patriots but lost by six. Atlanta (2-2) hosts the Bills tomorrow night.

The Bucs will be on the road at Carolina on Dec. 21. The teams will close the season in Tampa on Jan. 4.

43 Responses to “Bucs Maintain Two-Game Lead In NFC South”

  1. Ali Says:

    Finally doing well persistently go bucs

  2. TBBucFan Says:

    Panthers are NOT a threat.

  3. JustOneGame Says:

    F you AquaF@g!!!

    5-1 Go Bucs!!! Hell we might be 7-1 at the bye ✌🏼

  4. Tampa Bay Tailagaters Says:

    Bucs are giving up the 2nd most points in the NFC, the defense needs to get fixed to go where we all want to end up!

  5. SlyPirate Says:

    Panthers looked better but not good enough.

  6. HC Grover Says:

    The Punk Panters are no threat.

  7. Bucs Reality Check Says:

    TODD BOWLES IS THE MASTERMIND OF THE “TRAP DEFENSE”.

    It might get banned like the Tush Push.

    Call terrible soft zone D that gets carved up all game and then UNLEASH THE TRAP IN THE 4TH QUARTER!

    What a Defensive Genius.

  8. BucsFan81 Says:

    Defense still sucks. Giving up way too much booty. Only good thing is we have a lot of starting WR on this team. If the offense ever gets healthy look out.

  9. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Gonna be interesting to watch the Lions tonight. See what they’ve got.

  10. jcscycles Says:

    6 sacks, 2 INT, and win by two scores. What’s not to like?

    In back to back weeks we beat two of the best NFC teams.

  11. Oxycondomns Says:

    can nfc south still be called worst division in nfc while having the best team in nfc, is that possible?

  12. Bucky Says:

    Great team win. Defense gave up 1 TD that is great and if they get bigger leads early the defense can get those sacks. They have to keep the pressure and get healthy. The team has deepest WR room and the CB room maybe really deep too.

  13. PSL Bob Says:

    As I said in a post earlier this week. It annoys the hell out of me when announcers throw roses on Bowles and his defensive mastermind. Romo was commenting about Jones’ 200 yards passing in the first half and who spectacular it was “against Todd Bowles’ defense,” as if the Bucs had a top 10 passing defense. Tony, have you looked at the stats? The Bucs’ passing defense sucks. How many times does the opposing team have to punt on 3rd downs? Rarely. Love the win!!! Just wish we could get a consistent pass rush and play less soft coverage.

  14. Bucky Says:

    Bowles haters always going to move the goal post to continue hating, like the defense was full strength. The 5th string CB got an int.

  15. HC Grover Says:

    We got our 30

  16. Bojim Says:

    Opposing QBs are throwing for too many yards!! The offense is great but they need help once in a while. But we got the win and that’s what counts. I hope Mec is ok. Backups performed!!

  17. Saskbucs Says:

    Good question Oxycondoms. All those years of Pats success and Chiefs success, I didn’t hear many people talk about how bad their division was.

    There is no denying this team now and the threat it poses. League won’t know what to do if the offense is ever fully in tact.

    I will not discount the Panthers though. All 5 remaining div games will challenge us cause it’s the opposing team SB. We are gonna see their best punch. On paper, we should go 4-1 at least but we know that’s not how it usually goes. 5-1 at this point though… I don’t think anyone had us there and if they did, it wasn’t with these injuries. 13-4 should be the floor now for this squad.

  18. Alvin Scissors Harper Says:

    Because the Bills lost last week, they will beat the dog out of the Falcons this week.

  19. David Says:

    You people complaining about the defense…
    They gave up one damn TD!!!
    Yes there were handful of big pass plays because of a couple communication breakdowns and 2 outstanding throws. Whatever…
    They held them to field goals. You’re basically biotching about five plays. They played outstanding. Sacks, turnovers, under 20 points.

    I’ll take that every single game. The offense put up 30 but should’ve put up over 40. You don’t complain about that???. It’s so crazy how so many people nitpick little things about the defense but not offense.

    In a perfect world, it’s 48 -0 every game, that’s not reality. The offense makes just as many mistakes as the defense.
    Their goal is to hold the other team to less than 21. They do that they should win every single game.

  20. Tye Says:

    5-1 and an awesome win!

    VERY confident Grizz, Mayfield and this high octane offense…
    DC and their defense still unreliable and likely to cost the Bucs in the 1st playoff game!

  21. Roscoe Says:

    Tom who ?

  22. DBS Says:

    Some people are just born to complain. Nothing makes them happy.

  23. Fanofdabucs Says:

    So many idiots on this site, it’s laughable. The defense gives up ONE TD to a team that just put up 26 against the Rams and had an extra 4 days to rest. Jones made some great throws and the Mike S is a great play caller. How mamy times did tge 49ers get inside the red zone??

    The Bucs are 5-1 and missing a lot if talent. I swear half the people that post on here arent even Buc fans.

  24. Roscoe Says:

    I think Grizz is better than both Coen and Canales. Please Glazer family, don’t let him get away.

  25. HC Grover Says:

    Get 30 plus we wein

  26. AstralTurf Says:

    Joe needs to run a poll on who is rooting for the bucs amd who is rooting against (because Bowles is coach).
    50/50 wouldn’t surprise me.

    I say that as a former anti-Gruden guy because I completely rebelled against his plans for Mike Alstott (among other things)

  27. Durango 95 Says:

    Defense played pretty darn well. Big plays are really key for them, right now. If and when they hit it consistently, not only will that be a first for Bowles, it would signal that the Bucs are the real deal.

    That would be next level.

  28. Aqualung Says:

    The D choked them out hard in the 4th Q. That’s nothing to complain about. (Maybe Vita running into the Pinter. WTF is he in there on a punt?)

    Mac Jones is a dude. I watched him come back a week ago Thursday and said a bad word when I heard it was him and not Purdy. But Todd called a great game when it mattered the most. Yes he did. 6 sacks. Way to go Bucs.

  29. ‘74 Bucs Fan Says:

    Agree about being impressed with Grizz! Baker is MVP so far, and yeah I hope the Bills dirt nap ATL.

  30. Oxycondomns Says:

    my only issue with bucs is first half defense . you play a team like the rams in playoffs like when we had brady and by the time bowles makes adjustments the game is over . difference from
    then may be baker and grizzard and emeka and bucky being able to keep up from the get go and not fall behind so drastically until defense figures it out.

  31. Bartow Buc Says:

    Those dog gone 49ers are just hard to beat !! But our Buccaneers beat them tonight!! Wow did you see Cameron Johnson and Tez Johnson flash today ?? And so many other offensive weapons!! It’s like Joe says we are just a great team with tons of depth !! Can’t fail to mention our fighting quarterback Baker Mayfield picking up the first down on 3rd and 17 I believe ?? Or was it another fourth down run for a first down?? And Rashad White played one heck of a game !!
    We gotta forgive Vita for that running into the kicker and McLaughlin for missing that FG !!
    Bucs Win Bucs Win !! Let’s beat the Lions !!

  32. BigZ Says:

    PSLBob is correct.

    We only get pressure when we blitz.

    Great pass rushes get pressure with 3 or 4. Imagine our D getting home with 3 or 4.

    Our D gives up huge chunk plays and I bet our 3rd D stats are not good. I guarantee you our D coaches are not happy with the pass D.

    It’s the NFL, most games are a 1 possession game. We won 4 games in the last minute. It could have been the other way.

    Stoked we won, but still have room for improvement.

  33. B Says:

    The observation or criticism is that the defense gives up too many pass yards. The Bucs are ranked 20th in the league coming into the game. Now you can fairly respond that number is inflated because the run defense is so good teams throw more on us than the average team- but you cannot call it “idiocy” to expect better from a renowned defensive coach. Personally, if the plan is “hold them to field goals” while Baker puts up a td every quarter I am fine with it.

  34. #99 the big fella Says:

    Pretty sure aqua turd said we were going to get blown out by San Fran
    He will be back to bashing Todd soon.

  35. Durango 95 Says:

    HC Grover Says:
    October 12th, 2025 at 8:06 pm

    Get 30 plus we wein

    Wait a minute! what?

    Are you are being serious with this.

    Sarcasm, right?

    There were like only three teams that averaged 30 points or more last season.

  36. #1bucsfan Says:

    For yall crying about the defense 6 sacks 2ints 1 fumble should have bin 2 and got the dub. Winning. Quit crying.

  37. LakelandSteve Says:

    I watched the Panther game and their offense can definitely run the ball.

  38. Durango 95 Says:

    Aqualung Says:
    October 12th, 2025 at 8:12 pm

    “..Todd called a great game when it mattered the most. Yes he did. 6 sacks. Way to go Bucs…”
    ——
    Sorry my brother. That is just not enough! Unless and until you start spilling blood the Bowles apologists will not be satisfied..Critical thinking and frontal lobe development is frowned upon with those cats.

    Lol.

  39. 813bucboi Says:

    Bowles coach of the year

    Baker MVP

    5-1

    GO BUCS

  40. stpetebucsfan Says:

    Wow I only thought there was one truly stupid play and it’s the same play Aqualung brought up. I guess the clock strikes 12 at least a couple of times a day.

    “Maybe Vita running into the Pinter. WTF is he in there on a punt?)”

    Amen A.L. First what was he doing playing special teams late in a game where he could be resting on the bench?

    Secondly and maybe most importantly why was Vita and the special teams totally unaware of the game situation? There was no NEED to block that punt with an 8 point lead. Just regain possession. Why was ANY player, much less Vita selling out for a block? It wasn’t needed at that point!!!

  41. Jeff and Jack's grandpa Says:

    Show me a team that ever got consistent pressure with just 3 haha

  42. Aqualung Says:

    Durango – spot on analysis. It’s particularly the trailer dwelling 3Tards who pretend to have some moral platform to condemn warranted criticism.

    What we saw today was a statement win with all 3 phases contributing. The special teams did ok other than Vita being in for the punt where he ran into the dude. Offense was incredible down top 4 WRs and another OL off the grid.

    The praise especially goes to the D for the fourth quarter choke out .

    Do that and Aqualung has nothing to complain about. 3Tards with semi-functional brain stems can go back to their trailers and rage about how factual analysis of performance is actually hate…..which is in fact what they do to anyone whose opinion they don’t like. Fat dumb and hypocritical while living in a trailer is no way to go through life, son.

  43. GoneGator Says:

    Go back and read your own posts for the last 2 years, little girls, and tell me you haven’t been bigoted trolls. 90+ % of everything you’ve posted.

    What we’re seeing with this team is the exact opposite of what you two yoyos have been predicting would happen, over and over. Bet your a$$ we are going to rub it in.

    And now your little feelings are getting hurt or you is getting “angwy” …ahhh 🙂

 

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