Bucs Should Be “Appointment Viewing”
October 7th, 2025
Brings fun to football.
The last time there was a TV series (not sports) where Joe had to be home at a certain time on a certain night and parked on his leather couch five minutes before the show started was when FOX aired “24.”
Like how the baseball stat geeks took a piece of Joe’s life away, so too did FOX when they deemed “24” too expensive to produce.
Nothing has replaced 24 on TV. Nothing. And aside from sports, Joe rarely watches broadcast TV any longer.
But Nick Shook of NFL.com said there is such a thing as appointment viewing on broadcast TV. And on YouTubeTV. And streaming. That would be the Bucs.
The Bucs were already a fun team as Baker Mayfield found ways each week to pull victory out of the teeth of defeat. But Sunday in Seattle, Mayfield and Lavonte David and the Bucs put on a show that captivated those fortunate enough to watch.
Shook said as a result, NFL fans have to clear their schedules when the Bucs are on TV.
Buccaneers games should be appointment viewing for football fans going forward. They’re thrilling, the Bucs play football at a high level and they’re firmly in the race for the NFC crown. Sunday only strengthened this summary.
Sunday was riveting for several reasons. Mayfield balled out. Emeka Egbuka balled out. San Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba went toe to toe with Mayfield and Egbuka. There was even a car wreck element to the game as both defenses bent over possession after possession.
Joe even typed on Twitter in the fourth quarter the game was like a Big XII game between Mike Leach and Lincoln Riley.
Not only are the Bucs winning, they are entertaining as hell.
(Joe cannot tell you how many Seahawks fans and neutral NFL fans Joe came across traveling to and from and working in Seattle the past couple of days. Virtually all of them said something similar to the following: I love watching Baker Mayfield.
Even when Mayfield isn’t on the field, he provides some fun.
October 7th, 2025 at 4:15 am
Not gonna lie
After last weeks win it’s looking like our year. I would be ok with Godwin sitting out, missing some time just so he’s in prime condition come playoff time.
No need to overuse him right now, baker and these receivers playing out of their minds. I was even impressed with Tez Johnson
We might be headed towards a playoff Bye
Teams in the nfc to look out for —> Rams , Commanders , Eagles
All of those teams create some interesting threats for us moving forward
It’s a Bucs Life, Baker MVP 2025 this our year
October 7th, 2025 at 6:08 am
Just had this same discussion prior to Sunday’s game with my brother who lives out West Joe. He’s a 49ers fan, but LOVES watching Baker Mayfield play. Doesn’t miss a Bucs game, solely because of Baker. Something magical going on.
October 7th, 2025 at 6:17 am
Last night on MNF halftime, Berman called the Bucs “the most exciting team in the NFL”
October 7th, 2025 at 6:34 am
Baker is a dog and I love it, players love it, fans love it. He’s in your face, accountable, and puts it all on the line each play.
The way he’s taken his game to another level the last couple of years has been incredible and I am ready for the Glazers to give him the bag.
He is very fun to watch and to see the belief and edge he leads the team with is wonderful.
Go Bucs!
October 7th, 2025 at 6:36 am
So…who is going to light up our defense on Sunday, Mac Jones or Brock Purdy?
October 7th, 2025 at 6:45 am
Grizzard, Mayfield and Egbuka all look ready for a serious championship run. The defense and special teams sadly do not. Can’t rush the passer, cover screens or any passes underneath. Can’t tackle anyone with the football at initial contact. Can’t reliably block for kickers. Can’t cover kicks without giving up the booty.
This team is 4-1 despite only one out of three phases of the team working competently. If offense has a bad day this team has no chance.
October 7th, 2025 at 6:54 am
Scotty … ‘So…who is going to light up our defense on Sunday, Mac Jones or Brock Purdy?’
Fair question Scotty, but no one can answer that until we know who’s gonna be playing. Will Dean & Morrison & Izien make it back? Or do we get to see more of what we saw Sunday (looks like Parrish played outside a lot, and we used Nickel CB quite a bit less than we normally do).
Tend to think missing Dean & Morrison resulted in a LOT of modifications to how our defense operated. Not a clue what changed between the 1st half & the 2nd half, but SOMETHING obviously did.
October 7th, 2025 at 7:00 am
Everyone loves a good underdog story! Mayfield may be short in stature, but is large in personality, grit & talent. Even fans from other teams appreciate him.
October 7th, 2025 at 7:12 am
Baker leads the way, but kudos to the OLine for getting better each week.
If only our defense had that same kind of grit…..
October 7th, 2025 at 7:47 am
Agree with you Joe … “24” is my favorite show too!!
Baker Mayfield = Jack Bauer!!
October 7th, 2025 at 7:47 am
Absolutely right, most exciting team going. You can bet that this Sunday’s game will be well-watched.
Scotty in Fat Antonio – Good question. Look out for Mac, he has been doing well since Purdy was injured. Certainly the Bucs will be ready for either one.
October 7th, 2025 at 7:56 am
Jarrett, you gotta add Lions to your list too.
I am not yet seeing us getting a bye. I went and looked into it…the average # of losses over the last 10 years that the #1 NFC seed had was 1.8 losses. Also, never more than 3 losses.
That means, out of these games, we can only take realistically take 1 more: Patriots, Bills, Rams, Lions, 49ers.
Possible….but that’s tough sledding. As I typed this out, it dawned on me, because the Eagles have the H2H tiebreaker, if we are talking Bucs getting the 1 seed, I would say reasonably we can’t take another loss.
by the way….this is in no way being negative….I dont think not getting the 1 seed diminishes our chances to get another Lombardi AT ALL….in fact, chasing it vs resting our guys for the playoffs is foolish imo, i would MUCH rather have everyone fresh
October 7th, 2025 at 8:04 am
Also, one other interesting nugget: out of those 10 years, the NFC #1 seed has reached the Super Bowl only 20% of the time (2017,2022) and won it just once. Kinda surprising, you think the bye would give a substantial advantage in the aggregate, but goes to show, the team that is firing on all cylinders, a la our 2020 Buccaneers
October 7th, 2025 at 8:04 am
is typically the profile of the team who wins it
October 7th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Edward Says:
“Last night on MNF halftime, Berman called the Bucs “the most exciting team in the NFL.”
Well, that’s good news.
Maybe the NFL will give us a bump and ref calls will go our way more.
But…exciting equals stressful for fans, lol.
October 7th, 2025 at 8:20 am
I would LOVE to beat the Eagles in the championship game. That would be a great revenge game.
October 7th, 2025 at 8:26 am
Agreed. There have been fantastic shows since 24, but not on broadcast TV. I think 24 was the last show I consistently watched on broadcast TV outside of sports.
The Bucs are must-see TV. I’m having so much fun being a Bucs fan. 2009-2019 was the Lost Decade. What do you call this decade?
October 7th, 2025 at 8:51 am
i can’t believe some of you guys like 24 so much. gimmick worked for like, less than a season. it would be FX’s or HBO’s worst show ever.
October 7th, 2025 at 8:51 am
24 was a high water mark for broadcast TV. But I can’t resist one quibble about it: how the hell did Jack fly from another country back home in less than an hour? Or always be able to drive incredible distances within the hour? Beam me up, Scotty.
October 7th, 2025 at 9:39 am
It’s crazy how Baker has become “ America’s Quarerback”. Unfortunately he doesn”t have a defense to help him take him deep in the playoffs. Ucs need to trade gor a pass rusher or 2.
October 7th, 2025 at 10:03 am
Bucs definitely need a pass rusher. The bucs have not drafted a good pass rusher since… warren sapp. There have been alot of good dline coaches coming thru tampa during that time, so you can blame coaching all you want, its just not true. Jpp, simeon, shaq… all trades or free agent. Licht cant draft a defensive end so you better trade with cincy or something
October 7th, 2025 at 10:15 am
I’ve gotten the same thing from every fan of the visiting team this year. Everyone loves Baker. What’s there not too love!!!! If we are to feel we have made progress we have to beat the 49’s this week. This is Bowles game to prove he can out coach a great coach. Both teams have injuries so we can’t take them lightly . Hopefully a win and the rest of the division takes a step back we should be in the drivers seat even if we lose to Lions and Bills . Rest of the schedule looks very winnable .
October 7th, 2025 at 10:21 am
Forgot to show the end of that fun with Seahawks fans when baker found the guy at the end of the game😅 That’s the type of chip here has on his shoulder.
October 7th, 2025 at 11:57 am
I’m hearing the same thing: a fan of da Bears is watching the Bucs now cos of Feisty Bake. He sure acts/plays like he’s on a mission. The team has caught it. The last broadcast show I was a fan of was “The X-Files.” I’ve never been much of a vidiot. Hope Bucs prevail against the 49ers. They are really going to have prep for the zebs. 49ers are long-time NFL darlings.
October 7th, 2025 at 1:54 pm
I agree, Baker is a DAWG and I love it too. No fear balls out hair back ready for a fight. What a leader Jason Licht found to replace Brady. He is the reason players are ready to roll when the ish hits the fan. Props to our coach and front office for getting this guy on our team and making him feel the love
October 7th, 2025 at 3:13 pm
Baker is the man! If you are a Bucs fan and haven’t taken a moment to drink it all yet, to feel a tremendous amount of gratitude for this team, for JL, for going from Tom freaking Brady to now the most electrifying QB in the league, you should because this has been the best 6 year run of Bucs fandom.
49ers have an easy schedule so beating them Sunday would be huge.
Lions lost a CB Terrion Arnold for the year and DJ Reed should still be on IR when Bucs head there in couple weeks. That’s a weak secondary all of a sudden to exploit. If Evans and Goedeke are healthy for that one, Bucs have a good shot.
Bucs are getting pumped up in the media now. I hope they keep an even keel and don’t look past anyone. Seems like a special team that won’t or shouldn’t do that but everyone is human over there.
October 7th, 2025 at 4:04 pm
i think that’s part of why baker is like a legend here in ok. he’s always been so fun to watch, and his love of the game comes through in everything he does. that last season with the browns and his time with the panthers was hard to see bc he just didn’t play with that same joy for football. so glad he got that back at the rams and with the bucs.
some of my favorite videos are of him running down the field behind a running back or receiver, screaming and waving his arms around bc he’s so excited. lol there are videos of him running faster than chubb.
i like players with personality, who are just happy to be playing. that’s why i think he will take a little less money in order to keep the team together and stay there where he loves it and is having fun again.
October 7th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
seahawks are top 10 in every offensive stat and top 5 in a few of them. And this was their average yards per play.
I bring that up because if they were ranked low, folks on the board would be telling us. If we won, they would point out how putrid the seahawks offense is. If we lost, they point out how sub-putrid the bucs are.
October 7th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
Agreed Joe. Watching the Bucs these last 5 weeks has bin pure entertainment. They have us sitting on the edge of our seats screaming and hollering.