Defense Now A Major Issue
November 16th, 2025
What happened, Lavonte?
There is no way in hell the Bucs win a playoff game the way they played defense today. No way in hell.
If you told Joe before today’s game that if the Bucs would lose, it would be because the Bucs were still unhealthy on offense, that this Bucs team (as of Nov. 16) is good enough to beat bad teams but not good enough to beat good teams.
And that sort of held true today after the Bucs lost to Buffalo 44-32. But now the Bucs are struggling not because of offense, but because the defense is turrible!
The Bills scored the most points of any game this season with 44 points. And that’s still after the Bucs had three takeaways. Three takeaways and the Bucs still coughed up 44 points.
In fact, the way the Bucs played defense, Joe doesn’t know if the Bucs can win the NFC South. How can you win four more games (the Bucs are currently 6-4) when you play ole’ defense like they did today? It was shameful!
Zero edge rush — what’s new? — and Buffalo’s second-rate receivers were wide open like deer in an Illinois cornfield.
Joe is expecting Bills receivers to have a craving for corn on the cob tonight.
Baker Mayfield apparently unloaded on the Bucs last week for not paying attention to details. Good thing the defense took that to heart today.
Right now, on Nov. 16, the problem with the Bucs isn’t injuries to the offense. It’s the defense looking like Mike Smith found a hole in the fence near the Glazer Shed.
Good grief!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
Just listened to balls pressor. He’s full of $hit.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:32 pm
Bad offense
……Todd….your defense sucks azz!!!…..also
Bad Offensive Coordinator
Bad Playcalling
ZERO Offensive playmakers except for Baker
ZERO HOPES!!!!!
…..Bucs are now playing hoping to even make the playoffs now!!!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
it was a major issue when they miscommunicated on cooper kupp
November 16th, 2025 at 4:33 pm
like i said, this defense is flakey.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Our D has been bad for many years now – today is just a repeat of what has happened many, many times before
Todd is a joke
November 16th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
This scheme if you can call it that is not resonating with the players. Plus Licht refuses to spend resources in the off-season to get an impact pass rusher.
Bowles got a extention too so buckle up, he’ll be here for a while. Oh and fire everyone associated with special teams.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
Bucs lost Dean, Bowles does what he always does, went to his super soft zone defense crap – and we saw the results.
No, it wasn’t 100% zone, but it was like 80% zone, and that comes after weeks of being aggressive and seeing a dramatic improvement of the defense. But every time they got to primarily being a passive zone defense, this is the results. Every time.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
They should probably drop vea into coverage more often that will probably get more pass rush and better coveage at the same time.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Defense definitely isn’t a major issue because we don’t have one
November 16th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
Defense was paper thin at full strength with no injuries or wear and tear.
Very few alpha males out there.
Very average dudes
November 16th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
The Panthers and Falcons have very strong running games. This defense can’t stop them.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
At least the Panthers won over the Falcons, so that’s good.
Oh wait.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:35 pm
…and Carolina is now a half game back 😂
November 16th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
I’ve said it once, I’ve said it twice, I’ll say it again. Todd Bowles will never lead a team to the SB as a head coach.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
“In fact, the way the Bucs played defense today, Joe doesn’t know if the Bucs can win the NFC South.”
Wow, Joe, lol.
You are a bit emotional after this one 😉
We played a top team today…and it was a great game. But just like last week, we lost.
I am not at all worried about the division (unless Baker goes down).
I am ticked at bowles after that final play though.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
All preseason, they said Diaby and SirVocea and Braswell were going to be superstars.
Lies.
Lavonte David is played by like he is 25.
Lie.
Guess what? Next year, no one is going to believe it.
If Licht does not get rid of David and SirVocea and Diaby, then it will be more of the same.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
The Defense was beyond bad
…..but how about an offense always getting in the red zone and cannot score any TDs????
Our offense is so bad….that the Bucs have ZERO TDs from their tight ends…..ZERO!!!….that’s just simply inexcusable!!!!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Panthers going to whoop their a**es and win the division.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:36 pm
Carolina wins and now has a little mo going into the last half of the season
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Half game lead for the Bucs now. Its worry time for Tampa Bay
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Let’s ask ourselves a simple question:
Why would any NFL franchise in this era have a defensive HC in his 60’s if the defense and special teams isn’t sound?
We discussed this in the offseason when some of us suggested that we should give Liam the job. It’s better to have a young offensive play caller than what we have.
I ask Joe and the rest of the local media to put some pressure on ownership because I get the feeling that winning the division with 10 wins is just fine with the glazers.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Stafford’s going to have a career day next week when he plays us
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
We’ll go on a 6 game winning streak after the rams. Hopefully we’ll beat the rams somehow. Just one win out of these 3 games would be awesome.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Overrated “talent” on this team.
Barely could even take advantage of a terrible division for five straight years
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Panthers just won. They’ll win the division. Enough of Bowles and his sh%t defense, horrendous special teams and rookie OC. This team is horrible on defense and special teams. Hopefully, they’ll lose out and give the glazers an excuse to clean house. This is not a playoff team!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
Tucker Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 4:34 pm
They should probably drop vea into coverage more often that will probably get more pass rush and better coveage at the same time.
———-
It’s a great idea. If offenses see Vita, Yaya and Nelson all sitting back 40 yards down the field, they will be confused and baffled, their heads will literally explode and we’ll win by default. Hope Todd goes that route on prime time next week so the nation and finally see his brilliance. Don’t get upset if it doesn’t work the first few dozen times they run it, the build up of fluids in the brain, for it to explode, can take a while – but it will happen, trust me.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Im sure we’ll extend Bowles again after the season or earlier. Might be too risky to wait until the season ends. Im sure he’ll be a hot commodity.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
He was a D E I hire and needs to go away. Why do we have edge guys down field covering receivers. Did we have a sack today. Play calling us terrible have the ball on the 4 yard line in an int and had to settle for a FG.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Panthers are rolling. Only half-game back.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Go ahead and pencil in the L for next week. 6-5 with 6 to go. MUST win the 4 remaining division games. That will win the division and thats probably our ceiling. Ain’t beating anybody in the post season with this defense. And 1 and done will be time to blow it up. Certainly will be if we miss the playoffs. Starting to wonder if the defense is tuning out Bowles? They do seem lost on that side of the ball.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Diaby and Braswell have the same “move.” It’s run right into the lineman, get swallowed up, and then get ready for the next play. No pressure. No sacks. No chance.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Bucs defense mirror their leader…. bottom of the barrel!…
November 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
I don’t believe Liam wanted to take the Bucs HC job.
On the bright side, we may see Canalas return in the off season.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Bowl = Bunghole
November 16th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
The Panthers are on the verge of leading the NFC South now…..now let that sink in for a minute!
There is now something mentally wrong with this team…….you watch them and you don’t see any fight or enthusiasm…..they’re playing scared to not lose games now…..and it shows!!!!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Playoffs pfff
November 16th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
We’ll go on a 6 game winning streak after the rams. Hopefully we’ll beat the rams somehow. Just one win out of these 3 games would be awesome.
——–
I think it’s more like 5-1, I don’t see any way the Bucs beat the Panthers twice, but I’d like to be wrong.
But I always had them 6-5. Big thing is just making the playoffs, if they do so, if they get back Bucky, Godwin and Evans, maybe Kancey, and if Baker gets hot, they will have a chance to do some damage. Just have to actually get that far though.
But for all the whining and crying of people, the Bucs were always going to lose these 3 games. Now I just hope they at least look competent vs the Rams and it’s not another awful terrible prime time performance like Bowles is known for.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Man, does our DEFENSE smell and suck. That was an embarrassing display of defense for a Pro Football team. And I don’t know why the special teams coordinator was not fired yesterday.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
What’s the over/under on JL defending Blows and giving him another year if we somehow lose the NFCS and miss the playoffs?? I can honestly see owners/GM chalking it up to injuries and not terrible coaching.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Wrong defensive coordinator having his players play soft. You can’t compete against better teams with this coaching staff. Games like this one will do wonders for future opponents. Party is over.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:41 pm
Glazers if you care fire the GM and Headcoach.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Panthers play its x2, rams, Seahawks, 49ers.
Chilll
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Don’t look now but the Bucs are playing the LA Rams next week in LA…
LOL.
6-5 here we come.
Doom loop of mediocrity…
Get rid of the overpaid old injured farts and build a real roster.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
dang son that defense is garbagio. Should have just let Josh Allen score 10 tds while we were at it.
Baker puts up 32 with borderline 2nd team skill players and sean tucker has himself a day but we don’t win.
Can’t complete a simple drag or slant, meanwhile there’s no one within 15 yards on some of these throws from Allen with the game on the line.
Just pathetic.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
This is on JL. He hires the coach, drafts the edge and miniature DBs, he dumps money on broken and unproven goods, he values nice guys ove glass eaters, he falls in love with his picks, and is not proactive to insist on changes to get over the hump. JL is only as good as the coach who falls tell JL to give him (BA) the job.
This D has been shot for yrs and JL tells us Braswell will shock the world. He needs a reality check and demand TB hires a DC immediately
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
All this coach knows how to do is squander good teams, year after year. The defensive GURU.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
Where are all those people that wanted to cut Dean? Pass defense got torched once he left the game.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:42 pm
They are not winning the division
November 16th, 2025 at 4:43 pm
Let’s not trade any of our pics to fix our team and then have an undrafted rookie score three touchdowns. Great management
November 16th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Zero sacks
One QB hit.
Soft.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Did Bowles really drop his D Line back to cover the pass?
November 16th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Bowles’ defense is so stupid. You can’t cover the pass using edge rushers. Duh.
The Bills saw it clear as day and took him apart.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Remember this next week before that TB confidence poll gets rolled out.
It should be unanimously Zero confidence now.
Just imagine how many points the Rams will put up next Sunday???
They have great receivers and a SB champion QB.
Allen is only good until the Conference title game.
Something we will never see with TB zero as HC.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
Bowles needs to be fired.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:46 pm
The game started with Bucs getting pressure then nothing for next 3 quarters
November 16th, 2025 at 4:47 pm
Defense has been a major issue for the last 2.5 years. Sick of the people posting here pretending that this defense is even more than adequate. It is flat out bad. Not sure why TB was given a contract extension at the end of last season?
November 16th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
It’s time to get rid of Toad. It’s the same thing year after year. And THIS year, we may not even win this sorry division. The kick in the nuts play was not going on 4th and 2 late in the 4th quarter and the Bills drove it 85 yards through our non-existent defense.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:49 pm
I knew it was over when Bowles opted to punt on 4th and 2. We had to go for it there. Totally delusional thinking the defense could get a stop. We’re as far as Bowles can take us.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
You are just now noticing the defense is a major issue? LMAO. Where have you been the past 4 years?
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Schiano probably out there somewhere in his tv recliner with a huge gap toothed grin on his face right now
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
Joe, Joe, Joe… come on… it’s not NOW! It has always been… but we have been distracted looking at A. Brown leaving in the middle of a game, B Leftwitch ineptitude and Braddy’s divorce, a “rebuilding team”, whatever we told ourselves last year (how could we waste such an amazing offense?!?), injuries on offence and a OC that is still a rookie himself… all this and the old “yeah but they bend, do not break, only if the offense did their job and consistently put in 50 points” BS has been cover for the distracted that don’t see beyond the “exotic defense” eye candy for the masses….
November 16th, 2025 at 4:50 pm
The problem with the defense isn’t the edge rush, its the linebacker play over the middle. Too old and too slow to cover players side to side. We get killed in crossing routes and by running backs in the flat. Diaby actually brings decent pressure, but that does nothing when you have a quarterback who can buy time and hit crossing routes. Happened last week, and happened this week. Film dont lie… LVD and SVD are the problem
November 16th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Anyone see the killer instinct from any Bucs defensive player? I saw maybe two in sixty minutes. Parrish interception. The fumble on the punt return. Everything was questionable. No rush, soft zone, poor tackling, non existent special teams. This team has no shame, they have Todd excuses.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:51 pm
Sorry but I hope we don’t win the division. Only way we have a chance to get rid of Both Bowles and his defense. Along with his ST Coach that he refuses to fire.
2 weeks in a row. Long runs and passes for TD’s.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Going into this week we would face the lambs or Seahawks at home.
I get that we beat the hawks on the road, but given what you’ve watched the last 4 weeks and Bowles decision making last January and the last few games, do you honestly think we’d win that game even with Bucky, Evans, Godwin and Kancey?
I think possibly Darnold might collapse on the road under pressure but otherwise I think we lose.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
Joe, can you please attach Mike Smiths face on one of your upcoming articles. Because this D reminded me of that one. Also, I don’t see how our ST coach has a job, the coverage return teams looked lost.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
Defense was great vs the Lions, great vs the Saints, and yes, they were great vs the Patriots.
The came out in this game, got a TO right off the bat.
Then, Dean gets hurt, Bowles does what he always does, goes into a shell, says we can’t play aggressive man with 100% healthy players at corner, and instead mostly plays his awful super soft zone defense the rest of the game – and if you didn’t know this would be the results of playing that super soft zone crap, you’re a dolt.
Sure, the Bucs did play a little bit more man than usual – but make no mistake, this was all on Bowles’ zone defense.
November 16th, 2025 at 4:54 pm
Cant imagine a special teams and defensive unit worse than these stupid idiots
November 16th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Grade Your Confidence In Todd Bowles (Poll Closed)
Confident
42.01% (318 votes)
Little Confidence
25.63% (194 votes)
Very Confident
15.72% (119 votes)
Totally Confident
10.17% (77 votes)
No Confidence
6.47% (49 votes)
You people are LOSERS!!!!!!
November 16th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
Time to discuss head coaches that can fix this team
November 16th, 2025 at 4:57 pm
I’ve never seen a defense that stands around watching like this one does.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
Fire Bowles.
Should have kicked him upstairs with “promotion” and kept Coen.
The defense is abysmal and the offense isn’t much better.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Time for the big question article. Is Bowles on the hotseat. He damn sure should be.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
I dont understand the venom for Licht.
No one knows what influence Bowles had on drafting the defensive players – i would day alot.
A GM tries to give his HC the players he wants unless there’s a crying need elsewhere.
All in all, you cant argue with what Licht had done overall.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Jason Licht sucks!!!!!
November 16th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Damn joes, y’all put your heads together, with ira and just figured this out? Been said long time toilet bowels equals lovie dovie!
November 16th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
Let’s be real, if this team was pumping out high quality defenses Bowles would be hiring new coaches every year. The fact is that has not happened because he and his staff are not that good. If Dave Canales and the Kitties beat this team and take control of the NFC South, there needs to be a reckoning. Can’t have your former OC who left after one season and inherited a dumpster fire of a Carolina team beat you.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
@Davenport
Unfortunately most dont know what a GM’s job is or they are just Super Todd fan boys looking to place the blame somewhere else.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Winfield get the big payday and turns to crap. Big surprise.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:07 pm
Defense is not the issue…3 turnovers? And nothing..special teams and offense lost this one. Josh grizzard needs some growing room…need our guys back
November 16th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Hey, at least our O-line today opened up enough holes to provide over 200 yards rushing. That’s impressive.
Now if we could fix the passing game, the defense, the special ed teams, AND the DC, we’d be cooking!!!
Hey, it could happen.
Imagine if we play great against the Rams and actually win…
*SNAPS BACK TO REALITY*
This game sucked.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:10 pm
Benjamin morrison is a**
November 16th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
“Davenport Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
I dont understand the venom for Licht.
No one knows what influence Bowles had on drafting the defensive players – i would day alot.
A GM tries to give his HC the players he wants unless there’s a crying need elsewhere.
All in all, you cant argue with what Licht had done overall.”
Who’s idiotic decision was it to sit on their hands at the deadline? But hey, they have picks so Jason can draft the next Trask/Braswell/JTS/Dennis/Morrison.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:12 pm
Can you please ask Todd in the presser if it is intentional that his DBs routinely leave WRs 10 yards open? Is that the why he designs this zone scheme?
November 16th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
If this team ends one and done again (or worse, out of the playoffs) after starting 6-2, the entire front office from HC to GM deserves to be launched.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
“ But hey, they have picks so Jason can draft the next Trask/Braswell/JTS/Dennis/Morrison.”
Yep. Licht’s drafting prowess is overrated. Even his “hits” aren’t homeruns; they’re singles and doubles. He hasn’t drafted a single Pro-Bowler in 5 years.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:19 pm
Defense lost this game no doubt. Straight trash. Also why the hell you keep going for 2 pts when it wasn’t necessary , the dam kick offs 5x to give them great field advantage WTF 5xs kick it in the dam endzone. The 3 and 2 what was that. They needed to go for it on 4th. Can’t put your defense out there with 7 min left when they can’t stop a nose bleed yet Bowles still did. Bowles deff lost us this game
November 16th, 2025 at 5:20 pm
4th and 2 at what, our 35 or 40? Can’t remember exactly.
You don’t get it and they get the ball up 5 and can basically put the game away.
That’s exactly what happened anyway after the punt. Sure a turnover can happen like with the punt earlier….but you’re banking on a turnover.
What on earth told Todd that he would get a stop and then all back?
To answer my own question: he’s a 60 something year old defensive head coach. That’s what.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:22 pm
@Davenport
Agree…I think JL is a good GM. He didn’t expect BA to retire at the last minute like he did. They had to pivot quickly, and BA influenced everyone in the building to make the “safe” hire in Bowles. Bowles has been what we all expected and was demonstrated when he was the HC for NYJ. Bowles just benefited with a BA team and a bad NFC South the last few years and it’s caught up to him now.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
What did Licht do before BA? I agree GM’s try to get players coach wants, but GM also hires the coach, could demand hiring a DC, could emphasize the importance of a strong DL/edge (just like BA did with Bowles to insert Suh & JPP into his weak defensive scheme)), can be an aggressive FA player, can assess the health of his team at the trade deadline and pick up critical pieces…. he has the power!!
Instead JL let’s his HC run the team, he has a maliable vision, and succumbs to the HC’s vision. Yes, JL won a SB when his HC sold him on getting the GOAT during a weird season. Also, I strongly believe BAwanted to cement his legacy in coaching and looked for his best opportunity to yield his will on a GM. Then reached out to JL, telling how he was the QB whisperer and could fix Jameis. JL said, ok. BA quickly realized Jameis’s limitation and forced the Brady issue. Otherwise, JL would have sat pat with his homer pick until the end. Where’s the GM brilliance in that. Sure the blind squirrel hit on some OL, but let’s not overlook the fails and mounting fails (see our highly paid safety and CB…)
November 16th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
It’s time to let go of the Defensive genius 🤡 Toilet Bowles. What a clown.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:28 pm
We could have gottenLiam Cohen and aend biwles to the jaguars
November 16th, 2025 at 5:34 pm
Hard game to watch. I suspect next week will be even worse.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:36 pm
@Jack Sparrow, that would have taken a GM with a strong vision for the future. Someone confident in their decisions and able to acknowledge the limitations of the current regime. Say what you will about McKay/daddy Glazers, but they had the b@lls to turn the page on Dungy and stand by their decision. I feel like JL is always 2nd guessing himself.
Great capologist, good drafter….but the lack of a killer instinct starts with him
November 16th, 2025 at 5:41 pm
now? its been an issue for sometime. I don’t know where everyone think Bowles is this defensive guru. I looked up his defenses and he has never had a defense rated higher then 5 and that was when he was with the jets and that was for 1 year. either hire a defensive coordinator of replace him next year.
November 16th, 2025 at 5:59 pm
Joe likes to rave about Jason Licht, but he can’t draft defense worth a damn. Last great pick was Vita. JTS, bust. Hall, rotational player. Cancey, bust. Dennis, 5th rd’r, not a starter. McCollum, not a starter. LVD, long past his prime. YaYa, not a starter. AWJ, made his nut, way under performs. Two promising guys – Tykee and Parrish.
Vita can be a difference maker. He’s the only one.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:03 pm
The problem is Bowles. He is arrogant and stubborn. Zero accountability.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
On two of the long touchdown drives, 1 had Diaby in cover on the outside and the other had Nelson, again on the outside, both attempting to cover a deep threat. What are you thinking Todd? It’s crap like this makes me question him as a HC. You want to have your edge guys drop in cover? Fine, but do it so the cover the flat, not the damn deep threat
November 16th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
And who would Bowles be accountable to?? So the fact that you say TB has no accountability indicates that JL is not doing his job. Bowles’s defense is the problem, but he clearly will not change, so WHO should make him change or else?
November 16th, 2025 at 6:12 pm
I don’t need to keep vomiting over how garbage Bowles is & has been since day1 as HC, we all know it. If not for hiring BA, Licht’s legacy wouldn’t be much better than Mark Dominik’s. If Licht continues to let this display of coaching slide into next year then he should be ashamed. Even now that he’s drafting good these last 4-5 years, it’s going to waste with this clown on the sideline & in the pressers leading the team. I’ve seen every which way that Bowles can manage to coach his team out of a win.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
I saw alot of Morrison today. And Braswell. I’m thinking that’s not good.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Ownership needs can the Wooden Indian.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Bucs scored enough points to win just about any game. Baker looked like Baker to me. THAT gives us a chance in any game.
The Bucs’ defense did well stopping MOST runs, but they were beyond horrible against the pass (Allen’s passing numbers were just mediocre … 19-of-30 … because he threw bad passes all afternoon, not because we defended them well. Worst of all though, our defense STILL doesn’t know how to ‘rise to the occasion’ and make the tough stops.
Losing Dean was a catastrophe. Morrison isn’t even close to being ready for prime time; saw him trailing play after play. And McCollum doesn’t excite me either; why Bowles is making Bryce Hall stay on the Practice Squad blows my mind.
Bucs Special Teams finds new ways every week to disappoint. As I relook at the score book, I see kickoff returns for 61, 29, 44, 44 & 15 yards. Based on where we were kicking it, most were giving the Bills the ball at or past midfield. Bills went on to score 3 TD & 1 FG after those returns.
Bucs could’ve won today’s game, just like we could’ve won the Patriots game. COULDA WOULDA SHOULDA … we didn’t. I’m convinced now that we have too many ‘weak links’ dragging us down. With Carolina whooping Atlanta today, I’m not even sure any longer that we’ll win the NFC South.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Defense is not now a major issue. It has been the last few years.
We see the same issues over and over again. Like Joe wrote.
Zero 4man pass rush
Receivers wide open making uncontested catches like 80% of the time.
That is not new, we have watch it happen many times.
And nothing changes.
This soft, bend but dont brake Defense breaks more times than not.
Boom or bust. If the Defense dont create takeaways its game over.
The new thing is that now even if they create takeaways we still lose.
3 takeaways and still gave up 44. That is rare. That is new.
The real issue is that nothing changes. The problem according to the coaches is the missed tackles and the miss assignements. The gameplan, the Defensive approach and tactics are all really good. They dont see nothing wrong there.
So nothing changes.
Its not new. Its same old same old.
Go Bucs
November 16th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
Need to take the defense from Bowles. Hire another D coordinator. We got 3 TO and still lost! Good teams don’t lose when the to battle is won.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
Jason Licht needs to ask for help drafting defensive players. Todd Bowles needs to retire.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
A few weeks ago, I said the Bucs would need to win one of the Pats, Bills, or Rams games if they were serious about being able to do more than just make the playoffs. 0 for 2, and I definitely do not think the Rams are the easiest game of this stretch.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Toilet bowl is the issue!
November 16th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Ppl keep saying “Bowles is the issue.” News flash, Bowles is NOT going to fire himself, he’s not going to change his defense, he’s not going to develop an edge rusher (or a secondary for that matter), and this has gone on for over 5 yrs….so WHO can make a change? Me? You? Oh, I have a thought, how about a proactive GM who takes control of a floundering to mediocre team. Accountability always starts at the top. You are not wrong, Bowles’s defense SUX. 1 person (ownership aside) can do something about it.
November 16th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
CAN WE FINALLY FIRE THIS HEAD COACH !!! ? HOW MANY MORE YEARS OF THIS CRAP DO WE HAVE TO WATCH ? LETS GO GLAZER BOYS ARE YOU EVEN PAYING ATENTION ? DONT LOOK LIKE IT , THE YUCS ARE BACK WITH BOWLES . HE NEVER GETS BETTER . YOU EXTENDED HIS CONTRACT ?? BASED ON WHAT ? THIS CRAP THERE IS ABSOLUTLY NO IMPROVMENT ON DEFENCE .NO CONSISTRNCY . NO KILLER INSTINCT ! THRY TAKE AFTER THE HEAD COACH .SOFT !
November 16th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
I cant think of many or any QBs in this league with a rookie with a whopping 10 games under his belt, a aged out #4 or 5 receiver on any other team and a 138LB 7th rounder as his weapons doing any better than Bake at this time…and lost his starting RB for over a month. I give Grizz a pass also at this time. Now Bowles is a Defensive minded coach and his side of the ball keeps Sheeting the bed, and the reason we lost…again
November 16th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
DONE WITH THIS WHOLE COACHING STAFF ! MEDIOCRE AT BEST ! KEEPING BOWLES JUST WASTED A LOT OF ARE TALENT . LOOK AT THE CHICAGO BEARS ! SHOWS WHAT A GOOD COACH IN HIS FIRST YEAR CAN DO WITH A TEAM . BOWLES IS JUST NOT THAT GOOD ! WE HAVE GONE NOWERE AFTER BRADY . WINNING THE DIVISION IN A WEAK DIVISUON IS NOT GREAT .NOW THE DIVISION IS GETTING BETTER BUT THE BUCS ARE NOT . BOWLES HAD HIS CHANCE BUT HE CAN ONLY TAKE US SO FAR . HE REACHED HIS CIELING ! WE FIRED TONY FOR LESS NOT GETTING OVER THE HUMP WE HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE HUMP WITH BOWLES FOR YEARS . GLAZER BOYS .DO YOUR JOB LIKE YOUR FATHER DID .THE TIME IS NOW !
November 16th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
So many plays on both sides of the ball that made me sick to my stomach. One that comes to mind is late in the game with the Bucs sill in the game, the Bills had a 3rd and 11 and Todd plays a zone so soft that the receiver caught the ball past the sticks, bobbled it and still re caught it and got both feet in for a first down. Zyon could’ve made the play by pushing the receiver out of bounds but he just froze like a deer in headlights. On the other side of the ball, Baker continually hit his receivers short of the sticks.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
That “1 person” owns the team. Or is a co-owner or co-owners.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:33 pm
Seriously! It took you till tonight to figure out this is a major issue.
After five weeks of closely following this team’s performance, it has become undeniable that the defense is a major and ongoing issue. I have consistently pointed out the struggles on defense and special teams, and the results continue to reinforce those concerns. The defense has repeatedly given up explosive plays and record yardage, and accountability ultimately falls on Todd Bowles.
Despite acknowledging these breakdowns week after week, Bowles has declined to delegate his game-day responsibilities to a full-time defensive coordinator. At this point, a leadership change on the defensive side is necessary to stabilize the season. Unfortunately, it appears unlikely that he will take that step on his own.
The offense delivered 32 points today and performed at a level capable of winning. Yet the outcome remains unchanged because the defensive issues persist. Without immediate corrective action, this season is at serious risk of continuing its downward trajectory, and the Buccaneers’ chances of making the playoffs will slip away.
It is time for ownership to intervene and make the difficult—but correct—decision to ensure the team can compete and recover before it is too late.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:26 pm
The Rams can be a machine on offense. Heck, Matthew Stafford might throw for 600 yards next Sunday the way the Bucs defense played today.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:34 pm
The last two weeks it’s been big, explosive plays. Usually because of a blown assignment or bad angle. They aren’t playing sound fundamentally.