Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Rams
November 24th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Stink on stink.
Todd Bowles characterized last week’s loss at Buffalo as “a stinker” and the 34-7 setback we just witnessed against the Rams was worse.
Much worse.
Tampa Bay lost a shootout against the Bills that featured nine lead changes. Sunday’s matchup was over in 13 minutes. The Bucs were lifeless from the start, not ready for prime time and overwhelmed on both sides of the ball.
It was by far their worst effort of a season that has suddenly turned into a death struggle against the Panthers for supremacy in the NFC South. The division champ will be guaranteed a home game. The second-place finisher will almost surely be watching the postseason from an easy chair.
The Rams are very good and they’re hot. At 9-2, they boast the best record in the conference. That doesn’t explain how easy the Bucs made it look for Sean McVay’s dynamic crew. It doesn’t explain a 31-7 deficit after 30 minutes.
“I thought we had total command and control of the football game in the first half,” said McVay.
Nobody who watched this travesty would dare disagree with him.
The Bucs were flat from the get-go, seemingly unprepared for Matt Stafford’s elite accuracy and unable to stay within the same area code of Davante Adams or Puka Nacua. Stafford completed his first 12 passes and at that point, Buc fans must have been wondering if any of his throws would ever hit the ground.
Tampa Bay’s offense was equally inept.
Baker Mayfield, who yielded to Teddy Bridgewater after injuring his left shoulder, completed less than half of his throws and averaged 2.1 yards per pass attempt. He and Bridgewater were each sacked twice as Tampa Bay finished with 70 passing yards.
That’s the lowest total for this franchise since Week 3 of the 2009 season, when the Giants strutted into Tampa and embarrassed the Bucs 24-0. Byron Leftwich and Josh Johnson combined for 58 passing yards and the Bucs went 0-for-9 on third down en route to an 0-7 start under first-year coach Raheem Morris.
That was a 3-13 football team in a throwaway season following the dismissal of Jon Gruden. This is a team that was rolling at 6-2 heading into a bye week that appeared to arrive at a fortuitous time.
Yes, the Bucs have suffered yet another midseason meltdown. They’ve lost 4-of-5 and three straight heading into a stretch of three consecutive home games. If Mayfield is sidelined for any length of time, Tampa Bay’s streak of five straight playoff berths would be in serious jeopardy.
The Bucs were not competitive in prime time — for all the rest of the NFL world to see.
You have to wonder what the Glazers are thinking because this defense has been brutal since the bye. Here’s how the Rams made football fans from Boise to Boynton Beach reach for the remote rather than watch a one-sided spectacle.
* Tampa Bay’s only scoring drive of the game, capped by rookie Tez Johnson’s TD reception, was kept alive by two Mayfield scrambles that moved the chains on third down. That’s the only way the visitors avoided a shutout on national television.
* Mayfield’s pick-6 wasn’t his fault as Cade Otton bobbled and then surrendered a pass that should have been an easy catch. That made it 14-0 and Buc Nation would have been wise to switch to a “Seinfeld” rerun.
* When Mayfield and Bridgewater weren’t being hounded, they couldn’t find targets who were closely shadowed. The Rams were credited with 10 pass breakups, compared to only three for the visitors.
* For the third consecutive week, the Buc defense was gashed by big plays. Nine of Stafford’s 25 completions went for at least 14 yards, compared to two for Tampa Bay. The first four drives by L.A. ended with three touchdowns and a field goal. By the time McVay called off his dogs after halftime, more than a few Buc fans were barking for Bowles’ head.
* Zyon McCollum, tasked with containing Adams, had a bad night. He hasn’t played well since the bye.
* The only Buc defender who played with any juice was YaYa Diaby, who posted Tampa Bay’s lone sack and came off the ball with enrgy and purpose.
* Can the Bucs win games with Bridgewater under center? Given the flaws of this defense, that’s a big ask.
* Although Chris Godwin was on a strict snap count, it was good to see him back on the field. Expect more from No. 14 against Arizona on Sunday, when Simeon Rice is inducted onto the Buc Ring of Honor.
Is Todd Bowles on the brink?
* Looking for a silver lining? Every Buc who suited up got into the game. More importantly, this debacle was over in less than three hours.
* A 4-2 finish should be the bare minimum, given the upcoming schedule. That would match last year’s 10-7 record and likely ensure another postseason opportunity. But sweeping the Panthers won’t be easy and Mayfield’s health is now a huge concern. If Jacoby Brissett shreds the Buc pass defense while leading the Cardinals to victory on Sunday, all bets are off — including Bowles’ future.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
Every team is a reflection of its coach. Todd has hit his ceiling with this team and the way it is constructed. His Pass Defense stinks again. Why we have Edge Rushers dropping back into coverage is a JOKE. Just like Dungy ran his course and Gruden, it is time to bring in an Offensive minded coach (Kiffin) with a DC that knows what they are doing and is proven. Go Bucs!!
November 24th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Licht needs to catch blame as well..Godwin and Zyon contracts were huge mistakes.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:37 pm
Game embarrassed the entire Tampa Bay area. Same crap different day. I have grown tired of Bowles blah blah blah. The realist is coming through.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
I was one in denial. I am not any longer.
“Zyon McCollum, tasked with containing Adams, had a bad night. He hasn’t played well since the bye.”
No, he didn’t have a bad night. He’s had a bad career. He had the same night he always has. He sucks. He’s a lousy player. He’s not a good back up. He’s always turned around. He’s always out a position. He never knows how to stay close to a past receiver. How did the guy even get in the NFL?
Cade Otton is also not an NFL caliber player. He’s lousy. He doesn’t block well. He can’t catch. He’s unreliable even as a journeyman.
As for the rest of the team, going out their lifeless and unready, that’s on them. They’re paid professionals. The coaches obviously have lost the lockerroom or they would be motivating these people to do better.
It’s time for a change.
I would not be shocked if they lost one of the remaining games.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
Let’s look at those defensive players. Excluding Vea, Winfield and Smith who else from that defense could demand mid to upper tier money in free agency? David was a beast in his days but he’s now 35.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
4-2 at the minimum you say?? You are delusional.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:39 pm
All of the remaining games.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:48 pm
Can you not recognize quit when you see it?
November 24th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
Jason Licht and Todd Bowles are 100% to blame for this collapse.
They both knew they didn’t have the personal to compete at any level with Evans and Godwin always hurt nonstop.
They also knew they need massive help on defense but yet they threw away a pick in the first round by reaching and drafting for a wide receiver.
Both those two knew, but did absolutely NOTHING to address all the team’s concerns as a whole.
The QUIT last night….that’s exactly what everyone witnessed…….and when this happens, then whole organizational changes need to occur!!!!!
November 24th, 2025 at 2:50 pm
10-7 followed by what will be a playoff loss should not earn a chance for Bowles to return in 2026. He’s gotta go.
Realistically, we’ll be 9-8, 8-9 at worst. The standard Bowles season that we’ve seen too many times.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Mr Poopy Pants doesnt have what it takes. The so called “culture” of this team is pathetic….It’s like they knew they were going to have a tough night so why bother?
November 24th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
“If Jacoby Brissett shreds the Buc pass defense while leading the Cardinals to victory on Sunday, all bets are off — including Bowles’ future.” – Ira
I don’t believe for a second that Ira will call for Bowles to be fired if the Cardinals do indeed come to Tampa and boot stomp us. Prove me wrong.
As journalists you need to have some integrity and start asking Bowles the tough questions, without allowing him to squirm out of it with a word salad answer.
“You have reached the winter of our discontent” – The Fans
November 24th, 2025 at 2:54 pm
JTHV Says:
There’s just nothing about this team that is fun to watch right now. The QB, OL, TE and ENTIRE defense is absolute dogshet and none of them deserve a day off until they figure this out. Absolute dogshet.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
ohnnythemoon Says:
November 24th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Licht needs to catch blame as well..Godwin and Zyon contracts were huge mistakes.
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Fans would have exploded if Godwin wasn’t resigned. I campaigned against but was shouted down.
Zyon doesn’t get that contract unless Bowles pushes for it to get done. A GM’s job is to get his head coach the tools he asks for. Further evidence that Bowles doesnt have a clue what he’s doing.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
Something has to start before it can quit. I don’t recall much from this group of guys over the past couple of years. I’ve seen success from Bowles before but I’ve never seen it from most of them. I have no doubt Bowles would get another DC job if things don’t workout here but I have little confidence that most of these guys will go elsewhere and do much more than what we’ve already seen.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:57 pm
I don’t think Thanksgiving Dinner is even going to take this nasty taste out of my mouth, did you watch Bowles P/C!! same old bull-crap! C’mon Todd show us fans little emotion and anger!!! Sad circumstances!!!! Go Bucs!!!
November 24th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
JTHV Says:
Oh shet, I forgot to list the special teams in my comment above. They are perhaps the most detrimental group other than the washed LB core.