Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Cardinals-Bucs
November 30th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
We’re not judging a beauty contest — style points don’t count.
There wasn’t much beauty to be found on the field Sunday as the Bucs slogged their way past Arizona 20-17, ending a 3-game slide and keeping them a nudge ahead of the surging Panthers atop the NFC South.
While Carolina was shocking the Rams, Tampa Bay held on to hand the Cardinals their ninth loss in 10 games. True to form, seven of those setbacks have come by four points or less.
The Cardinals don’t know how to win, but the Bucs made their supporters sweat until the final minute. Jacoby Brissett’s fourth-down pass fell incomplete as SirVocea Dennis shadowed Michael Wilson over the middle.
A key first-quarter interception by Antoine Winfield, Jr.
This first of a 3-game homestand featured the return of Bucky Irving and a strong game by Chris Godwin in his second game back after a prolonged absence. There were thousands of empty seats, despite a halftime ceremony for Simeon Rice entering the Ring of Honor.
Tristan Wirfs, who was whistled for a phantom first-quarter holding call that wiped out Baker Mayfield’s 21-yard strike to Emeka Egbuka, reached the end zone with a 2-yard TD reception that put Tampa Bay ahead 10-0 late in the opening half.
Irving’s 13-yard run, behind crisp blocking by Luke Goedeke and Godwin, gave the Bucs a 17-3 advantage. Still, the Cardinals wouldn’t fold as Brissett threw TD passes to running back Zonovan Knight and stellar tight end Trey McBride.
It took a 57-yard FG by Mr. Automatic, Chase McLaughlin, to provide the Bucs with breathing room in between Arizona’s touchdowns. McLaughlin started slowly this season but he has converted all nine of his FG attempts from 50 or more yards in 2025.
Riley Dixon also contributed, placing three of five punts inside the 20. His most important kick was his last as he sailed his final punt 59 yards and made the Cardinals start from their own 9 on their final drive.
Here’s how the Bucs ended their skid, improved to 7-5 and stayed ahead of the 7-6 Panthers, who head into a bye week:
* Godwin looked like his old self with 78 yards on his three receptions. He moved free and easy, taking pressure off Egbuka. You could see it from the jump as Godwin took a short pass on third-and-9 and darted 25 yards down the right sideline on the third snap of the game. If Mike Evans returns as expected in a few weeks, the Bucs should have a formidable downfield passing attack.
* Irving appeared to find his legs as the game progressed. His average of 3.6 yards on 17 carries isn’t overly impressive, but he made some sharp cuts and added a 20-yard catch to the mix. The Bucs have missed his big-play potential for the past two months.
* Mayfield rehabbed hard during the week to manage pain from a sprained left shoulder. He posted a 96.4 passer rating, didn’t throw a pick in 28 throws and never hesitated to scramble six times for 27 yards, including a 21-yard run that set up the TD flip to Wirfs, who snuck out to the left side as a tackle eligible on third down.
* A few dubious play calls helped the Bucs early in the fourth quarter, with Tampa Bay clinging to a 17-10 lead. On third-and-1 from his own 39, Brissett fired long and incomplete to Wilson. There was still more than 10 minutes remaining but Arizona declined to punt and Anthony Nelson made a critical stop for no gain as Knight ran off left tackle.
* The Bucs still have a lot of work to do on pass defense. Brissett hit on 19-of-25 throws in the second half for 206 yards. On the season, opposing QBs boast a 67 percent completion rate and a 95.5 passer rating. Up next is rookie Tyler Shough, who played well for New Orleans in a 21-17 loss at Miami.
* In mid-week, Todd Bowles praised Arizona tight end Trey McBride as a big-time talent. He lived up to his billing with a game-high eight catches for 82 yards, including a 15-yard TD reception that pulled Arizona within three points with 4:58 remaining. It was his eighth scoring catch of the year and the fourth-year pro is a nightmare matchup for opposing defensive coordinators. “He’s an All-Pro player,” said Lavonte David.
* The Bucs won the turnover battle 2-0. Jamel Dean tipped Brissett’s pass into the arms of Antoine Winfield Jr. on Arizona’s initial possession. Early in the second half, Logan Hall stripped Knight at midfield and Tykee Smith posted his second fumble recovery of the season. For the year, the Bucs boast a healthy plus-9 turnover differential.
* No, it wasn’t a mirage. Tight end Payne Durham hauled in an 11-yard pass for his first catch of the season.
* One of the big surprises of the afternoon? Simeon Rice, never at a loss for words, spoke for only a few minutes when dedicating his special Ring of Honor induction to his family. Jon Gruden, Bruce Arians, Jimmie Giles, Brad Johnson, Mike Alstott and fellow Hall of Famers Rondé Barber and Warren Sapp showed up for Rice’s day of glory.
* It was hardly artistic, but the victory keeps the Bucs in control of their destiny. If they win out, they will finish 12-5 and capture their fifth consecutive division title. Still, a sweep of Carolina is far from a sure thing. Two months ago, the Panthers were floundering at 1-3, coming off a 42-13 shellacking at New England. They’ve won 6-of-9 since and young QB Bryce Young outplayed MVP front-runner Matt Stafford today.
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November 30th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
The defense is not good enough. How were the creamed onions over there Sage?
November 30th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
That was one of the most pathetic displays of tackling and standing around it’s ever been seen here in Tampa Tampa Bay. At least since Mike Smiths defenses.
What exactly is this bloated coaching staff telling these guys to do?
November 30th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
It’s getting to the point of the year where saying “a win is a win“ or “it was ugly, but they won” is getting old.
Yes, the win matters but at some point the defense needs to get off the field on third down. Converting third and seven or more should not be so damn easy for opponents.
At what point do the defensive backs stop playing 6 yards off of every single receiver as they run wide open on crossing patterns and outs?
And can we confirm that edge, AGAIN, and ILB are the absolute top priorities for this team next year? Reddick is a bust and Dennis is not what we thought he was.
After that, more O line depth
I give the offense a pass because they are just now back to 4/5 of their O line healthy and should show weekly improvement as they start start gelling.
November 30th, 2025 at 7:15 pm
10 things. Each begins with “Bowles.”
1. Is a nice guy and a good player relations manager.
2. Is doing two huge jobs poorly.
3. Must love Swiss cheese and wants to pay tribute with his pass defense.
4. Must feel bad for his Swiss cheese so is now directing the run defense to emulate the pass defense by emphasizing ooor tackling and whiffing.
5. Must feel empathy for journeymen QBs and therefore wants them to feel great about themselves by supporting them to pilie up Marino type numbers
6. Must enjoy turning a blowout into a nail-biter. When he’s ahead. Or just get killed by the Rams. Every. Time.
7. Must love helping his Gizzard play offense like Leftwich. Sentimental Todd.
8. Enjoys the traditional mid-season swoon because it makes the turkey taste more bland.
9. Can coach any star player to regress into mediocrity.
10. Can deflect any accountability for failure anywhere else but himself.
Go Bucs.
November 30th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Better chance of losing out than winning out. Out coached almost weekly. +2 turnovers saved Bowles today
November 30th, 2025 at 7:27 pm
Another scary game against a not so scary team. Like in other recent games, the Bucs got away from what was working well, for no good reason. On the defensive side a lot of blitzes. On the offensive side runs and screens. AGAIN more questionable call by the refs!! That hold on Wirfs was total b.s.! A good win anyway. Next up the Saints…non of our remaining games will be easy.
November 30th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
“If they win out..”?! Lol. Yeah I mean I guess thats how math works. That will indeed equal 12 wins.
November 30th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
8. Enjoys the traditional mid-season swoon because it makes the turkey taste more bland.
_________
Funny stuff Aqua
November 30th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Get a little better each week and they’ll be tough by playoff time, hopefully.
November 30th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
First 3 Cardinal offensive plays went in the direction of McCollum all of which he flubbed. This after an awful week against the Rams. Clearly, teams see a weakness and are exploiting it. Defense looked awful and look like they need an energy drink.
November 30th, 2025 at 8:47 pm
Great article Ira.
November 30th, 2025 at 8:51 pm
I’ve heard Ira ask hard and inconvenient questions in press conferences so I don’t think he’s going soft on Todd but it took maybe a day and a half for these to come out after the lambs curb stomping and this weeks’ came out within hours.
Why is that?
November 30th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
This team is shaky at best. And it starts with the poor coaching.
Carolina will beat us at least one of those games guaranteed.
Hopefully our offense gets better and better each week from this point as we get JMac, and eventually Evans back or we are toast.
November 30th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Erik – agreed.
The offense has to score quick and often to put pressure on the opposing offense so it helps the d.
That’s the only way this team gets to 10 wins.
November 30th, 2025 at 9:06 pm
“No, it wasn’t a mirage. Tight end Payne Durham hauled in an 11-yard pass for his first catch of the season.”
Burns my biscuits reading this. Durham caught that pass and immediately started talking sh*t, man let him talk some MORE! No, he’s not all world. No he’s not some ridiculous athelte, but we barely know. Also, don’t even know why Culp is on the active roster outside of special teams and/or Ko Keift being hurt.