Still Believing In The Bucs
November 13th, 2025
Get healthy.
Injuries have caught up to the Bucs.
Joe doesn’t think there is a Bucs fan walking the face of the earth who expected back in July that Emeka Egbuka would be the Bucs’ No. 1 receiver in early November, with Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson as the Nos. 2 and 3 receivers.
And few could have expected Bucky Irving to miss five games already.
Yet despite that, the Bucs are 6-3. But the past month the offense has sputtered and has been in need of a tune-up the past three games.
With Baker Mayfield admitting yesterday he’s banged up too, this offense finally is playing like half the offense is hurt — which it is.
But one person at NFL.com still believes in the Bucs. And that is Ali Bhanpuri. He still has them winning the division, despite all the injuries. And no, he doesn’t believe the Bucs are on the cusp of a major crassh.
Second-half double down
In August, I wrote, Tampa has the pieces to make a real run in the NFC. I still believe this. Just need them to get — and stay — healthy when the new year hits.Final projection
Record: 11-6 (previous projection: 9-8)
Division finish: 1st (previous: same)
Will the Buccaneers make the playoffs? Yes, as the No. 4 seed.
Yes, the Bucs could be a very dangerous playoff team, but a lot of things have to go just right for that to happen.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Calijah Kancey and Jalen McMillan all have to come back not just healthy, but quickly get in game shape.
Also, the Bucs can’t endure any other major injuries. Good luck walking through that mindfield with eight regular-season games left.
November 13th, 2025 at 12:19 am
I would love to believe, but it’s hard. With all the injuries, and subpar coaching. Plus refusal at trade deadline to do anything. I was watching Colin Cowherd the other day talking about the Jaelen Phillips trade, the Eagles got him for a 3rd round pick, Colin said if he leaves next year, the Eagles will receive a 3rd round compensatory pick, so in essence, as far as draft picks are concerned, they would’ve got him for nothing. Why couldn’t we do that? It’s only 1 player, but may not have lost any of those precious draft picks (which doesn’t guarantee squat) as far as player quality is concerned. Still waiting on Braswell to shock everyone. JTS on 3rd team, and Trask out of NFL.
November 13th, 2025 at 12:19 am
Phillips played a good game against the Packers on Monday night.
November 13th, 2025 at 12:53 am
Ali Bhanpuri … ‘Final projection: Record: 11-6 (previous projection: 9-8); Division finish: 1st (previous: same); Will the Buccaneers make the playoffs? Yes, as the No. 4 seed.’
No idea who he is, but I agree with his 11-6 projection. Some deviation possible, and we’ve probably got the same chance of going 10-7 as we have of going 12-5. Personally don’t think it’d make a hill of beans difference though (Eagles, Lions and Rams will all most likely do better than us).
Brings up an interesting point though in that Todd Bowles is probably playing the ‘long game’ right now. In his prior 3 years as HC, Bucs have shown steady but not dramatic impovement (from 8-9 in 2022, to 9-8 in 2023, then 10-7 in 2024). An 11-6 record continues that steady improvement, and is probably realistic for our level of talent and our injury situation.
Key to the ‘long game’ will be getting into the playoffs much healthier than we are right now.
November 13th, 2025 at 12:54 am
Let’s say they do make the playoffs. Then what?
Do you really think they can beat playoff caliber teams?
So far the record against good teams speaks for itself.
November 13th, 2025 at 1:38 am
Bucs just don’t look very hungry anymore. Jason paid everybody, they full and want to nap. Sounds about right DR. 14-3 would be hard to top next year. This might be the first time under HC Todd the team was a division favorite to start the season and expectations were high for deep run. Before it wasn’t expected and was underdogs. Jason was taking receipts and taking names. Bucs feed of the underdog vibe of being overlooked. Nobody overlooked Tampa this year. The respect was the there, but the same hunger isn’t. Might be injures and new OC. Special Teams looked silly at times, tackling fundamentals have been missing. Jumping off sides and mental mistakes.
November 13th, 2025 at 2:29 am
@ BPBucsfan – Yep. I’ve already said this at least 4-TIMES on here, since it’s happened, and everyone just ignores it LoL. It’s like, NOBODY associated with the Bucs or the Bucs FO will even ADMIT-IT, orrrr are STILL OBLIVIOUS to it. Because, just Tuesday on WDAE, T-Krass goes ‘on and on’ about the Bucs FO not wanting to have to give-up a 3RD-Round PICK LoL. NOOOOO… They would have “given-up” NOTHING. Absolutely. NOTHING. Maybe, MAYBE, they get back a 5th (comp pick) at WORST… But, probably a 3rd. So, it’s either they are totally CLUELESS, orrr they are just refusing to admit-it. After just one game he looks like he’s going to be a great fit in Philly, so they may end up just signing him instead. And, that was my whole entire point… What If HE turns-out being a great fit!? We just wasted a potential free ‘try-out’ basically, that was 💯 RISK FREE. And, it could’ve been just one less LB/EDGE player, that we wouldn’t have to take another ‘flier’ on by burning another pick in the upcoming draft. Cause, there’s a real good chance that LVD retires, and we tell Reddick to hit the road, and we needed ‘another one’ (LB) anyway, regardless of those two. It was a total no-brainer move to make. They totally blew-it again. Godwin. Reddick. Oh, and you just KNOW that Mike is coming up next. THIS FO better start becoming A LOT MORE ‘ruthless’ and bold. And, QUICK.
November 13th, 2025 at 3:29 am
We will never make it past the first round our coach sucks
November 13th, 2025 at 3:35 am
One and done. Too many injuries to beat top flight teams. Defense is still pretty bad against good QBs. Our OC is so inexperienced. Imagine spending millions and millions on players to get a playoff ready team and then hiring a guy who has never called a play in his life. OJT for our OC, at the expense of the team. Crazy. Then there is Bowles, I don’t care what anyone says that guy is as thick as a brick. Too many factors against the Bucs this season.
November 13th, 2025 at 6:18 am
I didn’t realize Kancey has a chance to come back this season???
November 13th, 2025 at 6:28 am
Let’s get back Bredeson/Evans/Godwin/McMillan/Bucky and Kancey and see how we look down the stretch.
Also get the defense to stop losing gap integrity.
We can win some playoff games or take them down to the wire with all those guys and a healthy Baker.
November 13th, 2025 at 6:56 am
I believe. When everyone comes back, the Bucs will be stronger than ever.
November 13th, 2025 at 6:58 am
Posts always sound like this after a loss. Doom and gloom.
Then after we win a game or two, it’s totally the opposite.
Very flip floppy, fairweather attitude. I realize it’s a totally different group coming out of the woodwork posting in each situation along will the usuals. We’ll see how this thing goes before I criticize the coaches and front office and everybody else. There’s still a half season to play and we’re 6-3.
I know I know, but it’s your duty to be critical and realistic and the voice of the people to Bucs ownership, etc blah blah blah. Too many trolls on here usually to know who’s who.
November 13th, 2025 at 7:05 am
On Rhonde’s show the other night he was talking about how he noticed NE HC Vrabel constantly communicating with his players coming on and off the field during the entire game. Rhonde said he was coaching them up in real time.
Then he contrasted it with Bowles who is a frozen statue during games.
Fans notice this all the time and hate it. It’s like his job as coach ends with the last practice and now it’s up to the players. And that’s why i always post we’re behind the 8 ball in games before they even take the field. If any team needs real time coaching DURING games it’s us.
November 13th, 2025 at 7:06 am
“”I believe. When everyone comes back, the Bucs will be stronger than ever.””
Right! And that will be next June for mandatory minicamp. LOL.
November 13th, 2025 at 7:11 am
buc4evr … ‘One and done. Too many injuries to beat top flight teams.’
There are no guarantees ever in the NFL. I remember having season tickets in 2008 when we started 9-3, lost the last 4 games to miss the playoffs, and Chucky got fired. Also remember 2011 when we started 4-2, then swiftly lost the last 10 games to finish 4-12, and Raheem got fired. Here when Lovie’s 2015 Bucs clawed back to a 6-6 record, proceeded to lose their last 4 games, and Lovie got canned. Same old story in 2018 when Dirk’s team fought back to a 5-7 record after 12 games, proceeded to lose the last 4 games to end 5-11. Bye bye Dirk. Heck, even BA’s 2019 team had to win 4 straight games to claw back to a 7-7 record, but then lost the last 2 games to finish 7-9 and miss the playoffs. Bye bye Jameis.
All of us look to close out the season with a string of victories to win the NFC South & enter the playoffs strong, BUT … there are no guarantees. Despite Joe’s contention that injuries can’t be used as excuses (a fruitless argument IMO because fans don’t want to hear excuses; they want wins), the reality is that injuries DO in fact impact game outcomes. And especially injuries to multiple key players like the Bucs have experienced this season.
Still buc4evr, how many would’ve predicted that the 2020 Bucs would be at a 7-5 record after 12 games, then get straight victories to close out the season at 11-5, make the playoffs as a wildcard, then knock off 4 more victories to win the Super Bowl? That team was actually very ‘balanced’ though, finishing the season with a #3 ranked offense and a #8 ranked defense. The ‘path’ may have been unlikely, but the TEAM was actually very good.
November 13th, 2025 at 7:20 am
2020 had more play makers and healthy guys jpp suh Devin….Brady is a leader and more consistent ….the injuries have finally caught up to this year’s team
November 13th, 2025 at 7:32 am
12 regular season wins & NFC CHAMPIONSHIP WIN!!!!!
we’re headed to the SB boys and girls!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!
November 13th, 2025 at 7:40 am
BucU – Not next June. This season 😊
November 13th, 2025 at 7:58 am
I’d love to believe that heyjude!
November 13th, 2025 at 9:43 am
10 and 7, one and done.
No consistent pass rush, can’t run the ball, poor LB coverage, and two rooks and average Shep will not get it done. We only beat one playoff team. I had hope early on but we are not playing well.
November 13th, 2025 at 9:50 am
@DR, I hear you but we don’t have Brady and there are so many holes in the defense and offense, not sure the Team can get it done. The experience level and communication on defense is pretty bad. Plus if you haven’t noticed, I think the coaching is mediocre to say the least. Hope I am wrong but the Bucs just cant beat elite level teams. Also, Baker is really hurt and trying to play through it and Grizz’s play calling isn’t helping.
November 13th, 2025 at 2:17 pm
What’s a mindfield?