What Was Todd Bowles Thinking (Yet Again)?
November 24th, 2025
Baffling second-quarter stunt.
This question comes up way, way too much for a good coach: What was Todd Bowles thinking?
This question is often asked before, during and after a Bucs loss. And Joe has few answers.
Earlier Sunday, the Dallas Cowboys, not a likely playoff team, came back from 20 down to beat Philadelphia. And here we were on Sunday night, the Bucs trailing by 21 in the second quarter and Bowles decides to pull the ol’ ESPN Analytics nonsense and go for it.
In the second quarter. From the Bucs-29.
Now remember it was just last week that, with his running attack bowling over Buffalo halfway through the fourth quarter and trailing by five points, Bowles punted from the Bucs-39 instead of going for it on fourth-and-two. That basically lost the game because his defense couldn’t stop a cool breeze.
Yes, the defense wasn’t playing much better tonight than last week in Buffalo. And Bowles waved the white flag in the second quarter, which Joe found irresponsible.
The Rams got only a field goal out of that debacle. But still, in the second quarter, you panic/give up like that?
And if you are waving the white flag, then why keep your banged up quarterback in the game. Sure enough after Baker Mayfield threw a desperation pass on the final play of the half, he landed on his hurt left shoulder and hurt it worse.
Good job Todd.
Bad enough his defense is puking all over NFL football fields since the bye. Then he makes calls that bad high school coaches wouldn’t do.
Bowles in the first half went from coaching irresponsibility within two minutes to coaching malpractice.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:09 am
Can his ass now
November 24th, 2025 at 12:11 am
Zero issues with going for it since the Rams were going to score anyways. So why not try to get a 1st down, if you don’t, hold them to a FG, and give your offense the ball with enough time to score.
That’s what happened.
Bucs defense actually held up and only gave up a FG.
Baker had the ball, minute left, 3 time outs, and proceeded to do nothing with it.
But the Bucs were not going to get a stop if they punt there. Zero percent chance of a stop. It was 100% the correct call to go for it, and it did work out well on the defense side, but Baker couldn’t get it done, missed a wide open Godwin, then got happy feet and took a bad sack.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:12 am
Mayfield has left shoulder sprain. MRI tomorrow. According to BSPN.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:13 am
It’s really sad when the coach gives up at half time. The players picked up on that, and mailed it in. How do you come back from that going forward?
November 24th, 2025 at 12:13 am
If Todd Bowles was a man of honor he would resign within the next 12 hours. The damage he has caused to this football team is incalculable.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:13 am
We know the Glazers don’t fire mid-season, but there’s a first time for everything!!
November 24th, 2025 at 12:14 am
Agree Durango
November 24th, 2025 at 12:15 am
I agree with you Joe that this was coaching malpractice. So to me, the better question is: what are the Glazers thinking (yet again)? At what point is Bowles fired?
November 24th, 2025 at 12:17 am
The difference in coaching was stark tonight. Same with last week and the week before and against Philly and against the lions.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:17 am
Garbage coach
November 24th, 2025 at 12:17 am
When is enough finally enough. Bowels = failure. DUH! Wake up Glazers,or lose ticket sales.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:19 am
BPBucsfan Says:
November 24th, 2025 at 12:12 am
Mayfield has left shoulder sprain. MRI tomorrow. According to BSPN.
———-
Good news if true, and it’s mild.
For a non-throwing arm, injury time can be 0-2 weeks – from what I see, typically 1 week missed. If it’s more severe than it can be more, but mean time is 3 weeks.
3 weeks of Bridgewater however means going probably 7-7. Still, in the NFC South, that’s probably good enough to stick around.
To bad the backup is such a worthless bum – and Ballsack on the practice squad is worse than Bridgewater.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:21 am
Only four players on the Bucs have progressed this year. Two on offense (Egbuka and Johnson) two on defense Tykee Smith and Parrish. All others regressed. It’s got to be coaching. There’s no passion, they’re soft physically and mentally. It’s a reflection of their coaches. If coaches don’t have answers players quit listening. It’s clear the room is lost. I never expected the Bucs to win the last three games. But the effort, capabilities, desire wasn’t there in any of the three games. Fire Todd.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:21 am
Can anyone honestly say Bowles has what it takes to bring a team to a Superbowl? i honestly just don’t see it no matter how many years you give him and trending the wrong way. If the answer is he’s not that guy you move on. He doesn’t have to be one of the worst coaches
November 24th, 2025 at 12:22 am
Agree with Joe, Bowles waved the white flag in Buffalo and punted and tonight was just crazy, Baker went in the tent with shoulder injury, we are down 3 touchdowns, Baker needs to be pulled from the game. Bowles throws him back in the game and now Bakers season is in jeopardy. Bowles makes awful decisions routinely every game week in and week out. #firetoddbowles
November 24th, 2025 at 12:22 am
Open question … what did you see in that first half on defense that makes you think if the Bucs punt there, that the Rams don’t easily move down the field, get a score as the clock runs out, then get the ball back to start the 3rd and score again?
Of course going for it on 4th and 1 what you do there, you expect to get the 1st down.
Additionally, as stated above, if you do not make it, and you hold to a FG, at least you’re giving your offense enough time to go down and get a TD, which actually means you’re picking up 4 points if that happens – and any offense in the modern NFL should be able to at least get 3 points. Problem was Baker not getting it done. He’s the team’s MVP right, best player, right – you expect him with one min left in the half and 3 TO’s to at least get three, which cancels out going for it.
Again, zero issues with the call – it was the correct call.
The call everyone should have a problem with is punting from the Rams 42 on the opening drive. That was gutless.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:23 am
God help us!
Hopefully he was thinking: RETIREMENT!
November 24th, 2025 at 12:27 am
BPBucsfan Says:
November 24th, 2025 at 12:12 am
Mayfield has left shoulder sprain. MRI tomorrow. According to BSPN.
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Had a MRI done on my shoulder two weeks ago. Surgery in January. Shoulder injuries SUCK. Had many injuries in my life. Shoulder injuries suck immensely. Can’t even sleep. All I can say is they suck. Ugh. Lol. Can hardly wait for January to get here.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:28 am
The Glazers love Toad Bowels.
He’s locked in for three more years after this failed season ends.
It’s one big sh@t burger and we all have to take a bite.
34-32 as the HC for the Bucs including playoffs.
Those are the facts.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:28 am
I can’t wait for Joe to tell us the general mood tonight in the locker room. Last week the players were reported to be calm and confident which is weird because they lost a winnable game and should have been angry. If they are calm after tonight, that just tells me they have quit on Todd.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:29 am
It really wouldn’t surprise me if they lost next week, too! Seriously. Until he changes some things (which I doubt) it wouldn’t surprise me. Especially since we’re dealing with more injuries.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:29 am
Our Bucs really looked bad tonight. And we got the AZ Cardinals next Sunday. Don’t sleep on them. Sure they got a lot of losses but their defense actually hits hard. Ruck up Bucs. Swab the deck and get ready for AZ. You up next TYeddy Bridgewater.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:32 am
What was Bowel thinking? Uhh.. probably.. “can’t be my fault. I’m never wrong. Platers, assistant coaches needed to prepare better Geeez! Do I have to do everything?
November 24th, 2025 at 12:50 am
We’re 6-5, a winning record after 11 games for the first time in 4 years. That’s an improvement over previous years. It will take another year or two of Defensive mediocrity before they move on from Bowles. The owner and GM still high o the SB55 kool-aid. I am high on poaching Schwartz from Cleveland and drafting all defensive next draft.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:55 am
Left shoulder sprain is just something to say. MRI is going to reveal something more difficult like torn labrum or rotator cuff. If Stafford were playing in Bucs offense tonight against the Rams defense, he woud have gotten the hell beaten out of him too.
November 24th, 2025 at 12:58 am
Rod Munch You don’t get it loser. You should have resigned befre Bowles does years ago for yourpathetic Kyle Trask fanboy garbage. You are a sad man.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:04 am
The problem is this….Todd Bowles Thinking.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:48 am
Bowles is not a head coach; just ask the Jets with regard to when he was there. And he doesn’t become one (a real head coach) when the team beats the Seahawks and 49ers; the team played well, Bowles didn’t selectively coach well.
However, it’s irritating how many will be talking “Coach of the Year Award” after a coincidental
couple of wins.
Why would anyone expect Bowles to make good decisions? He’s not a head coach, so why would he do that? Nothing’s changed from the wins to the losses.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:53 am
Come on… He is 💯 CLUELESS. Period. End of Story. He is 62-years OLD, & STILL has not figured it out. It’s not going to change NOW.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:55 am
@ Gipper. STOP IT. Just STOP. GTFO
November 24th, 2025 at 1:57 am
Dour. Gloom.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:03 am
That’s true that the powers that be at One Buc Palace do not share fans’ opinion of Bowles. But Bowles is no more locked in than you or Joe. Just because he has a contract doesn’t mean he must coach the Bucs until his contract expires.
And who knows what sort of out clauses are in the contract?
You really believe that an NFL team (which has $400 million in revenue annually *just* off the TV contract) is going to cry over a coach’s $10 millionish salary per year?
November 24th, 2025 at 2:10 am
This has been years in the making he finally doesn’t have a OCs cost tail to ride thats the Problem
November 24th, 2025 at 3:42 am
From top to bottom there is poor judgement.
* GM that sits on his hands and whistles passed the cemetery
* HC that produces the same product every year—no growth, same bad D
* HC that needs a super star OC to bail him out
* OC that is a rookie to coaching and wow does it show
* The team is back to pre-Brady/year 1 of Brady
* The team has no passion—Quitters
* The team does not hold themselves accountable—Why should they? No one is accountable
*The fan base must hold the owners/GM/HC/OC accountable by an email campaign/flood of letters/cancelled season tickets/half empty stadium/a billboard or two as in the GS days
* The fan base cannot turn a blind eye to this dumpster fire with a wink and a nod that it’s just a bad year, next year will be better. Will it? Really? Each year it’s the same product, only this year there is no offense and no offensive savior.
* Excuses abound…a characteristic of hapless leadership
So, the ball is in the fan base’s hands. What will you do?
November 24th, 2025 at 5:08 am
If we can get mad that he didn’t go for it last week, we can’t get mad that he went for it this week. Our defense can’t stop any elite QB, we had to go for it and try to sustain a drive. What I have a problem with is he can’t field a defense as a defensive coach. Pathetic. Mailing it in means punting to a defense that “can’t stop a cool breeze.”
You can’t possibly have a logical argument to be mad if he doesn’t and be mad if he does. It’s established the defense sucks, so he has to rely on the offense to sustain drives.
November 24th, 2025 at 6:41 am
“”You really believe that an NFL team (which has $400 million in revenue annually *just* off the TV contract) is going to cry over a coach’s $10 millionish salary per year?””
Joe you’ve given me hope with that statement. Bowles must be removed. Virtually the entire fanbase is done with this fraud.
November 24th, 2025 at 7:22 am
TE played like trash and we don’t use the other ones at all – that’s coaching malpractice
Receivers get very little to no separation
Offensive line including Wirfs have been offensive this year…
Let’s have a great pass to Sean Tucker one game and then put it on the shelf
I get it the OC is young, what is Tom Moore doing, is BA still on the payroll as an offensive consultant
Licht – how many times have we passed on somebody on the board that was a need… not mad at the EE pick… but it’s ok to trade up for a dominant player if you plan on picking late in the draft the next few years by winning a championship
November 24th, 2025 at 7:29 am
When the Cardinals come to town and the stadium attendance is spotty, the Glaziers will start to see the fans have given up on Bowles. He can win out and it won’t matter, everyone that’s watched this team since he was gifted the job knows what’s coming. At best, we’ll limp into the playoffs by beating terrible teams and then exit early. If Dungy were fired for not getting past the NFC championship and Gruden was fired after delivering a SB, Bowles is owed no more chances. He’s terrible against winning teams, mediocre in the weakest division in the league and 1-3 in the playoffs. He’s had his shot in NY and now Tampa….hes not a good HC.
November 24th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Opponents’ view of Bucs’ D-
double team Vea, QB will have 4-5 seconds to throw
the Bucs’ secondary plays a 15 yard deep dome coverage, just have the receivers find the middle of zone and they’ll be wide open
Have your best receiver put a one on one move on McCollum – guaranteed win
November 24th, 2025 at 8:01 am
Go after Lane Kiffen before it’s too late.
Bowels is taking this team nowhere.
November 24th, 2025 at 9:10 am
A sad effort to field a potentially very good team in a big game! This happens way to often. Every one knows where you start to fix this dilemma.
November 24th, 2025 at 10:26 am
We let Tiny Dungy go, as a good coach, because he couldn’t get to the Super Bowl. Why keep a toilet bowl?
November 24th, 2025 at 10:35 am
1000% SPOT ON, Joe!!!! The last couple seasons, there has been lots of “What are you thinking, Bowles?” Last night took the cake for me. Fire Bowles while we still have a decent team and some a pieces in place. I like Jason Licht, need a competent coach and staff now.
November 24th, 2025 at 10:49 am
SACRAFICES HAVE TO BE MADE .LOSE ALL THE REMAINING GAMES ! THEN HOPEFULLY WE CAN GET RID OF THIS LOUSEY COACHING STAFF ! SAD TO SAY BUT MAY BE THE ONLY WAY TO SAVE THIS TEAM. RIP !
November 24th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
Not a single person above actually says they thought the defense would have made a stop – so there you go – clearly the correct thing to do was to put the ball in the hands of your MVP and tell him to get a yard. Was the correct call.
November 24th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
I agree. Let’s get Lane Kiffen. We need to file a petition on change.org about this a have it send to the Glazers. Wonder how many signatures we would get to fire bowles and bring in LK?