First And Fourth Quarters Killing Bucs
December 19th, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
If a team consistently starts slow and bends over later near the end, it won’t win many games. That’s where the Bucs find themselves with three games to go.
NFL stathead Ian Hartitz has a graphic showing the point differential of every team in the league for each quarter.
The Bucs rank as the sixth-worst team for point differential in the opening quarter. The Bucs are the fifth-worst in the fourth quarter.
And folks are surprised the Bucs have lost six of their last eight games.
In the first quarter, the Bucs have a negative point differential of -32. That tells Joe they are simply not ready for games. Either that, or they are fully caught off guard by what opponents show in the opening quarter. No team with a worse opening quarter point differential than the Bucs has a shot at the playoffs.
And, apparently, the Bucs don’t know how to close out games. The Bucs have a -37 point differential in the fourth quarter.
Some would argue the defense doesn’t adjust. Period.
The only team with a worse point differential in the final quarter than the Bucs that has a prayer of the playoffs is Pittsburgh (-41).
You hear a lot about starting fast. The Bucs apparently talk about this better than producing it.
It’s no wonder the Bucs lost in the fourth quarter to the slimy Saints and the Dixie Chicks, both with losing records.
NFL point differential by quarter pic.twitter.com/UpmQFkszKE
— Ian Hartitz (@Ihartitz) December 18, 2025
December 19th, 2025 at 9:15 am
More damning evidence against Bowles. There’s so many other stats that paint the same picture of his failures. Coming out of bye weeks 2-6 I believe. 2-10 in prime time games during his reign. Pass defense bottom 3rd in the league last 3 yrs. His resume is filled with red flags even Helen Keller could see.
December 19th, 2025 at 9:24 am
Need better leaders and draft picks!
December 19th, 2025 at 9:26 am
Another “statistical illustration” to buttress something that I have been saying for at least the past two years. But, It doesn’t matter. Whatever it takes to get rid of CTB I’m on board. Glad to see that most people now feel the same way. Sad that it has been allowed to get to this point.
The Glazers are on the clock.
December 19th, 2025 at 9:32 am
Fire Todd
December 19th, 2025 at 9:35 am
28th generating points in the 1st quarter w/an average of 3.4 points per 1st qtr
29th generating points in the 4th quarter w/an average of 4.9 points per 4th qtr
We have a total of 5 first quarter TDs
we have a total of 6 fourth quarter TDs
The type of inactivity you have to “comeback” from, especially to start this season.
December 19th, 2025 at 9:42 am
Not surprised.
7-10 is coming
December 19th, 2025 at 9:48 am
so 50% of the game the team is asleep.
December 19th, 2025 at 10:07 am
It’s the week before Christmas and this is a bad team…
End of story!
The time for excuses is over!
Flatline for the past 3 years regardless of the “record “
The Fat Lady is humming….
December 19th, 2025 at 10:14 am
Sounds like a coaching issue to me….
December 19th, 2025 at 10:18 am
Hasn’t this been the case the entire Bowles’ tenure?
December 19th, 2025 at 10:27 am
The intrigue of door number 2 beckons. Of course that doesn’t guarantee success as we’ve seen time and time again. Who knows, yearly nine and eight records may become 6 and 10 records with a new change. Then what? So the decision is clearly an important one. McCarthy is a retread. Kubiak is an unknown even though he’s getting a lot of press. Seattle’s offense is more conservative than ours. And their defense is currently much better which is why a game like last night’s was able to happen. So similar offense. But unless we make a major change on the other side of the ball, not just with coaching. But with players, we’re in the same boat. I would love to get a top DC while improving the roster on that side of the ball. I think the offense here will be fine.. Even with griz. He’s a smart guy and he will have learned a lot from this year. I still think he has a bright future.
December 19th, 2025 at 10:32 am
Not great, but maybe turnaround this week.
Off subject. What are the Bucs uniforms for the next 3 games?
December 19th, 2025 at 10:41 am
I’ll have to say offensively we’ve sucked worse in the 1st and 4th qtrs than we have defensively. So it really sucks bad. Combine poor 3rd down conversion numbers and red zone inadequacy, our offensive coordinator is on a very hot seat. Last year all those numbers were amongst the best in the league. The injuries have shielded Grizz from harsh review so far but that is over. This offense more than has the horses, and he’d better let them run.
December 19th, 2025 at 10:47 am
Start slow end slow….Not a good recipe for success. The offense does have the horses now, but hopefully it’s not too late. I’m not doom and gloom so I’d really like this team to go on a little run.
December 19th, 2025 at 10:52 am
Are all your heads going to explode when Bowles is announced as our 2026 coach? Lol