If You Didn’t Win, Then It Was A Failed Gameplan
December 26th, 2025
Misused last week?
Yes, Joe last week encouraged the Bucs to run behind Bucky Irving because last year in both wins over the Stinking Panthers, Bucky went bananas.
But Joe didn’t expect the Bucs to lean on their run game to an extreme.
And let’s be real: If you didn’t win, then the gameplan failed. Yes?
Appalling to Joe is that the Bucs didn’t mix in the pass more with Bucs receivers finally all healthy. In the loss to the Dixie Chicks, those receivers showed they could take over the game.
For example, Sunday against Carolina receiver Emeka Egbuka was targeted just two times. His lone catch was the lone catch for over 13 yards the Bucs had all game. Outrageous!
Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard sort of suggested Baker Mayfield didn’t target Egbuka much because he didn’t need to.
“It wasn’t necessarily what they were doing as much as if the first read was open and it didn’t get to [Egbuka’s] side of the field,” Grizzard said. “On that particular play [Egbuka’s 40-yard catch], he was really the third read in the way they played the coverage.
“Mike [Evans] was covered, Chris [Godwin Jr.] was covered, and the coverage structure allowed ‘Mek’ (Emeka Egbuka) to get behind them.
“It wasn’t necessarily as much of a double-team element to it like we’ve seen from some teams in the past, but we’ve definitely got to try to get the ball to ‘Mek’ earlier in the game and keep him involved.”
Well, when Egbuka set the NFL on fire and appeared a slam dunk for Rookie of the Year, it was because teams were worried about Mike Evans. When Egbuka’s production fell off the map, it was when both Evans and Godwin were hobbled and not available and teams simply took Egbuka out of the game.
Teams can’t afford to squeeze Egbuka any longer with Jalen McMillan, Evans and Godwin all healthy and available.
If the Bucs don’t take advantage of the Dolphins’ sorry pass defense, then the Bucs have very serious problems.
December 26th, 2025 at 4:13 am
One thing is, if we somehow get to win the next 2 games and get to the playoffs, we won’t have to worry about resting our guys. They’ve been resting since the off week 2 months ago.
December 26th, 2025 at 4:47 am
Gonna be very interesting to see what gameplan they use. Since the bye the gameplanning and execution in all 3 phases has been bad. If the Bucs win the turnover battle they should win the game.
December 26th, 2025 at 5:41 am
Agree with Joe and everyone so far.
Hoping for strong plays and no fancy crap. Also, when we get to the red zone we need to score a TD. Glad the Bucs rested and enjoyed Christmas off. Now it’s time to come back ready for the next games. Gotta win. Go Bucs!
December 26th, 2025 at 6:44 am
go ahead throw it to him, he’ll just drop the ball
December 26th, 2025 at 6:59 am
This All falls on Baker, he’s just not good enough, everyone on this site, talks about our last OC’s, and how good they are doing now! Maybe they knew something about Baker that we don’t and wanted to leave because of his poor play, what’s the difference now for the OC’s? they both have Good QB’s leading their Teams! Let’s Go Bucs! We need a new GM, HC, and OC and DC……..
December 26th, 2025 at 7:13 am
HeavyE, No offence, but the Bucs ran the Ball 35 times last week. Was anyone on the team really targeted? Pi$$ poor game plan when you have 4 excellent receivers on the team. I’ll give Mayfield some blame, but between two third string guards and a terrible game plan, the blame goes all over the place.
December 26th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Canalas, and Coen carried Bowles water when they were here. Grizzard isn’t up for the task. Maybe if the injuries didn’t hit so bad, and if he had a good defense Grizz would’ve had a shot. Now Todd is putting his two cents in with the offense even though he can’t fix his own defense. We need someone new to fix this whole mess.
December 26th, 2025 at 7:39 am
@bucnjim, no offense taken, but I don’t understand why Baker never audibles, if he knows the play isn’t going to work change it… how many times do we see quick slants to our Wr’s??? How many times do we see two Wr’s in the same area??? I understand the level concept of passing the ball, and throwing to windows, but come on…..why are we always in a tight bunch set as well, I just think that there is something else wrong, with are QB! It’s not all of his fault, but he has to take his fair share….. Let’s Go Bucs!!!!
December 26th, 2025 at 8:01 am
Not sure, but I think Mayfield will audible on Grizz. Pretty sure the game plan last week came from Bowles or it sounded like it in the interview. Probably not so quick to change plays on the head coach. I look for the Bucs to pass the ball 40 times this week and run up the score. Might be their only chance to win both these next two games.
December 26th, 2025 at 8:22 am
Looking at our OLine injury situation, Wirfs (toe) & Goedeke (ankle) both appear to be hurting. Even if they play, their effectiveness will almost surely be impacted by their injuries. Jordan & Feeney have both started as our Guards last several games, but haven’t exactly set the world on fire. And Barton seems to have regressed lately, for whatever reason.
Result? Baker is ‘uncomfortable’ behind this OLine & it shows in his performances. Since our BYE week, we’ve lost 6 of 7 and Baker has averaged 168 yds passing in those 7 games. He’s only completed 58.3% of his passes (130-of-223), has thrown for 10 TDs against 6 INTs, and has been sacked 16 times in those 7 games. WAY OFF of the performance we saw from Baker last season to be sure.
So what’s wrong? We’ve all seen it game after game. Baker’s hurting, and it’s impacting his play. Our OLine isn’t protecting him nearly as well as it did last year, nor is it run-blocking as well as they did last year. The play-calling of our new OC has been much too predictable at times, and our defense has been circumspect much of the time. Other than that, we’ve played pretty much at a level deserving of winning 1 of our last 7 games. Heaven only knows what we’ll see in these last 2 games of the 2025 season.
December 26th, 2025 at 8:50 am
DR, Baker is not hurt. That’s just another excuse. Hogtied is one thing. Hogtied isn’t hurt.
December 26th, 2025 at 8:59 am
Grizz hasn’t figured out how to feed multiple Dawgs. Thats an underrated skill.
Jmac abd E2 should be open in 3 or 4 receiver sets. No way the 3, 4 or 5 db can cover those two.
December 26th, 2025 at 9:18 am
Kenton. Another team physician that personally knows the health and condition of the players.
December 26th, 2025 at 9:33 am
DR says
“So what’s wrong? We’ve all seen it game after game. Baker’s hurting, and it’s impacting his play. Our OLine isn’t protecting him nearly as well as it did last year, nor is it run-blocking as well as they did last year. ”
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
No DR, its clearly all Bakers fault. All the commenters in here have connections to the Bucs medical staff 🙄 IMO, much of this is on Todd. This is the guy who took the ball out of Brady’s hands, the same guy who does Not believe in an edge rush, the same guy who thinks dropping VV into coverage will outsmart the other team. .And now we know he clearly had a hand in demanding the running game be the plan of attack instead of utilizing the four best wide receiver group in the NFL.
Let’s hope the glazers can find the next Ben Johnson. I don’t think he’s out there this year. 😢
December 26th, 2025 at 9:47 am
O-line is suspect. they keep using Bucky to slow down the blitz but it’s not working. Baker needs to get the ball out quicker, audible sometimes, go no huddle and go on instinct. when Baker plays it safe, he overthinks. when he slings it he does great but makes some bonehead mistakes. i’ll take the mistakes if we get the gunslinger. they need to use Rashaad white more.
Our offense is putting up some numbers, but the defense gets creamed every single day.
December 26th, 2025 at 10:02 am
What is with people crying to audible? So you’re in the helmet. You know what the original play is call was and know he doesn’t change the play after he sees the defense?
December 26th, 2025 at 10:04 am
No gameplan is turnover proof.
December 26th, 2025 at 10:20 am
Joe’s, something that nobody has talked about that I mentioned after the game is
WHY DID GRIZZARD HAVE MAYFIELD TAKE ***EVERY*** OFFENSIVE SNAP OUT OF SHOTGUN THE WHOLE GAME????
This is a popgun college offense running it this way…..
It takes away the play-action game completely with bootlegs & rollouts….
Why the hell was he doing this. Absolutely moronic….
Grizzard, wake up and put Baker back under center!!!!!
December 26th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Against Carolina, Evans first reception was a middle field “hitch” route that gained 10+ yds and a 1st down. He was WIDE OPEN! You would think Grizz would have used the same play again, as Carolina left center field open all game? But no, we totally abandoned it.
Carolina was playing against the run the entire game because we broadcast that all week, thus the open field between the D line and safety’s. The 49ers of old made a killing off of hitch and slant plays, especially off of play action. Yet, our vanilla offense has zero creativity. NONE! If most of us here know what’s coming, you know darn well the opposing players and coaches are salivating over their defensive scheme.
Open up the damn field on offense. If we don’t throw deep, the D plays shallow. Hence the reason our receivers are blanketed on every short pass.
On both sides of the ball we are out coached. Every. Single. Game.
December 26th, 2025 at 11:29 am
Of course the Bucs can pass successfully against the Fins! That exactly why they will emphasize the run again!! Todd Bowles, genius game plan to out smart the Fins!! Another nail biter and probably a loss!! We need an offensive HC! This game will seal Todd Bowles’ exit!!!
December 26th, 2025 at 11:36 am
Bucs need a quarterback baker carr sucks
December 26th, 2025 at 11:53 am
Agree with what Joe says about run vs pass. As usual there are unhinged and crazy comments from those who haven’t yet grasped that football has 22 guys on the field, all of whom affect every play. The notion that it “all falls on Mayfield” if the Bucs lose is so simplistic and absurd that it shouldn’t have to be pointed out. Those who make such comments should find a less complicated sport like tennis or golf where it is clear who is responsible for failure. Or they can try taming their negative emotions and contribute something positive to the discussion.
December 26th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Idiots. Look at Goff. Same scenario. Brilliant oc leaves. Interior protection in shambles. Qb play suffers. Did baker and Jared suddenly forget how to play ? When a qb can’t plant that back foot ( from a secure pocket) it makes efficient pass play difficult. Lions have arguably more talent , yet they just missed the play offs. Figure it out, ladies….
December 26th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
But, but, good ol’ Teddy Bridgewater was supposed to give us the best chance of winning the SuperBowl if Mayfield turned back into a pumpkin! Good ol’ Todd said so! Oh well, Arrogance and incompetence is a terrible combination in a Head Coach ,but , if that Head Coach had a career sub.500 win record was it really his fault , or the fault of the people who put him there?
December 27th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
mmmmmmmmmmmmmm