Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Falcons
December 12th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It’s not a stretch to suggest the Buccaneer season effectively ended Thursday at 11:35 p.m.
A team that hit the bye week at 6-2 is cratering in front of Buc Nation. Another crushing blow landed during a stunning 29-28 loss to Atlanta as a national audience witnessed what Tampa Bay fans already sensed:
This team is lost.
If the Panthers beat the Saints as expected on Sunday and then take care of business at home the following week against the Bucs, Tampa Bay would be eliminated from the division title with two games still remaining.
How is that possible?
It’s possible because the Bucs just lost to New Orleans and Atlanta at home before heading up to Charlotte. It’s possible because the Saints and Falcons emerged on top without even playing particularly well. It’s possible because this defense can’t be counted on when it counts.
Two weeks before Christmas, the Falcons tried to gift-wrap a victory for Tampa Bay with 19 accepted penalties. That’s the most in the NFL since 2016, when the Raiders won despite generating 23 yellow flags. In both cases, the Bucs failed to capitalize on all that generosity.
The Bucs squandered Mike Evans’ heroic comeback.
Despite a bravura effort by Mike Evans, the Bucs lost for the fifth time in six weeks. Kirk Cousins, once again afforded sturdy protection, shredded the Bucs for 30 completions and 373 yards. Atlanta’s game-winning FG came after Cousins overcame a third-and-28 and fourth-and-14 hole in the final minutes.
On his way to the locker room, a forlorn Evans kept muttering “third-and-28, third-and-28.”
Todd Bowles appeared shaken and furious by the lapses of his defensive players during this prolonged tailspin.
On the same day Amazon dropped the “Raise the Flags” documentary, Bowles faces a herculean task — he must raise the dead.
Baker Mayfield, who threw an awful interception to spur Atlanta’s comeback from a 28-14 deficit, said the bulk of the blame should be placed on his sore shoulder. That’s a nice gesture, but 28 points should be more than enough to subdue a team with nothing to play for beyond pride.
Now it’s Tampa Bay’s pride that is being questioned after a string of uninspiring performances that threatens the future of Bowles and his coaching staff.
Calijah Kancey and Tykee Smith were sidelined, but that’s no excuse for allowing Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson to romp over a sloppy field.
Robinson accounted for 175 yards from scrimmage. After the game, Raheem Morris called him the best player in the league … and he’s not far off. Pitts, who has averaged 44 receiving yards per game in his career, caught 11 passes for 166 yards and three touchdowns.
While Pitts found gaping holes in Tampa Bay’s zone defense, Cousins had enough time to count the fans aboard the pirate ship. Cousins threw 44 times on Thursday night and the Bucs were credited with one pass breakup.
ONE.
Here’s how the Falcons took a step toward saving Raheem’s job while making the Glazers think twice about their head coach’s future:
* After missing six games with a fractured collarbone, Evans flashed the skills and focus that will earn him a bust in Canton five years after his retirement. He caught six passes for 132 yards, including a 45-yarder, and many of those receptions were highly contested by an Atlanta secondary geared to contain him. No wonder he was so pissed by the fourth-quarter meltdown.
* The lack of a consistent pass rush is killing this defense. Buc opponents averaged 22 points before the bye and that metric is up to 29 points per game during this 6-week slide. The smart money is on Jason Pierre-Paul suiting up in Charlotte.
* Unlike Tampa Bay, the Falcons pressure quarterbacks into mistakes. Rookie James Pearce Jr. posted two of Atlanta’s five sacks and Atlanta exploited the weaknesses of two backup guards. Mayfield threw for 277 yards, but he missed some key throws, including a pass that sailed slightly behind Emeka Egbuka when the Bucs had an opportunity to put the game away.
* Antoine Winfield Jr. led all players with 13 tackles, but he appeared out of position on the fourth-and-14 completion to David Sills on the right sidelines. Watch the play again and you can’t help noticing Cousins had a comfortable pocket to launch the pass that set up the winning kick.
Tight End Devin Culp
* It’s easy to overlook because it happened early, but Zyon McCollum’s bonehead play cost the Bucs four points. Lined up on the left edge, he was flagged for being offsides as Atlanta settled for a FG try from the 13-yard line. Given new life, Cousins found Pitts from eight yards out to forge a 7-7 tie. The Bucs might regret that contract extension for McCollum, who hasn’t played smart football since the bye week.
* Despite 10 offensive penalties, the Falcons just rolled up 476 yards, averaging 7.2 yards per snap. That’s a slap in the face to former Buc defenders like Booger McFarland, who voiced his frustration on Twitter by proclaiming during the game that Tampa Bay has the worst pass rush in the NFL.
* Yes, we had a Devin Culp sighting. He grabbed a 6-yard pass in the end zone, capping a 90-yard drive that put Tampa Bay ahead 20-14 in the third quarter. It was Culp’s first TD catch as a pro and Buc fans are right to wonder why he hasn’t been targeted more often.
* Even Cousins can’t believe some of the holes Atlanta dug out from. “At third-and-28, it didn’t look good,” he said, “but somehow we found a way.” It helps when you face a defense lacking any semblance of a killer instinct.
* We tend to take Chase McLaughlin for granted. That’s a mistake. He’s been terrific.
* The Bucs now have extra time to prepare for the Panthers, one of the league’s hottest teams. If Carolina wins in the Superdome and improves to 3-1 in the NFC South, Tampa Bay wlll face elimination Dec. 21 at Charlotte, That dire scenario would have seemed preposterous a few weeks back, but things change quickly in the NFL. What hasn’t changed is a Buc defense that looks listless, unfocused and unaccountable to each other.
A family-owned Tampa icon since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:33 pm
Ira – we suck. Bag the season and the coach. Love you on Maddog tho
December 12th, 2025 at 1:34 pm
“That’s a nice gesture, but 28 points should be more than enough to subdue a team with nothing to play for beyond pride.”
I literally hate this line of logic, it’s so stupid. Your offense is on the field to put up points. BA used to gripe about leaving points on the field even after WINS, but because QB talk is 70% of what 3rd party outlets cover about the NFL they’re too chicken sh** to call bad play bad play especially when it comes from the QB position. No Ira 28 points wasn’t enough we could’ve scored MORE had that INT not been thrown.
Don’t give me this “INTs aren’t bad” we’re 6 years removed from Winston losing his job for throwing too many picks, and you know what? He’s a much more capable QB from the pocket than Mayfield has EVER been.
Now, I’ll wait for Kenton & Gipper to come reply to this with cumulative stats to try and shoot our QB bail. Bro is limited here, was limited in Cleveland and sucked enough the Panthers shipped him off to LA who also didn’t keep him because they had an older, more reliable option.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:36 pm
The falcons had 19 freaking penalties and the bucs still managed to lose the game this team is so cooked. I know there is still a way this team can make the playoffs but let’s be real here it’s done guys.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:38 pm
Glazers are dailing all the numbers looking for a replacement I can almost guarantee it.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:40 pm
F this team.
Our two best, young players are offensive tackles.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:43 pm
28 points is enough to win, unless you’re the Bucs or Bengals
As a longtime Cleveland Browns fan Baker was limited, but only by the coach’s play calling, insisting on multiple TE’s. and 7 yd passes. Baker led them to the playoffs.
The only reason some Browns fans didn’t like him was because he once planted a flag at midfield on sacred ground
December 12th, 2025 at 1:44 pm
Warren……..3rd and 28!!!!!!
December 12th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
Remember the article earlier in the week from the Bucs employee?
“Anyone wanting Bowles fired should leave, I’ll hold the door.”
That didn’t age well. He needs a Salvation Arm donation pot. There are lot of people going through that door.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:49 pm
I would fire Bowles today, but you need a plan for after. I don’t think there’s head coach material on the team and we’re still in the playoff hunt. What’s even crazier is we still control our own destiny.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:51 pm
This team needs a good OC and a different DC. The two we got. stink!
December 12th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
@Mike C
28-20 and we throw a pick in scoring distance, no 35-20, no 31-20, just give the other guys the ball with nothing to show for it.
Also, 6 INTs in 4 of 6 games since the coming back from the bye week btw, but sure
December 12th, 2025 at 1:52 pm
3rd and 28
4th and 14
Underthrown EE
Horrible INT that was uncalled for
Zyon is an idiot and cost 4 points
There is much more, but I don’t have the stomach
December 12th, 2025 at 1:55 pm
We need to focus on our OC, he’s the only shot we got at this point. The offense could salvage this season. The defense is hopeless, has been since Brady’s last year. Bowles has lost his defense, they have zero faith in his ability to come up with a strategy that leverages the players strengths into results on the field. He’s running the exact same defense as if we have JPP, Suh, Vea and Barrett up front…those four could generate incredible pressure. We don’t have that luxury now and Bowles has ONE solution which is blitz.
Our offense has masked the ineffectiveness of the defense dating back to Canales, then Coen and now Grizzard. Grizzard saves this season and he’s getting a big raise. Won’t be easy with two back up guards but it’s do or die time for offense. The defense is toast.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
You’re playing a 4 win team and you don’t think 28 points is enough??? Yeah ok. Vegas had the bet line for Cousins under 220 yards or something close to that, but 28 isn’t enough??? 19 penalties…. 28 isn’t enough?? Yup, Mayfield had a bad night and has looked scared to death the last 5 games in the pocket, kinda like Brady was that last year. 28 points was plenty against a team that has been absolutely horrible lately with a coach getting canned. The only thing that I would say absolutely killed the game was the Bucs last offensive series and the horrendous play calling to try and win the game. You know your D can’t stop them and go full turtle mode and have to punt at 2 minutes.
December 12th, 2025 at 1:57 pm
Bowles is not the only responsible here…..
1- what about Licht and the roster? Is not true we have a VERY talented roster
2- Baker Mayfield, is not even close to be what sometimes showed us
3- Some lazy players with doubtful effort…Logan Hall, McCollum, reddick, Nelson
4- No TE and no LB
I agree Bowles era is Over!!! Though I back him with every word he said yesterday, players DID NOT EXECTUTE.
We need bew coaches a lot of new players and a new GM
December 12th, 2025 at 1:59 pm
Let’s not forget accepting that penalty at the end! Could have had a 3rd & 18, but decided to give them an extra down which they exploited. Trash defense, horrid pass rush, loose DBs, atrocious DC. Scuttle the ship!!!!
December 12th, 2025 at 2:00 pm
Mayfield took accountability, who on defense wants to step up and take some?
December 12th, 2025 at 2:03 pm
Zyon got back before the snap. It’s the fumbles I still don’t understand. It was literally impossible we didn’t recover the one where the ball was surrounded by Bucs. What HAPPENED?
December 12th, 2025 at 2:04 pm
Ira, Evans wasn’t the only one shouting 3rd and 28. I kept saying it over and over after the game!!!. When it was 4th and 14 , I said oh no he is going to make the throw and sure enough. You knew the end was coming in the stands when Baker threw the interception in the 4th. I kept saying 5 more yards and we kick a fg, game over. Then the unthinkable, the interception, the worst possible scenario!. Right There, you knew the defense would not hold. However, then 3 and 28 and you go really!!, 3rd and 28, we can’t lose!!. Then 4 and 18 and yes I think we knew somehow Counsins would get the throw he did. Game over. Unreal , yes and the penalities by Atl, yes like we had a 12th man onn defense. No matter. This game will become infamous and shameful for a long long time. I said the season ended last week , but held hope with Evans. He was hungry you could see it.
No we won’t beat the Panthers, well maybe once.
Unfortunately, yes believe Bowles will be fired. I say that because it is not all his fault. However, today with all the banter about the locker room, he has clearly been tuned out. The fans too!!
December 12th, 2025 at 2:05 pm
Fire Bowles. Its embarrassing to have him as the Bucs head coach.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:14 pm
Carolina needs to put this team out of it misery next week
December 12th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
We only need one takeaway every week Ira. Save your breath
December 12th, 2025 at 2:20 pm
Want him gone every bit as I did Schiano and Lovie Smith!
December 12th, 2025 at 2:21 pm
“On the same day Amazon dropped the “Raise the Flags” documentary, Bowles faces a herculean task — he must raise the dead.”
That is a great piece of writing right there
December 12th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
I’m not understanding the hate for AW jr on the 4th and 14 play. Vildor never gets to the sticks nor turns around, and lets the WR run right past him. He’s too worried about a RB behind the line of scrimmage on 4th down than the guy running past him. Shameful.
So if anyone’s out of position, it’s Vildor. Safeties must keep the play in front of them. To me, Winfield looks like he’s reacting from his schemed position towards someone else who blew their coverage.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
There are rumblings that some players are not taking film study and practice seriously enough. We all know that once that culture starts in a few players—it quickly spreads to others who then feel more comfortable with loafing and taking advantage of the lax environment. But, lets also be fair—some of this is on Licht because he picked these players. I don’t care who the coach is, Licht’s job is to research these guys and come to a conclusion about their character. Moreover, he did nothing in the offseason about the pass rush, even though most of us were screaming for him to bring in some guys- regardless of whether he had to overpay. The damage done by the lack of pass rush last year was glaring- yet, here we are today, talking about how these QBs are just sitting back there all comfy and picking us apart. Licht needs more blame here!
December 12th, 2025 at 2:27 pm
It’s really frustrating when we fans have been hollering about poor pass rush from the front four since Shaq and JPP aged out (years ago), and Licht and Bowles refuse to try to get an elite player at the position. It’s like they don’t even study the Bucs own history, or look at any Super Bowl champions ever. You have to have pass rush without having to blitz.
And don’t tell me signing Reddick was an effort. He stunk with the Jets and there’s a reason he was available for cheap.
This team needs a complete overhaul of the front 7. It SHOULD cost draft capital to do. Draft capital is for improving your team…and that doesn’t mean finding “starters” on the worst defense in league.
Quit saving picks to find the next Logan Hall or Chris Braswell or JTS and get NO BRAINER stars.
We gave up draft capital for BOTH of our Super Bowl winning coaches.
Keyshawn cost us 2 first rounders and won a SB! JPP was pretty handy, too!
December 12th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Licht drafted David Walker. Who got hurt and didn’t play. Nobody could have foreseen that.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
So Bowles has put us in the position now where next week we all have to root for the Saints.
PRICELESS!!!!!!!
December 12th, 2025 at 2:49 pm
This team is unwatchable.
The Glazers should refund all money spent at the stadium last night.
Panthers will dominate this buttery soft defense in 10 days.
Season is over and that is not opinion.
Phat lady is belting one out.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:52 pm
Its the coaches and GMs job to hold the team accountable. When you draft or pick up a player in free agency you look for the guys that have high character and hold themselves accountable, thus individual accountability. Team and individual accountability always drive success in sports, business, military, etc. You have to have both to win. If a player doesn’t get it done, you bench them, or let them go. Doesn’t matter if they are the best guy at the position, because they will not put forth 110% effort. If the coach is not preparing game plans properly, or coaching up the guys right, you discipline them or let them go. Nick Saban said, ‘God-given talent will only get you to good at best” and being excellent is a choice and requires work. This team as a whole is just doing good at best, but most of the time mediocre or worse. Lots of guys run a 4.2/4.3 40 yard dash these days, but what good is that if you are willfully disobedient, mentally lazy and/or incompetent. Bowles may not be the only problem, but his job is to solve the problems and win games. He is not doing either.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:53 pm
BS Brooks. 28 should have been enough. But hey. You be you.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
Totally unlikeable team in all units. GM Licht bear lots of blame as well. Overpaying for AWJ and Zyon, failing to address pass rush, below average drafting and free agents and getting just pathetic players.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:56 pm
And the Saints already shut down the Panthers, and quite possibly will do it again.
Seattle will probably dismantle them, too. A half-game with three left is with three left is what the league dreams, after all.
The issue with the fool’s gold is whichever team is #7 (likely LA or Seattle) is most likely to absolutely throttle whichever team comes in #4.
Fans in Charlotte will ultimately be “okay” with the “improvement” and playing “meaningful games” in December, while fans of this team have (rightfully) much higher expectations.
Players reading their press clippings and when we’re “5-dash-two” got Wyche axed, and this season is eerily familiar – with some 2023 Eagles vibes thrown in.
I’ll still take us to win division, but hopefully the Glazers will agree that’s not good enough.
December 12th, 2025 at 2:59 pm
True this team is lost. As I ve said many times before, something going on at One Buc Place. I keep hearing accountability. For this team to fall this for from grace, they most likely have a internal issue as G McCoy kind of mentioned
December 12th, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Warran, The Defense Sucks 28 points is enough to win, you have no idea what you are talking about, yeah a pick is bad but 3rd and #%@$ing 28 BRO!!!
December 12th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
Short of winning all 3 remaining games and at least one playoff game, TODD IS TOAST!
This team has taken the normal midseason swoon and expanded it into a full-on nosedive
December 12th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
“BS Brooks. 28 should have been enough. But hey. You be you.”
Anybody that picks an arbitrary number and says “that should be enough” is a plum fool.
Context exists because it matters, 35 would’ve been enough, 31 would’ve been enough. Y’know any outcome that starts with your offense possessing the ball with an opportunity to ice the game, but instead they turn the ball over in a CLUTCH situation should’ve been enough, but you keep being you.
28 points is only good to some of you because we’ve struggled to score 25 or more points in **checks notes** 9 of 14 total games
December 12th, 2025 at 3:02 pm
Watch Daddy,
I hope you are right—but, I just cannot see anything changing this defense around. There still is hope—-I still believe that we are capable of outscoring the teams left on the schedule if our offense can come alive.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:08 pm
Yes, that was an egregious pick. My issue is with Grizzard for calling a (roughly) 20 yard out in that situation, both with the clock and bumping into range for Chase. Bad calls in bad situations lead to bad plays.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:10 pm
Crazy how early in the season when we were winning games, even when down and about to start the 2 min drills, I just knew Baker and Bucs would pull it out and win. Todd Bowles was going for it on 4th, being aggressive. It was so refreshing, I literally thought, “Wow, Bowles really reinvented himself and improved.”
My oh my how things have changed.
Even the first Saints game was weird, but hey “awesome defense” (against Spencer Rattler). Bucs have cratered since, and now, I can’t wait to get rid of Todd Bowels. And for all the praise I’ve given Licht…now I’m realizing the house of cards that is this roster. “I Am That Man” guys, but are they actually any GOOD?!?! They can start for the Bucs, but can they start for any contender???
Defense: On the line, Vita Vea seems the be the only one with heart. I saw Yaya too many times just not running with his hair on fire (and mostly the plays were away from him…but i want to see full effort 100% until the whistle blows). LVD is old and probably his last year. all other linebackers suck. and Antoine was supposed to the rock…hasn’t exactly played like we’d expect. all our corners stink, except jacob parrish, who’s made mistakes but he’s a rookie and has had plays to make up for it. everyone else needs to bounce though.
All these rumblings of team issues from McCoy and Sherman…we need to hire private investigators, they going to the strip club like Aquib Talib days???
December 12th, 2025 at 3:21 pm
LOL The Bucs already did. Signed one this week. 🙂
December 12th, 2025 at 3:25 pm
Even “locker room issues” are moot. We won a Super Bowl with (and with meaningful contributions from) Antonio Brown – the poster child for clubhouse issues. Suss it out and deal with that stuff in August, not December.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:26 pm
The Glazers clearly don’t care about winning anymore.
Bucs are just a cash register for other investments.
Malcom would be appalled. His sons have fallen far from the tree.
Bowles is here to stay. No way they pay him three years to do nothing.
Injuries will be a convenient excuse to recycle this crap show.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:27 pm
I’m in Vegas, when the Bucs were up 14 points at the beginning of 4th quarter 90% money on the Bucs winning. For those Falcon bets that came in as Raheem’s chapter appeared to be closing, riches were made on the Falcons.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:30 pm
FIRE TODD BOWLES AND HIS STAFF NOW.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:32 pm
Blah, Blah, Blah
Fire this Entire Coaching Staff!!!
December 12th, 2025 at 3:41 pm
All the penalties against the Falcons. 3rd and 28. 4th and 14. Falcons without their best receiver. Old man Cousins, a statue, back there. Raheem gifting us the game by going for two twice. Bucs defense couldn’t do a damn thing. A fish rots from its head.
FIRE TOAD BOWELS YESTERDAY!
December 12th, 2025 at 3:52 pm
I think the only hope of beating Carolina would be to fire Bowles and send a message to the players that any of them could be next. Motivation.
December 12th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
Bucs have more time to prepare for Carolina? Bowles said in his presser today they’d get back to work Monday. The players will have off Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. Come in Monday, than have Tuesday off. Way to put your nose to the grindstone. Bucs have a mini bye, hooray! They always come back worse after the bye. Todd should bring his loafers in on Sunday. Make them have an extra practice. Lord knows they need it.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:01 pm
Uh, ya think? Did you just wake up from coma, Ira?
I told ya’ll the day we got this news that his extension was a massive mistake by Licht! Rewarding Zyon with a fat contract for one, single, barely average season of play highlights one of Licht’s few, but big flaws: he overcompensates his own draft picks waaaaaay too much
December 12th, 2025 at 4:02 pm
@Hodad – another reason why Bowles needs to fired. He has presided over the SOFTEST training camp, preseason, and regular season practice schedules.
ALL HE DOES IS GIVES THESE GUYS EXTRA DAYS OFF. HE REWARDS INCOMPETENCE AND INEPTITUDE!!!!
They should be having padded practices every single day that the CBA allows… Nothing on this team is satisfactory right now, except Evans, J Mac, and Godwin.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:08 pm
I’m waiting for the local pen and mike or at least those with guts and a conscience to call for Todd Bowles job. Why has that not happened? Tony Dungy lost his job for way less.. do the right thing let’s hear your voice. Love you on the Ira Kaufman show by the way.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:09 pm
“On his way to the locker room, a forlorn Evans kept muttering “third-and-28, third-and-28.””
Yep….. unlike the clowns in comments people who know football know what the actual issue is
December 12th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
Two weeks before Christmas, the Falcons tried to gift-wrap a victory for Tampa Bay with 19 accepted penalties.
——–
What about the two touchdowns the refs giftwrapped the Falcons?
Personally, I’ll take the 19 penalties and the 2 TDs.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:10 pm
In a few weeks we will be watching from home coen and canles lead there team in the playoffs, that has too say something of keeping bowles
December 12th, 2025 at 4:14 pm
So true, we definitely take Chase for granted. He is a true gem and we are all lucky he is on the Bucs.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:15 pm
* Antoine Winfield Jr. led all players with 13 tackles, but he appeared out of position on the fourth-and-14 completion to David Sills on the right sidelines. Watch the play again and you can’t help noticing Cousins had a comfortable pocket to launch the pass that set up the winning kick.
===========
So Bowles this morning apparently said that Winfield was in position, was doing his job properly, and it was the corner not in position. Even before Bowles said, just looking at the coverage, it seems very obvious the corner is out of position – and having watched this trash Bowles zone defense for years, Winfield is exactly where Bowles wants him – it’s why people like me that watch this garbage call it a super soft zone defense.
IF that is true that Bowles said Winfield wasn’t at fault – it was the corner, I really hope all these articles bashing Winfield for doing his job get an update, a new front page story saying Winfield was doing what Bowles told him to do.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
December 12th, 2025 at 3:01 pm
“BS Brooks. 28 should have been enough. But hey. You be you.”
Anybody that picks an arbitrary number and says “that should be enough” is a plum fool.
______
since you are calling people fools in your I hate Baker usual ranting way I’ll make a plum fool of you
Th average winning score in the nfl is 24-28 depending where from mid season you count.
So Yes “plum fool” he is right.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Panthers & Jags meet in the Super Bowl – Both thank Bowels !!
December 12th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Baker Mayfield, who threw an awful interception to spur Atlanta’s comeback from a 28-14 deficit, said the bulk of the blame should be placed on his sore shoulder. That’s a nice gesture, but 28 points should be more than enough to subdue a team with nothing to play for beyond pride.
————
Jameis Winston is on the line.
I remember all the articles after every loss excusing his turnovers and blaming the defense.
Oh wait, no I don’t.
Also, fun fact, looked it up last night… did you know that Winston NEVER threw an INT in the 4th quarter of a game when the Bucs lead by 14 points. So congrats Baker for doing something Winston never did!
December 12th, 2025 at 4:18 pm
I thought we wouldn’t have 2posters with the same name. Although I agree with the other Will about firing the entire staff is there a way to not have 2 people with the same name on here?
December 12th, 2025 at 4:19 pm
Bucman Says:
December 12th, 2025 at 4:16 pm
Panthers & Jags meet in the Super Bowl – Both thank Bowels !!
———
Honestly, that would be hilarious.
But it ain’t happening, the Panthers aren’t in that league. But the Jags, well, they got a great defense, and finally it seems like Lawrence isn’t playing like complete trash. In Coen’s system, if Lawrence got hot, that’s certainly a team that could make a run.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:21 pm
Ira, no mention of “simultaneous possession”? Officiating in this league has been laughable all season across the entire league, yet no one mentions this, that call changed the outcome of this game. I get the feeling the league sent out a memo or something and the “free press” is following orders.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:22 pm
@Mike Buc
You tried and failed my boy, try again, but next time try as hard as Baker trying to put touch on an 10 yard post or better yet try as hard as Baker trying to throw a curl to 6’5 Mike Evans but throwing the ball 10 feet in the air for no reason.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:27 pm
“Don’t give me this “INTs aren’t bad” we’re 6 years removed from Winston
Warren Brooks Lynch (aka r.munch) Says:
losing his job for throwing too many picks, and you know what? He’s a much more capable QB from the pocket than Mayfield has EVER been.”
———
ROFLOLOL you over played your sock puppet name dude.
if you throw picks like they are flies at picnic from the pocket thats not capable because the objective poor soul is to throw to YOUR OWN team members. Hilarious
December 12th, 2025 at 4:31 pm
“You tried and failed my boy, try again,”
🙂 Maths does not fail because you don’t know it rod…another epic fail
on both you
and our school system
December 12th, 2025 at 4:37 pm
@Rod AKA Warren Brooks Lynch
“Also, fun fact, looked it up last night… did you know that Winston NEVER threw an INT in the 4th quarter of a game when the Bucs lead by 14 points. So congrats Baker for doing something Winston never did!”
____
Of course not because if you throw INTs like winston you are are almost never up by 14 in the 4th quarter to begin with!!. Aint no logic flying under your radar lololol
rofl….
December 12th, 2025 at 4:39 pm
Say Ira, A lot of us fans are so desperate, I’ve even solicited a few, and here is the deal. If you would mention to the Glazers that we want Bowles fired immediately, we will send you a $500 gift certificate. I’m not joking either.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:52 pm
It’s not just the coaches. It’s Zyon, Reddick, SVD, Winfield, Hall, David, the OL backups, TJ rookie WRs, the injuries and on and on.
There are some guys that are nice but not hungry and they quit.
Dump the coaches, dump to loafers.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:53 pm
This loss is not on anybody on offense. This loss is on the defense. 3rd and 28, and we couldn’t get a stop. A 14-point lead blown by a defense that received all kinds of help from the refs couldn’t get off the field on a 3rd and 28.
December 12th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
Any word on what and who are the internal problems?
December 12th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
Mike citing a league average to back the absurd notion of 28 points being enough just to place blame aside from a back breaking turnover while in position in to score more points is like putting a hat on a hat. The fact you think that’s an “AHa” because I’m one of like 5 people that frequent this site honest enough to call Baker out.
You guys will talk about Mahomes throwing picks as proof he can be as bad as Baker, but me calling out a pick that just wasn’t an unfortunate turnover, but a colossal mistake in crunch is exactly why this fan base has fans that think their fellow fans are idiots.
I bet you think as a species, we all share a core intellectually floor and refer to it as “common sense” 😅 football, not life works that way.
Any yes, the defense sucks, which makes every turnover that much more unfortunate because we struggle to stop teams from scoring while also struggle to score ourselves. Same exact team has 2 games posted this year-both losses-with single digit scoring totals. 2 of our 9 total games scoring <25 points, but here you are with league averages
December 12th, 2025 at 5:00 pm
The defensive coordinator sucks. the head coach is worse. The players he chose to play for him don’t listen, don’t watch film. that’s the atmosphere they’ve built into the Bucs players. Like they couldn’t care less if they win or lose. Shake up the system, fire Todd right now. Have one of the assistants take over. They won’t win with Todd and won’t win without Todd but firing Todd now sends a clear message. Players are playing for their jobs. Any new coach will study their play after the shock to the system and decide if they’re in it to win or just to show up get a paycheck. It’s worth the try. The rot is deep and needs a big shock.
December 12th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
Anybody else notice how mad Mike Evans was after that game? He didn’t fight to get back on the field for stats or to hit some BS incentive in his contract. Mike wants to play in the playoffs, and if that isn’t going to happen I fear we will not see Mike in Tampa after this year until his name goes in the ring of honor.
December 12th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
I thought Zyon got back in time and shouldn’t have been flagged.
December 12th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
Stpetematt Says:
December 12th, 2025 at 2:33 pm
Licht drafted David Walker. Who got hurt and didn’t play. Nobody could have foreseen that.
—
The fact that Licht is reliant on a 4th round FCS prospect to save our pass rush is why this situation is such a joke. He gets praise every year, but he didn’t fix the pass rush and didn’t fix the ILB spot despite it being a major issue the past few years. What is he waiting for? I get Bowles deserves criticism, but Licht’s failure to address some of these issues, plus giving McCollum that contract, should put some heat under his seat too!
December 12th, 2025 at 5:13 pm
In 7 games the entire culture of this team is destroyed. Completely utterly destroyed. Blow it up and start over. The coaching staff and 3/4 of the players need to be gone. I hate the 2025 Buccaneers
December 12th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
With all due respect, Mr.Mcoy. Dudes that aren’t doing their job in practice or games that’s on Bowles, locker room in shambles,that’s on bowls he should have been let go when they fell apart last year one and done in playoffs.. As far as Mr. Licht,look who’s in first place now,Canels and the panthers,,who should have been promoted last year but what do I know im a ravens fan lol.
December 12th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Who the hell are we going to get to coach this team next year. Most of the top coaching candidates are defensive coordinator and we don’t need another one of those. Joe Brady or Clint Kubiak seem to be the best OCs available. Marcus Freeman from Notre Dame? Glazers will have to try to strike gold somehow. Last year was the year to grab a bright young g offensive minded coach, like the one we had in the building and let go to Jacksonville. That move will forever haunt this franchise.
December 12th, 2025 at 5:33 pm
Mayfield missing a big throw on second and 14 is not getting much play. He hits him in stride and the game is over.
December 12th, 2025 at 5:38 pm
when you are the GM and the coaching staff and you build a team that repeatedly leaves you saying stupid stuff like “we gotta be able to get a yard” and “we gotta be able to stop 3rd and 28” you really need to go.
if you cant do either little thing and prepare your team ready to do a couple of little things like that you really need to be fired.
the bucs finally gave up on kick returns yesterday as well?
December 12th, 2025 at 5:50 pm
Antwoine Winfield, Zyon Mcollum, Jamel Dean in the last year of his contract. This is when players ball out and I’m starting notice a trend with the defensive players. Hahaha
December 12th, 2025 at 5:55 pm
LOL @ The Jameis fanbois trying to compare them as the same.
His average INT % during his time in Tampa was DOUBLE what Baker’s is this year.
GTFOH
The INT was costly, without question. Plenty of blame for the loss goes to Mayfield between that, and taking some unnecessary sacks with his happy feet.
But you do realize the Bucs defense could have, ya know, maybe made a stop? Or maybe stopped them from scoring on either of their next 2 drives? You do realize that is what a defense is supposed to do, no? Instead they let Kirk Cousins convert 28 fn yards…
December 12th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
“Miller5252 Says:
December 12th, 2025 at 1:56 pm
You’re playing a 4 win team and you don’t think 28 points is enough???”
Hey brother we are not operating under standard football logic and you know this, this 4 win team had Kirk Joe Montana Cousins playing at QB against Todd’s invulnerable soft zone scheme. They might as well have been the 80’s Niners.
December 12th, 2025 at 6:02 pm
Told y’all to watch the lightning! Go bolts
December 12th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Time to draft some D-Bags!
December 12th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
Bowles was gifted a Tom Brady culture and he drove it to the ground.
December 12th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
I am tempted to play the injuries card out of a little fairness. But can’t and won’t. Other teams clearly know how to get the matchups they want vs the Bucs and exploit it repeatedly. It’s sickening.
December 12th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
Hey Ira. Still think Toad Bowells survives this debacle?
December 12th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
Jason Licht is a fraud. He wears Tom Brady’s gifted Super Bowl ring…JL didn’t earn…he was a passenger on the Brady express. That guy is a loser. Bowles? Career loser as well. ANd why are we paying Arians to go on ESPN and bash us…Glazers…this is on YOU to fix it. Jason LIcht is a loser. Fire everyone.
December 12th, 2025 at 6:31 pm
They need to stop handing bags of cash to defensive backs who then loaf. Save it for pass rushers.
December 12th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
So sick of every article and every other post itemizing the injuries we’ve had. Yes, we’re all fully aware what players have missed what games.
Every single team we’ve lost to these last couple months has been missing key players too. ATL was missing their #1 WR and QB. Saints were missing their #1 RB and Tackle.
Can we please stfu about injuries??
December 12th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
zzbucs … ‘I agree Bowles era is Over!!! Though I back him with every word he said yesterday, players DID NOT EXECTUTE. We need new coaches a lot of new players and a new GM.’
There’s huge risk every time you gut a system. In this case zzbucs, you’re talking about a COMPLETE new coaching staff, a COMPLETE new front office makeover, and a whole lot of new players. And all we have to do is screw up ONE element of that, and we’re back to the Den of Depression.
Oh wait, Bucs played there last night. Never mind, when we look like the Saints next year, folks will be asking ‘What went wrong?’ Three coaching staffs later, we’ll rehire BA when he’s 87 years old. And Tom Moore will still be helping him coach.
December 12th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
DR
This can’t go on. Licht has presided over this mess and should be shown the door as well. You don’t cut out MOST of the cancer. You get it all.
It’s a shame, but it’s been coming for a while. I believe our cap should be rounding in to shape, there’s that.
December 12th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
Let’s be really clear about one more thing.
Faker Mayfield has no business being the QB in Tampa.
He’s a loser, always has been, and always will be.
A backup at best.
Do not give him another contract until he proves he can win.
December 12th, 2025 at 7:23 pm
Is Bowles gone yet?
December 12th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
How does Bowles go to sleep tonight with a job? If I had this performance at work I would be history.
December 12th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
And why does that get moderated?
December 12th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Sorry guys, but even the great Patrick Mahomes looks merely human this season. You cannot have a ‘franchise QB’ with a bargain-basement o-line. Plain and simple.
The INT was a fantastic play by #20, and the defensive coordinator for Atlanta… Unfortunately, our DC doesn’t have any fantastic calls…
December 12th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Honestly at this point. I’m willing to do the patriots rebuild. I’ll wait five years to have a formidable team. Not whatever the hell this is. And by god burn the throwback uniforms. Creamsicle is truly a cursed color.
December 12th, 2025 at 8:19 pm
Those creamsicle’s aren’t the same color as the original. I know because, I attended games when they wore the originals and I’ve had a personalized, autographed L. Selmon jersey hanging on my wall Since 2001.
Those pastel things they’ve been wearing lately ain’t it. The white ones are nice though.
I realize that’s neither here nor there, but I’m through talking about Bowles.
December 12th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Another famous baker interception when the game is on the line
19 penalties on the Falcons 19
That alone should be enough to win the game
19 and still loose wow
Been saying it all along Mayfield average qb not elite
Bowles below average hc add that up loosing team
December 12th, 2025 at 8:42 pm
The video of ME13 muttering 3rd & 28 in sheer disgust has gone viral.
I’m very glad it has.
December 12th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
LanShark
Not sure it was a great play by #20, other than he baited Mayfield into making a lazy throw..
December 12th, 2025 at 8:47 pm
Unmotivated talent is wasted talent. Toad bowels can’t develop defensive players.
3rd and 28 my wife called them out and said Falcons get a first down…
Not sad to see Todd go but again it’s the Glazers fault for not getting Coen to stay.
ME13 is THE Beast! Stay healthy dude u r the greatest BUC ever!
December 12th, 2025 at 8:54 pm
I dont believe this is Todds fault. Firing him does nothing but award lazy, unenthusiastic players what they want.
December 12th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
I can’t believe no one is talking about the horrendous calls made by the refs. Normally I don’t moan over the refs after a game goes south. Sure there’s bad calls every week somewhere, however most of them are forgotten about and don’t change the outcome. The ones from last night, changed the momentum of the game.
The fumble that we obviously recovered (nothing but orange Buc jerseys on top of it), was handed to Atlanta. How about the bogus offsides penalty, when there was obviously no one that jumped over the line? The touchdown catch by the Falcons receiver where his elbow was out of bounds?
And yes, Todd Bowles should’ve challenged the fumble that was recovered by us.
These calls all changed the game. It needs to be called out
December 12th, 2025 at 9:23 pm
Patrick
All turnovers and scores are automatically reviewed.
December 12th, 2025 at 9:38 pm
CATCH22
Bowles D sucked this bad the last three years. He didn’t get fired because the offense performed well enough to save his job. Now Grizz sucks and Bowles is exposed. We should have canned him last year and promoted Coen but didn’t because Coen performed too well.
December 12th, 2025 at 10:43 pm
Fire Todd
December 12th, 2025 at 11:06 pm
The Bucs have consistently played down to their competition and lacked focus. If the coaches did all they could, as Bowles said, they would have changed the roster, used the trade deadline, and benched repeated offenders of a multiplicity of mind-numbing errors.
It’s been historic how many Bucs’ defenders have been juked out of their jocks this year — time to rename it Fruit of the Loom field, with a bunch of fruit pirates manning the cannons.
And this 2025 team definitely harkens back to the tried times of creamsicle unis. Bad memories on repeat.
December 12th, 2025 at 11:14 pm
they will lose badly their last 3 games. team has given up. they know they are not good enough
December 13th, 2025 at 12:37 am
Hoping the Glazers and Jason Licht give Todd Monken an interview for head coach. He is a serious candidate.
December 13th, 2025 at 1:36 am
Fire Bowles, I see a couple of other outlets are already doing articles about potential successors and the Times writers are actually writing Todd’s’ obituary as well. I cannot see how anyone can actually say in good faith that they think Bowles will be back next year. That is journalistic malpractice which I expect from homers like TJ Rives who is paid by the Bucs.
December 13th, 2025 at 4:14 am
Firethecannons – Courteously, no. He has been with the Bucs before and I think he was at the Browns the same time as Baker. I could be wrong on those dates. But he wouldn’t be a good fit.
Felt bad for Mike, Chris, LaVonte, and others. They played their hearts out and have really been a presence on this team for a long time, to only see it fall apart.
December 13th, 2025 at 7:36 am
If we replaced Todd with anyone, the logical, safe choice that comes to mind would be Mike Tomlin IMO, just because he has history with the Bucs and was part of the winning era during the Dungy/Gruden years. He would bring a good culture.