Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Panthers
December 21st, 2025
Click through to BillCurrieFord.com to see the extraordinary year-end offers. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford general manager Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of their sale prices. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!
BY IRA KAUFMAN
Dumb and dumber.
It’s hard to win in the National Football League when you play sloppy and you coach stupid. The Bucs were guilty of both infractions Sunday in a 23-20 loss at Carolina that cost them a 96 percent chance to make the postseason.
Instead, the Panthers find themselves on top of the NFC South at 8-7 while the Bucs fell to 7-8 with their sixth setback in the past seven weeks. Unless Tampa Bay stumbles next week at Miami while Carolina upsets Seattle, the Bucs can still extend their playoff streak to six consecutive seasons by downing the Panthers at home in the regular-season finale.
Predictably, the Bucs don’t make things easy.
Despite a 9-minute advantage in time of possession, Tampa Bay suffered its third consecutive division loss. In his post-game wrap up, Todd Bowles twice said his team shot itself in the foot.
Everywhere you looked, there was blood on the tracks.
With the game hanging in the balance, the Bucs were flagged for seven penalties — in the fourth quarter alone. Two of those infractions were declined, but the damage was done. Baker Mayfield, held in check by Carolina’s secondary and Josh Grizzard’s bizarre call sheet, ended the suspense by throwing a late interception when the Bucs were on the fringes of FG range.
Very rough day for Bucs right tackle Luke Goedeke.
There were many culprits to be found, starting with Luke Goedeke. The normally reliable right tackle was nailed with five flags — three false starts, one hold and an ineligible man downfield penalty that was declined.
Bowles said the team’s confidence is “good” heading into the final two games, but Buc Nation begs to differ. This is no longer a typical midseason malaise. This is a late-season collapse to rival 2008 and 2011.
And we know the response of the Glazers after both of those meltdowns.
In a game of this magnitude, Grizzard decided to focus on ground express. In the opening half, the Bucs called 18 runs while Mayfield threw only 10 times. Did Grizzard think he was facing the ’85 Bears?
The Panthers, who went nowhere on the ground, hung around until the Bucs made enough mistakes to decide the game. Two of the more egregious gaffes came in the final minutes after Carolina went ahead on a 48-yard FG.
On the ensuing kickoff that went into the end zone, John Bullock was called for unnecessary roughness, so the Bucs started that fateful drive at their 10. That’s bad enough, but rookie Emeka Egbuka also donned the clown helmet when his false start on second-and-4 at the Panthers 37 pushed Mayfield back five yards.
The game’s only turnover came on the ensuing snap as Mayfield and Mike Evans suffered a communication breakdown that ended the game.
Grizzard’s play-it-safe strategy wasn’t the only error by the coaching staff. In the final seconds of the first half, Bryce Young burned a Bowles blitz by lofting a 22-yard TD pass to rookie Tetairoa McMillan, who sped past Jamel Dean in the left corner. Dean had absolutely no help against Young’s primary target and the Bucs appeared surprised that Carolina took a deep shot rather than play for a FG.
Despite Sunday’s outcome, the odds are this division crown will be decided at Raymond James Stadium on Jan. 4, when the Panthers roll in seeking a season sweep.
There is one other scenario in play, however, Carolina can take the suspense out of the regular-season finale by upsetting the Seahawks coupled with a Buc loss at Miami.
Here’s how the visitors imploded time and again in the biggest game of the season:
* McMillan outplayed Egbuka in a matchup between outstanding rookie receivers. Egbuka caught a 40-yard pass for his only reception of the afternoon while McMillan had six catches for 73 yards, including that critical late second-quarter score. In his last six games, Egbuka is averaging only 39 receiving yards without a TD catch.
* Egbuka’s 40-yard grab was the only Buc reception that gained more than 13 yards. This team seems to have little interest in testing opposing cornerbacks downfield. Like former Tampa Bay Lightning head coach John Tortorella used to proclaim, safe is death.
* Young continued his knack for coming through in crunch time. He completed 21-of-32 passes for 191 yards and a pair of scores while the Bucs couldn’t register a takeaway. At the age of 24, Young remains erratic, but you can see why Dave Canales is happy to have him under center for the forseeable future. He also drove Buc defenders crazy with his legs, particularly on a third-quarter TD flip to second-year TE Ja’Tavion Sanders after eluding several pass rushers.
* After throwing only two interceptions in the first nine games, Mayfield has been picked off six times in the past six weeks. Sunday’s mistake, with the Bucs on the brink of sending the game into overtime, was indefensible.
* Tampa Bay’s ground game was effective overall. Rachaad White ripped off a 39-yard run and Bucky Irving gained 71 yards on his 19 carries. Mayfield chipped in with 49 yards rushing, highlighted by two long scrambles.
* Bowles has no faith in his kickoff return coverage unit. Can you blame him?
* Sean Tucker scored his team-high seventh rushing TD of the season. He’s sneaky good near the goal line.
* Good teams capitalize on mental errors. The Bucs couldn’t beat the Falcons, who were flagged 19 times. Tampa Bay’s eight penalties played a significant role in Sunday’s setback.
* The Bucs can’t afford to stumble because they’re looking ahead to the Carolina rematch. The Panthers will be prohibitive underdogs at home against Seattle, but they have wins against the Rams and Packers. You never know what you’re getting from Canales’ crew.
* Tampa Bay hasn’t been sharp or focused since the bye week. Some penalties you can live with, some you can’t. How many times can you shoot yourself in the foot? Aim somewhere else, for heaven’s sake.
A family-owned Tampa icon since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:49 pm
The coaches obviously think Baker is a turnover machine so they ran the ball to take the pressure off him and it didnt work. I’ve been saying since the bye, it’s not the injuries, it’s Bakers lack of accuracy and decision making thats hindering the offense. The coaches don’t trust him.
That pick was absolutely mind blowing. Mike was cutting to the right and Baker had already thrown the ball left…to nowhere. Nothing but blue jerseys that way. He had made his mind up before the snap where he was going to throw the ball.
This team needs a top to bottom reset.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:52 pm
Love Todd Bowles.
Bring him back in 2026
Fire Licht. He is the one drafting these soft football players
December 21st, 2025 at 7:53 pm
Top take away… with 1st place on the line, three weeks in a row, Baker had the ball in his hands on the last offensive possession with with a chance to win the game or seal the victory – and three times in a row he’s failed in horrific fashion.
That is THE story. Not Bowles, not the defense, not the offensive line, not Evans, not Otton, not e2, the story is Baker repeatedly failing when the pressure is on. Winning in week 2 vs the Jets is nice, but three division losses in a row with 1st place on the line, to throw a 3 yard pass on 4th and 3, to throw an INT vs the Falcons, to miss a wide open e2 to win the game, to throw another pick vs the Panthers when you’re already in FG range and at worse tie it up, it’s all inexcusable.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:54 pm
Would love to know what happened to this team after the bye.
No one playing well and the coaching is horrendous.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:56 pm
Todd should get promoted to GM. Such a great guy. Players love him.
December 21st, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I agree Bee. We need a new HC and QB. Baker isn’t the answer and Bowles has captained this putrid defense long enough. We need a new regime
December 21st, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Ira, I know it’s your job but why in the world are we still talking about possibly making the playoffs? Nobody wants to read that garbage. This team is cooked and Baker has had a regression for the ages. Two of the worst INTs to end games in back to back games is what we should be talking about. A new head coach is what we should be talking about. A halfway decent offensive and defensive coordinator is what we should be talking about. As always, I will tune in to see what info you’ve managed to dig up
December 21st, 2025 at 8:00 pm
Please no Baker Extension of crazy money .. Pats, Saints , Falcons and Panthers had ball in his hands to win game and did not get it done
December 21st, 2025 at 8:01 pm
Another early contract extension recipient( Goedeke this time )coming up snake eyes. Oh that Ring of Fire GM J-Licht…playing 4D chess while other GM’s fumble at Chinese Checkers. He deserves another 10 years at the helm. This is top notch football…soup to nuts.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:01 pm
Oregon Buc Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Ira, I know it’s your job but why in the world are we still talking about possibly making the playoffs?
========
The Panthers aren’t beating Seattle next week – so it’s still going to come down to week 18.
And for a record 412-millionth time, if Baker gets hot, the Bucs can not only beat the Panthers and get in, the Bucs can outscore anyone. IF Baker gets hot.
Perhaps IF the media actually called out Baker for his awful play, maybe we’d actually get good Baker to show-up. Instead all we get is that it’s everyone else’s fault, Baker isn’t lambasted in the media like he should be, and as such, who knows if he turns it around. If the stories this week were all about how the Bucs can get rid of Baker after the year, who can they dump his contract on, I’d actually have quite a bit of faith in him finally showing up – instead it’s more nonsense about how it’s everyone but Baker to blame.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Winny Testaverde Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 8:01 pm
Another early contract extension recipient( Goedeke this time )coming up snake eyes.
———-
Oh my God, give me a break. Luke has been the best offensive lineman on the team his year, to try to claim he’s to blame for Baker throwing an INT to lose the game is pure nonsense.
One person is to blame today, it’s the same person it was last week and the week before. Baker Mayfield. If people actually called him out and put some heat on him, we might actually get some good play out of him since he does best when people call him out. Instead everyone just pats him on the back like he’s a special needs kid and tells him it’s not his fault. WRONG. It’s 100% his fault. If that bum got called out, we might see an improvement after 2+ months of most garbage play.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:07 pm
We get it Hot Rod…you’ve added Zyon and Bobblehead Goedeke to your “protected list”…alongside Jameis and McCoy ( and don’t forget about Iggy! )
For a male hairdresser with a pair shaped physique, you talk awfully big on this site.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Well I’m guessing that they won’t be giving Mayfield a big $$ bump at the end of the year. Then again, there is the McCollum handout, so you never know.
This whole thing is blowing up on Licht. He got bailed out by BA and then the Brady find, but before that he was on thin ice. He can’t draft edge rushers, interior D linemen or a decent QB. If I’m the Glazers, I’m telling him he has two years to turn around the defense.
The new head coach they hire in 2026 will be the most important decision the Glazers will make … until they replace Licht.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Ira, for someone so plugged in you’re blaming Grizz for running the ball so much? That was all Todd he said that was the plan when asked at the half. This loss is all on Bowles. He ordered Grizz to run it today.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Blah, blah, blah…the entire coaching staff needs to be fired!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:16 pm
That was a story of a team in full free fall. Sounded pretty accurate.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:22 pm
Miami does NOT want to win next week, which likely means week 18 against Carolina is for all the marbles
December 21st, 2025 at 8:25 pm
rocket Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 8:10 pm
Well I’m guessing that they won’t be giving Mayfield a big $$ bump at the end of the year.
——–
With as p/o as I am at Baker single handedly losing three games in a row, fact is, if he gets hot, then the Bucs not only make the playoffs, but can win the playoffs.
If he suddenly heats up and goes on a run, no one will remember him losing these three games. He can still earn that big money deal, but time is running out.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:26 pm
Beeej Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 8:22 pm
Miami does NOT want to win next week, which likely means week 18 against Carolina is for all the marbles
———-
Well the Panthers are not beating the Seahawks either, so even if the Dolphins win, it will still come down to week 18. Which would be fitting for the NFC South champ to have a losing record, again, under Bowles.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:27 pm
All I know is the bucs let 2 good headcoaches go for a mediocre coach riding on Brady and Arians coatails.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:29 pm
Time to put the horse down. Send it to the glue factory. It needs to be over. It is over.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:29 pm
This team has no heart, no balls, and no brains. Any team in the NFL can beat us right now.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:30 pm
Maybe it’s time. Rebuild. Baker to Miami. Swap with tua. Oh wait… I mean baker to the raiders. Swap for geno..oh, wait… baker to Arizona. Swap with Kyler…or Jacoby…oh wait, baker to the Vikings. Swap for McCarthy. Or, let’s bring Jameis back and have a real qb competition……
December 21st, 2025 at 8:30 pm
Guys, Baker is guaranteed 30 million bucks next year, he will be back but I hope he has competition. Miami is starting a 7th round qb who will want to make a statement, against Bowles D he probably will.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:32 pm
You done defending Bowles Ira?
You should be. What a stupid call at the end of half and a dumb play by Dean but still… what a stupid call. You said it … “Bucs coaches looked surprised they took a shot” who the hell wouldn’t!? Oh that’s right our coaching staff wouldn’t!
No doubt he wanted to pound the rock and told Grizz as much while game planning.
This is the same coach that was scared Brady would throw a pick vs a depleted Steelers secondary and we know how that went. Another genius gameplan loss. He DOES NOT LEARN!
Darnold threw 2 picks Thursday but foot on the gas in a huge game and they win.
Indefensible pick? Evans cut his route off. It was miscommunication, wasn’t an errant throw. That’s a decent defense right there. Took 2 guys to mess that up not just Baker.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:32 pm
would have been great to see Bake go nuts on the 29th pass defense with the weapons he has- the idea in football is to score points- the bucs suck!!!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:35 pm
1. Defensive decline despite being a defensive coach
Bowles’ calling card is defense, yet the unit has regressed—poor third-down defense, missed tackles, and blown coverages, especially late in games.
2. Lack of in-game adjustments
The team routinely struggles after halftime. Opponents adjust; Tampa often does not.
3. Conservative decision-making
Clock management, fourth-down choices, and late-game aggression are consistently below league averages, costing close games.
4. Talent not translating to results
With experienced veterans and capable coordinators, the on-field performance hasn’t matched roster quality.
5. No clear team identity
The offense lacks rhythm, and the defense lacks consistency—signs of unclear leadership direction.
6. Stagnation instead of progress
After multiple seasons, the team looks largely the same or worse, not trending upward.
7. Opportunity cost
Keeping Bowles delays the chance to bring in a modern, offensive-minded coach better suited to today’s NFL.
Bottom line:
When a defensive head coach oversees a declining defense, loses close games due to decisions, and shows no upward trajectory, change becomes a rational—not emotional—business decision.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:35 pm
If the Bucs aren’t making the playoffs anyways, then it’s too bad Baker wasn’t shutdown during the Rams game, he’d have a lot more trade value this offseason. Now I doubt the Bucs could get more than a 3rd rounder if they decide to blow-up the team and start over. Previously I think you could have legit got a 1st rounder.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:39 pm
In other news, Lawrence was pretty awful for most of the season, until about a month ago when everything seemed to click for him, now he’s putting up numbers like Baker was last year.
With Coen, Baker isn’t even the middling version of himself that he was in 2023.
Amazing considering this is allegedly the same scheme and playbook as last year. But glad we heard all offseason how Wiz Kid was going to improve on it by taking more deep shots.
It’s almost like Coen saw what Baker was good at, and what he was bad at, and made the offense around him – sort of like he’s done in Jacksonville this year. I still don’t understand how Grizz never looked at the tape last year, and just hit copy and paste. The play calling, not talking about today, has mostly been terrible and ultra predictable. Today, the play calling was clearly ordered by Bowles to be as bland and run heavy as possible after he repeatedly has seen Baker fail in big moments these last two weeks, only to see Baker fail yet again.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:41 pm
Bucs lose next week to Miami, and Carolina pulls off one of their incredible upsets against Seattle, and puts this year’s team out of its misery. Hopefully followed shortly by a complete house cleaning of the coaching staff.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Well. No one thought the Panthers were going to beat the Pack, and then no one thought they would beat the Rams. The part about that game that might be something to think about is that it’s a cross-country trip for a kickoff that would be at 10am their time, and sometimes that does funny things.
This year has been full of flukes and surprises.
December 21st, 2025 at 8:48 pm
Dumb and dumber would be keeping Toad for yet another year when many of us knew he should never have been hired in the first place!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Lets go Miami !!!!! beat this suckers !!!!!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:52 pm
I’m not including Winfield Junior, since I would’ve done the same. BUT… COHEN, Goedeke, Godwin, Reddick, McCollum, along with last season’s HORRIBLE Draft. It all adds up to being FIREABLE OFFENSES, for Lickt. Kept you from being a potential ‘player’ for Micah Parsons, too!!!!
December 21st, 2025 at 8:58 pm
Fire bowles not and bring in gruden or Arians as a temp coach for the rest of the season. We still have a chance if we do that. If bowles stay no way. At least if we make the playoffs we will garner interest from some good coaching candidates
December 21st, 2025 at 9:01 pm
It starts and ends with Bowles. Your team is a reflection of your head coach. You see anyone fired up? You see passion from this team? All we hear about if soft practices, a bored player (really??), lack of energy, miscommunication, loafing, etc. I expected to see much more fire from this team after the Bowles blowup, instead we got the same old same old. Time for change.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:03 pm
Achane will probably produce 150 yards of offense for Dolphins next week and Mayfield will likely happy feet his way to 50 yards rushing and 120 yards passing as Bucs lose again.
When your QB stinks, your team loses
December 21st, 2025 at 9:03 pm
They are a lot more away than just a QB. I am NOT worrying about a QB right now. Baker is locked-up for next year, and I am NOT ‘reaching’ on a 1st-Round QB for AT LEAST after two more drafts. I’m building the roster FIRST. Before, I’m drafting a ‘rookie’ QB in the 1st-round, and putting him in anything that is not an ideal situation. I’m spending $$$ in free-agency, offloading aging players on big-contracts, & stockpiling draft-capital, with a NEW GM AND HC. 💯 Period. End of Story.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:11 pm
Alanbucsfan Says:
December 21st, 2025 at 9:03 pm
Achane will probably produce 150 yards of offense for Dolphins next week and Mayfield will likely happy feet his way to 50 yards rushing and 120 yards passing as Bucs lose again.
When your QB stinks, your team loses
————–
Dolphins give up tons of yards on the ground, so after again seeing Baker fail, Bowles is going to go even more run heavy next week. So all the people complaining about too many runs today… well, just wait until next week.
December 21st, 2025 at 9:16 pm
Rod, capt. obvious has entered the blog 😊
December 21st, 2025 at 9:25 pm
do these Bucs run any routes deeper than 5 yards?!
December 21st, 2025 at 10:05 pm
Fire the coaching staff NOW. Pathetic period. This team wound be an embarrassment to Tampa if they made the playoffs. One and done embarrassment.
December 21st, 2025 at 10:10 pm
Baker will NEVERRRRRRR get got under this absolute garbage offensive scheme.
Baker is a decent QB as long as the OV knows what hesoibg.
Also it helpsBaker of he had his 2 starting guards back to help negate interior pressure.
The offensive scheme is so freaking bad!!!!!
Did anyone notice Baker was in shotgun THE WHOLE DAMN GAME!!!!!
My first question is why?
He play great under center, and the play action opportunities are there.
It’s soooooo bad whats going with the offense…
December 21st, 2025 at 10:12 pm
CORRECTED POST FROM ABOVE…
Baker will NEVERRRRRRR get HOT under this absolute garbage offensive scheme.
Baker is a decent QB as long as the OC knows what he’s doing.
Also it would help if Baker had his 2 starting guards back to help negate interior pressure.
The offensive scheme is so freaking bad!!!!!
Did anyone notice Baker was in shotgun THE WHOLE DAMN GAME!!!!!
My first question is why?
He play great under center, and the play action opportunities are there.
It’s soooooo bad whats going with the offense…
December 21st, 2025 at 10:15 pm
Bucs don’t have a prayer to win another game and it’s sad…..
Keeping Grizzard this season & losing Coen (even though he’s a snake), absolutely destroyed this team.
Also it’s gonna cost Baker’s contract extension because you sure as hell can’t tie it to him now after this season…..
What an absolute crapshow mess we have 🤦🏻♂️