Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Saints
December 7th, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Trudging off the field into the locker room, Mike Evans rubbed his eyes in apparent disbelief regarding what had just transpired.
Buc Nation nodded in agreement.
A team with little to play for besides pride had just beaten Tampa Bay, a club with everything to play for. Prohibitive favorites against New Orleans entering Sunday’s divisional matchup, the Bucs suffered a jarring 24-20 setback.
While the surging Panthers enjoyed a bye week, the Bucs appeared idle for most of a rainy afternoon. What made it even more discouraging was that the 3-10 Saints didn’t play particularly well in pulling off an upset that left Tampa Bay and Carolina tied atop the NFC South at 7-6.
The Bucs and Panthers will meet twice in the final four weeks and there’s no credible reason to think Tampa Bay is capable of registering a sweep.
First up is a prime-time home game against the reeling Falcons Thursday, the same day Amazon drops a captivating 10-part documentary on 50 years of Buccaneer football.
Despite outplaying the Saints on the stat sheet, the Bucs came up short, literally and figuratively. Their last shot came with 87 seconds remaining when Cade Otton was tackled a foot shy on fourth-and-4 from the Tampa Bay 26.
Fourth down bedeviled the home team all day as the Bucs converted only 2-of-7. They were even worse (3-of-13) on third down as Baker Mayfield threw for only 122 yards.
Rookie Tyler Shough didn’t do much through the air for the Saints, but he scored on scrambles of 34 and 13 yards to hand Tampa Bay its fifth loss in seven games.
New Orleans overcame 10 penalties and a missed field goal in handing the Bucs their first divisional loss. That could come into play in the upcoming death struggle between Tampa Bay and Carolina for a postseason berth.
Drops played a pivotal role as a wide-open Emeka Egbuka couldn’t hold onto a potential game-tying TD pass with less than six minutes remaining. The Bucs settled for Chase McLaughlin’s second FG before Tampa Bay’s defense came up with a stop at midfield.
Two incompletions and a short Mayfield run set up the deciding pass to Otton, who inexplicably failed to clear the sticks before grabbing Mayfield’s flip over the middle.
The Saints, who entered the matchup averaging 15.2 points per game, exulted while the dejection along the Buc sidelines was matched by the sparse crowd of Tampa Bay supporters who braved a steady downpour.
What does it all mean? No matter what happens in the next week, if the Bucs are swept by Carolina, the Panthers will end Tampa Bay’s 4-year run atop the division. That’s a grim fact of life, a scenario that is quite possible considering how poorly the Bucs have played for more than a month.
Even with a makeshift offensive line, there are no excuses for Tampa Bay’s erratic play on both sides of the ball.
The Bucs got what they deserved Sunday — an upset loss that reverberated all the way to Charlotte. Here’s how the Saints embarrassed the Bucs, perhaps costing themselves the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 draft:
* Things went awry from the start for the home team as Mason Tipton, a second-year WR from Yale of all places, opened the game with a 54-yard kickoff return that set up rookie Devin Neal’s 3-yard scoring run. The game was only 2:36 old and Tampa Bay was already playing from behind. Kickoff coverage has been an issue for the Bucs much of the season and Todd Bowles is still scrambling to find the right personnel. For the season, Tipton is averaging 32.6 yards on 11 kickoff returns, including a 75-yarder.
* If not for a 32-yard burst in the fourth quarter, Bucky Irving would have averaged 1.6 yards on 14 carries. He did score midway through the opening quarter on a 24-yard reception that was nicely designed and executed. Rachaad White and Sean Tucker were considerably more effective on the ground and Mayfield added 42 yards on six scrambles as the Bucs ran for 179 yards.
Lots of targets.
* For the most part, Josh Grizzard’s passing offense was dink-and-dunk. Chris Godwin, Otton, Egbuka and Sterling Shepard combined for only 94 yards on their 11 catches. Grizzard’s reluctance to throw downfield remains a puzzling strategy for an offense averaging only 16 points in the past three games.
* Benjamin Chukwuma saw his first NFL action staring in place of left tackle Tristan Wirfs, and Dan Feeney opened at right guard for injured Cody Mauch. When Ben Bredeson went down with a knee injury late in the second quarter, Michael Jordan came on at left guard. Despite all the upheaval, Mayfield wasn’t sacked in 30 throws and hit only twice.
* Tampa Bay’s fourth-and-1 woes began late in the first quarter when Irving was dropped for a 7-yard loss on a pitchout that had no chance. The Saints stuffed Tucker on fourth-and-1 from midfield late in the second quarter before Tampa Bay’s defense turned the fourth-and-1 tables by denying Neal later in the half.
* One of Tampa Bay’s three sacks came courtesy of Chris Braswell, credited with his first takedown of the season. Chris Izien led all players with eight stops.
* Shoddy tackling contributed to Shough’s 13-yard scoring run that snapped a 17-17 tie with 8:26 remaining. Vita Vea and Logan Hall each had an opportunity to drop Shough for a sizeable loss but came up empty.
* Despite completing his first eight throws, Mayfield finished only 14-for-30 for a 55.1 QB rating. He was intercepted by Alontae Taylor on the opening drive of the second half, leading to Shough’s 34-yard scamper that put New Orleans ahead 14-10. In the past four games, Mayfield has thrown four TD passes and four picks while completing only 54 percent of his throws.
* The Bucs and Panthers are now tied at 2-1 in division play, each falling to the Saints. So much for a tiebreaker advantage if Tampa Bay and Carolina split and end up with the same overall record.
* There’s no getting around it — the Bucs haven’t looked the same since entering the bye week at 6-2. They haven’t played crisp, disciplined football since burying the Saints 23-3 on the road. Perhaps the potential return of Evans will spark a listless attack Thursday evening against the 4-9 Falcons, who are trying to save Raheem Morris’ job.
A family-owned Tampa icon since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:34 pm
Don’t be surprised when the Falcons light us up Thursday.
Prime time ya know…..
Todd must go.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:37 pm
Coach it better
Play it better
Merry Christmas!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
A sweep? It would be a miracle if we don’t get blown out twice!
This is FAR from a playoff team. It’s time for Bowles to take Grizz and Goooooo!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
Surprised?
Everyone is ‘expecting’ it!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
cousins vs bowles who’s confident it wont happen again?
December 7th, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Bucs luckily – barely beat Cards…..Rams blowing them out of the water. The Bucs do NOT belong this year.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
I think what make this so much worse is how they played at the beginning of the year even with injuries. They really looked like a good team and now look like a team that should have a top 5 draft pick. Painful!
December 7th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
It would’ve been a great catch by Egbuka for the 4th qtr tying TD, but he was wide open and Mayfield’s throw was terrible.
Then when Mayfield threw to Otton at the pylon, he overthrew him and didn’t give him a chance to make a play.
Only 20 points against a team giving up 25/game and the QB hesitant and inaccurate- Tom Moore needs to get on Mayfield’s butt.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:45 pm
Who at this point thinks Atlanta is not going to roll in here and win by 10+ points?
Rah will get his revenge. And in doing so, he will actually be helping clarify that it is time to end the Arians Era.
A sad end. A team of quitters.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:47 pm
Ira hope you finally figured out why it is out of line to assume we are playoff bound, Baker knew and Baker was clear that it is one game at a time. You and the Joes got your hats handed to you. Never assume this team is playoff material until we are in. Bucs
December 7th, 2025 at 6:51 pm
It would be no surprise if the Bucs lose to the Falcons. Everyone knows the Bucs are prone to fixing other teams problems. It’s a shame. And although I have been a big Baker fan, I’m starting to come back the other way. idk. His throws are high and behind the receivers. Reminds me of vintage Jameis. And our receivers are not helping. Drops….drop….drop. Egbuka has come down from that pedestal we put him on. Godwin looks better, but is still making uncharacteristic mistakes. I can’t even talk about the defense.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:52 pm
We won early in the season due to multiple come back wins by the offense….you can’t expect that every week all season. Bowles defense is one dimensional….we blitz and when a rookie QB on the road can figure it out, it’s not that effective. Good DCs make life miserable for rookie and backup QBs, against Bowles they have career days. This isn’t a recent development, we’ve witnessed this dating back to the sorry Bears when Brady was QB. The common denominator is Bowles and the only time his defense works is when the offense consistently scores 28 pts per game. If we get in a dog fight where the defense must generate plays in key moments, we’re doomed.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:53 pm
Dink and dunk on a day like today with the weapons we have made perfect sense and should have gone on all game long.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Will you guys finally admit that we don’t have the talent you media types keep on telling us that you think they have. Licht needs to GO as this is HIS drafted JV team on the field, and I’ve been saying that since last year. He may be able to draft offensive linemen, but his defense acumen is horrible. Take a read of Pewter Report as they finally have gotten off the bandwagon and don’t seem afraid of losing their media credentials. They also agree that Licht needs to stop horsing draft picks considering we need an injection of playmakers on defense. Licht not making a play for Parson is inexcusable.
December 7th, 2025 at 6:57 pm
Don’t be surprised when we get boat raced by the dirty birds…this team is DOA for multiple weeks in a row, take a look at the Ram/Cardinals game this evening
December 7th, 2025 at 6:59 pm
How is Evans gonna make a difference? He doesn’t rush the passer and Baker will overthrow him anyway
December 7th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
Faker needs to be DFA’d.
He sucks a$$ in big games.’
Just got boat races by a rookie.
Licht is hung like an infant.
Bowels has the IQ of a paper napkin.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:03 pm
Ira, I love ya, but stop being a shill for Bowels.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
What Bobby M. said
December 7th, 2025 at 7:05 pm
raheem the dream could just be what the dr ordered for the flailing bucs
December 7th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
I left the stadium today thinking we should have kept Coem as HC and let Bowles and his antiquated scheme go
December 7th, 2025 at 7:08 pm
Dont worry Raheem, Toilet Bowles will save your job. Morris will look like the second coming of Belichek Thursday night. Licht stopped listening to ac/dc and now listens to yacht rock. What a pathetic bunch at One Buc place.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:10 pm
Yep, Atlanta is going to crush the bucs souls Thursday, Kirk Cousins will throw for 500 yards and 5 TDs
December 7th, 2025 at 7:12 pm
You either get better, or you get worse. Under Bowles the Bucs have gotten worse. No way around it. Coaching it better, playing it better has fallen on deaf ears. Fans, and apparently players aren’t buying it. What will the Glazers do?
December 7th, 2025 at 7:17 pm
The first, fatal mistake was kicking off to start the game, putting our weakest unit on the field rather than receiving the kick and marching down the field on our first series (as we are quite capable of doing) and putting them behind. You always want a weaker team to be reminded that they are always trying to catch up with you, rather than give them a chance to get the feeling of being ahead of you. We never really overcame the seven we spotted them. These Bucs should never willingly allow the opposition to return a kick.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
We lost to the ‘reeling’ Saints today. Can’t wait for the ‘reeling’ Falcons.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Choosing Bowles over Coen was the kiss of death for this team. It’s not just me that feels this way. Fans aren’t coming to games or tuning in to watch . Just because a handful of hardcore zealots cobble up all the pro buccaneers propaganda that’s dished out here won’t change that. This is a poorly coached poorly managed team and I doubt that’s changing anytime soon. Liam has the Jags at 9-4 Todd has us teetering on collapse
December 7th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
I know some things – sherman
December 7th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
This team was never really 6-2 good. That was all fake. This is the real Bucs.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
We all forget just how much we lucked our way to 6-dash-2. Looking honestly at this team, we’re just a small handful of plays from being a 2 or 3 win team, at most.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:26 pm
Jason needs to start planning for the postseason today. And by post season, I mean when the season is over. There is no way we’re advancing even if we make it to the playoffs. Which is why he needs to start planning for what’s next. Including coach, if they make that decision. They’ve certainly fired better coaches for less. And personnel remains an issue. We’ve got a ton of money tied up in players who either aren’t playing good injury, but who aren’t playing to their contract. Lots of issues on this team. And none of them will be solved this year.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Reminds me so much of the Gruden collapse. Watching LVD get left behind by Shough reminded me so much of Brooks vs D Williams. What a pathetic performance by this team, as a whole, the staff, etc. I’ll be down for the Atlanta and then the away game at Carolina. I don’t see us beating a more physical team in Carolina and we can’t score 24 + to beat Miami so chalk that up as a loss. This team was built on defense, look at what it has become. So slow, soft, zero pass rush, no grit. I can keep going, it is just heartbreaking to see. Kills me I can’t be there every Sunday but we try to make it as often as we can but I do see the reason why fans are not in the seats. Consistently being let down, when it matters most or on prime time weighs on a fan base. We have enough time to turn this around but it will take a miracle.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:31 pm
Sorry but I hope Falcons do light up the Bucs Thursday nite…..
We need change and need to rid this team of this disastrous defensive scheme so if this is the only way to get something done, so be it….
Also we’d then get rid of Grizzards garbage offense as well…..
🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️🤷🏻♂️
December 7th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
The entire 2025 Tampa Bay Buccaneers organization have failed miserably. Todd Bowles is dead man walking. I wash my hands of this whole team.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:37 pm
I’m starting to see that this team don’t deserve baker, if I’m baker I’m sitting out the rest of the season, asking for a trade or buyout. Some of these fans don’t realize what the Bucs record would look like it it wasn’t for baker. Throws weren’t going to be great today in the rain, egbuka had two hand on the ball for a touchdown, Chris Godwin dropped a 4th down ball as well. Cade iron never gets past the sticks on his routes, defense is trash and has been trash all year. Nothing gets better until Todd bowls goes bye bye
December 7th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Look, I have been a Buyc fan since 1976 so I, as well as many Buc fans, can know a loser when I see it and that is this current franchise. They play with no heart or pride, they collect their paychecks and make excuses. This starts at the top as Todd Bowles has held no one accountabl;e all season from himself, Grizzard and the Special teams Coordinator, through the assistant coaches and trainers to the players themselves. They can do a crap job and maybe expect only a sharp word from Todd. This has to stop and the Glazers are the only ones to be able to do the right thing and get an offensive minded HC. It is going to be very embarrassing to the Glazers if Cousins lights up the Bucs’ D as expected on a night that should be commemorating 50 years of Tampa football but it will likely be Bowles’ team playing flat as they lose yet again. This should be the straw that breaks the camel’s back, Bowles has to go. No more excuses.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:42 pm
Haha the bye week!
A Bowles specialty. We are once again seeing all the trademarks of a Bowles coached team.
Hot start cause you are doing the same thing every year and other teams are trying new things, learning about their clubs early in the season then it’s easy catch up to stale Todd.
Terrible out of the bye week – check
Rookie QBs and backups moving the ball at will, maybe a record breaking QB performance somewhere – check
Playing down to lesser teams and not looking ready or motivated – check
Not winning or even performing in primetime – check
Guys we better win a couple more games so we can keep this HC, he’s great!
December 7th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Steven007
The only planning Licht needs to be doing is figuring out how many boxes it will take to pack up his belongings.
He’s been posing for years. The Jig is up.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:44 pm
Here’s a stat for ya.
Bowles has led the Bucs to three straight division titles and playoff appearances since taking over in 2022 (with a 27-24 record through three seasons), largely buoyed by a weak NFC South.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:46 pm
The freaking guy is 27-24 since 2022.
How is this NOT A PROBLEM?
December 7th, 2025 at 7:48 pm
Yes sad to say, The Bucs may save Morris’s job. Is their any reason to believe Cousins won’t come in and absolutely torch the Bucs?. The defense is sooo bad and now the offense.
Ira, Joe any idea what is happening to Baker?. He seems to be getting worse every week. He started hot today then the wheels came off. I will say it now the Bucs will not win another game. Yes we will get swept by the Panthers, beat by Atl and Miami.
Yes we will be 7-9. I think some big changes are now needed for this team. The whole defense needs to be rebuilt. The offense some T, E and O Line for sure.
Hey Ira, Joe says he saw Winfield after the game, is that true?. I thought he was in active today. I didn’t see him again
December 7th, 2025 at 7:49 pm
Was it a bad camera angle or was Zyon McCollum’s attempted goal line tackle pathetic? Seem you’d want to stand your ground and either force the QB out of bounds or make him earn the goal line. Instead dude dove shoulder first at the QB’s feet. What was he doing the entire time he was running and where were the linebackers? Where’s the clock in your head that tells you the play broke down, ball isn’t coming, turn around and pursue the ball carrier and if your Zyon, challenge the ball carrier. I really think this mess boils down to the players have their heads up their ass and Bowles isn’t able to turn the tide. It’s sad actually because the players appear to not care enough to try harder.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Stop it with the talent talk. There are plenty of teams around the league doing more with less.
This team is out coached and out schemed. Period. The play on the field reflects it. Players are 100% bored and unmotivated because there is no fire from anyone except Baker and there is no creativity in the plays on either side of the ball.
When the coaching is stale and boring, the play will be to.
Once in a blue moon, the stars align and we see a good game. Thats because the talent overcomes the adversity, which is a coaching staff piano strapped to the back of the team.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:50 pm
Might not win another game under radio. Time to go!!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 7:54 pm
This Bucs team has consistently regressed as the season moves along.
December 7th, 2025 at 7:56 pm
I knew Baker had regressed, but damn, he’s playing like crap!
December 7th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
@sakbucs nailed it on the head!
December 7th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
Glazers sacked Dungy for less. Bowles has to go. His player’s coach mentality has wworn out it’s welcome. No one held accountable. SVD not a starter. LVD told to get it done. Zyon a joke. No edge rushers. D line too small and too slow. Tackling an afterthought. WRs who drop crucial passes. STs without a clue. How can ownership continue to trot out this clearly inferior product. There are a lot of good players on this team. All be it a lot of them overpaid. Coaching change is required to get this group out of the hole. We are now soft as a pillow. Sapp, Lynch and Alstott must cringe watching this horror show. Please do what is necessary Glazers. Sack Bowles now.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
Time for someone to take the golf cart keys from Bruce Arians. He put us in this mess.
Clean house from Bruce to Jason to Todd down to the waterboys.
This team needs an enema. Bye bye y’all. Merry Xmas.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:04 pm
Bowles has been there for seven years, wondering if his message has gone stale with the team. Truth be known, the Bucs have never been a juggernaut under the Bowles regime.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:05 pm
Football1 agreed, cannot see the Bucs winning any other games, hope Joes change course and embrace a new coach search–I do not know or have any idea where we start–would love to see articles about that now.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:07 pm
Bowles has led the Bucs to three straight division titles and playoff appearances since taking over in 2022 (with a 27-24 record through three seasons), largely buoyed by a weak NFC South.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:08 pm
We need Curt Cignetti and we need home next year!!!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:11 pm
We are bad right now but just stop with the Licht blame.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:13 pm
Mike McCarthy would be a HUGE upgrade
December 7th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Sorry for the late comment It’s 3:00 am in Skibbereen. It doesn’t feel good. The excitement of the first half of the season is long gone. But, it only takes a few wins to put us back on track. I sill feel that there is a chance that this can turn around. Baker is a good leader and there is still a solid group of vets that know what it takes to win We are only a few years from our last Super Bowl win, and what should have been Two super bowl appearances. Keeping it real in Ireland.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:15 pm
In defense of Baker’s stats there were several drops today and Kameron Johnson stopped on an inside route which lead to the INT.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:16 pm
Hey, guys, this was a coming-out party for Chris Braswell. The edge rushing problem has been solved!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
I don’t see us winning another game this year. You just can’t flip a switch like everyone thinks they can. Evans and JMac aren’t going to help. They will only further show how incompetent this coaching staff is when our offense is just as listless with them on the field. The NFL has passed Todd by and it’s time for him to go. This league is made for young, innovative offensive coaches like Ben Johnson and Liam Cohen (remember that guy). The last defensive coaches to win a Super Bowl was Belichek and he had Brady. Old defensive coaches like Bowles are dinosaurs and we all know what happened to the dinosaurs.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
Licht gets a free pass all the time. He hasn’t been that impressive. Nobody talks about all his misses on players and there’s been a bunch. Bowles is garbage and there needs no explanation. Glazers need to grow a set and make a change. The division wins aren’t because of bowles, but from the garbage division.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
Tony Dungy got fired after turning a putrid franchise around but was to loyal to his inferior offensive assistants and could not get us over the top. Gruden came in and got us over the top with a huge Super Bowl win but couldn’t keep the winning movement consistent. Todd Bowles has hovered around or maybe just above average and has taken fortune of playing better football then divisional opponents in a dreadfully weak division.
Unless Bowles can turn this team around and finish strong, and Despite his extension, I think he will be fired after the season.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
Wonder if Joe can find out what happened during the bye week. Totally different team.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:39 pm
Since bowels took over the rest of the division is 71-121 overall
We are nothing but the best crappiest team in the crappiest division
71-121
We are the suck. Fire everyone. Now!
December 7th, 2025 at 8:41 pm
it’s a rough time right now in bucsville…the team has reached a pretty low point…
maybe thursday they strap on the armor and the creamsicles and go out there with some “orange pride” and turn this whole season back around…
this collapse is turning slowly into quicksand…
someones gotta be johnny optimistic in here…
“rally round the family with a pocket full of shells”
December 7th, 2025 at 8:46 pm
Doosh
NO.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
The Glazers don’t screw around, you don’t perform you get fired. Look at Dungy and Gruden. It’s not what you have done in the past it’s about the current direct and what you’re doing for me lately.
If this Bucs team doesn’t get its sh** together fast and impress down the stretch then I think Bowles is history.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:53 pm
🤮🤮🤮
December 7th, 2025 at 8:54 pm
I don’t believe there is any chance that the Bucs will be in the playoffs this year.
December 7th, 2025 at 8:57 pm
Bucs started reading their own fake greatness. Talk of Baker MVP. Coaches believed the bull sh*t. Todd spent the bye week watching replays of ‘Friends’. This is what Jason and Todd have delivered. The Bucs regress weekly. Other teams attempt to improve, the Bucs appreciate getting paid to avoid losing. The rot is deeper than anyone admits. Team is not constructed for the current NFL. This team would lose to several college teams.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
Have we seen enough yet? Can we be done with this clown show? I wont watch another game coached by this buffoon and his staff.
Propped up by two first time offensive coordinators for two years straight that went on to become head coaches respectively and by all appearances, are better than the head coach that they left in their wake.
That Bruce Arians coaching tree looks like the Charlie Brown Christmas tree. A limp pile of crap.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:07 pm
Gronk. I don’t know what has happened in Tampa. But you can’t keep winning with 1 second on. the clock. It’s going to catch up with you and it has.
Strahan. You want to know who is going to win the NFC South? I will tell you. The Carolina Panthers are going to win the NFC South.
Between them I agree and I believe they are right.
Fire Bowles. We have gone as far as we’re going with him.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:08 pm
I think Baker is hurt.Either that or Grizz is a horrible OC. None of it makes a difference as long as the defense and special teams are turds,
December 7th, 2025 at 9:09 pm
I would say this is like 2008 all over again, but 2008 was a surprise. This really shouldn’t surprise anyone given the insane amount of futile consistency that Bowles has shown since he became the head coach.
Go watch the Jaguars post game celebration in the locker room and then decide for yourself which kind of coach you would rather have running your club.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:11 pm
6-2 start, now 7-6…
Todd Bowles sucks and so does his team.
I think we can all slow our roll calling Jason the best GM in the NFL too.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
The top take away is that Baker had the ball in his hands with 2 minutes left and a chance to win the game, and flopped.
0 points vs a bad Cardinals team. 20 points vs a bad Saints team. That isn’t going to get it done. Baker has do better. This team was built to score points, and telling the defense they have to hold opponents under 20 to win games is not a winning formula.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:32 pm
Haven’t watched a game since the Rams blowout and don’t plan on watching anymore of this sh#tshow until they get a new coach and GM. They are embarrassing and shameful. Overpaid to underachieve. Back to the dark days.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:35 pm
Remember that early season Baker? Yeah me neither.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:47 pm
Sorry if this is a repeat I haven’t read through all the comments BUT. Dump Cade Otton dude is NOTORIOUS for catching the ball on 4th down short of the sticks and not getting the 1yd he needs for the 1st. You can’t do that consistently as he does. That shows no field awareness and that’s just unacceptable.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:49 pm
The best we’ll do over the next 4 games is go 2-2.
Miami is gonna kick our butt solidly and Carolina will beat us at least 1 of those times.
Hopefully the additions of Evans and McMillan dramatically improve our offense or we might lose all 4 games.
December 7th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
Blow it up
December 7th, 2025 at 10:02 pm
ATL going to whoop their a**es on Thursday.
This team is full of posers.
Horrible loss.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:07 pm
Ira the shill.
Enough. He’s been doing this too long and is no longer objective when it comes to reporting on the Bucs.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:08 pm
I feel asleep watching the game today. That’s how bored I was
December 7th, 2025 at 10:10 pm
How is it an upset when two bad teams are playing each other that’s just a loss no upset needed.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Stop the Licht blame? Who do you think drafted inferior players? He built this team that’s mediocre at best. Don’t get me started on free agents.
Sure, he’s not the coach but he’s right up there to blame. Never did like his big nose.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:12 pm
What is inexplicably is Ira blaming Otten and EE for those terrible throws by Baker Mayfield. If he hadn’t thrown it right at Otten’s FEET and hit him right in the numbers like he should, then it would’ve been a 1st down. It should’ve been an easy throw to make. An even easier throw to make was the terrible throw to EE. There was NO ONE in the end zone and Baker had all day. That ball should’ve led him towards the middle of the end zone like EE expected. Like anyone would’ve expected. But Mayfield throws a rocket high and behind him closer to the outside DB for some reason. Baker misses a ton of easy throws every week. Even on a lot of the ones he completes. He never throws receivers open or lead them. It’s always a little late and behind them. People need to open their dang eyes and then be honest.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:17 pm
No player can be fairly evaluated as long as Tood and his inept staff are teaching intense regression as a critical attribute . That’s the only thing they’re consistent at. Getting everyone to play worse, worse coaching. Even the water boy sucks.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:22 pm
Bucnbeers Says:
December 7th, 2025 at 10:11 pm
Stop the Licht blame? Who do you think drafted inferior players? He built this team that’s mediocre at best. Don’t get me started on free agents.
Sure, he’s not the coach but he’s right up there to blame. Never did like his big nose.
Ya dang right. And he chose Bowles over Cohen. Horrible in free agency. Weak. Mediocre drafting. Likes low IQ players who are choir boys. A bunch of yes men. Not a good judge of talent. Just low risk yes men who are average talents at best with very little upside. Him and Bowles both cannot developed talent. Anyone notice that guys rarely ever improve much and don’t really get any better. The whole entire thing is stagnant. Clean House. It’s a shame. They had Cohen. Go watch Cohen’s Jag’s postgame locker room when Cohen walked in there. Now that looked like team who loves their coach and really enjoys playing for him. Just like last season’s Bucs team.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
“Stop the Licht blame? Who do you think drafted inferior players? He built this team that’s mediocre at best. Don’t get me started on free agents.
Sure, he’s not the coach but he’s right up there to blame. Never did like his big nose.
Ya dang right. And he chose Bowles over Cohen. Horrible in free agency. Weak.”
I’m sure the Glazers had the final say on Bowles over Coen. I’m sure Licht’s opinion is was part of it.
As for the players, that’s just as much Todd as it is Jason. Especially on defense. Todd doesn’t get a free annual trip to Indy for show. Especially on defense, Todd tells Jason who he wants. Ex – I guarantee Benjamin Morrison was a Bowles pick – the guy is the son of one of Bowles’ teammates.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
This teams blows and is lucky to be 7-6.
I hope they are all ashamed from ownership down to the towel boys.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:39 pm
That’s right Stormy, and is why I blame them both equally. They are both mediocre. At best in an all-time historically weak division for years now.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:39 pm
Don’t really care anymore until Bowles is gone dude is not head coach material.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:41 pm
Bowles is the kids Godfather. Morrison that is. Makes no sense to draft a guy like that with that kind of injury history in the 2nd round.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:48 pm
Evans won’t make much of a difference. He doesn’t play defense or special teams. Plus I think NFL teams have figured out Grizz. In the beginning of the season no one really knew what the offense was. Now they do and they have figured it out. Each week the offense gets worse and so does Baker numbers. We need to fire Bowles and get a real offensive coordinator.
December 7th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
Bud, I think the stink on D started when Bowles tried to force Morrison into the starting lineup in the Pats game where he got burned. Not only did Bowles put Morrison in but he benched Dean, not Zyon. That probably angered a few players. Was Bowles playing favorites?????
December 7th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
LOL… Coaching or drafting… somebody has to go!
December 7th, 2025 at 11:00 pm
Bowles Bucs HC record is 27-24
Glazers have settled for a 50/50 chance every Sunday.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:10 pm
this is the nfl teams will play close whatever but the 4th down debacles ruined the game for the bucs. i dont mind going for it but it seemed like it just wasnt going to work the bucs arent good at converting them for some reason i know no one wants to hear it but this team is better then the saints and alot of other teams but situationally this team is one of the worst especially on 4th and in the redzone. i think the bucs win this thursday but im not as confident as i should be.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:15 pm
Bring out the bags.
December 7th, 2025 at 11:59 pm
The Todd Bowles Confidence Poll may set an all-time record low.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:22 am
I think Fort Myers Dave might be onto something there. It sure seemed like it. Nothing else made any sense about it. Same with most all of Todd’s decision making and then his responses for it over the past four seasons.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:30 am
Fort Myers Dave – Yeah and Bowles has only made excuse after excuse for (it’s all he’s done) and tried hiding him ever since. Morrison that is lol.
December 8th, 2025 at 1:36 am
Nah, you guys are off tryna blame Licht for this….
Licht oversees the draft and picks players to fit a certain scheme…
Licht has brought some talent to this team and it’s been squandered with such crappy coaching…
This is 1000% on Todd Bowles and the coaching staff and their lack of being able to coach up an edge rusher…..
Also Bowles defensive scheme is garbage now.
Because you have no edge rush, his crazy blitzes leave massive holes in the secondary and often leave an OLB chasing a scat-back down the field or in the flat (sorry for Anthony Nelson).
Guess what? All the players know it now!!! This scheme is such total trash…
The past 2 years, you had improving offenses covering up this sad smell of the defensive odor…
This year you have an OC wayyyyyyyy over his head. The dude never had a chance when he lost 60% of the starting o-line and all his weapons.
Grizzard was dealt a bad hand and I’m sorry for that. We wanted him to have success but it isn’t his time….
Licht better get his head out of his a$$ and fire the coaching staff and start over…
If he doesn’t agree to it then Licht needs to be fired as well….
December 8th, 2025 at 1:52 am
I’m over Bowles as much as anyone and am ready for a change also but wishing my team loses to see that happen just isn’t in my DNA. Makes me wonder how many on here actually competed in sports growing up. Pissed, yeah, fed up up for sure, but hoping my team gets throttled is just flat out weak sauce. Some of you should be ashamed
December 8th, 2025 at 4:03 am
Well expressed, Ira.
It’s hard for me to agree with all of it, but I do. Right off the bat, special teams gave it away. You are 100% right, things haven’t been good since the bye. Don’t know what is going on, but something is.
December 8th, 2025 at 6:37 am
OMG people this is not rocket science. The Panthers and the a Jags have greatly improved after hiring former BUCS coaches. The BUCS have greatly regressed. That=? COACHING!!!!! Baker gets a pass for one bad game since he has pulled everybody’s else’s weight all season and he tried to tell us what the problem is when he called the team out for no killer instinct. It’s true. This team looks poorly coached because it is. Grizzard is in over his head and Licht has completely ignored the needs of his team for 4 straight drafts. Everybody is now saying this is a bad team. Nope. It is the same team we had in the first half of the season when we were considered good. It is a poorly coached team that has not addressed what is necessary to make this team better, starting with a damn pass rush and players who can tackle, it at least make an effort to.
December 8th, 2025 at 10:20 am
“”OMG people this is not rocket science. The Panthers and the a Jags have greatly improved after hiring former BUCS coaches””
Like we all don’t know this.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:05 pm
The most glaring problem is the lack of defense .
The pass rush is ineffective most of the time and blitzing leaves us exposed on the back end.
The middle of the field is ALWAYS WIDE OPEN and rarely do you see contested catches .
I think it’s partly scheme and the lack of player fit for the scheme they HAVE to run to get pressure.
Let’s face it the Bucs have not been a consistently good defense since 2002 .
I’d rather see the Bucs score 20 and hold the other team to 14 or under than have them score 30 and have the other team score 37.
Time for a change I think.Personell a d injuries have caught up with us and at this point I dont think the Bucs make or belong in the playoffs.
December 8th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
@ElioT
I just wanted to say what I thought about you…
F OFF!
December 8th, 2025 at 12:45 pm
Prime time night game is a double whammy for the Bucs. I’m sure the Bucs will be favored but given their recent play I’m not sure they won’t get blown out by Kirk Cousins and the Falcons.
December 8th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
I hear Raheem Morris today on a popular SiriusXM radio show say that the Falcons are totally charged up on being the spoiler and knocking the Bucs out of the playoffs. I guess they like the Panthers better.
Maybe the Bucs should hear that in the locker room and use that as motivation to totally beat them to a pulp, physically.