Pass Defense Is Killing Bucs
December 5th, 2025
“Todd, I’m not supposed to help you, sorry.”
In the starting five of the Bucs’ secondary, which includes Jacob Parrish, only one starter was not drafted in the first two days of their respective drafts.
You’d never know it by how they are getting regularly cooked like a Thanksgiving turkey. At times, it’s like the Bucs have a bunch of undrafted free agents guarding opposing receivers.
The Bucs are tied with the Steelers (!) for allowing the fourth-most passing yards per game. The Bucs allow 247 yards per game through the air.
(To be fair, there are several potential playoff teams who allow over 200 yards passing a game.)
Since the Bucs lost to the Lions 24-9 back in October, the Bucs’ offense averages 20 points a game. Opponents since the Detroit game average 25 points a game against the Bucs.
You’re not going to win many games scoring 20 points if your pass defense looks like a runway at Tampa International Airport during spring break.
This, sadly, isn’t anything new for the Bucs. In fact, it’s the norm the past few years to have a garbage pass defense. Here is where the Bucs’ pass defense ranks each year since 2019 in passing yards allowed per game:
2024: 29th
2023: 29th
2022: Ninth
2021: 21st
2020: 21st
2019: 30th
So only once since 2019 did the Bucs have a pass defense that ranked above No. 21 in the league for passing yards allowed per game. That’s not good.
But to pull things back to the current status of the Bucs, good thing Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving are back and Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan are practicing again. The offense is really going to have to pick things up to compensate for the Bucs’ pass defense getting boatraced each week.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:07 am
How did Bowles get the moniker defensive genius? Obviously his defenses have and do suck.
I mean Joes numbers don’t lie.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:11 am
hmmm…and how long has Todd been here?
December 5th, 2025 at 12:15 am
Tampa DC 2019-2021
Tamps HC 2022-present and probably 3 more years…smdh
December 5th, 2025 at 12:18 am
Gotta tell ya Joe, you’ve been on fire with these latest articles. You’ve gotten to ‘the heart of the matter’ in terms of issues with many of these.
Brought to mind the 1989 song titled ‘The Heart of the Matter’ by Don Henley. Don’t think he ever became very popular, but I think it’s ironic that that song was featured in his album named ‘The End of Innocence’. Something very appropriate in that title as it relates to all the recent discussions about our Bucs’ defense. Well, at least with some JBFers, not all by any means.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:20 am
Glad to see Joe’s now all but saying what most of us have been screaming: Todd has to be shown the door at the end of the season.
I mean, what else do the Bowles boys need to see to be convinced this guy doesn’t change, doesn’t learn, doesn’t adapt.
December 5th, 2025 at 12:28 am
lolol DR, nope, Henley was never popular being part of the unpopular band The Eagles….one of my faves 🙂
December 5th, 2025 at 12:51 am
Todd is only partially to blame for the numbers put against our team.
Todd can’t play man coverage. He can’t make tackles. He can’t rush the passer.
Our DB’s are frequently getting cooked in man coverage. Our pass rush is rarely putting pressure on the QB.
The reality is that we’ve had a severe lack of talent in multiple departments on defense.
Todd Bowles defense is the same one we embarrassed the Chiefs with in the Superbowl… you know, when our players were on fire and making plays.
Devin White not working out was a bummer. Shaq getting hurt was a bummer.
What Todd can do, is stop having 4-3 DE drop into coverage.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:07 am
No one ever won or lost a game with yards; they only count your team’s points and the other team’s points!
You can play off coverage and keep a safety or two back and let the other team rack up yards moving down the field. So long as you can shut them down in the red zone and make them settle for field goals, your team wins if it scores touchdowns. For years, the Bucs have been loading up to score touchdowns.
And, as to the 2024 yards, as this year, that reflects the scarcity of resources devoted to the ILB position as well as injuries at ILB and DB in 2024.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:09 am
You know what would help oit A LOT. Some really good DE players that can consistently rattle the q.b. Remember those days? They were glorious. Now q.b.s that ate goofiest and look slower the Jamie’s are running around luke magic magoo twirling and juking twisting and its sickening to watch. Im done with it. Clearly Clearly Blows and Licht do NOT think a good starter DE is necessary because we dont have a single one. YaYa is okay. Reddok looks xooked remind me how many sacks does he have. Nelson looks luke the best pit of the group when he gets a chance to play.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:18 am
“ What Todd can do, is stop having 4-3 DE drop into coverage.“
It’s that simple 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾
December 5th, 2025 at 1:21 am
I don’t know what the time to pass stat is for opposing qbs but I would guess it’s up there. They seem to have a lot of time in the pocket to pick us apart right now.
December 5th, 2025 at 1:36 am
They are who we thought they were…& have been