So Much Fourth-Quarter Blame To Spread

December 12th, 2025

So the Bucs allowed two touchdowns and a field goal to the miserable Falcons in the fourth quarter tonight.

Keep in mind Atlanta was playing a backup quarterback and was without their No. 1 receiver.

A 4th-and-14 for Atlanta on their 43 yard line in the fourth quarter was no issue for Kirk Cousins and the immortal receiver David Sills and his two dozen career catches. The Bucs played zone, which means they ran their pillowy soft defense and lost the game. Sills hauled in the key first down on the game-winning drive.

Yes, Joe knows if Baker Mayfield was on target to Emeka Egbuka late in the fourth quarter, the Bucs could have iced the game. But Mayfield’s throw was behind Egbuka and the Bucs couldn’t pick up a first down.

“Gotta hit mek in stride,” Mayfield said after the game on the team radio network. “When your quarterback doesn’t do enough to win the game. … Blame me.”

How does this happen at home? And on a day when the Bucs allegedly are boosted by the return of Mike Evans and invigorated by having their playoff destiny in their hands?

“Pissed off. Inexcusable,” Todd Bowles said. “We didn’t make enough plays to win the ballgame.”

Bowles noted “bad leverage on [Falcons tight end] Kyle Pitts” and poor fundamentals failed the defense.

“Defense has to close the game out [when up] by two scores,” Bowles said.

The Bucs are not a good team.

98 Responses to “So Much Fourth-Quarter Blame To Spread”

  1. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    You suck Bowles

  2. TheBucsAnthem Says:

    Unacceptable

  3. WalkdaPlank Says:

    The Bucs defense making Kirk Cousins look like Tom Brady.

    A tale as old as time.

  4. ElioT Says:

    Todd and Jason need to go.

    Honestly, it’s time.

  5. Bee Says:

    Bucs need to send Baker and 2 1st round picks to the Bengals for Burrow. As long as Baker and Bowles are the leaders of this team, this team won’t go far. They’re not elite and they’re not clutch.

  6. Jeebs the Honey Bear Says:

    IT’S BOWELS

  7. Buc1987 Says:

    Whatever.

    I’m NOT watching the rest of the season!

  8. G Says:

    Fire him.

  9. Stallworth Says:

    We were up 28-14 half way through the 4th quarter and the defense gave up 15 to lose.

  10. Dewey Selmon Says:

    The Bucs are a good team. The Bucs have a terrible defense coordinator

  11. gp Says:

    GAME TO THE REFS
    Bowles needs to use his red flag

  12. Obvious One Says:

    Anybody got an idea of what number our draft pick might be? Jk…. NOT JK!

  13. G Says:

    Fire toilet bowels

  14. Pelsbuc61 Says:

    Glad I didn’t waste part of my life watching another loss. When will the Glazers realize Bowles is not the solution?!

  15. Jerseybuc Says:

    Please no more radio!!!
    Can’t stand this guy n his shi$$$ defense it’s comical at this point. I knew dam well once Atlanta got the ball back was no way his defense was making a stop to keep them outta fg range no dam way.
    Clint Kubiak phone should be ringing

  16. Alstott40 Says:

    Whose job is it to make sure the defense closes the game out…

  17. Chris Says:

    No more excuses Bowles need to be let go tonight

  18. Bee Says:

    Can’t wait for the Baker bros to explain how that was an MVP performance from Baker tonight.

  19. Dan the Bucs fan Says:

    Godwin falls down in bounds and game was over. We run the ball 3 times after first down game was over. Just terrible the o line is probably the second biggest failure of the team after no pass rush at all.

  20. Louie Says:

    The Bucs are not a well coached team fire Bowles!

  21. Oregon Buc Says:

    Ok, at this point it’s a forgone conclusion that Bowles is done. Problem is, who can we get that’s a definite upgrade??? Has to be an offensive coach with some experience. Mike McCarthy? Don’t even say Gruden for Christ sake. Love the guy but he’s every bit as bad as Bowles

  22. Hopingforthebest Says:

    It’s time for Todd Bowles to go and Baker Mayfield too. No excuses for them. Atlanta committed the most penalties of season and still won. That’s on Bowles. Baker threw an interception with no pressure! He is not a starting caliber or playoff QB.

  23. HC Grover Says:

    Evans is just amazing player.

  24. RaShad Says:

    Blow it up

  25. Stallworth Says:

    The Todd is pissed off because he is going to lose his job. As he should.

  26. Bojim Says:

    Only sacked Cousins one time??

  27. Tucker Says:

    Yup the bucs are a bad team. Kirk cousins? Really? You don’t have the backbone to do this Todd.

  28. RVATom Says:

    The Coach admits they aren’t good. Problem solved. No need to schedule time off work this year for the rest of the Sundays. Who cares?

  29. SBucs Says:

    The Bucs defensive coordinator wet the bed… again.

  30. Grizzards 3&Out Says:

    Fire Bowles today. I’ve been saying it for 2 years now. His defensive play calling in key situations is baffling. When they need 6 he plays a zone and gives them 7. It’s seems intentional.

  31. Edward Kerber Says:

    Joe
    Ask the fans;

    1) Fire Bowles Now
    2) Fire Bowles after Season
    3) gove Bowles 1 More Year

    I’m guessing 85% will be #1

  32. FlBoy84 Says:

    “The Bucs are not a good team”…Completely disagree, they are a talented group of players that lack a legit leader & are being severely undercoached.

  33. Idroolpewter&red Says:

    If your defense can’t play zone defense, don’t ask them to play it. I’ve never been a Bowles hater, but this defense has gone from mediocre to horrible since the bye week.

  34. Obvious One Says:

    In fact it’s getting closer and closer to top 10/12 draft pick in the draft… Hmm, we SURE NEED some TOP 10 type of guys to be drafted for our almost invisible defense. Who knows… top 8…..

  35. HC Grover Says:

    Buc play calling in 4th qtr was hard to understand.

  36. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    If it weren’t for the penalties, they would have beaten us about 42-14

  37. unbelievable Says:

    FIRE TODD BOWLES HE IS A CAREER LOSER, JUST LIKE THIS TEAM

  38. Hodad Says:

    We didn’t make enough plays to win the ballgame. Thanks for clearing that up for me coach, I feel much better now. People say Todd is a good honorable man. If that’s true he should do the right thing, and resign. Don’t take any more Glazer loot for a job you can’t do.

  39. Eric Says:

    Agree, not a good team

  40. FortMyersDave Says:

    The Glazers have to do something now, by that I mean at the end of the season. Bowles can not lead this team anymore and I know injuries will be mad as an excuse as will lack of talent because of Licht and while these are true it still does not excuse Todd Bowles for the pathetic job he has down as Bucs’ skipper. Please Glazers, fire him. Maybe Artie Blank does the division a favor and retains rah, we can only hope, less competition for Tampa on its coaching search.

  41. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    We had 3-4 players around 2 fumbles and didn’t come up with either one….BS

  42. Mike10 Says:

    This has been festering for years. Bowles has been able to lean on his playoff appearances (although 1-3) in a weak division, playing the same soft zone with a DL that is unable to generate pressure on the QB, for years. Couple that with poor game management and players playing below their potential, that’s a recipe for regime change.

    It was only a matter of time before another team in the division got their act together. Unfortunately, it’s a team with a coach who maybe should have been ours.

  43. HashmarkJones Says:

    I read often and reply rarely, but I now agree that house must be cleaned. Love Jason, but too few key in-season moves and acquisitions have been ignored. This team cannot progress as is.

  44. Tucker Says:

    It’s so disfunctional what everyone is saying is all correct from Baker to the coaching decisions it’s so bad it’s almost comical. Season high for Kirk cousins the backup wow.

  45. BucsFan81 Says:

    Joe can we get some head coaching candidates articles this week. Us fans have seen enough of Bowles and this inept coaching staff. He has done this for 3 years now. Only this year he isn’t recovering from his mid season slump. He is going to lose out we all know it.

  46. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Yep. Without the penalties this game would have been over at half time. Once again Bowles does not have the team ready to play.

  47. Grizzards 3&Out Says:

    The bucs are a good team with awful coaching in all phases. He’s lost his team and any holdouts in the fan base. If he’s not fired the bucs are destined to repeat the lost decade.

  48. Bucs since 76 Says:

    Probably would have lost anyway but why be outside when it’s clear Falcons were taking a field goal watch cost us 4 points.

  49. adam from ny Says:

    the defense gets worse every week

  50. Buc1987 Says:

    It doesn’t sting as bad when you expected them to lose pregame.

  51. Mike Says:

    He’s about to be out of a job good riddance.

  52. Bucs since 76 Says:

    which

  53. JustVisiting Says:

    I don’t think Baker smiled once tonight, and he sets the emotional tone for the whole team. Some people have called him a rhythm QB, but I’d say it’s more like a mood QB. He’s not a “professional” in the sense of a Tom Brady, who plays cool and disciplined. Baker can’t play at a high level if he’s not feeling the game (either happy or angry), and the team follows his mood.

  54. gotbbucs Says:

    Whatever it takes to get rid of that bum in the picture.

    The Falcons had 19 accepted penalties. Imagine the score of this game without those.
    Kyle Pitts had 11 rec.-166 yds-3 TDs. The dude is a borderline draft bust, except when he gets to play against Bowles. Then he’s a borderline HOFer.

  55. Regulator16 Says:

    Time to bring in a whole new staff. Top to bottom. Defense is the worst I’ve ever seen run by a POS that doesn’t know how to stop an effing nose bleed. Terrible organization

  56. Sly Pirate Says:

    THIS GUY CALLED BIJAN FOR 200 APY all week.

    Don’t act like you’re surprised.

    Defense is terrible.
    Bucky is done.
    Baker has lost his edge.
    WR looked good!!!

  57. dmatt Says:

    One thing I notice is that Baker is an inaccurate qb. He overthrow, underthrow, n throw behind the receiver. I taught him for this game but Bowles is the primary blame. The defense sucks. How can four Bucs defenders surround a fumble n allow the offense to recover it. What is it with Baker just dancing in the pocket begging for someone to sack him, take off, throw it away. Chris Braswell is trash. We need an accurate qb. This is awful.

  58. Mike Johnson Says:

    Fire Todd Bowles Tonight. Carolina deserves to win the NFC South.

  59. adam from ny Says:

    coach gave the falcons a game that the nfl didn’t even want them to win…

    just digest that…

    he leapfrogged the win……..to a loss

    almost impossible…

    the refs did all they could to give us the game

  60. Patrick Says:

    If Gruden got fired for the 2008 December collapse, why should this one be any different? Fire Todd Bowles

  61. Coburn Says:

    So who does everyone think we should go for as HC? Tbh kinda excited to see who we get and what they can do with this team..feel bad for Evans but seeing Bowles seal his fate has me kinda looking forward to having better coaching on all 3 phases hopefully

  62. Daniel Says:

    “Defense has to close the game out [when up] by two scores,” Bowles said.

    YOU COACH THE DEFENSE!!! THAT IS LITERALLY YOUR JOB.

  63. Chuck Says:

    This would be a good time for the Glazers to make history by firing a coach during the season. Does anyone really think the team will worse without him? Would Larry Foote be a worse defensive coordinator? Who tf cares who the interim coach would be? The entire coaching staff is on an interim basis after this game. They were always going to be a one and done in the playoffs, if they even make it.

  64. Bartow Buc Says:

    Man this loss really hurts, why does it always seem to be this way, you think the Bucs are going to win and piece by piece your heart gets ripped out as the opposing team seems to overcome insurmountable situations because the defense can’t seem to stop any team including teams with losing records.
    I still love the Buccaneers but I’m so tired of all the plays that should have ended the game but instead they go in favor of your opponent.
    Who recovered the fumble by Cousins ??
    Was Pits out of bounds on that catch ?
    Close calls like this go in favor of our opponents time after time in game after game.
    We really need a defensive boost, unfortunately our secondary cannot stop the pass and the run game is very effective against then as well.

    Go Bucs !!

  65. Tampabaybucfan Says:

    Zion clearly got back before the snap after jumping offsides but the call went against us….as did many. That clearly cost us 4 points.

    You just can’t jump offsides on a FG.

  66. BucsFan81 Says:

    Chris Shula the Rams DC would be someone to look at for Head Coach or Joe Brady the offensive Coordinator for the Bills. Both those guys need interviewed.

  67. MadMax Says:

    So…coaching search….WHO?

    Also DC and OC.

    Clean house!!!!!!!!!

  68. Larry Says:

    That’s was the most odious defensive display that I’ve seen in YEARS. You let a quarterback with the mobility of a statue throw for 373. You can’t protect our quarterback, can’t run, can’t play run defense…and you have no idea how many times I had to type this to get the profanity out.

    The only LBs who can play are Diaby and David, and Lavonte is a half step slow this year. Reddick was brought in – bust! Braswell was a waste of a draft pick, can barely get on the field and when he does it’s obvious why he was on the bench. McCollum was playing solid, now he looks like the kid playing right field in pee wee ball.

    Put JPP on the active roster next week. Even if he only plays 10 plays he’ll do it with rage and he’ll be merciless with his team mates on the sidelines. Not that it matters anymore, even if by some miracle they get into the playoffs it’s one and done.

  69. MikeBuc Says:

    Bee Says:
    December 12th, 2025 at 12:12 am
    Can’t wait for the Baker bros to explain how that was an MVP performance from Baker tonight._

    ___

    No one says it was but it WAS ENOUGH TO win the game up 14 points and it was enough to win the game even after an int (which all Qbs throw at some time)

    No this was where you and your fearless leader take the L – with the perfect lyumb claim made earlier today that the bucs have a “Better than average defense”

    3 and 28 and they convert as if there never was a question

    Go learn some football.

  70. firethecannons Says:

    “Defense has to close the game out [when up] by two scores,” Bowles said. wow not good enough, we need better than this. Licht is too focused on boy scout mentality players. Todd Bowles defense does not work. 19 penalties up by 2 scores 3rd and 28. Not acceptable. Embarrassing as well.

  71. Rod Munch Says:

    Everyone in the world knew after Baker threw that INT, that next time the Bucs got the ball, if the Bucs punted, they’d lose the game. Baker didn’t come through yet again. Two weeks in a row, 1st place on the line in the NFC South, and Baker chokes like it’s a playoff game.

  72. Obvious One Says:

    @Patrick

    Because that was Malcolm’s Bucs. His (uninterested) children are now in charge

    @ Buc1981

    Let me correct you… THIS IS YEAR NUMBER 4 for BOZO Bowles. It’s continued to head down hill for years. 4 YEARS that is..

  73. HeavyE Says:

    All the blame should be on Licht….. never makes any moves to make this team better, he just sticks to his draft choices that never play because they are hurt….. take Baker and Bowles with You also…….at least the ‘76 &’77 teams played with Heart, and there was only a little bit of talent on those teams! This is really bad now………

  74. StormyInFl Says:

    “BucsFan81 Says:
    December 12th, 2025 at 12:25 am
    Chris Shula the Rams DC would be someone to look at for Head Coach or Joe Brady the offensive Coordinator for the Bills. Both those guys need interviewed.”

    No more defensive coordinators as head coaches.

  75. Proudbucsfan Says:

    This game tonight was absolutely disgusting 🤢 how did we get to 3rd and 28 ? Blitzing 1st and 2nd downs and on 3rd and 28 we fall back and Mr do you like that hits sills for 13 yards and we’re at 4th and 14 what do we do fall back again and rush 3 so what does Mr do you like that do ? By the way he’s got time to pick his nose before he hits sills again for the first down. Game over why in the world would you drop back into zone coverage when your blitzing was working so well ? Bowles needs to go. Bring back Chucky or bring in Bill Belichick we need a coach that will hold accountability and discipline

  76. Rod Munch Says:

    dmatt Says:
    December 12th, 2025 at 12:22 am
    One thing I notice is that Baker is an inaccurate qb. He overthrow, underthrow, n throw behind the receiver.

    ——–

    Well he’s injured you know…. I mean dang it darn dang it, if only he was healthy, he’d have made every throw in the entire game, but health, you know. When he’s healthy, however, watch out, he’s lights out, never misses a single throw.

    Oh .. wait, let me change the script, my bad…

    I meant Baker wasn’t at fault on anything. You know e2 ran a bad route, and the offensive line, you know they want Baker to fail so they let guys through. And Evans, my God, if he’d .. uh, well, if he catches that jump ball and stays on his feet and scores a TD… uh, he only went down to make Baker look bad. Everyone is against Baker, that’s what happened. Yeah, that’s what happened.

  77. DBS Says:

    Some people actually voted we would win this game? With Bowles and his defense history? Sure vote yes against Carolina and Miami

    Just tank and fire Bowles.

  78. StormyInFl Says:

    “HeavyE Says:
    December 12th, 2025 at 12:29 am
    All the blame should be on Licht….. never makes any moves to make this team better, he just sticks to his draft choices that never play because they are hurt….. take Baker and Bowles with You also…….at least the ‘76 &’77 teams played with Heart, and there was only a little bit of talent on those teams! This is really bad now………”

    The fat incompetent buffoon on the sidelines (aka alleged defensive genius) is to blame.

  79. FortMyersDave Says:

    The Bowles apologists are out, blamig Licht. yeah he has an ego but think about this; he knows Bowles is a lame duck coach, why waste draft picks trying to help someone who cannot coach up players. No sense drafting away the future.

  80. firethecannons Says:

    So Rod Munch what is the solution? Trade Baker? Fire Bowles? Fire Licht as well?

  81. BucFan4Life Says:

    Exactly how many plays does a team need to make to win a game? This was a ridiculous quote from a leader!

    Bowles’ quote highlights his victim’s mentality. He is responsible for the sinking of the pirate ship.

  82. VOT Says:

    I said after the NO game we may not win another game and I will now repeat, we will not win another game this season

    Todd is toast

  83. Bucmeup Says:

    What sucks is Mike only had two years of competent coaching in his whole career

  84. Rick Says:

    Rod is exactly right – pretty much summed it up!

  85. Bucfan1988 Says:

    I think Bucs brass should pull the John Gruden 2.0

    Go offer a couple of 1st round draft picks to the Rams & acquire Sean McVay as our head coach!!!

    How bout them apples!!

    Dude has got a phenomenal offensive scheme….

  86. Bucmeup Says:

    Bowles & his defense (baker played a huge part too) can’t even protect a 14 point lead in the 4th. The game followed the same script the whole time. You see everything about to unfold so clearly in real time lol it’s Truman show type stuff every week

  87. Canabuc Says:

    Todd Bowles best skill as a defensive coordinator is using hindsight and seeing all the things that were done wrong. Yes he knows that they didn’t cover Kyle Pitts properly all game. But they should have known that before the game that he was going to be the focal point of the offense given that we already don’t cover the tight end well and that they did not have Drake London for this game. Not sure why we didn’t double cover him all game long and force her cousins to throw to no name guys at receiver.

    If Bowles is not fired at the end of this season I am done after 30 years of being a Bucs
    fan.

  88. Colonel Angus Says:

    Bucs just ain’t a good team, Panthers got this. It was bound to catch up to us sooner or later. Can’t keep having mid season slumps and expecting to pull it out at the end. Sucks now, but hopefully we find the next up and coming coach. Or we will be staring at another lost decade. Gonna be an interesting and important off season.

  89. MikeBuc Says:

    @rod

    “1st place on the line in the NFC South, and Baker chokes like it’s a playoff game.”

    I’m still waitng for that better than average defense you were touting earlier today Munchsk

    why don’t you tell the good folks again what you were saying earlier today?That its all the offense and bowles defense is top ten in categories so above average

    Your “above average defense” is what choked at 3 and 28 and up 14 in the 4th.

    same advice as your comrade – Go learn some football

  90. Jackson Says:

    Did anyone else notice that because the Bucs kick coverage has been so bad, they elected to kick it in the end zone every time tonight? Atlanta started every drive after a Bucs score tonight on the 35! So no accountability or firing of the special teams coach. That is essentially saying we can’t fix the problem with coaching, so we give up, kick it in the endzone.

  91. Obvious One Says:

    Hey, you guys mentioning the defense are forgetting to mention JUST HOW WIDE OPEN THE FIELD WAS “ONCE AGAIN” FOR THE LOSS…

    There backs “were against the other wall”, needing 14 yards on 3rd down that WOULD HAVE Closed the game out. OF COURSE THE RECIEVER WAS WIDE AS OPEN! There was ONLY ONE DEFENDER even in the picture LITERALLY and he was Still at least 5 yards away from him and THAT was OVER THAT DEFENDERS HEAD! Not a SOUL was covering the guy on THE MOST CRITICAL DOWN OF THE ENTIRE GAME!!!!! It Wasn’t Even a fast pass! It was a slow floater! Of Course the field was WIDE OPEN for the receiver! OF COURSE IT WAS!

    What the ACTUAL PUCK WAS TAMPA BAY THINKING? WE HAD THE GAME AND THEY NEEDED 14 YARDS ON THIRD DOWN AND IT WAS OVER AND DONE! But NOOOOOOO….. I MEAN….. WHAT MORE IS THERE TO SAY??? It HAS TO BE Blown Up and Started Over! It just WAY TOO FAR AWAY TO SALVAGE! Not One Single Thing has changed on this defense in 4 years!

    NO MORE! GET THAT SOB THE HE!! OUT AND AWAY FROM MY TEAM! HE HAS SINGLE HANDEDLY DEPOSITED US RIGHT BACK INTO THE DEN OF DEPRESSION!

  92. ScottNFL Says:

    It seems to be a combination of scheme and terrible players. Bowles is too stubborn to admit that his players can’t cover and just continues with the zone…baffling. Licht has to share some blame as well because he drafted this slop that is out there on defense. I know that Bowles can coach defense better than this…..don’t think he is a genius like some made him out to be in the past, but his defense should work better than this train wreck. Just have to admit that outside of Vita…..our front 7 is by far the worst in the league.

  93. Colonel Angus Says:

    Bottom line is defense is utter garbage, they have no fight in them. I like Baker, but the good QB’s make that completion the Egbuka to effectively end that game. Grizz called a solid game until the last drive, you gotta run on that 2nd down when they had no timeouts left, get to the 2 minute warning. Those extra 24 seconds matter. Defense has 3rd and 28 and you let them get it easily. Complete choke job. Evans balled out as usual. O-line is a joke.

  94. Rod Munch Says:

    firethecannons Says:
    December 12th, 2025 at 12:34 am
    So Rod Munch what is the solution? Trade Baker? Fire Bowles? Fire Licht as well?

    ———-

    Invent a time machine, go back to last offseason, blatantly ignore the NFL’s ridiculous hiring rules for a HC and hire Coen anyways, directly, without letting him become a FA HC candidate, then fire Bowles – and we’re in great shape.

    But, yeah, anywho, good question.

    For the rest of the year, remove Bowles from calling plays, not that I have much faith in the other guys, but literally, BLITZ BLITZ BLITZ and burn the zone coverage playbook. I personally don’t care if we give up big plays like vs the Pats (21 pts) and Lions (24 pts) (both top offenses) – I’ll take that over just sitting back and letting every bum QB out there look like a future HOFer.

    On offense, with as p/o as I am at Baker choking again, I do think they’re close and I’d do nothing. I think they’re on the verge.

    For this year, there’s not much else to do.

    As for the offseason, the issue is Baker’s deal – do you trade him and do a hard reboot, firing everyone? That means years of losing as you rebuild. Or, with one year left, do you run everyone back with a new DC?

    The thing I’ve been telling people who want us to lose – I don’t think Bowles gets fired unless the Bucs lose out, which I also don’t think is likely. Or didn’t think was likely. But that Baker deal means I think they give it another shot.

    As for other candidates – I say finally go and hire Steve Spurrier, at least we’d have a coach who can give us good sound bites. But outside of that, I really have no one in mind. It stinks since we did have the guy last year, and the NFL hiring rules made it impossible to hire him.

  95. HopetheBucswin Says:

    EmbarrassingFire over confident mistake prone clueless opposing qb loving Bowles! Immediately.

  96. Bee Says:

    Trade Baker and two 1st round picks to CIN for Burrow. Get an offensive HC and a pass rush and take it from there

  97. LawrenceDawsey Says:

    What the hell was going on with the refs and those few calls in the 4th quarter?

  98. MadMax Says:

    It sucks that i called all of this weeks ago because i knew what i saw…i said we might win one after the bye, against the saints and lose the rest(lost that one too)

    ….you know why i saw it? TODD! HE ONLY KNOWS HOW TO LOSE…AND THE D HAS GIVEN UP ON HIM!!!!

 

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