Run Defense Rises Up
January 3rd, 2026
Something was missing in today’s Bucs win against the Panthers: the Bucs’ opponent didn’t break off a huge run or multiple punishing runs.
In fact, Carolina carried 14 times for only 19 yards in the Bucs’ 16-14 win.
Joe realizes the rainy conditions played a role, but the Bucs were very stout.
The push was there.
“Did a very good job controlling the line of scrimmage,” Todd Bowles said after the game. “[Antoine] Winfield had a lot to do with that coming off the edge pushing the ball one way. But those guys really did a good job of playing gap control. And, you know, it was the first time in a long time that we just played the way we’re supposed to up front without giving up the big play in the run game.”
Joe will have to go to the film and see what kind of impact defensive tackle Calijah Kancey really had in his long-awaited return.
The Bucs had a lot of fire coming off the ball early in the game. Vita Vea came out of the gate strong, along with YaYa Diaby.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:13 pm
Can’t belive after Baker spotted them 7…our D held them to another td all game…incredulous
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:13 pm
I’m just glad Todd Bowles won his final game as an NFL head coach. Now he’s free to coach @Lakeland’s flag football team.
And Rod Munch can see Baker play another year and put that in his pipe.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:14 pm
This win did nothing but move us down in the draft. Who, in their right mind, believes this team could win a playoff game? That is, if they even get in.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:15 pm
Todd Bowles isn’t going anywhere
🤣🤣😂😂
Just accept it,
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:18 pm
Kancey played? I didn’t notice at all.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:19 pm
@Lakeland, I tell you what. After the season, when Joe announces the new head coach, will you respond on the thread “I am an absolute moron that wanted to keep Todd Bowles.” if you agree, when they announce that we’re keeping him, I will announce. “I am the moron that wanted Todd Bowles to go. Thank goodness, we kept him.” Deal?
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:19 pm
Kancy was looking pretty good tonight and he was pushing the pile really good. Fresh legs against the Panthers did good. Didn’t play too much but did make a difference.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:20 pm
The Bucs should be looking high and low
For that all- elusive FRANCHISE QB
Regardless of who the HC is
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:20 pm
I thought our 2 rookie corners played pretty well today. Training camp should be very competitive at corner.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:22 pm
As good as the run defense was, the pass rush was equally terrible.
Zero sacks, 3 TFLs
Panthers and the Bucs both suck and neither deserves to be in the playoffs
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:22 pm
ABOUT TIME!!!!
Nothing to brag on, Kancey is a bust
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:22 pm
The Bucs went from the G O A T of all Quarterbacks
To a mere Lamb of a QB
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:23 pm
Yup, run defense was very good today. Pass defense, not so much. Still too many guys running wide open with not a Buc in sight.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:23 pm
The only time I saw Kancey was when he missed an easy tackle in the backfield on the only long run of the day. So about his normal game.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:24 pm
Kancey had the only QB hit for the Bucs in the game. For the first game back I thought he looked OK, was obviously still pretty limited I think.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:25 pm
Baker had a very good game. Who played harder.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:27 pm
Our so- called 2 best Cornerbacks didn’t dress out
Deja Vu from last season
I said it before the season, Licht is setting this team up for failure
He keeps bringing back these worthless players
Because he refuse to replace them
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:27 pm
In the run game, it was a group effort with the DL not getting much penetration but playing stout, allowing the LB’s and DB’s to get at the backs. Finally some good discipline in the run game. Maybe Kancey was a factor by just holding his ground?
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:36 pm
I think tonight’s game was more of Canales and his team getting the yips. They left some points on the field for sure. On the Bucs side of the game: the D did not miss Zyon one bit. Baker made his typical mistake which gave the Panthers a short field and 7 points, another FG was blocked but Carolina missed an FG too. Overall, Carolina played a sloppier game, they are no better than Tampa and Bryce Young is not their future. Neither team looks playoff worthy but the Buxs were not the worse team on tge field today. Canales got outcoached by Bowles and that is almost impossible to do as Bowles is so conservative and preditable. 3 turnovers did Carolina in. Nice final game for Lavonte!
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Fire him or lose the fans. Nobody wants this crap anymore.
This team juat played their last game of the season
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Still no sacks or real pressure other than a few plays. Feel our edge rushers don’t use any moves to beat the line men.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:38 pm
Absolutely pathetic standards for this football team.
Bottom-5defense
Bottom-10 offense
Worst special teams in the entire league.
Get ready for round 2 of all of that for the 2026 season.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:47 pm
The GOAT was an old fart QB living a charmed life. All the Bucs needed to win that SB was a competent QB who didn’t turn the ball over. With Brady, they got a bunch of headaches. His salary cap hits, demanding Gronkowski out of retirement. Bucs didn’t need him, they had TEs. His marital problems and leaving the Bucs to go see his pal, Kraft, marry a trophy wife. Then one game he pulled a temper tantrum and walked off to the side line and slammed an iPad to the ground. Antonio Brown, seriously? How his LV team doing? My big bitch is I havenot seen a OC use this offense to its full potential. Grizzard throttled them. Neither Canales nor Coen did it either.
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:51 pm
I noticed that the bucs runners didn’t get any long runs either
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Orlbucfan completely delusional.
This team wouldn’t have even sniffed a winning record without Brady coming here, let alone winning a SB.
Delusional.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Orlbucfan
That’s a bit of an oversimplification. Brady had an effect. Gronk was a huge factor in the run game. You can’t overlook that.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Baker is mediocre and will never take this team to the next level. He has poor field vision n a mediocre arm at best. Drake Maye n Bo Nix are both better than Baker n their coaches are hand’s down, better than Bowles. Baker has to be handcuff to avoid turnovers. A team will never elevate with that mindset. Is he becoming the next Jameis Winston excluding the 30 for 30. Our play calling is abysmal n please why is Baker trying to take on linemen head first as if he’s a fullback. We need to bring in a true competitor qb to challenge Baker.
Please dismiss tye following:
Bowles
Grizzard
Special Teams coach
Dean
McCollum
Logan Hall
Shepard
Braswell
A.Nelson
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:16 pm
Lakeland Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 8:20 pm
“The Bucs should be looking high and low
For that all- elusive FRANCHISE QB
Regardless of who the HC is”
That’s easy. They can give up four first round picks and a ton of cash for Joe Burrow. It won’t change anything though as the team will still be bad.
Or, the Bucs can use their draft picks and cash and get some good secondary players and edge rushers. The offense will be better when they get the O line starters back from IR.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:19 pm
dmatt Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:10 pm
Baker is mediocre and will never take this team to the next level. He has poor field vision n a mediocre arm at best. Drake Maye n Bo Nix are both better than Baker n their coaches are hand’s down, better than Bowles.
Eh, they wouldn’t be if they were playing with this banged up offensive line like Baker has had to endure. Baker played fairly decent ball tonight when he rolled out and had time to find open players.
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:53 pm
New GM
New HC
Then you’ve got a decent bridge QB playing on a deal that’s more than fair for a year.
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:16 pm
Baker played a really solid game tonight…minus one truly awful interception.
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:32 pm
Jmarkbuc Says:
January 3rd, 2026 at 9:06 pm
Orlbucfan
That’s a bit of an oversimplification. Brady had an effect. Gronk was a huge factor in the run game. You can’t overlook that.
————
Oh yes, I can. He wasn’t needed and neither was Brady. You don’t believe me? Go back and look at that entire season, and the one before. All Bucs needed was a competent QB who didn’t turn the ball over a 100 times a game like Winston did.
January 3rd, 2026 at 10:35 pm
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