Conor Orr: Bucs Won’t Be A Favorite In Vegas
February 22nd, 2026
At least from a public perception, Joe thinks this prediction is right on the mark.
From the eyes of the NFL public, the arrow for the Bucs is pointing down. Just when folks around the football world were starting to believe in the Bucs, and the Bucs started getting buzz in national media circles, what happened? They fell flat on their faces.
Baker Mayfield melted down. Mike Evans got hurt. Bucky Irving had several issues, including needing shoulder surgery. Lavonte David got old. Emeka Egbuka went from Offensive Rookie of the Year to the federal witness protection program. The defense became a joke. A locally unpopular coach was retained.
So yeah, Joe can see why folks are down on the Bucs.
But it’s not just locally. Conor Orr of SI.com is of the mind that when training camps open up in about five months, few people will be wagering that the Bucs will once again own the NFC South.
The Buccaneers will not finish the offseason as one of the two betting favorites to win the NFC South.
While betting against the Buccaneers may ultimately be a fool’s errand, the team has yet another new offensive coordinator, could lose Mike Evans and has seen the rest of the division change coaches in an effort to rapidly close the gap.
While Orr may be right, that doesn’t mean the Bucs won’t win the NFC South. If you think about it, if one believes last year’s collapse could have been preventable, then why shouldn’t the Bucs still be in the mix?
Consider: The Bucs had a terrible collapse in the second half, losing seven of their final nine games. A collapse worthy of thinking someone at One Buc Palace should have embraced one of the NFL’s slogans and worked to inspire change at head coach. That clearly didn’t happen.
As bad as last season was, the Bucs still only lost the division by a tiebreaker. The Bucs should be better this fall so if you agree with that, why shouldn’t the Bucs be in the mix for the NFC South crown again?
If the Bucs miss the playoffs next year and have another losing season, Joe is confident someone at One Bucs Palace will be motivated to inspire change.
But no, Joe doesn’t think our friends in the desert will smile upon the Bucs come July. Joe thinks Orr is accurate in this assessment.
February 22nd, 2026 at 12:32 am
That’s funny. Vegas seems to think that the Bucs have a pretty good chance of winning the NFC South again. They currently have them at -140 on the over with 8.5 wins. New Orleans 7.5 wins, Atlanta 6.5 wins and Carolina 6.5 wins.
February 22nd, 2026 at 12:40 am
I could easily see the Panthers and Falcons battling for the division crown at the end… While IBS is failing for the hundredth time!
February 22nd, 2026 at 1:56 am
I said this the other day, that the Bucs won’t even be ‘favorites’ to win the sh!ty South, and are Bottom-5 in the NFC. Who’s WORSE!? The Cards? The Giants with Old Hairball, young talented pass-rushers all over the field, the #5 pick, a young athletic playmaker at QB with Skataboohoo and Nabers!? Washington, with a healthy Daniels set to return? What about The ‘Boys!? They just extended Javonte Williams, and will prob “Franchise” Pickens next… If Dak stays healthy, they can be pretty good. Carolina, the defending South CHAMPS!? New Orleans, who after drafting Tate, will then have 2-STUD ex-OSU WR’s (if Olave could ever stay ‘healthy’ for an entire season), or drafting Love for Kamara’s replacement, to go along with their young franchise QB!? How bout ATL… Yeah, I seriously doubt that. It’ll be a dogfight at the bottom again. “Smoke & Mirrors” people, Smoke AND Mirrors.
February 22nd, 2026 at 1:58 am
Bet the UNDER. That 8.5 is going DOWN. They are going to have a REAL HARD winning 9-Games next season. Especially, with THAT schedule.
February 22nd, 2026 at 2:03 am
OMG. I just saw where Rondale Moore “died.” I really REALLY HATE THAT. I really liked him and have been following his career since he was in HIGH SCHOOL, at Louisville Trinity. Boy, he could FLY. He was the first BIG recruit Jeff Brohm signed at Purdue. All the Brohm Boys also played HS at Louisville Trinity!!!! Damn, that so sad. Really hate that. Really, REALLY hate that. God. 25 years-old.
February 22nd, 2026 at 2:12 am
If I’m the Giants, I’m drafting OT with my first pick, and try everything possible to extend WanDale Robinson. They can find talent at WR in the 2nd and 3rd rounds. And, I would do that, too! Jaxson Dart needs all the help he can get. Nabers and Robinson is a DYNAMIC combination to start. The only problem is keeping ALL 4 of ‘em (including Skatabooboo) on the field together. That’s gonna be a fun and exciting team to watch, if they get this off-season right (draft and free agency), and can stay healthy! The East could be a DOGFIGHT, too!!!! You already KNOW the West and North will be with SEVEN ‘potential’ POWERHOUSES.