Rich Eisen: Bucs At Least A Nine-Win Team
May 3rd, 2026
Joe was intrigued by the following not because it came from the mouth of NFL Network face/voice Rich Eisen, but because it possibly revealed a change in policy at the network.
NFL fans paying attention know ESPN bought NFL Network this year and, as part of the transaction, the NFL now owns 10 percent of ESPN. How the league will further corrupt BSPN is unclear.
And it seems the leash may have been loosened slightly on NFL Network voices as a result of the sale.
Speaking on The Rich Eisen Show last week, the host was asked if he wanted to chime in on the NFC South win-total lines at sportsbooks and offer a pick on where he thinks each would land.
“We’re allowed to do this,” Eisen producer/co-host Chris Brockman said on-air (ESPN Radio). Eisen replied: “That’s right. I’m not an NFL employee anymore. Screw it. Ask me.”
So it was somehow shady to have Eisen and others make gambling picks in January but it’s ok now because the NFL only owns 10 percent of ESPN? Got it.
Regardless, the picks are in. Eisen thinks the Bucs are a no-brainer to exceed their 8.5 wins total.
Atlanta, per Eisen, will go over on its 7.5 wins total and the Saints (7.5) will go under. “Still building there [in New Orleans],” Eisen said. The reigning division champion Panthers are at 6.5, which Eisen called “disrespectful.” (Joe would call it “fair” after watching nearly every game of the Panthers’ 2025 offense.)
Expect Tampa Bay to be the consensus NFC South favorite — national media and sportsbooks — for the second consecutive offseason. The expectation is fair, which means Bucs head coach Todd Bowles must deliver.
The results of Joe’s fan flash poll this morning are below. A strong majority is with Eisen, more than 76 percent.
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:03 pm
He will. All that’s been missing in this defense is talent in the front 7. We have significantly more now.
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Go Bucs!
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:09 pm
9 wins or bust. Bowles job should be on the line after this many years and this new infusion of talent. Getter done or get gone.
Hopeful this talent will allow Bowles to return to the attacking style defense we saw in the SB run. Can he handle being DC and HC with a deep playoff run, we shall see.
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:21 pm
Nine wins would be like kissing your sister, it shouldn’t feel good. Real contenders get at least twelve, to fourteen. One game improvement from last season is a failure.
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:29 pm
We can’t listen to off-season hoopla
Every team in the NFC South is a legitimate threat to us
We can’t afford to take any of them lightly, especially Atlanta
I think they have improved the most, outside of us
Right now, all this crap is meaningless predictions
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:45 pm
@Hodad,
Have you fact-checked a single post prior to hitting the “submit comment” button?
Nine super bowl champions this century had 11 wins or less during their regular season.
And the Giants won a Super bowl after winning 9 games during the regular season.
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:52 pm
This is when we’ll know how good Bowles really is on D. Now you’re gonna have Bain with Yaya & Vita & let’s see how the LBs do also. Was a little torn on the Trotter pick but hopefully he works out. I’m sure we’ll have Bain dropping into coverage, too!
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:53 pm
7-8 because Todd…..sorry
May 3rd, 2026 at 1:53 pm
probably 6
May 3rd, 2026 at 2:04 pm
9 wins ain’t going to cut it this year and he’s saying this because of our quarterback and HC
May 3rd, 2026 at 2:09 pm
Saints-12 slough Qb…Falcons 11 Robinson and the stefaski defense…Bucs at 8 too many ?’s
May 3rd, 2026 at 2:13 pm
6.5 wins for the reigning Division Champs. That sounds about right. They are now playing a first place schedule this year vs a second to last place (tied for last with NO at 5-12). That’s a big difference…
May 3rd, 2026 at 2:17 pm
I don’t know about going over 500. I mean at this point the team , especially the defense is beyond awful until proven otherwise. Hopefully the d line is better and the rookies pan out. If not the team is in trouble out of the gate. There is still a huge problem in the secondary. Morrison and McColumn are your starting corners. Huge ,huge red flag. Currently they are not starting material they just aren’t.
Mike Evans is gone and we still need an inside LB besides the 2 we added. Trotter may need time to develop. I don’t mean to be negative, but currently there are many, many unknowns. Maybe this team goes under 500 maybe over if all the players added really pan out. Let’s see where the team is at the end of preseason.
Right now, I go with 6 wins. But too hard to tell
May 3rd, 2026 at 2:26 pm
Todd Bowles + schedule = 5 w’s