Another Midseason Bucs Nosedive, 8-9 Record Predicted
July 6th, 2026
Prediction season is about to begin, when Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht annually fills his bag of receipts.
On SiriusXM NFL Radio, Sunday was “NFC South day.” Joe was glued to the airwaves with a tray of Hooters wings. Not even Erling Haaland could distract Joe.
Former Pro Bowl Oilers/Titans left tackle Brad Hopkins spent a long time dissecting the Bucs’ prospects and rolled into a game-by-game prediction for 2026.
Hopkins has the Bucs jumping out to a 3-1 record after losing the season opener to the Bengals in Cincinnati. Then comes a nosedive, what has become an annual losing stretch for the Todd Bowles Buccaneers. Hopkins has the Bucs limping to a 7-8 record with two games remaining. He then calls a home upset for the Bucs with a win against the Rams in Week 17 — before closing with a loss to New Orleans in Tampa to wrap the season. Hopkins doesn’t see the Bucs beating the slimy Saints twice.
For the math challenged, that’s an 8-9 prediction.
Overall, Hopkins believes the NFC South will remain the NFL landfill. Along with the Bucs, he picks the Falcons to go 8-9, Carolina to finish 7-10 and the Saints to “bring up the rear” at 5-12.
A big part of Hopkins’ feelings were tied to the NFC South facing all AFC North and NFC North teams this season.
July 6th, 2026 at 5:02 pm
Oline stays healthy and defense can be middle of the pac along with good special teams effort, this team can win at least 10 games. I think Zac is going to be a good OC and will put the offense in scoring position a lot more than Griz.
July 6th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
7-10……
July 6th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
Should we expect anything less from Bowles? This has been his motis operandi as a head coach for New York and Tampa Bay.
July 6th, 2026 at 5:31 pm
Well if Brad Hopkins said it….
Who in the Sam hell is Brad Hopkins??? Pffffffft
Bucs win 10 games min…book it donkeys
July 6th, 2026 at 5:46 pm
He may be right. He may be wrong.
How’s that for insight?
That’s what I’m going to start saying to all of these.
July 6th, 2026 at 5:47 pm
This season will be no better than any of the last few years with this head coach just because you bring in new assistant coaches and some ok new players doesn’t mean you’ll be better they are still taking direction from the same garbage head coach
July 6th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Really hard to have confidence in a hc that had a team give up on him, not many come back from that to have confidence that bowels will is asking a lot even with the new additions.
July 6th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Unfortunately, that’s how I see it. And we all know what opinions are like.
July 6th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
“He then calls a home upset for the Bucs with a win against the Rams in Week 17”
That folks, is how you lose all credibility. No way will Toad Bowels ever beat the Rams.
He simply isn’t capable of such things. That is a guaranteed loss. Book it.
3-6 at the bye. 5-12 final record. The Pom Pom squad blames injuries, again.
Faker Suckfield is proven a complete loser and a thief for the contract he’s given before the 2026 season.
July 6th, 2026 at 6:02 pm
Anyone not predicting a near .500 season with a losing streak hasn’t been paying attention.
It’s the easiest, most sensible prediction to make.
You know how Joe talks about no one fearing the Bucs D. That makes the games harder for Tampa cause opposing teams are fired up, licking their chops at the opportunity to stat pad through the air.
When is the last time we saw a sluggish opponent that Tampa didn’t play down to and roll them?
July 6th, 2026 at 6:09 pm
The schedule is tough…no doubt about it. Each season is different, however. Teams that look tough before the season oftentimes falter…and vice versa.
July 6th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
Thats what they said when Belleche and Brady rolled into the SB undefeated facing an inferior team! they let the Giants hang around till they were beat by a helmet prayer ..I think that coach should’ve had tackling drills and went over how to cover a 3rd string reciever over the middle Any Given Sunday!
July 6th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
Im sure that dude called the SB teams last yr also! UGH!
July 6th, 2026 at 6:18 pm
So Hopkins logic for the NFC South doing so poorly this season will be the fact that they play the NFC North and AFC North. He may want to go back and refresh his memory. The NFC South had more total wins than the AFC North did last season. It was the AFC North who was the true trash division of the NFL last season not the NFC South.
July 6th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
A lot of people will have to eat crow.
July 6th, 2026 at 6:33 pm
I predict that a lot of these predictions will be wrong.
July 6th, 2026 at 6:45 pm
With what we’ve added and who we face to start the season, we’ll know what this team can be capable/incapable of before the midway point of the season. Until then there’s a lot of meshing and “learning one another” that needs to go on to get what will eventually be the final 53 looking like a team.
I know one thing needs to change and it doesn’t get said enough, we need 4 quarters of football from all 3 phases. The cleanest play they can put together, mental errors need to be kept at a minimum. We got real good at helping teams beat us playing sloppy. All that needs to be minimized
July 6th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
I’m not getting the hot start 3-1 vibe with the new OC. I’m going 2-2 at .500 with the mid season slump better this year to counter the difference. The rookie walls coming late about week 14 as more tape comes out and injuries pile up.
July 6th, 2026 at 7:36 pm
“I know one thing needs to change and it doesn’t get said enough, we need 4 quarters of football from all 3 phases. The cleanest play they can put together, mental errors need to be kept at a minimum. We got real good at helping teams beat us playing sloppy. All that needs to be minimized”
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Hopefully that’s the message to the team.
Sweat the details…. Hopefully Robinson gets the offense back to playing with confidence and focus, and all the new blood on D levels us up on that side of the ball. I’m confident Danny Smith will field an improved special teams squad.
I’m personally happy to see the talking heads monkey see monkey do comments. Almost none of these people have watched as much tape as the average fan here but we’re supposed to act like they’re experts ? Let the boys feel like they’re being disrespected – it’ll give the whole team a chip on their shoulder and piss them off.
LFG Bucs 2026 😎
July 6th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
I think what Licht’s been really trying to say is it’s Todd who’s gonna shock the world lol
July 6th, 2026 at 7:44 pm
Is it time to out Deion on speed dial yet
July 6th, 2026 at 7:45 pm
Nice. So what I’m hearing is a division win prediction with a home game in the playoffs.
July 6th, 2026 at 7:46 pm
I mean should we trade for Shaddeur and put it in a call to his Pops now or once the slide peaks
July 6th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
That’s why they play the games.
July 6th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
No doubt Aqua! Weather its 9 wins or 12! Go Bucs!
July 6th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Wonder what predictions would be if Liam was still here.
July 6th, 2026 at 8:23 pm
BucEmUp Says:
July 6th, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Wonder what predictions would be if Liam was still here.
—————–
Well, here’s the jags
DraftKings over/under win total: 9.5
ESPN analyst Mike Clay’s projected win total: 8.7
July 6th, 2026 at 8:29 pm
The mud season nose dives started in 2023. Bowles ain’t the only ingredient in that there pound cake. Baker has had a hand in it too
July 6th, 2026 at 8:59 pm
Hopkins is in the early stages of “I don’t know what I’m talking bout” disease.
I have five reasons the Bucs struggled n won only 8 games last year:
1.Lavonte David- Mother Nature
2. Logan Hall – Lack of talent n passive
3. Hassan Reddick – All about giving the bare minimum
4. Jamel Dean- Passive n fragile also see #3
5. Todd Bowles- Tunnel Vision
I have six reasons the Bucs will win ten or more games this year:
1. Alex Alazone- violent
2. A’Shawn Robinson-violent
3. Reuben Bains-super violent
4. Jeremiah Trotter-see #3
5. Al-Quadin Muhammad-violent
6. Zac Robinson-creative n aggressive
July 6th, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Could happen. You never know. I see the Bucs going 2-2 against both the NFC North and the NFC North, so I guess I don’t see the midseason swoon being quite as dire.
I’ve said it before. The Bucs have two guaranteed losses (Ravens and Rams) and what should be one guaranteed win (Browns). All the rest of the games are tossups. NOBODY in the NFC North is unbeatable and only the Ravens are in the AFC North.
And, of course, all the NFC South games are tossups. They’ll probably lose to the Cowboys and the Chargers are a tossup. I got them at 8-9, at best, too. If they are any better than that, they make the playoffs and stand a chance of advancing for as long as they play teams not named the Rams.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:09 pm
“Well, here’s the jags
DraftKings over/under win total: 9.5
ESPN analyst Mike Clay’s projected win total: 8.7”
I’ll bet everything I own and that of all of my ancestors that the Jags don’t win 9.5 or 8.7 – LOL
July 6th, 2026 at 9:09 pm
BucEmUp, if Liam was here, I would guess the Bucs would have won at least 2 or3 more games last year and for this year the projections would be 10 wins or so. Liam would not have accepted Teddy Bridgewater as a backup, thuis we would not have seen JMac almost get paralyzed by a hospital ball which for all we know could have been a factor in Evans leaving, etc. etc. OTOH, Coen is now 0-2 calling an offense in a home playoff game but at least the Jags had a home playoff game last season while Bowles did not….
July 6th, 2026 at 9:11 pm
ScottyMack, good post but remember the Bucs play the Cowboys at Jerry’s World on Thursday night, week 5. Given Bowles inability to win on prime time TV, that is almost a guaranteed loss as well.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
an 8-9 prediction is FAR MORE believable that a 8+ win season!
I see it as the Panthers win the South, Bucs/Falcons jostle for 2nd and 3rd and the Saints left in the basement…
July 6th, 2026 at 9:14 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99 said – “The mud [sic] season nose dives started in 2023. Bowles ain’t the only ingredient in that there pound cake. Baker has had a hand in it too.”
2022 – Bucs lost four in a row beginning in week 6.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:15 pm
DBBF. Take a minute of your time, and look back. The last 3 seasons. Every single game. Baker has started every single one of those games. And 3 playoff games. All 3 years the fans knew we were still in it through week 18. “Baker has had a hand in it, too”. Darn right Mayfield has had a hand in it, DBBF. And I’d say he’s been proud of it and grateful for it, too.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:24 pm
Trade Via to SF for Mac give him a 5 year deal and trade Baker to highest bidding team done deal and move on! No need to over pay for 8 &9
July 6th, 2026 at 9:24 pm
FortMyersDave, I DID say that the Cowboys are probably a loss.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:26 pm
This team isnt getting out to a 3-1 start this season.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:28 pm
And get McDermott as HC next year
July 6th, 2026 at 9:31 pm
…let’s say by some miracle though they do get to a 3-1 record and end the season at 8-9. Wouldnt that be enough history repeating itself to send Toad Bowles his pink sheet on Black Monday?
A Bucs season win total of 8 games is both the laziest analysis and smartest analysis at the same time. Death, taxes, and Bowles leading a .500 season in the weakest division in football and then crowing about that magnificent accomplishment after the season is done and everyone calls for his head.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:34 pm
Bucscoot said – “Trade Via [sic] to SF for Mac give him a 5 year deal and trade Baker to highest bidding team done deal and move on! No need to over pay for 8 &9”
I guess you mean trade them both right now, before the season even starts. Neither has a contract next year, so you can hardly trade them after this season.
Another moron who thinks the record of a team is entirely on the QB. Matt Stafford was 74-90-1 before he became a Ram. I guess you think Stafford suddenly became great and is the sole reason the Rams have had the record they have had since he got there. Brad Johnson had never won a playoff game before he became a Buc but clearly he is the reason the Bucs won their first Superbowl.
July 6th, 2026 at 9:37 pm
I have to wonder how many people are pleading for their head coach, GM and QB to be fired in the rest of the NFC South. I mean, those teams are no better than the Bucs, right?
July 6th, 2026 at 10:13 pm
I’m cool with Baker staying on a reasonable deal.
But Kit Kat and Bud Licht gotta go.
July 6th, 2026 at 10:31 pm
I pretty much have this happening – figure a hot start, then a typical mid-season collapse as everyone makes excuses for Baker after he’s passing for 120 yards a game and fumbling the ball with the game on the line. However I’d love to see him actually put a full season together, and that includes not blowing a playoff game by fumbling the ball when you got a chance to go up two scores halfway through the 4th quarter of a playoff game.
July 6th, 2026 at 10:55 pm
If it’s BAD, then we just better hope that it’s BAD EARLY. Right from the very beginning. The sooner it is recognized, the BETTER. So, that we can act appropriately, BEFORE the trade-deadline. AND, we can get an early jump with the Head Coaching search. We have to take full-advantage. Otherwise it is a totally WASTED SEASON, and we are forever STUCK in this doomed loop. 7-9 ‘WINS’ is a worst case scenario for this Bucs Franchise. It’s time to get off the POT.
July 6th, 2026 at 10:59 pm
I would even SIT Baker for the last 2 or 3 games of the season. Cause, you are outright TANKING, at that point. And, Baker will be trying to play HIS ass off, while auditioning for his next job.
July 6th, 2026 at 11:05 pm
It would be VERY typical, for this bunch to go out there and ‘WIN’ THREE completely ’meaningless’ games, with the Bucs being 5-9… And, then finishing 8 and friggin 9 AGAIN.
July 6th, 2026 at 11:53 pm
An upset against the Rams? Haha! Instead of Cooper Cupp torching the D, Puka Nakua will predictably torch the D with a big conversion to seal the game, and hopefully Bowles career if he’s still the coach.
July 7th, 2026 at 12:06 am
Understand Licht collecting receipts on his trades & draft picks, but the overall lack of success of this team has not been a talent issue. He’s bought enough groceries over the past 5 years for this team to go farther than it has imo.
July 7th, 2026 at 1:02 am
10 wins – maybe 11. 9 wins is the floor – 12 is the ceiling.
July 7th, 2026 at 1:39 am
Pure comedy gold from the Pom Poms.
Ignorant statements are hilarious. If the Bucs start 1-3 that’s a hot start for this year’s Todd. Then the long swoon. Could be 2-15, 3-14. That’s coaching excellence.