Bucs Win The Division Because…
September 12th, 2026
Kings of the hill, BSPN says.
You can rest easy, Bucs fans.
All is right with the world. There’s no reason to worry. Every day you wake up is sunny now. Every night when you go to bed your significant other looks like Hannah White. Every beer you grab is ice cold. The Bucs will have a home playoff game to open the postseason because the Bucs will win the NFC South landfill.
Who says? Why, it’s no less an authority than follically-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN. Albeit Billy says it happens by default.
Why? Because the NFC South is a landfill.
… I’ll lean toward the Buccaneers, who saw their running game deteriorate last season as they battled injuries to both their lead back (Bucky Irving) and much of their offensive line. Baker Mayfield was able to pull out games with fourth-quarter magic early in the season, but the offense stagnated as the year went along. Tampa also had some of the worst special teams in the league, which should hopefully be alleviated by the addition of legendary Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith.
… … I don’t feel great about the Bucs, but I feel worse about everyone else.
Joe thinks the Bucs will live or die based on how the defense plays.
Joe has no issue or worry about the offense. There are enough weapons to get the job done and Joe is a big fan of the Bucs’ offensive line if they can stay healthy. It’s the defense that gives Joe the shivers.
As Brother of Chucky said this week, cornerback is a major concern. Unless you have a pass rush that is other-level ferocious, you cannot hide bad cornerback play in the NFL.
The other element that freaks Joe out is the Bucs are banking on three rookies playing like veterans right off the bat. One rookie, sure. Two rookies? Well, OK. Three rookies? That’s pushing it.
If any of the three rookie starting defenders struggle, rest assured they will get exposed by opposing offenses. For example, if, as the haters are convinced, Josiah Trotter cannot defend the pass, what do you think Joe Burrow is going to do tomorrow? That’s right. Burrow, if Trotter struggles, Burrow will pick on Trotter all day.
Joe thinks this defense and significant playoff fortunes for the Bucs are a season away.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Almost v everyone,stays healthy.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:11 am
So BSPN is going with the biggest midget argument for picking the Bucs. Hard to argue though I am with the Joe who predicted that Bowles could turn 10 wins into 8. Tampa should win the division but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link which many think is Bowles.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:14 am
“..I don’t feel great about the Bucs, but I feel worse about everyone else.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:21 am
Nobody uses that term anymore. It is height challenged.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Top Offensive Lines for 2026.
According to preseason and analyst evaluations from sources like PFF and Sharp, the top units feature strong continuity and elite individual performers:
1. Denver Broncos: Returns all five starters; led by standout tackle Garett Bolles and guard Quinn Meinerz.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Retains their core starting five, anchored by elite right tackle Lane Johnson.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Boosted by star left tackle Tristan Wirfs and a recovering Cody Mauch.
So there is that…
September 12th, 2026 at 8:35 am
the Bengals were not good at stopping the run in 2025, yes, they added Simmons, but lost their starting DE for this game.
RUN the darn ball up their AZZES
September 12th, 2026 at 8:42 am
Gruden isn’t wrong our secondary is our weak spot on paper. We will have to see how they do in live games. Our starters on the o line are among the best it’s our depth that we have to be worried about.
Hopefully if the Bucs are going into the game against the Bears at 7-1 or 6-2 Licht makes some moves to improve both.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:46 am
I had AJ Brown and Davante Adams as 2 of my 3 WR’s. I need Baker to throw for 3 hunnert and 3 tuddies
September 12th, 2026 at 8:51 am
I disagree with the idea that the offense is not a worry. Holding teams under 22 pts. is a low bar and if Bowles can do that we should have a good season, IF. If Zac is really a good coordinator (not clearly evident), Oline stays healthy, and Baker’s play reverts to ’24 form. Bowles job appears to be an easier task than what Zac has to perform. Granted, all the horses and hay are in the barn for the offense to break out. Coaching in all 3 phases are the main unknown in how the season will play out. All the incentive necessary is available. Is the coaching talent available? Sunday will be a good test. GO BUCS!!!!!
September 12th, 2026 at 8:55 am
If this team makes the playoffs, the rookies will have 17 games NFL experience- they won’t be rookies anymore.
The Bucs have the talent… will they be healthy come playoff time and does OC Robinson know what he’s doing? – those are keys
September 12th, 2026 at 9:12 am
That is a lot of hand wringing, Joe.
Is getting three instant starters on defense such a big ask?
The Bucs have been averaging 3 to 4 instant starters.
Granted, while there have been three recent instant starters on offense in the same year, two has been the max for defense. But, the Bucs have drafted offense even when the need was on defense.
2025 – Emeka Ebuka, Jacob Parrish, Elijah Roberts, Tez Johnson
2024 – Graham Barton, Tykee Smith, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving
2023 – Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, Yaya Diaby
2022 – Luke Goedeke, Rachaad White, Cade Otton
September 12th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Aint won a darn thing!!!! We’re NOTHING until we’re something….one game at a time!
September 12th, 2026 at 9:31 am
I’m not a fan of Bowles, but I do think he will be better on 4th downs this year. Danny Smith has already said in his presser that he’s involved in 4th down decisions. That might be enough, along with better special teams play, for the Bucs to win 1 or 2 games over expectations.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Wow Joe!
I feel like you’re reading my mind! Because you’re, SPOT ON.
Can’t make a call on the pole because technically I have no clue what we actually Have. Far too many rookies in critical positions that are cutting there teeth for the first time Ever this year. And it’s WELL KNOWN that the NFL is a different animal than all others. Besides, I haven’t heard Any of the coaches that are convinced that we’re unstoppable for that matter…. so
It’ll be next year for anything special. This year’s about survival more than it is thrival.
Anything beyond that (in a good way) is icing on the cake.
The “alleged” leadership has been Absolutely Killing Us. Starting with the Full On dismantling of a Super Bowl winning team and ALL of its Dominate, Winning ways, to (the point of having the defense in particular but the WHOLE TEAM PARTICIPATED) the Entire Team Quiting on bowles! That’s what’s called a FACT… And THAT’S a tough hole to climb out of in the first place… SO… A change there is UTTERLY an “Obvious Need”.. The retention makes it CLEAR that they don’t “expect” that they will actually be competitive in December. Though they have been resetting the chess board with the means to be in 27 and beyond.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:38 am
‘Joe thinks this defense and significant playoff fortunes for the Bucs are a season away.’
Likely also a HC and DC away!
September 12th, 2026 at 10:04 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tye said it and he is correct
September 12th, 2026 at 10:21 am
The Bucs will win their division this year because Dean and Davis have been sent walking and their offensive lineman remains healthy! Go bucs
September 12th, 2026 at 10:29 am
None of this makes me rest easy.
September 12th, 2026 at 10:53 am
The only thing that might hold Mayfield back in fantasy this week may be we score so many rushing touchdowns. If the rushers are not punching it in, Baker (and maybe Ted Hurst or Otton) explode. If I had Burrow and Baker I’d really be torn who to start but because of rushing upside I’d probably start Burrow. Bengals have much tougher sledding rushing against us!
September 12th, 2026 at 11:23 am
What always scares me in past seasons is when the “experts” are singing Bucs praises with glowing predictions of success. Trying to think when it wasn’t a bad omen.
Happy that there is no consensus amongst the pundits.
One game at a time. LFG.
September 12th, 2026 at 11:38 am
On a different note, for all of you complaining about Cade Otten getting 10mil a season you should know Raiders just extended their BACK UP TE Mayer for 35 million/ 3 years. 85 total catches over 3 years…. Not even close to Ottens production.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:18 pm
We are in a division of also-rans, a group of mediocre teams that struggle to put a division winner with an above .500 record. Why is it that the NFC South teams are so bad? We (collectively) draft higher each year because of our poor records yet still put bad teams on the field. Is it coaching? Front office? It is too easy just to put the blame on Todd Bowles; it has to be more than one man’s decisions. What is it that make the NFC South a doormat?
September 12th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
There were two Divisions that had a poorer cumulative W-L record than the NFC South. South is getting better-watch and see.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
Do you know who is great against the pass?
Rozeboom and Anzalone.
We may take Trotter off on some third downs.
Let Rozeboom get some snaps.
I am curious to see if our kickoff and punt teams will be better.
Dennis
Killibrew
Rozeboom
Bauer Sharp
Keift
Kameron Johnson
Garnes (not a good tackler)
Morrison (horrible tackler)
Tucker (horrible tackler)
Who else?
Does not look promising to me.
September 12th, 2026 at 12:44 pm
I have more confidence in our defense than our offense
I think we win 12 games this season
And the defense will lead the way
These are my predictions
I’ll see you in December
September 12th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
Remember this after the game tomorrow afternoon.
Lots of hype going on these days.
No more hopium left for the Pom Poms squad.
Win or lose it will be a great day.
Go Bucs!
September 12th, 2026 at 1:06 pm
The 3 rookies thing could be exposed early but that shouldn’t be a concern.
Unlike years past there are somewhat capable backups.
If Trotter, Bain or Scott are blowing it out there… Rozeboom, Dennis (weak but experienced) Muhammed, Nelly, SMB, Morrison … are all warming bench ready to go.
The only real problem will once again be Bowles and his refusal of accountability. Whoever is playing with the most effort and is assignment sound should be on the field. High draft pick or not.
September 12th, 2026 at 1:23 pm
Fans and talking heads are funny.
Most everyone makes their 2026 predictions based on the year before.
And nobody follows a team like their hometown fans.
Saints—they finished 2025 by winning 4 of their last 5.
Saints fans: We’re on to something. Division title, here we come!
Bucs fans: luck. We will own them this year.
Panthers—-they won the South last year with an 8-9 record.
Panthers fans: Young threw for 448 in a single game last year. He’s coming around. And they just gave their house to Baker. Good, now we can sign their free agents.
Bucs fans: luck. Young is a bust
Atlanta—also finished 8-9 no quarterback, but lost the division in a tiebreaker.
Atlanta fans: if Tua can get healthy, and with this draft class we could be a force. We would’ve beat the Bucs twice last year if not for the missed, chip shot FG in Week 1.
Bucs fans: both Tua and Penix suck. We are miles better.
Tampa Bay—like both Carolina and Atlanta they finished 8-9 but missed the playoffs.
NFC South fans who do not root for the Bucs: they drafted a criminal who fled the scene where someone died. He should be in jail, not on a football field. We like our chances against Mayfield. When did he ever throw for 448? I’ll take Bryce over him.
Bottom line: NOBODY KNOWS WHAT THEY’RE TALKING ABOUT UNTIL AFTER THE GAMES HAVE BEEN PLAYED, INCLUDING YOU AND ME. WE EACH HAVE AN INHERENT BIAS DEPENDING ON WHERE WE LIVE OR WHO WE FOLLOW. AND NOBODY FOLLOWS THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF OTHER TEAMS LIKE THEY DO THEIR OWN. YES, PREDICTIONS ARE FUN, BUT NONE OF US CAN SEE THE FUTURE.
September 12th, 2026 at 1:24 pm
Midget…there I said it.
September 12th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
I’m with Badbucs.
Many think our offense is going to be 2024 2.0 just because Zac Robinson was best man at coens wedding. The track record with zr isn’t there. Im not sure what to make of it. Could be good, could be average. But I don’t think it will come anywhere near 24.
As odd as it may seem, with the added pieces I expect the defense to top 20 by years end.
None of this matters with the HC though.
September 12th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
if they cant outright win the south and need math to do back in to the playoffs nobody should be surprised. i hope its a great season but this is the bucs we’re talking about. conventional wisdom is already granting them a playoff berth.
how soon they forget….
September 12th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
Tampa is just better and cosmos favorite player Tua is hurt
September 12th, 2026 at 3:41 pm
And jimmy if your right ill still be following next season….Go Bucs!
September 12th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Bcuz it is NFC South. But the Stainks will take it in the last 3 weeks. Glazers will keep Bozo and we will be right here again next year.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:42 pm
in 23 i thought no way we beat the vikings on the road, baker and me13 had great games then commanders then falcons each year the bucs were ready to play but not against burrows and chase, Baker just got savior money let’s see if he can deliver and win a game for us