Expecting A Buccaneers Loss In Cincinnati
September 12th, 2026
It’s been exactly 11 months since the Buccaneers beat a good football team.
That’s a big reason why Joe has two huge overarching questions regarding tomorrow’s Week 1 game at Cincinnati:
- Can the Bucs instantly shake the soft-mentality, soft-playing blues that plagued the team in the second half of last season, enough to beat a good football team on the road?
- And were launching coaches and signing and drafting four or five new badass-mentality starters (plus special teams dudes) enough to rid the team of its softness?
The Bucs’ last “W” against a good team was Oct. 12, 2025. Tampa Bay spanked the 49ers 30-19 at home.
Baker Mayfield thinks Tampa Bay added what it needed to raise the toughness quotient of the team sufficiently. Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht thinks so, too. And Todd Bowles himself said the “biggest change” for the Bucs is about about two new role players that got teammates on the right path this spring.
Joe will have to see it. Something that was so broken speaks to a much deeper problem.
The Joe typing here has a hard time imagining the Bucs are completely past those issues, which could be tied to coaching. After all, Todd Bowles himself launched several coaches. So the pick is for the Bucs to lose tomorrow to the Bengals 30-24.
The “other Joe” also picks the Bucs to lose, 35-27, primarily because the Bengals offense is a brutal one to face with a thin and questionable cornerbacks unit, and with Josiah Trotter needing to develop in pass coverage, like many rookie inside linebackers do.
Now that you want to throw rocks at Joe, you might change your mind after hearing Joe’s season predictions, as shared in yesterday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast below:
September 12th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
We will beat the snot out the kitties…even though everytime Bowles has faced them we lose pretty bad like they have an answer to what he trots out..we will see
September 12th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
Great honest report Joe and I’m like you on this I want the bucs to win but we all need to see if the soft is gone now or another painful season. Go bucs!
September 12th, 2026 at 3:40 pm
I can’t believe you joes. Zyon and Parrish will match up well against Chase and Higgins. If the Dline and edge rushers do what we expect them to do against a weak offensive line, the corners will have to cover only a couple of seconds. It was said that they like to play physical with the receivers at the line. Tomorrow will be the time to prove that. Tampa wins 34 -17!
September 12th, 2026 at 3:42 pm
the bengals scheme is for joey B to make the calls on the line. its going to come down to how well we disguise and how poorly joe burrow does or does not see through it.
September 12th, 2026 at 3:46 pm
Let’s go Bucs – prove the critics including the joes wrong.
28-17 Bucs 😎
September 12th, 2026 at 3:49 pm
As a native Ann Arborite, I was psyched to see the Wolverines beat OU this afternoon. Plus, I figure Baker will be pissed off and looking to take it out on someone tomorrow. Here’s hoping!
September 12th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
Yhe Bucs will be Bowles Flat. Which joe will mod me out. I don’t care I will post anyway
September 12th, 2026 at 3:50 pm
Over the course of the season, tomorrow doesn’t matter one way or another unless the Bucs get completely blown out. They will win one or two they should lose and then they’ll lose two or three they should win. It’s the HC/DC’s coaching career DNA. End up 8-9 or 9-8. Just hope it’s enough to get him run out of town.
September 12th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Some wouldn’t even consider that 9ers team good at that time. Mac was qb, Bosa out, Kittle may have still been out, Fred got hurt early.
Bucs did have their share of injuries though no Mauch, Evans, Godwin, Jmac.
September 12th, 2026 at 3:52 pm
Joes … ‘Joe will have to see it. Something that was so broken speaks to a much deeper problem. The Joe typing here has a hard time imagining the Bucs are completely past those issues, which could be tied to coaching. So the pick is for the Bucs to lose tomorrow to the Bengals 30-24. The “other Joe” also picks the Bucs to lose, 35-27′.
Shame, shame, shame. What BOTH of you just said is that the Bucs’ offense will improve over last season in this first game, but the defense will regress. Our offense averaged 22.4 PPG last season, so 24 or 27 pts tomorrow would be an improvement. Our defense averaged 24.2 PPG last season, so 30 or 35 pts against would be a significant regression.
Personally I think each of you is in the ballpark with our offense, but our defense will do MUCH BETTER than either of you is predicting. I could see a score of 27-21 or something similar … with the Bucs on top of course. Three primary reasons …
1 – The Bengals will have a very tough time running on the Bucs’ defense, not that they were a great running team anyways.
2 – The Bucs’ pass rush will be dominant. Predict that we’ll sack Burrow at least 4 times, but more importantly that most of his throws will be short (quick releases) because of the pressure.
3 – If you look at the Bengals’ injury report, Chase is still dealing with a knee issue, and Higgins is dealing with a foot issue. Depernding on how significant their injuries really are, that MIGHT play a role in how effective the 2 of them are in the passing game.
September 12th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
It is 110% tied to management. I don’t say coaching because I don’t believe it’s an x’s an o’s issue. Coaches at this level know football.
But there’s something in Todd’s management style that leads to softness and lack of attention to detail.
Could be communication, could be processes, something else or all of the above.
In this division the last 4 seasons, Kyle Shanahan would have had the division in the bag by week 14 with 13 wins.
It’s an 11 win roster in this division. Todd makes it an 8
September 12th, 2026 at 4:04 pm
Who crowned the Bengals a good football team? They have a good offense, that’s not even half a team.
First two weeks Offenses seldom fire on all cylinders, so i like our chances
September 12th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
I’m more concerned about how Bowels calls the defense rather than how well the defense play. if you see CB’s playing 10 yards off the ball and OLB’s consistently dropping into overage it will be the same old Bucs all over again.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
The team to win is the one that’s defense has progressed and plays fluidly and makes some stops tomorrow. With these offenses, it should be a score fest. Turnovers will probably decide the game.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
When Joe said,
“After all, Todd Bowels himself launched several coaches.”
I spit out my coffee. Yeah, it was coffee. Joe said Bowels!!!!
ROFL
As to the actual game, I think our D will be much improved over last year. We added some dawgs as you alluded to, Joe. Who will win…I think the Bucs eeek out a win.
And, because most see these 2 offenses and think it will be a shootout (and it may very well turn out that way) but I’m not sure. Typically, defenses are better the first week or 2 of a season and it takes more time for offenses to gel/get their timing down.
Possibly a defensive-type game?
Bucs 17 Bengulls 14
September 12th, 2026 at 4:19 pm
The bengals aren’t great. But Burrow (when healthy) is the most lethal passer in the league, by far. And Higgins would be a number one wr on a number of teams. Chase is an absolute nightmare. He’s going to eat tomorrow.
The good news for us is Taylor is close to incompetent as Todd is and they always start slow.
This could go either way. Probably whoever has the ball last.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Joe has a lot of credibility but not as a gambler. Four points is a gift.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:25 pm
ATLBuc Says: “I can’t believe you joes. Zyon and Parrish will match up well against Chase and Higgins.”
Even at Zyon and Parrish’s best days, they are no match for Chase and Higgins. This is not a knock against our CBs, but rather stating that both Chase and Higgins are the best 1 – 2 punch in the NFL. I don’t see Zyon and Parrish being the best 1 – 2 punch defending the pass.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
What IF the Bucs come together throughout the season like the Rays have this season?
That’d be pretty d@mn awesome!
September 12th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
As the tide is getting there azz handed to them by Kentucky!
September 12th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
@ Obvious..it’ll be the better head coach?
September 12th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
They beat the SB champs last year! With a lesser roster
September 12th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Bengals were 6-11 last year. Joe is an idiot.
September 12th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
Chase is going to “eat ” tomorrow??? Dumb
September 12th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
The team that wins is the team with the better oline= Tampa
September 12th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
i think cincy wins 27-17… i’ve read every article on jbf since missing the playoffs to the panthers, i just never will trust the bucs, last year was the worst to start 6-2 and then just implode, only when they had tom brady you knew everyone was going to compete, i don’t trust baker not to throw fourth quarter interceptions i don’t trust zyon to cover or ee to catch the ball, maybe they need a coach that holds them accountable, toad has won four straight to open, cincy is 2-4 in openers- just don’t see the bucs able to keep burrow from scoring more than us, maybe they go 2-6 and then turn it on and make the playoffs- better than last year
September 12th, 2026 at 5:01 pm
Little john said “scheme ” lol.. the scheme is you smoke wings before you fry them!
September 12th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
The open game thread is going to be scorching hot tomorrow.
It’ll be like the ape cage at the zoo with all the excrement tossed around.
That’ll be as much fun as watching the game itself. Finally we get Bucs football again.
I hope to be eating a tall plate of crow. But I don’t see Bowles rising to the occasion.
38-20 Cincy
September 12th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
All offseason Joe has said the Bucs defense is energized, tough, and intense. Joe loves the attitude of guys like Trot, Bain, and A-Shawn. With the first game coming up, now Joe is wondering if the team will be soft?
September 12th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Cosmob!! In da house sportn his signature negativity!
September 12th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
You fixed the typo on Coach Bowles’ name, Joe. Good job, and I expected you to fix it.
Somehow, the spelling of “Bowels” stirs up imagery of down dark, deep, and disturbing. That’s for you alliteration-lovers out there!
Go Bucs ! ! !
September 12th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
This is why both Joes suck. Quit trying to be smarter than everyone . One should pick the Bucs to win every week . wtf . You look so stupid when you are wrong and only like a homer when you pick them to win.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Joe’s, you do realize the bungles are NOT a good team right?
September 12th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Joe, Joe Joe: Bengals 30-24. The “other Joe”: 35-27
I see a shoot out. The Bengals D is not that great, so I don’t get that the 2 of you only see the Bucs scoring 27 or under. I see more of a game like Seattle last year. The Hawks had/have an awesome D, so how do the Bengals hold us at 27 or under?
The real questions is can the Bucs D hold the Bengals to under 28 points?
Bucs 30 – 27
September 12th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
The total point over/under for tomorrow is 50.5. If that many points are scored the Bengals would be the favorite.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Take the under.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
The run game will be key and the Bucs will dominate it. Our healthy offensive line squashes their D-Line like a bug and we rush for over 200 yards. Game over man…game over! Also, pass rush is lethal once Bungles fall behind. Bucs 31-17.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Who sez the Bungles are a good team? They missed the playoffs 8 out of the last 10 years. And I went to Xavier U. They have the same problem the Cowboys have… Too much cap space on the QB.
September 12th, 2026 at 5:53 pm
Looking forward to the end of all the prophets who can tell the future with such clarity. Despite historical evidence to the contrary.
The hot knife of reality is coming for the soft butter of blind optimism.
LFG!!!
September 12th, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Bengals don’t have a.oline an our.dline.is.this defenses strength an our secondary isn’t as bad as ppl think Zyon will bounce back an Parrish is a Stud an Scott will hold down the NCB Spot an our LBs are way better hate saying that about David but father time catches up with all an Bucs are great to.start the season they have started 2-0 past 3.years.an Bengals are.very slow starting the season i think the pressure gets to Joe an the Bucs DLine eats
September 12th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Too much on qb and wr. Damn near half their cap
September 12th, 2026 at 5:56 pm
Everyone always.doubts The Bucs every year injuries plague last year.once Baker got hurt.in the Niners games