Mina Kimes: Bucs Defense Will Dominate The Browns
September 18th, 2026
Top-10 defense?!
Joe thinks of the Bucs having a very deep receiver room with a quarterback who, at times, can play very high-level football behind a top-three offensive line.
When Joe thinks of the Bucs defense, Joe thinks of mule droppings in the French Quarter in New Orleans.
Not Mina Kimes!
The ESPN NFL analyst hopped on her podcast this week and declared the Bucs defense is simply going to stomp and suffocate the Browns offense and that weirdo quarterback Deshaun Watson.
“I do think that this is going to be a game where, against a very limited Browns offense, we kind of realize this Bucs defense is actually — I think they have the potential to finish as a top 10 unit,” Kimes said. “And this is a game where you’re going to see why, with the competition shifting a little bit.”
Top 10?! If that happens, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles will get both a raise and an extension. Joe doesn’t see the Bucs’ defense finishing in the top-10 at all. Improved? Sure. But top-10???
A top-10 defense can at least sneeze on a quarterback. The Bucs? The pass rushers are expected to do “other things.”
Meanwhile, the pass defense is almost always in the bottom third of the league, despite all these exotic blitzes network game announcers breathlessly talk about before and during each Bucs televised game. The way some of these analysts coo, it seems as if they are talking about an exotic dancer at one of the clothing-optional establishments that dot Dale Mabry Highway.
Joe sure hopes Kimes is remotely accurate about the Bucs defense finishing in the top-10. Anything close to that, this team ought to be playing games in mid-January or beyond.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Wow! So clairvoyant! Seminole High’s defense would dominate the Browns
September 18th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Burrow was getting rid of the ball on an average in 2.46 sec, one of the quickest releases in week 1 while Deshaun Watson held the ball for an average of 2.92 seconds for 6th slowest in week 1. The pass rush should be able to get home if they keep him in the pocket.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:14 am
A quarterback who, at times, can play some very high-level football behind a top-three offensive line….
Well…..We’re Waiting!!!
September 18th, 2026 at 7:30 am
The Bucs Top 3 Offensive Line was an embarrassment last week.
They also had Bad Baker and Anzalone had perhaps the worst middle LB performance since 1989.
If they win, all will be forgotten.
If they lose to the Browns at home on the season opener, the noise level coming from this fan base will be 11 out of 10.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Top three offensive line??? Not last Sunday. Only a very few players looked like they belonged in the NFL at all. As far as Mima Kimes goes, can anyone tell me what that child’s drawing to her right says? I always wondered what it says.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:42 am
@JustOneGame,
Amazing what half a second means in terms of time to throw for a qb.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Potential doesn’t mean they’ll play up to it and I feel the same way about our defense as I do our offense. Rolling the Browns won’t be enough for this fan. I’m not praising them doing for what they’re supposed to do in a single game. It’s time to start seeing this team get to stacking positive plays, drives and turn that into stacking wins.
September 18th, 2026 at 8:02 am
Talk about a low bar. This offense is early 2000’s Bengals bad!
September 18th, 2026 at 8:04 am
Not to mention we always play down to our opponents…
September 18th, 2026 at 8:09 am
Seeing is believing! Bring it!
September 18th, 2026 at 8:10 am
imo, this game has last years MIA game feel to it….
no doubt we are the better team and should win in dominate fashion but will they put it all together
im expecting a low scoring dog fight….kickers will be the hero’s
GO BUCS!!!!!
September 18th, 2026 at 8:18 am
Watson shredding the middle of the field with the TE
Bucs 17
Browns 13
Todd doesn’t have that dog in him to blow anyone out
September 18th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Mina Kimes brain consists of mule droppings. She’s an absolute idiot.
Her statement makes zero sense to anyone with eyes that has watched this defense for years. Top ten?????
The Browns have nothing to lose. And the Bowles lead Bucs are very capable of finding a way to lose.
A win vs the worst team in football does not make you a SB contender.
This is like Texas playing UTSA on Saturday. A blood donor game.
September 18th, 2026 at 8:45 am
I’m not buying it. It’ll be a close game. They’re professionals that lost week one too.
September 18th, 2026 at 8:50 am
The Bucs top 10 defense: If the Bucs can avoid leaving the middle of the field wide open, tackle and cover the tight end, Then Yes, I can see top 10. However, last week like years before, the Bucs did none of those things, so until proven otherwise I don’t see it. When they do yes they will be a top 10 defense. Last year it was Dennis who was a major issue. This year after last week it appears Anazalone was watching tape on Dennis last year and is trying to copy his game. I do feel for Bowles, he just cant find 2 middle LB that can actually play the position. It appears Trotter is the real deal. Let’s hope Anazolne’s game last week was just a bad game.
September 18th, 2026 at 9:11 am
We are a 2-8 team
I’m not counting the Browns out
They have some really good young players
September 18th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Top- 10 defense in what category?
We were Top-10 in total Defense in 2015 with Lovie
We need to be a Top -10 defense in points allowed
That’s the only defensive stat that has meaning, in my opinion
September 18th, 2026 at 9:18 am
Funny suff. We still are a soft team. So we beat the Clowns, sooo.
September 18th, 2026 at 9:32 am
The Bucs defense is certainly not the worst in the NFL, that goes to the Panthers and Lions, however, the Bucs defense haven’t been average since 2022. Bowles continues to be the DC and play caller and it’s the same thing. Can’t get off the field on 3rd downs, no OLB pressure.if the they loose to the Browns changes have to be made.
September 18th, 2026 at 9:33 am
“We need to be a Top -10 defense in points allowed
That’s the only defensive stat that has meaning, in my opinion”
We were top 10 in points allowed and 12th in takeaways in 2023 and only won 9 games. Last year was our first time allowing >400 total points since….2019. From 2020 to 2025 we finished top 10 in points allowed 3 times(2020, 2021, & 2023).
September 18th, 2026 at 9:38 am
I agree the Bucs D is top ten in several categories:
1 – Missed tackles
2 – LBs lost in pass coverage
3 – Most lackluster pass rush
4 – Thinnest depth at CB in the NFL
This chick is dumb…
September 18th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Ill believe it when I see it. I dont care how bad the Browns are Bucs better be ready. How did things work out for the Chargers last Sunday?
September 18th, 2026 at 9:50 am
Warren Brooks Lynch,
Our defense got us to the playoffs in 2023
But they were giving all of the credit to Mayfield and Canales
Even though our offense stunk, averaging a pathetic 20.5 ppg
That’s why l always say…..we have a backwards thinking fanbase
If our offense was better in 2023, we would’ve won at least 11 games
September 18th, 2026 at 9:55 am
Top 10…right!! Lol
September 18th, 2026 at 9:57 am
Press coverage, let OLBs rush the passer, and they’d be all right, imo.
Diaby should be a backup. He’s had his chances. Bain, Muhammad and Walker should get most of the snaps until they prove otherwise.
September 18th, 2026 at 10:00 am
“Hot take” fan base strikes again.
Serious, Bucs fans have the lowest IQ knowledge out of all nfl team fan bases (that includes myself)
September 18th, 2026 at 10:10 am
Did she play D line in high school ? or just a stat regurgitater ?
September 18th, 2026 at 10:45 am
“Joe sure hopes Kimes is remotely accurate about the Bucs defense finishing in the top-10.” The Joe penning this article must’ve had a few too many Reef Donkey’s the night before. Kimes’ takes are usually wrong so this is on-brand for her.
September 18th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Any team with a decent tight end will shred Bowles’ defense. Every TE in football has their best performances of the season against the Bucs.
September 18th, 2026 at 11:12 am
I fully expect a better defensive showing, including sacks, this week. But again, last week, against a top shelf offense/QB/WRs this defense was good enough to win. They didn’t have the pressure, but their vaunted receiver duo combined for only 71 yards and no scores.
The Browns do have some decent young players at receiver. Watson should have a hard time finding them this week.
Offense, don’t turn the ball over and this ought to be a win.
September 18th, 2026 at 11:26 am
I don’t think she knows who the Bucs HC/DC is, or his ability to screw things up.