Todd Bowles Believes Doomsday Predictions Are Wildly Premature
September 22nd, 2026
You’d wince too at 0-2.
It seems KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles isn’t much of a fan of playoff percentages.
Many major sports sites already are running team chances/percentages of making the NFL playoffs, and further advancing in the postseason.
Yesterday, speaking in his day-after presser, Bowles seemed to think those articles and numberscrunching are exercises in guesswork.
“I feel like [the playoffs] won’t be determined until the end of the season,” Bowles said. “I think if you lose the first two games of the year, that doesn’t determine the other 15 games.
“That’s probably a question that could be answered later than now. Right now, we’re 0-2 – we’re not 0-9 or 0-11. That doesn’t bother me as much from that standpoint. We’ve just got to get better and win a ballgame.”
The numbers are not pretty for teams that jump out to an awful record. Since the 14-team playoff field was established in 2021, team starting 0-2 only advanced to the playoffs 16 percent of the time
Sure, factors like weakness of division opponents are ignored. Still, only 16 percent ought to get people’s attention — and not in a good way.
The Bucs need to play 9-6 football the next 15 games to make the playoffs, based on history.
You don’t want to know what happens to teams that start out 0-3. Joe is saving that tidbit for tomorrow.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:03 am
The silver lining on the losing is hopefully it’s the beginning of the end for Bowles. He should have been gone two years ago in favor of Coen.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:05 am
I don’t think theres a successful coach calling NFL games ballgames in the league today
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:09 am
They kept Bowles and look at the results. Perhaps another few losing seasons are coming unless the Glazers wise up.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:09 am
This team has won 20% of its last 10 games. There is no chance that we win 60% of our next 15, zero
If you really believe that’s possible, I have a ton of stuff to sell you. Doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, I have it.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:10 am
I think the percentage probably at least doubles to make the playoffs if your division leader is only 1-1 and you still play them twice beat the saints and the panthers twice and we’re in the division lead. So we’re not anywhere close to out right now l. But if we get 3 games back in our division then we’re toast. But if we can somehow go 2-2 in our next 4 we could still be a game back with our division schedule coming into play. Now after saying that do I think from what I have seen we have any chance of making the playoffs big fat no. I think we will be picking in the top 5 and can get one of the big three and or the best defensive lineman or wide receiver in the draft. I think I would rather have the high draft pick and a new coach and see what happens next year. Then to squeak into the playoffs and lose the first game and pick 20th. It would be better for our team in the long run
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:11 am
he’s like that dog in the burning building meme. it’s fine.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:13 am
Bowles: “It’s wildly premature.” Bucs fans: “What is? Your sacks?”
Premature esackulation.
Yeah, now I understand where Bowles is coming from.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:13 am
It’s not THAT we lost our first two games. No. It’s how we lost them and who we lost to. These weren’t hard fought games where the other team just happened to get lucky. This was poorly coached and poorly played malfeasance. You don’t fix that with Xs and Os.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:14 am
Todd already checked out. He’s in over his head and Nobody is coming to save him. Too bad we missed out on coaches like Harbaugh and Coen.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:16 am
The problem is, Todd, that the facts don’t care about your feelings. The fact is, based upon actual league results, the team has about a 12% chance of making the payoffs.
The NFL expanded its playoff format in 1990. 288 teams started 0-2. 35 of those 0-2 teams made the playoffs. Do the math: 12.2%.
And looking at the schedule and how the team performed over the first two games, there’s a better likelihood of an 0-7 start than a playoff appearance.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:17 am
Let’s start with winning one game. A game. Let’s start there before we start talking about playoffs. Right now, if current trends hold…this is a blow it all up situation. Keep Baker (cause you have to) Egbuka, Tex, Hurst and McMillan, prolly keep Sharp. Keep Wirfs and Goedeke. MAYBE keep Mauch. Keep Trotter, Bain, Walker, Kancey and maybe Morrison and Parish. Everyone else should be looked to be moved for picks.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:20 am
The scarecrow is just on cruise control at this point. He has zero clue how to do either of his jobs.
But he does have a GM and Owners that love his culture of failure and ineptitude.
He is that man.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:25 am
When Brady was the QB, even when they were taking on water in his last season, there was still a reason to invest yourself in the game because Tommy had that proven ability to inspire others to do their jobs to the best of their abilities. This cast of characters since Brady left, forget it.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:35 am
Watching the interview the team put out before the season of todd gushing about the talent level of the new additions, how teams are gonna have to keep 6 in to block, new accountabilty on the roster, etc. was completely laughable then… it’s hysterical now. He has no answers, the Glazers will have to realize that eventually.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:35 am
If TB12 was the QB
I would feel confident about this team at 0-5
But not with Baker Mayfield
I have no confidence in Bowles or Mayfield
And l definitely don’t have any confidence in the idiot that gave him $165 million
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:35 am
Watching the interview the team put out before the season of todd gushing about the talent level of the new additions, how teams are gonna have to keep 6 in to block, new accountabilty on the roster, etc. was completely laughable then… it’s hysterical now. He has no answers, the Glazers will have to realize that eventually.
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:40 am
Well, what did everyone expect Bowles to say:
“Yeah, we are toast, my guys cannot understand my schemes and Jason never trades a draft pick for depth and for offense, well Bakers 4 turnovers in 2 games kind of speaks for itself and quit piling on Zac! He is scheming quick screens behind the line of scrimmage because he is unimaginative and anyhow, our O-line is a sieve.. Next question..”
Bowles is good at coach speak and excuses, he has been doing them since he dropped the ball in the Rams playoff game with that zero blitz which made a heero out of Cooper Cupp. Fire Todd yesterday!!!!!
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:51 am
He’s talking like he isn’t the coach of a team that imploded last year or a team that goes on these unexplained losing streaks every year and always has a mediocre record in a division where the playoff spot is always decided in week 17. I’m not expecting him to panic but coaching wise he’s mentally on par with lovie smith with these asinine comments
September 22nd, 2026 at 9:59 am
Oh-and-2 doesn’t bother Todd Bowles and therein lies the problemo!!!!!
Maybe it will bother the Glazers if they go 0-5 — distinct possibility
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:01 am
don’t look now but the Vikings are rising pretty high in the power rankings and QBs Shough and Young are getting pretty good press – only the Steelers and Falcons have a worse stink on them than the Bucs – the next four games could go 1-3 … then what ?
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:05 am
He is right but he has shown no ability to adjust and fire the team up. Plans to bring in some aggressive leaders on the field have failed, as well.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:08 am
Bowles is clueless this is the guy that needed to hire people for clock management because he couldn’t figure out how to use his timeouts before halftime. He is about to be O-3 and if we really want to get technical he is 2 and 9 in the last 11 games. About to be 2 and 10 at what point does ownership stop the bleeding my god.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:09 am
I caught an online fan video clip of the Bucs entering the tunnel after the Browns loss – fans were behaving as expected – BUT it gave me great pleasure to see the fraud Jason Licht quick-stepping towards the safety of the tunnel with his head down and a stunned look on his face – no spit or beer was seen flying but Licht deserves to be drenched in both – he was probably on the field to congratulate Bowles and Baker for the comeback win that never happened – he’ll probably soon start hiding out in the owners box for games – telling funny stories and kissing up to the Glazers and running to refill their drinks and tell them how smart they are – Licht is just repulsive
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:11 am
Joe can we have articles on best coaches for Bucs please.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:12 am
Joe, we all know what 0-3 means. I’ll still read what you type tomorrow though.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:18 am
Come on, whats the guy gonna say? We all know the truth. He knows the truth. Everyone involved on that team knows the truth. You know who else knew the truth? Evans….obviously
It’ll take a miracle for this glaringly inept team to compete aside from winning 5 or 6 pointless games. And now skittish Mayfield is ours for the next three years🙄 Good luck attracting a decent HC or OC into this mess.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:24 am
On the Ira podcast, Lee has been warning us to expect this. Bowles has zero answers. He is going to just keep doing the same thing and hope for a better outcome. His principles guide him: he doesn’t value pass rush, doesn’t believe it’s needed to have a successful defense. The Joes were 1000% correct.
The Bucs will continue to defend decently against the run, and to be utterly lost when it comes to defending against the pass. The offense will continue to look confused and out of synch. Players will be asked to deliver in roles ill suited to their strengths or that expose their weaknesses, slowing their development and possibly ruining them.
At all levels – game planning, play calling, player utilization, communication, leadership – this coach is deficient. Are the players bums? Maybe, but how can we tell without putting an actual professional coaching staff in place?
Congratulations, Glazers. You wasted $300M+ of payroll, a year of everyone’s lives, and possibly the careers of potentially promising young players like Bain, Ebuka, etc. by not enforcing accountability after the late season collapse last year.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:29 am
Of course he thinks that. He hasn’t been held accountable for the last five seasons. What evidence suggest to him that his job would be in jeopardy now? This attitude has also infected the team. That is why Mike Evans is now in San Francisco, and Levante David retired.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:30 am
You are what your record says you are, and over the last 11 games they are 2-9 with losses to several bad teams. They stink!
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:44 am
Not much else he can say, but its not gonna come true.
Realistically, based on these first two games, this is probably a 5 win team tops, and that might be overly optimistic.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:45 am
But just for clarity we have a team we have good players we have drafted good players this team should be playing better. And part some of it is not playing next to any preseason time. I agree with not running the starters all the way through preseason but God damn they need at least a good driver to just pulling out three plays no way to get warm back up and work out the kinks now you’re having to do it in season. So I can agree with a revamp or gutting of a coaching staff but no need to sell out the players on a fire sale. But I’m seeing right now is a lack of hardcore practicing on the fundamentals and the offense trying to overachieve in a cliche run before it walks. They have the talent and should have tools to fix this season right the ship if you will if not bowles and Robinson need to go. That’s my humble opinion thank you for your time let’s go Bucs raise the flag and fire those cannons
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:45 am
THE BIG BIG QUESTION IS …
Who finishes 4th in the NFCS?
Atlanta looks really bad.
Saints and Panthers probably have too big of a lead in the win column for either the Bucs or Falcons to make up.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:59 am
2 and 11 in the last 13…..some were winnable games, and it’s easy to guess what Todd will do most of the time on D….so there’s that. That’s why the panic….and lost to the Browns? I already know what to expect now, and it’s embarrassing! Top 5 pick in the draft….here we come, and hopefully with new HC!!!!
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:02 am
An Erection For Sacks Believes Doomsday Predictions Are Not Wildly Premature.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:08 am
Every Sunday with Bowels at the helm is doomsday.
He’s the Sultan of Suck!
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:11 am
16%? Well…What are the odds any of us are reading this?
Rod Munch would have to do the ciphering here, but tens of thousands of little swimmers hooking up with your mamma’s egg? So you’re saying there’s a chance?
Dang right we’ve got a chance- let’s let this thing play out.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:14 am
That’s it in a nutshell. Bowles nonchalant attitude about losing is reflected in the teams lack of urgency. As has been the case with the Bucs for a long time, no one wants to win until their backs are against the wall. No one wants to win until they have to win.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:15 am
He absolutely sounds checked out and defeated. I don’t blame him. He doesn’t know what to do because what’s needed is outside of his skill set.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:15 am
The math at 0-2 doesn’t look good and 0-3 is far worse and I won’t steal your thunder there for your future article. What would be interesting is to see what has happened to the coach and GM after such 0-3 starts at the end of the season. How many HC and GM got fired mid season or at the end.
I see the Bucs having talent but coaching by Bowles and Robinson is horrid so the players are soft and don’t use schemes that work. Danny Smith has made a vast improvement on ST and he is what happens when you hire a damn good coach. I don’t see this team getting 8-10 wins with this coaching staff. The only silver lining at this point in time is Bowles is fired at the end of the season and Robinson is gone too but Smith is paid to stay. Steelers should have paid him to stay.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:30 am
“2 and 11 in the last 13…..some were winnable games, and it’s easy to guess what Todd will do most of the time on D….so there’s that.”
17 turnovers attributed to 1 guy in that span, and we’re 3-10 not 2-11, don’t ignore that Saints game week 8 because the D won the day.
SEVENTEEN!
3 to 8 points max per giveaway, multiplied by the amount.
So
17 x 3 = 51 or 17 x 7(TD+PAT) = 119 or
17 x 8(TD+2 pt PAT) + 136
So that’s 17 giveaways with a minimum of 51 points on the field with a max of 136 points. 51-136 points gone off 17 bad plays in 13 different games. Points we couldn’t score because we gave the ball away.
In a span of games where our offense scored 268 points or averaged 20.6 PPG vs. our defense allowing 313 points or 24.1 ppg. 45 point difference in the point margin.
With 11 of 13 games being decided by 1 score how many of those 17 turnovers do you think it would’ve taken to overcome our opponents on the score board had we kept the ball?
Losing to teams of varying levels of talent quality in the same form and fashion means we we’re not playing a winning brand of football.
Your QB averaging a turnover a game means he’s a liability to your offense. Not the coaches, not the OL, not the RBs and nor the WRs. They’re going down with him. I question ya’lls fandom of the game, way too forgiving of turnovers for me and it’s weird reading some of these bogus perspectives. Saying anything, just to have something to say.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:38 am
He sucks, no one is listening to him anymore. Good riddance.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:44 am
This team will be mathematically out of playoff contention with a month left in the season. They’re not going anywhere. Playoffs aren’t even a reasonable thing to discuss until they show some guts and play like an NFL team.
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:49 am
As of today, we still don’t have a pass rush and we play off coverage to much. Some will say that we can stop the run, but why run when its SO easy to pass against us.
Baker is good enough to win but he needs a LOT of help. Elite OC and a true #1 WR…we have neither!
This team has NO hope and its demoralizing as a fan.
Go Bucs! (Go Rays!!)
September 22nd, 2026 at 11:50 am
writing on the wall since 10-25 Mike saw it left that was it
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:09 pm
We see that Baker is basically taking the same mindset as the coach. His comments about not having a playoff mentality are pretty much the same as Bowles saying it’s not like we are 0-9. So we have another example of this all coming down to the HC. The players do have to execute but they will always model their behavior based on their leaders.
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:10 pm
Toilet Bowles is 35 wins 34 losses and one playoff win out of 3 appearances as the head coach. The first two Division titles were a joke we won with a 8-9 then 9-8 record. The best season he has this team was 10-7 and won one playoff game. What more do these owners need to see? Did he get to stay because he is one of the lowest paid head coaches in the league?
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:20 pm
Todd Bowles Says…”We’ve just got to get better and win a ballgame”. Is he tanking the team???? Sounds like he’s wishing for a 1W / 16L season!!!!!! I sure hope he doesn’t get his wish!!!!
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:26 pm
Vikings game is huge a loss could seal our fate as NFL bottom feeders.
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:32 pm
Maybe we will continue to suck and get the 1st round pick….and grab Manning to replace Baker….or that qb from Miami, Mensah…or Dante Moore from Oregon. idk, if we do pick that high in the draft, we will need a qb. Hopefully, we are not looking for an edge rusher to replace Bain. Dang I hope that kid catches fire.
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Does Joe think the Bucs can beat the Vikings? 0-3
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Does Joe think the Bucs can beat the Vikings?
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:03 pm
Go get McDermott next year if he wants to coach again. He just needs a change of scenery like Chucky and Dungy did.
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:05 pm
When the HC and QB stink, you’re entire team has no chance of winning.
Paying a journeyman, inconsistent QB like a top 10 QB to the richest deal in team history when he has a year left on his deal was just Monumentally stupid. Anyone who thought that was a good idea should just never post again.. including all the Joeys who were on board with handing Baker that deal. There was virtually ZERO downside to making him play out his deal. And the potential downside of handing him that deal were/are HUGE.
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:09 pm
0-3 in the nfl = circling the drain…
0-4 = season over…
these are known factoids when you break down the numbers of the league since it’s existence…
sunday is huge…
wodd blowes better get the troops ready…
because right now he has them back in their comfort zone…”the zombified state”…
the zombies are back inhabiting one buc
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:18 pm
Loss the the Bengals ehh it was expected, players were unprepared from no preseason action
Loss to the Browns, but unacceptable.
This is the team that gave up on the coach last year and will continue to be that team until he’s gone.
No heart or passion from coach = no heart or passion from the team
3rd and Fing 24
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:18 pm
hard to feel like Kyler Murray won’t have a career day on Sunday
no pressure and mobile quarterbacks seem to perform at the top of their ability — like a practice drill
until we see a complete performance — haven’t seen that in 12 games now (almost a full season of T Bowles) — we can predict future performance based on recent past
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:22 pm
You guys will have to accept Baker will be the QB the next few years ,, the key will be to find him a new HC that is innovated and offensive minded ..
Who is on your wish list (Coen obviously gone )
Maybe a hot offensive college coach (Riley)? Maybe a retread, Daibol? McDainiel? Who’s the Hot OC?
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:59 pm
No chance beating the Vikings with this offense and Zac as OC. On top of that with the exception of CG , the WRs are horrible , and our TE is a disaster. Baker has to check down on every passing play because the WRs cant get open. He is holding the ball too long for guys that can never get separation. Zac needs to be running WCO plays with three step drops. Game plans are horrible. Defense has gotten worse. At least special teams is better this year. lol.
September 22nd, 2026 at 2:00 pm
Here’s my issue with Bowles: What does he bring to the table? He’s a DC by trade, and calls the defense on gameday, but the defense has been mediocre at best. The offense ebbs with his choice of OC. If he has a good OC, the offense is fine (ex: the year under Coen). But this year he has an OC that was mediocre with an Atlanta team that had first rounders at QB, RB, WR, and TE. Not a good sign (and I like Zac, as he’s from my alma mater). Bowles has shown that he lacks the necessary self-discipline (as shown by his gaining 20 pounds every season) to be a leader to the team, which is why the team needs ‘player leaders’. So when you have someone like Tom Brady, who can step into that player leader role seemlessly, you can have some success, but who’s that guy now? Evans walked (and we can see why). Tom walked (and we can see why). So if Bowles doesn’t bring any successful schemes, nor provide leadership and discipline, what does he bring as head coach to this team?
September 22nd, 2026 at 2:02 pm
When’s the bye week? Week 10. It will be time for a change if the Bucs are 2-7 or 1-8? Absolutely. Does anyone actually expect a better record?
September 22nd, 2026 at 2:11 pm
Minny favored by 1.5.
Take Minny and give the points.
0-3 is coming.
September 22nd, 2026 at 2:24 pm
@WBL, yeah, we all know, Baker is being stupid at times with some turnovers…and so far this year, he’s just not being accurate. But he’s also not calling the Defense or out there missing tackles from being put into bad positions….but you go ahead and just keep blaming everything on ONE guy….saying anything just to say something, idiot!
September 22nd, 2026 at 2:35 pm
But it was the talent right, it was the mentality right Todd it still looks the same glazers it still looks like the same uninspired team we saw last season. If it all goes to where it looks like it’s going will the bucs draft a QB lmao what a clown show this has become.
September 22nd, 2026 at 2:41 pm
Oh we are 0-9 Todd Bowles better not be getting converted about the playoffs, he better be concerned about selling his house! Throw Todd in the Bay!
September 22nd, 2026 at 3:05 pm
“yeah, we all know, Baker is being stupid at times with some turnovers…and so far this year, he’s just not being accurate. But he’s also not calling the Defense or out there missing tackles from being put into bad positions….but you go ahead and just keep blaming everything on ONE guy….saying anything just to say something, idiot!”
As long as Baker keeps giving us fans reason to think he stinks, best believe I’ll keep pointing out how, why, and when he indeed stinks lol tf
“some” turnovers, lol how’s about too many
Being an idiot, is accepting acts of football sacrilege because you like a guy that’s basically the 2nd coming of Josh McCown in a Bucs uniform
September 22nd, 2026 at 3:06 pm
Don’t go to the game. Inspire change, as bowles says. If you do go, wear purple
September 22nd, 2026 at 3:36 pm
This team can be 0-7 before they win a game (ATL).
The comments from Bowles and Mayfield show an obvious lack of concern. Its like they aren’t taking things seriously.
Loser mentality.
September 22nd, 2026 at 3:47 pm
“Being an idiot, is accepting acts of football sacrilege because…..” exactly what you’re doing giving todd and the D a pass…i guess until Baker is a LB and making tackles, you cant blame everything on him and you know that…look at the other QB’s with a lot of yards and TD’s passing who also throw INT’s! Im not trying to take up for him, but you think what you want….im just stating facts.