Does Todd Bowles Still Have The Magic?
October 9th, 2026
Critical play.
The Bucs defense has quietly played decent to good ball this season.
Joe typed “quietly” because everyone, for good reason, was hollering about the rotten offense.
Yesterday facing the Cowboys, who were tied for second in most points scored, averaging 30.5 a game, Bowles’ defense held Dallas to almost half that, 16 points.
The defense gave the offense a chance to win and finally the offense woke up.
“I mean, hats off to our defense,” Bowles said. “They played lights out the whole entire game. Alex Anzalone being able to get back [and grab] that game[-winning] interception.
“I appreciate those guys for everything that they did this week.”
Alex Anzalone said on the Amazon postgame show that Bowles was the reason why the defense rose up, but he was tight-lipped about why. So too was Vita Vea, speaking to Amazon.
So did Bowles, again with no edge rush, find a way to confuse Cowboys quarterback Zac Prescott?
The Bucs did a ton of blitzing and on the Amazon game analyst Kirk Herbstreit said Prescott often was throwing from uncomfortable positions because of the pressure.
So right when it appeared the Bucs were down and out, they get pulled back in the playoff chase. Still a long way to do but the way the defense played last night, they will give the Bucs a chance.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:01 am
Don’t get me wrong, I love sacks. But when your defense front is able to create pressure and havoc, it matters! Think about it like this, some of the best Dabs in the league don’t get a ton of ints, but if they have tight coverage or are deflecting passes, it’s still great defensive play. Sacks are awesome but do not tell the whole story. Give Bain some time, he’s not playing that bad and the sacks will come. In the meantime, he is playing his part in a defense that looks to be one of the better units in the NFL.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:03 am
DB’s**
October 9th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Magic? Maybe as a DC only. And even that I’d temper expectations. This is what this guy does. Be just mediocre enough to keep your job. Not after this season!
October 9th, 2026 at 7:11 am
I’m not mad at Todd for going for it. Offense just sucks!
October 9th, 2026 at 7:12 am
To answer the question…yes! He still makes his streaky defense disappear in key moments!
October 9th, 2026 at 7:13 am
There is a lot of luck involved in getting sacks since if the QB sees it coming he can just get rid of the football. Pressures are also good because they force the QB to throw the football when he isn’t ready or doesn’t want to. Pressures are also caused a couple turnovers in this game which is even better than sacks.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:15 am
I believe is best for Baker to ride the bench and let the kid run this offense.Jaylon has been a spark the offense has been missing and he doesn’t make deadly mistakes every game , unlike head case.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:15 am
I don’t believe in magic, but I do think this defense put one of its’ better games together and finally got some love from the offensive side of the ball.
Said in the live game thread, our most complete game as a team since our game in San Francisco last year and I’ll argue that down with anybody. Pressure didn’t get home, but it forced some off timing throws and caused 2 tip drills we came down with. Mind you, we didn’t get any sacks but 2 guys who play on the front have caught INTs in two games straight. Weird, but I’ll take it any day ending with day.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:22 am
While the D has generally been not so bad, when we have needed a stop after scoring late in games, we could not get one.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:22 am
Still got, a losing record. Man, it was one game. Oh. Daniels had a pick six dropped, duh. Total body of work matters.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:23 am
Let’s not get too carried away yet…
The Cowboys allowed us to run the ball all over the field and had 3 turnovers.
It’s a win and I will take it but I need to see this consistently not just once in 5 weeks.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:29 am
We beat a dysfunctional Dallas team with maybe the worst defense in the league. Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. We need to win the next 3 in a row just to get back to .500.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:30 am
“Marine Buc Says:
September 11th, 2026 at 2:12 pm
Multiple things can be true at once…
True – the Bucs have one of the worst CB units in the NFL.
False – “the Bucs have no CBs”
True – the Bucs have CBs – they just aren’t that good.”
LOL
October 9th, 2026 at 7:32 am
There’s alot of “yea buts” going on in these comments, you know what happens when buts talk right? they tend to stink.
Some of ya’ll are sore winners and it’s weird.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:35 am
@ warrin
We are 1-4.
You really want to crown these guys?
LOL!!!!
They still stink IMO but I will take the win.
I still believe our roster (especially the CBs) is paper thin.
We shall see my friend…
October 9th, 2026 at 7:41 am
@Maureen
Let people enjoy the first win of the season.
We know the win doesn’t line up with your schtick.
Just like McCollum, Parrish, & Keiontes’ play last nite doesn’t line up with your loose booty assessment of our CB room.
We’re 1-4, if we beat the Steelers I predict you’ll have even less to say after that.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:44 am
In August we thought the CB’s were gonna be the downfall of our team, turns out they’re one of the few bright spots
October 9th, 2026 at 7:46 am
I watched Baine almost every snap he was in there and Bowles had him dropping in coverage over half the time. Makes me want to throw up. Bowles is still a terrible coach. If Dallas’s coach wasn’t as stupid by going for 2 when down 8, we could’ve lost that game. He should’ve kicked the field goal and should’ve used a timeout late in the 1st half when Chase nailed the 61 yarder and it was taken back on a delay of game. Nice win but Todd is still the worst head coach in the NFL
October 9th, 2026 at 7:46 am
@ warrin
You don’t get it buddy.
I want the Bucs to win…
You believe I will be upset if my team wins?
That makes zero sense.
I am a fan and deserve the right to complain or cheer for my team whenever I want as long as the Joes permit it…
Who made you the GATEKEEPER of this site?
Why do you keep referring to my rear end? (it’s getting weird bro)
October 9th, 2026 at 7:47 am
About Bowles and Bucs QBs. // With Jalon’s real good or maybe even excellent play last night, and Mayfield’s impending return, the decision about the QBs is gonna get real complicated. At times, Mayfield has been a real good or maybe even excellent QB for the Bucs. And that big contract further complicates everything. I really really like Daniels but young QBs sometimes cannot sustain early success, although Daniels has “real deal” vibes, it could be a mirage. So, I believe that Bowles’ handling of the QB situation will be one of the main things that defines his legacy. Like many others, I wanted to see Bowles get fired at the end of the 2025 season. But now, if he wins a high percentage of the remaining games this year, and if the team chemistry is good, I’d be willing to support another year of Bowles.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Todd Bowles going to coach in the playoffs once again
Choke on that
You Haters
October 9th, 2026 at 7:54 am
@ Lakeland
Calm down…
Hater = Realistic.
The Bucs are 1-4 and our head coach nearly blew the game by not kicking the field goal in the 4th…
He is still a clown IMO and needs to go after this season.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:54 am
“I am a fan and deserve the right to complain or cheer for my team whenever I want as long as the Joes permit it…
Who made you the GATEKEEPER of this site?”
That is your right, and it’s my right to point out you’re wrong and still can’t give our guys their credit for their contributions in our first win.
Sore winner, don’t be sawft. Pick a lane.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:57 am
@ warrin
“pick a lane”
No.
I won’t…
Now what are you gonna do about it little guy?
October 9th, 2026 at 7:57 am
@ warrin
“pick a lane”
No.
I won’t…
Now what are you gonna do about it little guy?
October 9th, 2026 at 7:58 am
1976 Steelers started out 1-4, then both Franco Harris and Rocky Blier BOTH rushed for 1000 yards, ended up 10-4. (Lost in conference championship, sadly)
October 9th, 2026 at 8:02 am
Any cornered dog can bite, but he’s still a dog….and he’s still in that corner.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:06 am
But let’s savor the moment where we actually got to watch our beloved bucs play some good football, in all three phases, for 60 minutes. They fought the entire game and I really can’t ask for more. We’ll, except maybe, enough with the OL penalties!
October 9th, 2026 at 8:11 am
@Maureen
I’m going to enjoy every win we can put together and go out of my way to point out specifically to you whenever our CBs have a good game for the rest of the season.
Keep those reading glasses close.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:13 am
I still can’t get past the fact Bowles refused to kick the FG to make it a three score game. That is beyond incompetent.
Why is he still our coach?
Anything can happen from the 1-yard line. Ask Seattle, it cost them a Super Bowl.
Dallas stops us. Normal humans think it’s not so bad. Dallas still has to go 99.5 yards to score a TD. That’s normal humans, not Bucs fans.
The “normal” Bucs fans knew Dak would take them down the field for an easy score, which he did.
Sometimes I think Bowles ‘thinking’ is the act of not thinking at all!
October 9th, 2026 at 8:19 am
@ warrin
“Keep those reading glasses close.”
Dude – you’ve got those “pewter colored goggles” strapped so tight to your skull you have brain matter draining out of your ears…
Chillax Mr. Gatekeeper – we will probably beat the Steelers at home next Sunday.
I give the Bucs at least a 50-50 chance.
There – Are you a happy little guy now?
October 9th, 2026 at 8:20 am
STOP IT!
this is how that clown has hung on despite a tragic record of failure in Tampa. A little sprinkle of hope and it gets people believing he’s something he’s not. His record tells you who he is and its obvious that he needs to go
October 9th, 2026 at 8:21 am
I’ll enjoy the win. However, Bowels’ defense didn’t stop anyone when it mattered most. First and 99 lead to a TD and Dallas was driving to tie the game when the football gods gave us the interception.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:25 am
no credit given FIRE TODD BOWELS
October 9th, 2026 at 8:26 am
FIRE TODD BOWELS no credit given
October 9th, 2026 at 8:27 am
Defense Points Allowed
Week 1 – 26 (10 points off an INT short field)
Week 2 – 23 (3 points off an INT short field)
Week 3 – 16
Week 4 – 17 (3 points off an INT short field)
Week 5 – 16
October 9th, 2026 at 8:28 am
We beat a good football team on the road, on 3 days rest
Then we had to overcome 14 penalties
That’s pretty damn impressive
I must say
October 9th, 2026 at 8:29 am
@ warrin
Calm down little gatekeeper guy.
You will be fine…
Go Bucs!
October 9th, 2026 at 8:31 am
@ Lakeland
The Bucs beat a mediocre 2-3 team who lost their best player after halftime.
Everything else you said was accurate…
Go Bucs!
October 9th, 2026 at 8:31 am
Defense has played great all season. We should be 4-1 or so. That is, if our offense just scored about 24-27 points a game. With the players we have, 31-38 isn’t out of the question. Need to build on this game. Can’t always count on turnovers, so keep working, offense and keep blocking at least as well as you did in this game, O-line!
October 9th, 2026 at 8:37 am
“The Bucs beat a mediocre 2-3 team who lost their best player after halftime.”
Loser talk, CeeDee had 2 catches for 9 yards
Zyon McCollum didn’t even had more PBUs than tackles
Paper thin.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:37 am
WOW, DANIELS DOES DALLAS — totally time to give Todd Bowles a contract extension!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
October 9th, 2026 at 8:41 am
Defense been playing well got some up and comers Bain gonna be ok too let’s start tip toeing in our jawdinz
October 9th, 2026 at 8:44 am
bowles doesnt have any magic. didnt, doesnt, wont ever.
will still get fired / retired as should be.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:46 am
@ Joe
If J. Daniels wins next week at home against the Steelers then Baker comes back and loses 3 straight games – Will we have a QB controversy on our hands?
October 9th, 2026 at 8:48 am
The key was turnovers. Bucs – 0, Cowgirls – 3. If the Bucs win the turnover game they will win more games. The offense still needs to finish drives. They won’t always get big plays like they saw last night. Its one game, show some consistency and limit the penalties that are unneccesary.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Great to get a win. Team played a complete game. Bowels tried giving it away.he still needs to be done but it’s victory Friday
October 9th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Oh good, they beat a team that chronically underperforms, time to lock up bowls with an extension.🙄
October 9th, 2026 at 8:54 am
Marine Buc … ‘The Cowboys allowed us to run the ball all over the field and had 3 turnovers.’
The 2 keys to our win, right there. The Cowboys had a terrible Run Defense, and we took advantage. BRAVO (and finally)! The Cowboys had only made 2 turnovers thru 4 games, but our defense forced 3 turnovers. BRAVO again!
Without those 2 keys, we don’t win. We gained 241 yds rushing on 39 carries … 6.2 YPC average. And Bucky picked up most of it … 165 yds rushing on 21 carries (7.9 YPC). The rest of our rushers did OK, but Bucky was an unstoppable BEAST last night.
And our defense intercepting Prescott TWICE last night was beautiful. BTW our defense now has 5 INTs in 5 games. Really hope that we can keep that going, because that’s really helping us give the ball back to our offense with decent field position. And every yard they don’t have to gain themselves helps.
I have zero idea if how our offense played last night is sustainable or not, but it looked like an improvement over what we’ve been seeing. Our OLine tried real hard to shoot themselves in the foot with penalties (14 for 92 yards), but our awesome running game (241 yds & 2 TDs) and Jalon’s passing (19-of-25 for 189 yds & 1 TD) allowed us to keep fighting back to mitigate those irritating mistakes. Granted that 24 pts isn’t exactlt overwhelming, but it was enough to win, and anything beyond that is overkill.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:58 am
R E L A X. The Bucs are 1-4 and 3-11 in their last 14 games. There is no magic left for Bowles.
The dramatic swings in opinion by the Joes is rather shocking.
How many teams are we going to play with a defensive that putrid? Not many
Since the beginning of 2025 the Bucs are 9-13. How magical does that feel??
If they bring Bowles back in 2027 I don’t want to hear a word from either of the Joes when captain regression strikes again.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:00 am
We won and it was fun to watch. We were not perfect but we were respectable. If we play this well or better we will compete in all our division games. It’s been a while since it’s been fun to watch. Go bucs
October 9th, 2026 at 9:05 am
@ DR
“Really hope that we can keep that going, because that’s really helping us give the ball back to our offense with decent field position. And every yard they don’t have to gain themselves helps.”
I agree with your take…
This quote interested me most:
What happens when J. Daniels is able to lead the Bucs to another victory against the below mediocre Steelers next Sunday?
What happens when Baker comes back and loses 2 or 3 straight?
Is there gonna be a problem? QB controversy?
October 9th, 2026 at 9:07 am
No
October 9th, 2026 at 9:11 am
Elite QB’s carve up blitzing teams… it makes me doubt now that Dak is really all that. He was awful.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:14 am
@ warrin
“Loser talk, CeeDee had 2 catches for 9 yards
Zyon McCollum didn’t even had more PBUs than tackles
Paper thin.”
You didn’t notice who our starting Safety was last night?
You didn’t notice Ayden Garnes playing last night?
You don’t know that Ben-Mo is already out injured with another soft tissue leg injury?
You are obviously not paying attention buddy.
Yes – ZM FINALLY had a decent game… BFD!
He needs to have that game every game – he is highly overpaid so far.
Parrish is actually a baller and I like him a lot… If he gets injured we are totally hosed my friend.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Marine you’re an idiot. You’d rather be “right” then watch the Bucs win. You know it and we all know it
“Don’t forget Dallas had 3 turnovers”
Instead of “the Bucs created 3 turnover”.
You want the Bucs to suck so you can scream on an anonymous internet board who right you were. Then if they win you will just say, “yippee there my team of course I want them to win”.
You schtick is old and worn out
Let the real Buc fans enjoy a win and good performance from their team.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:18 am
If this O line could give Jalon a clean pocket for just 3 seconds, we might be on to something. At least in between the holding and false start penalties.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:20 am
@ fan of da bucs
Here we go again folks…
Another little gatekeeper guy.
LOL!
I love you guys.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:31 am
“You didn’t notice who our starting Safety was last night?
You didn’t notice Ayden Garnes playing last night?
You don’t know that Ben-Mo is already out injured with another soft tissue leg injury?”
In spite of all that, this unit still managed to serve Dak his worst game of the season thus far.
“Parrish is actually a baller and I like him a lot… If he gets injured we are totally hosed my friend.”
You say this after mentioning Garnes, who was in the game FOR Parrish. Who was getting picked on like a 4 day old scab. Ya grasping at nothing while saying nothing.
Now you’re talking like a victim, when you’re really just wrong
October 9th, 2026 at 9:36 am
@ warrin
Wrong about what?
This CB unit was paper this and now we don’t have SMB stored on the PS.
Ben-Mo is an injury prone BUST.
We played a rookie UDFA at CB last night.
We started a PS player at Safety last night.
So – I was right and you keep proving my point…
You just don’t get it and probably never will – this team is 1-4.
YEA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Bucs!
October 9th, 2026 at 9:45 am
So because we played a Bum Dallas team that is know to take teams to lightly
Bowles wins one game and all of a sudden HES GREAT
PLEASE I’m not sure why JOE and some of yall celebrate this mediocre coach
PLEASE EXPLAIN JOE????????????
October 9th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Again, the defense is playing well and has been all season. That’s why you celebrate him. Offense finally caught up so we win.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:17 am
Once again. Defense played good enough to win and finally the offense actually put up points to not waste a good enough to win defensive performance.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:19 am
Don’t think any of us expects Todd Bowles to be ‘magic’. I would settle for competent. That goes for Zac Robinson too.
Last night, both did their jobs well. Couldn’t be happier with the outcome. Well done!
Secondary played terrific – especially considering Antoine Winfield was out.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:30 am
Yay, Todd Bowles! He’s won 20% of his games this year! Yay!
October 9th, 2026 at 10:31 am
Does Todd Bowles still have the magic?
I don’t like that headline at all. You know Todd Bowles has a few great games every year, he has at least one masterful game a year let’s not start gaslighting. This week I know we won’t talk about his job security much but yea that’s still 3 games in the last how many?
October 9th, 2026 at 10:46 am
He sure does, Glazers should extend him.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:47 am
So I hear Defense has played well and Offense caught up
Like this is put on the OC total
THAT NARRATIVE is worn out
BOWLES IS THE HEAD COACH !!!!
Excuse after Excuse NO OTHER TEAM OR DAN BASE WOULD PUT UP WITH THIS
BOWLES IS NOT A HC PROVEN! Below .500 in NFL puts you on the couch
Except TAMPA BAY WE CELEBRATE IT
WHY????
October 9th, 2026 at 10:49 am
How does one win put us in the playoff hunt???? Joe you have stop the nonsense and just focus on enjoying a win for now. You’ve been doing this long enough that you should know better…
October 9th, 2026 at 11:00 am
The team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:18 am
The only way to climb out of a hole is one game at a time. If they can best the Cowboys, they can beat the Steelers.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:19 am
I am enjoying the win as many here are. Did I see it coming? Nope, but I am glad to see some life in this group for sure! I do not believe that Todd and his crew had this team ready to go for the season and I don’t care for his coaching style but the Bucs are my team of choice to root for so I get the good and the bad with it. They still are sloppy and commit way too many penalties but last night everything came together for a much needed win and I am grateful! The first few weeks have been hard to watch.
Congrats to Jaylon Daniels for his first NFL win! May this be just the beginning to a very successful career for the young lad.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:39 am
Notice to Coaches ……. S Tucker is not a power back !!
He is chiseled , has big legs but he has terrible bend and balance . he just isn’t comfortable running low with shoulder pads forward. He runs upright in his feet come off the ground way too much to be an effective short garbage back. He does run with great effort, but mainly out of control at times with his pad level extremely high and like I said his feet not smoothly on the ground .
I save this because I think we have a culture too. That thinks he is a good short yardage power back. He is Not !!
October 9th, 2026 at 11:54 am
They went after Prescott and played tight in the secondary. That’s how I want to see it done. Live and die by the sword, not death by 1,000 papercuts.