Stathead Decides To Use His Eyes, Not Numbers, And Calls For A Bucs Win
October 3rd, 2026
Shocks the world?
Joe is often accused of being anti-stats. Not true. But Joe puts more weight on what happens on the field than glorified guesswork, which is what stats are.
Stats are information. And anyone who doesn’t want to use information is no better than lousy Lovie Smith or knothead Byron Leftwich.
Now, the anti-stats crowd often scoffs that stats people don’t watch games; they just read spreadsheets. That’s not fair and is largely a dumb comment (but Joe can understand how some conclude this).
Football is played by humans with imperfections. Players and coaches are not robots. They bleed. Players have good days and bad, play with injuries and illnesses.
Wanna see a stathead squirm? Use the word “clutch” within his or her vicinity.
As Bucs Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians once said, if you allow stats to dictate how you approach a game, “You’ll get your ass beat.”
Joe just might believe Seth Walder of BSPN doesn’t watch games. Walder traffics in numbers, and when he analyzes games, he never writes about matchups. His analysis is always based on numbers.
Until now! In an item at BSPN about tomorrow’s Packers-Bucs game, Joe was floored that Walder’s analysis didn’t include one GD number. It was all based on feel from watching worthless preseason!
Bold prediction: Daniels will record a 70-plus QBR. I have irrational belief in Daniels, stemming from watching him in the preseason and the fact that an undrafted free agent like him would have to go above and beyond to win the backup QB job. I like his chances in his starting debut.
Dang, a stats guy going by feel and belief and assumptions.
Joe has newfound respect for Walder can’t necessarily agree on this breakdown, (Joe’s a trends guy and the trends are now downright gruesome for the Bucs) but Joe gives Walder credit for being open-minded.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:18 am
i can’t believe i’m actually saying this…
but we really need this kidd to come out there on sunday…AND SHINE…
let’s go kiddo…!
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:22 am
Win or loose, I think this season is basically over. Yea 0-3 sucks but the way in which the Bucs have been loosing is awful…disjointed and disconnected. Tomorrow will be a fun watch regardless of the outcome. Can’t wait to see what we have in Daniels.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:27 am
I’m pulling for Daniels big-time, but how well he does depends on how well the OLine plays AND how well our OC’s gameplan supports Jalon’s skillset. If the OLine doesn’t protect him any better than it protected Baker, then we’ll lose. If Robinson insists on stressing our passing game over our running game, then we’ll lose. Our best chance to win focuses on attacking the Packers where they’re weakness; focus on their Run Defense.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:28 am
I’m flying home today after 2 weeks of driving around Lake Superior.
Yesterday I made a detour and visited Lambeau Field and rubbed some Buc luck on the bronze statues of Packers legends.
I wish I had more time to actually tour the stadium and fan dedicated facilities attached and surrounding the stadium.
Bucs have had a losing record against first time quarterbacks so maybe….
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:32 am
Let’s Go!!!! JD10, just play smart football, and stay within Yourself!!! Let’s Go Bucs!!! 1-3, here we come!!!!
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:36 am
Sean King 2.0?
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:39 am
Hilarious. Lots of hopium being ingested in these here parts of the interwebs.
Hope is a dangerous thing. Hope can drive a man insane.
I prefer harsh reality. We are doomed and this is all going to blow up in our face.
Then the misplaced outrage will ensue. You should already be angry before the game is even played.
We are not here by accident. This was a calculated dumpster fire.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:45 am
That’s a bold prediction but history tells a different story. Should the Bucs win that a jugh upset.
Trying to figure out the Bucs is a nightmare. They have the players to be winners but the game from the head down…
Food for thought: while Baker is out for awhile, he needs to learn when to and when not. He’s critical to this team but his reckless style of play is killing the Bucs season.
If he’s willing to change for the better he’ll at least give the Bucs a fighting chance.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:45 am
Protect the ball and get it to our guys in spots they can do something with it. That’s the bar for Daniels, be what Malik Willis was for Green Bay last season.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:50 am
If he does well our 55M guru will look like a bigger fool than what he is. Unfortunately Boweles will throw sucky Mayfield back in. They never seem to go with the hot hand.
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:50 am
Time and tile again we have been burned by inexperienced backups….but that doesn’t count because of our coaching
October 3rd, 2026 at 8:57 am
Hey we are 0-3. PLease no expections on the kid. Let’s hope we can see him prevail in the underdog role. Yes we have been beaten with the rookie and backup QB, so maybe it is our turn. I think everyone is looking forward to seeing the kid play.I know I am , at 0-3 , you need something to get excited about lol.
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:01 am
Is there any way to get Bowles injured on the sidelines so he misses a few games? That might start a new trend.
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:02 am
usually the unknown or rookie quarterback plays us, and they have the game of their lives…
even if their career is hum drum, the game they played the bucs was a career high or something…
like mitch trubisky in chicago years ago…we lost like 48-7 and duke tossed like 5 tds…
or danny dimes on the giants, early on, a few years back, had a big game…at ray jay…
and like a dozen others too…
maybe the kid will have a game……of some sort
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:06 am
Most of us want to see JD10 do well. I am going to switch around what DR said. I think this is a game hinges on coaching (which flushes some of my hopium down the toilet).
We have serious talent on offense, especially in the O-liine. Why is it not performing like it did the last time they all played together? Coaching. Why are we not rotating the to use the talent and depth of out RBs? Coaching.
Defense is playing better, as it should be with all the new talent that has been invested in it this year. So where is Winfield? Coaching. As the Bucs lose, TB gets more and more conservative and drops him deeper. Why is Walker not playing more? Coaching. Bc he still needs to learn “other things”.
I like the 3-4 defense. I understand OLBs drop. But it happen way more than most bc Todd likes to “fool the other team by taking his best pass rushers and dropping them into coverage.” I guess Todd does not watch game tape to see he is only fooling himself.
To finish on a positive note, yea, we can win tomorrow. But it comes down to coaching – PUTTING PLAYERS IN THE BEST POSITION ACCORDING TO THEIR SKILLSET.
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:10 am
This isn’t the preseason.
This is still an NFL defense in GB.
This is a UFA QB.
This team is still coached by Todd Bowles.
This team’s OC is still Zac Robinson.
This team still has piss poor OL play.
This team refuses to commit to the run game.
This team has no pass rush.
This team is not disciplined.
This team still has poor special teams play.
This team has won two games in their last 12.
This team has no heart.
This team will lose on tomorrow.
This life long Bucs fan has no faith whatsoever in this franchise.
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:21 am
@ DR
I agree.
Our O-line needs to put on their “big boy” pants on Sunday if the Bucs have any chance at all…
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:30 am
Only one man can save this offense. And this season
Bucco Bruce Arians.
He is not too old to call plays from the Booth.
He is not too old to sit in his golf cart and chew guys out.
Let Zac Robinson learn from the GOAT.
Call Bruce Arians!!!
October 3rd, 2026 at 9:44 am
A wise person would always use a combination of the numbers and what can be seen. Sometimes the numbers betray what you see and other times what you see betrays the numbers. To go by one and not the other is foolish. The third part of the equation in the process of evaluation is the nuance of extenuating circumstances such as weather and injuries and most importantly, the quality of coaching. This game, while not a slam dunk, gives the Bucs a better than average chance of winning. The Bucs are certainly reeling, but the Packers may be more so. Daniels is undeniably an undrafted free agent rookie with 0 NFL experience. What is also true is that his physical talent is undeniable according to those who should know and that his intangible qualities are equally exceptional. So based on that, if this is true, what Seth Walder said is not stepping out on a limb! Unless the Buccaneers hierarchy are horrible talent evaluators, Daniels should perform well and if he doesn’t, the blame will rest on coaching. This is by far the most winnable game of the year so far.
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:05 am
Please dont do it. Dont hype this kid only to be let down. No one knows anything, let him play. I hope he totally goes off, but will wait and see
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:12 am
Seeing is believing!
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:23 am
Oscar … ‘Daniels should perform well and if he doesn’t, the blame will rest on coaching. This is by far the most winnable game of the year so far.’
I like your ‘bottom line’, and while better coaching is certainly a big part of what’s needed, the fact remains that certain position groups have been playing like dog poop. Folks can blame coaching for that all they want, but the coaches aren’t the ones on the field fumbling the ball, missing tackles, screwing up blocking, committing penalties at the most inopportune times, etc, etc. Players on this team are being paid handsomely (as in mega-millions) to do their job. And when you’re 0-3, you’re not doing your job very well.
Nonetheless, tomorrow starts a new 14-game season. Unfortunately we’re starting it with a 0-3 record, BUT … it’s always ‘one game at a time’. Starting a rookie QB probably doesn’t help our chances of winning, but then again, starting a seasoned veteran QB is what got us to 0-3 so how much worse can Jalon Daniels really do?
Personally I’m excited for the young man. Not many undrafted rookies make an NFL team, and when they do, it’s usually on the Practice Squad. Jalon made PRIMARY Backup. And now, because of Baker’s injury, he gets to start the next 2-3 (or more) games. Dorothy was right … ‘Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore’.
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:34 am
Teacherman … ‘Only one man can save this offense. And this season. Call Bruce Arians!!!’
You & I both know Teacherman that there’s no way on this earth that BA would be willing to ‘unretire’ yet again and come back as our OC. Unless I miss my guess, BA knows full well that Todd Bowles & his coaching staff WON’T BE HERE NEXT YEAR. So BA, even IF he could turn this offense around, wouldn’t really be saving anything.
None of us know at this point what the Bucs’ record will be at the end of this season, but starting 0-3 then losing your starting QB isn’t very promising. Personally I’m not holding out tons of hope now that we’ll win the NFC South, yet it’s still feasible. Regardless, I want to see us play some COMPETITIVE FOOTBALL. Tired of watching this team beat itself.
October 3rd, 2026 at 10:55 am
Take the over in rushing yards for this kid
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:18 am
Defense rules,
At the end of the day, it falls on the coaching to inspire the players whether it be by a pat on the back or a kick in the ass. These players have been deemed to be a talented bunch. If they fail on the field, that’s on the coaches. If any player fails to respond to the coaching then the only alternative is to bench said player. Have we ever seen Bowles do that?
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:36 am
Defense Rules,
Your implication that it was our seasoned veteran that got us to 0-3 was clever. I suspect that it is in Baker’s nature to try and do too much as a response to others failures, including the coaching, which is a no win approach because nobody can do it alone. But he wants to win, so he tries.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:39 am
Good luck out there Jalon! This loss will not be on him. It’ll be on the decision making of the oc and hc….the collapsing of the interior Oline, and the collapsing of the DC/HC.
The ONLY reason im going to watch is because of Jalon! I hope he tears it up….but i know what to expect with the jitty play calling and decision making with todd.
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:51 am
Pack 31 Bucs 13
Coaching matters!
October 3rd, 2026 at 11:53 am
BTW, if Baker has been trying to do too much, even that is the coaches responsibility to coach that out of a player when it becomes a problem. Trying to do too much is not the same as playing Hero Ball as some idiots like to throw that term around. Trying to do too much is motivated by wanting to win, Hero Ball is motivated by wanting to be the hero!
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:03 pm
Seeing is believing!…
the old saying is ‘even a blind squirrel finds a nut sometimes!’
BUT this is a ‘Bucs life’…. That nut the squirrel finds is likely rotten and leaves you sick….
Late round drafted qbs rarely have success…. UDFA almost never!
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:04 pm
The only way we lose this game is if the pass defense fails us and Love picks the defense apart.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:16 pm
If you’re familiar with older football history, Chuck Noll was able to coach the stupidity out of Terry Bradshaw and the Steelers went onto win 4 superbowls in the 1970’s!
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:40 pm
The Fate Lies in the Offensive Line only. Nothing more I’ve already got Mauch, Barton, and Bredeson traded. Gotta get a corner back, now so Gainwell can get us that money. Sorry Kenny I love you but, this offensive doesn’t deserve you. It would be better not to ruin what you got, history. You go help some team get to the Superbowl.
October 3rd, 2026 at 12:53 pm
Jalon, patience if that line will stand up for you. Keep your head on a swivel and if it’s inevitable, hit the ground. Presence, I know you have it, don’t get fooled, 3 seconds get rid of the ball. If you can rely on the line it’s the first time this season brother. Love and respect your courage little man, trust God and, show the world what he can do
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:06 pm
Duplicate kissing my ASS bitch.
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:45 pm
It’ll be very buc-like to have a qb controversy after extending our starter to a massive contract
October 3rd, 2026 at 1:46 pm
They might make it in time before the rain, if not, it will be a running game. What if we win, will it be because the packers were that bad, because people unwilling to accept that JD actually won a game when he wasn’t supposed to? We were supposed to beat the browns (regardless of baker playing), but we didn’t. He’s not gonna do as bad as most people think. Advantage now with JD is that he can make up for the terrible oline by getting the hell out of dodge fast! As far as Sean king comparison, the only thing they have in common is that they are black and both wore the number 10 jersey. These are two completely different players all together. King was mobile but not even close to the ability JD has.
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:23 pm
Daniels wasn’t going up against #1s in preseason, he was going against generic defenses, and he was playing in a generic offense. It was preseason, let’s not over-hype him. He did show some good attributes, his confidence is high, and he did secure the back-up job, although some of that was due to front office fears he’d be claimed off waivers or PS. Now that Packers ( and Cowboys) are looking at tape and game-planning him, expectations should be low. He’s a rookie. If he can avoid turnovers, make a few big plays, and keep the game close, then Bucs have a chance. That’s about all we can ask of him at this point. I hope he does well, he’ll get some good experience, but I’m not expecting a Bucs W.
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:29 pm
We win because Micah parson is a disruptor he is on IR Green Bay’s defense is horrible if you stop the run which we do well we make them one dimensional…Daniels just needs to get the ball out quick and kill them with his legs
October 3rd, 2026 at 2:32 pm
Daniels has the best head coach in the business. He will do great even if the Bucs lose.
October 3rd, 2026 at 3:04 pm
Against dudes who have played the final snaps of their lives.
• 27-of-44 (61.4%)
• Passing Yards: 239 yards
• Passing Touchdowns: 1
October 3rd, 2026 at 3:27 pm
@defense rules
You are right. I also know he won’t come back.
I like how you respectful you are as you disagree.
You have always been a respectful and rational person on this page.
I can tell you are à class act.
And I was only joking about Arians.
But I really do wish he would shock thé world and come help our offense.