Steelers 26, Buccaneers 19
October 18th, 2026
The Buccaneers’ swarming defense, which fell apart in overtime, was not enough to overcome their terribly anemic offense today at The Licht House.
The Jalon Daniels hype died a second-half death, as did the Buccaneers’ flimsy playoff hopes. Tampa Bay choked away a 16-3 fourth-quarter lead.
Has 1-5 ever felt so rotten in Tampa?
That’s four consecutive home losses for the Bucs.
Daniels, the undrafted rookie, again looked NFL-ready. He ate sacks early but settled in and moved the team with sound decisions and his legs. But before halftime, Daniels threw short to Emeka Egbuka and then long to him in the end zone. Then the undrafted QB came out confident in the second half before wilting considerably late in the game.
Daniels’ two fourth-quarter interceptions handed the Steelers life, including former Bucs Super Bowl cornerback Jamel Dean dealing the crushing pick.
There is no quarterback controversy if Baker Mayfield is 100 percent healthy next Sunday.
As for the Tampa Bay defense, it struggled a bit against the run today, but the tight coverage seen in Dallas largely returned and a ferocious pass rush emerged that helped Rodgers look impotent through the first half. Joe applauds the Todd Bowles defense. The Steelers had averaged 29-plus points in their past three games, and the Bucs made their offense look ugly today.
David Walker notched his third and fourth sacks of the season and wreaked havoc. Why he doesn’t play more remains a mystery.
Al-Quadin Muhammad, Rueben Bain and blitzing nickel cornerback Keionte Scott all scored their first sacks of the season.
Why the Bucs opted to be aggressive at the end of the first half and throw rather than run the ball to kill the clock and prevent the Steelers from getting the ball back is unclear. And it’s been under Joe’s skin since it happened. Tampa Bay ran three plays for 1 yard and killed only 24 seconds.
The Steelers then went 43 yards on 9 plays in 83 seconds to kick a field goal entering halftime. In many ways, that time management mistake was the ballgame.
Little things turn into big things.
The Bucs are a bad team. (Go Rays!)
October 18th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Goodbye Todd
October 18th, 2026 at 4:47 pm
Can we get back to firing Bowles now?
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Out coached again
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Had a 13 point lead for 3 quarters. Not good for TB
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
BAIN IS A BUST
VEA AND GODWIN ARE COOKED!!!!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
If the Glazers make us wait. Screw them too
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Daniels will be an ok backup, nothing more. Baker won’t win us anything, so we’re screwed no matter which way we string it. We need a deep clean. DEEP.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Please just go away Todd
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
This loss is on Zac Robinson. The offense fell apart in the 2nd half.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:48 pm
Single-handedly, Baker’s fault, right stupid Rod butt munch. STFU. D@mn we suck! We’re terrible.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
So what animals picks does Bowles have on the Glazers?
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Toilet bowles should not make the season.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Fire the whole d@mn team, Glazers. You suck too!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Ramsey sets up unblocked and toilet Bowles doesn’t call TO
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Offense stinks
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Jalon Daniels single handedly lost this game.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Carbon Copy ending to the Green Bay Game. This OC has got to go.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Enough of the young we need to bake now
October 18th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
Turnovers from the QBs are killing the season. Jalon is young so it comes with the territory but that one hurt. The game was right there to win. Hopefully he gets better. This is how rookies play, up and down…
October 18th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
I know Daniels played bad in second half, but our OC is horrid. Who hired this guy? Was there really no better option?
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
Ummmmm maybe, possibly, could be bad coaching to blame for the ills? Maybe?
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
This is so dang frustrating
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
This is a depressing football season!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
All these one score losses means something. Keep it close Todd.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
Wise move kicking off to start OT
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
The legend of Bowles coaching his team out of wins continue!! He should be happy it’s at home because I wouldn’t let him on the plane if this was on the road. Fire him ASAP and have him take his OC with him!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
We won’t talk about how some people tried to make it seem like this team had it all figured out after beating Dallas but whatever. You can blame the offense for sure not the defense turned to trash as soon as Bowles went back primarily to his patent zone prevent defense which only prevents Bucs from winning
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
The only thing dumber than thinking Daniels is an actual NFL quality QB, is thinking that Bowles is an NFL quality coach. You have a rookie undrafted QB who is playing like crap and you hand the ball to Aaron Rodgers – who then proceeded to march down the field and chew up clock.
Then that same rookie qb with hardly any time left chokes.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:51 pm
I believe this game sealed Todd Bowles fate! How many times do they get beaten by a free running safety or corner before it’s recognized by coaches or the line or qb.They werenr hiding it! SMH .That 4th and eighth was really fourth and job for Bowles!
The season is essentially over!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Bucs need to clean house, including Jason Licht.. Daniels is a good kid, but hes nothing more than a backup. He’s still young, but hes not ready, and it shows.. and he definitely won’t develop with Zac Trash Robinson.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
Back to the bench JD
October 18th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
It’s pathetic that you’re team sucks so bad that the opposing teams fans out number the home fans
Good call keep Bowels Glazers, you idiots
October 18th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
The Bucs lost this game in an amazing fashion… Todd Bowels should get the Steelers game ball.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Not Jalon Daniels fault. He was being coached up by Baker Mayfield. Cut Mayfield and Jalon will get back on track for the HOF career many here have forecasted for him in the last week.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
Fire sale and fire Todd.
Jason should be very concerned too.
This franchise is garbage water.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:53 pm
We can lose in so many ways! Todd is at the center of it. One score games lost all the time = bad coaching. Zac is hot garbage too. No easy stuff ever on offense for your rookie qb. Let’s ask him drop back and throw deep…
October 18th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Nothing to discuss. This team absolutely sucks. The season is officially over.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Looks like someone told Todd about the new all you can eat buffett that opened on Dale Mabry because he was distracted the second half and it shows. I think its called “Rods Munch -a-Bunch”. Todd’s going to love it.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
The defense was lights out in the first half and third quarter. The lack of sustained drives, led to the defense getting tired. I remember when Warren Sapp used to say that his great defense was good for up to about 63 plays a game before they got tired and starting giving up plays.
I love the way the defense is playing but in order for this team to win, the offense must score TD!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Should have been 28-0 but we can’t be aggressive, gotta keep the other team in the game. Coaches should be embarrassed how they don’t use the talent on this team
October 18th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
Zak Robinson should be axed after this game!!!
The route concepts and play calling were utterly atrocious in the 2nd half…….
The quick throws went away and no originality in the run game.
Same type of run called every other play…..
Bucs D Played their tails off today but they simply ran out of juice.
They were in the field almost the entire 4th quarter due to poor offensive play calling and turnovers by JALON. He lost his accuracy today. No clue what the he’ll happened here…..
There is a disconnect on this team…it’s ridiculous!!!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
The OC betrayed JD> Every first down in the second half was an attempted run up the middle. Every attempted run up the middle failed. He effectivly was working with two downs the whole second half. The playcalling was good in the first half but for some reason, perhaps because we had a lead, we changed it up. OC didn’t give JD a chance 2nd half.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
I am foaming at the mouth, rabid, at how the Glazers can’t see that firing Todd Bowles would be an absolute turnaround to this team. Still thrilled we are mostly boycotting game attendance. As long as the Glazers choose to let sorry teams come whoop us because Radio is the Head Coach, we should hit them in the pocket. Let them shove their $16 pretzels and $20 beers up their popek. I hope we never subsidize another dollar to these rich, aloof schmucks
October 18th, 2026 at 4:55 pm
A couple of observations:
Is there a mandate that you have to run Bucky Irwin every single time on first down, is there no such thing as play action
Vita Vea is the invisible Buc, he is a non factor in every game
Why were the Bucs surrendering easy completions for 5-6 yards a pop in OT. Rogers was playing pitch and catch with Metcalf. Some coverage is the death of this defense.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
The Daniels experiment comes to an end.. Thank God! Need TD passes! And the vet back..
October 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Jason absolutely should be fired too. Even if mostly related to the extensions he didn’t have to make. Just clean out the coaching and front office. Let the next regime decide who they keep.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
The Bucs earned that loss
October 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Never should have let Liam Coen leave the building in 2024. Glazers suck as bad as the team! How embarrassing to be the owners of an NFL team with a stadium filled with the opposing fans.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Agree Joe on the points given up at the end of the half….why would we let a receiver run out of bounds living just enough time for Rodgers to get 3 points…I said at the time that 3 would come back to haunt us….and it did…we are the worst coach team in the league bar none!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Zone coverage, not some coverage
October 18th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
One more home loss and the Den of Depression is officially back…bye bye Licht House.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:57 pm
BUCKY pretty much disappeared in the second half.Do they not have a running play other than off tackle ,how about a screen or inside handoff .Of course that would require some run blocking.
I will say the defense looked OK except for the long drive in ot.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Tampa tried to screw up their draft pick….
Saved by a walk off sack!
October 18th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
@Joe you know what the problem is just like everyone else. Same result, three different OC’s. How many times have the Bucs been ahead and then taken their foot off the pedal? He’s got to go. You know it, I know it, and the all fans know it.
October 18th, 2026 at 4:59 pm
Defense played great for 3 quarters then Bowles played his soft zone w/ ZM playing soft off of Metcalf. This was all that Rodgers needed. Then of course the Offense couldn’t complete a pass when they needed to. Lack of team effort and execution in 4th quarter by both O and D!!! A TEAM LOSS!!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
ANOTHER loss to the AFC North. We may as well just forfeit the Baltimore game and not bother getting on the plane. The biggest gift ownership can give fans is a new head coach and/or GM. House needs to be cleaned. Time to give someone fresh a chance. For the sake of the team and the fans.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Trash trash trash
October 18th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
The loss is not on Zac Someone grabbing for excuses. He didn’t run the ball. He didn’t give up sacks and he damn sure wasn’t throwing the ball.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Gamed turned on metcalf 3rd and 13. Todd switched to prevent, and prevented a win. Daniels will improve. Now, licht will start selling assets, preparing to stock up draft picks to entice possible new hc.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:04 pm
Our problem is we have backup QBs Baker & Jalon plus at least two backup coaches Todd & Zac.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
I hate watching this team. First play of overtime with only 3 minutes to go 80 yards and we rush up the gut for one yard. They let the clock run all the way and then two incompletes. Incompetent offensive play calling. You can’t burn one third of your time with one yard. So dumb.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:06 pm
I agree with Joe the way the first half finished with the Steelers scoring 3 was bad coaching. We should have made Pittsburgh use their timeouts and burn another 40 seconds of clock.
But JD should have hit Mek for the TD as well. Just overthrew him obviously we all saw it.
I think JD got down on himself after the interceptions. Too bad. I had a feeling the interceptions were coming and was dreading them so bad. Basically the ints gave the Steelers the ball game.
I still think JD has a very bright future in the NFL !! But like Joe said…. There is no quarterback controversy, our best chance to win is with a healthy Baker Mayfield.
The Bucs had a lot of chances to put this game away. But Aaron wa just too savy.
Go Bucs !!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
They need to be sellers now, but Im not sure their would be takers for Chris and Yaya. Chris’ c9btract is and was stupid. We don’t need him. Hes actually stunting the development of our younger receivers. Big plays forget it. His hands have been sus since he came back last year.
And. … no 9ne will pay him 20 mil next. Well maybe Licht…
Yaya contract year so maybe, but I dont think either get us more than a 5th.
Maybe Gaiinwell. I didn’t like the signing in free agency and so far it’s been a massive waste. 7 mil for him might be tough.to move and we eat the bonus
Tucker could get some interest. I like Tuck a lot. Not sure why we burn Bucky out. Hes ok but not a no 1 RB.
Maybe AWJ but hes hurt and hes expensive for a safety.
OL still gets pushed around. 78 is no where near where he used to be.
Oh and 50… I didn’t want him and that contract sux for us. 50 got pushed around again and not too many double teams. 50 looks lazy and mailing it in.
As I said during these contracts negotiations you want to younger and cheaper. We did the opposite and are paying a lot more. Dont get me started on kate cotton, either.
Good news is were still in the Smith sweepstakes.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:07 pm
People blaming an ungrateful rookie who has played better than 50 million dollar qb this year Daniel’s at least won a game and had bucs in position to win another
October 18th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
May as well Let Daniel’s finish out the season. Mayfield isn’t the future and this season is beyond recovery anyway.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:08 pm
Gipper is Bakerfield’s flesh light with his low brow self
October 18th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
Nothing will change until this is all burned to ashes.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
What Daniels hype? Are you referring to the cool analysis promoted by the anti Baker joebucscrowd? All UDFA Jalon Daniels needs is to be coached up by oneilbuc, Melvin Jr. and their Daddy, Rod Munch.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:09 pm
New team coming next year!!! Will they be better than this team? Let’s hope so!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
The defense played okay. Unfortunately they spent most of the second half on the field and were gassed on that OT TD drive. Chock that up to poor coaching and offensive execution. Can we upgrade our left side of the O line next year? This is pathetic, clear sign of crappy coaching
October 18th, 2026 at 5:14 pm
The defense played okay. Unfortunately they spent most of the second half on the field and were gassed on that OT TD drive. Chock that up to poor coaching and offensive execution. Can we upgrade our left side of the O line next year? This is pathetic, clear sign of crappy coaching UF
October 18th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
I wasn’t able to watch the game, but what Joe is describing doesn’t sound like a bad team, just a bad offense. Hopefully Baker can turn things around, for himself and the team, next week.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
The Steelers were down 16-3 in the fourth quarter then the BUCS defense went to work
October 18th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Will next year’s team be any better? We’ll, that can’t be any worse.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
That was the JD Í knew from KU, at least when Baker comes back he’ll get the offense back just how he left it, struggling to put 20 points up in a 60 minutes. One of the worst offensive units in the league, with all that money spent smh
October 18th, 2026 at 5:17 pm
After today, there’s no longer a quarterback controversy
October 18th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
I thought it was a good game. The defense was really good the first 3 quarters, regardless of what you trolls claim.
So far as Daniels, yes, he threw two picks. Third game starting, it’s to be expected. Of more concern were his batted down passes. He’s even shorter than Baker…and not nearly as good a player.
Those who want Daniels to finish out the season are saying it because they’re afraid Mayfield will win games, and if the Bucs win games they are afraid Bowles will be in Tampa 2027…or it could cost us a #1 pick.
We went to over time. It was a great game, even though we lost.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:19 pm
Baker Mayfield single handedly lost this one…..
October 18th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
The defense was not gassed, btw. They were just beat in the 3rd quarter. It happens. They actually played very well for the most part.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Pretty much need to get to 3-5 (2-0 division) 2 weeks from now. We have a good football team, I wouldn’t put it past us.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:20 pm
today was like watching a slow death…
we looked so good, and by the end had nothing in the tank…
sad to watch…
and the stadium take over was beyond belief…
after watching that crowd, i’m now convinced the doors have been completely blown off the new culture that was built here in tampa bay…
we went from the new america’s team a few years ago to nfl bottom feeders……almost overnight too…
i don’t know what to say really…
i’m speechless
October 18th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
@Tackleblockwin,
When you fire the entire OC staff to buy another year with a middling (at best) head coach, you are limited in whom you can attract as your OC. If you were a rising OC star, would you have chosen to attach your name to TB this year, knowing the hot seat he was entering the season on? He was #1 or #2 on the hot seat list to open the year (depending on where you rank Glenn).
October 18th, 2026 at 5:21 pm
i literally thought we had this game in the bag around halftime…geez
October 18th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Like it or not fellow Buc fans. It is a…BUC LIFE BABY!!!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:22 pm
This collapsed by Daniels really happened with the Cowboys. When Bland dropped the Pick 6 it gave him another game to show he is not a starter for NFL teams except for the clown car Buc fans on this site
October 18th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
oh yeah…
and the use of bucky today was 100% egregious…
let him work in space against a tough team like pittsburgh…
he is not mike alstott………geez
October 18th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
QBKilla Says:
“Out coached again”
I want Bowles gone…but this just isn’t true. McCarthy coached a terrible game. Rodgers and crew won that game despite coaching…and even then, they nearly lost.
Bowles actually coached a pretty good game, and his defense was even more improved than last week.
That said, a loss is a loss, and I want Bowles fired…but it’s not going to happen. Not before the end of the season.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:24 pm
kenton we are 1-5…….duke…..it is over pal
October 18th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Only 11 more games to ignore then it’s time to self dilute and think the upcoming season will be fun.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:25 pm
Season ends in Carolina next Sunday.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
BigZ Says:
“They need to be sellers now…”
No.
We have talent on this team…good young talent that is improving with each game. Selling would reduce that and turn potential good coaches from coming to Tampa next year.
If we sold, do you think Tomlin would even consider coming to Tampa?
Better if we keep the good players who have years left on their career.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:26 pm
we looked good in the first half…especially the D…
the prince turned into a huge bullfrog in the 2nd half, and sat on a nice lily pad for the entire 2nd half and OT
October 18th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
bonzai:
wake up dude we are 1-5………………come on dude
October 18th, 2026 at 5:28 pm
this coaching staff doesn’t have answers when it counts…in the 2nd half and down the home stretch
October 18th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
Go Rays, Go Bolts, at least two out of three of our teams are professional outifts.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:30 pm
I agree Joe, GO RAYS!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:32 pm
Maybe now you people can stop talking about going 8-9 or 9-8 and making the playoffs. Just wave the white flag already.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
It is a Bucs life for sure!! I used to scream and holler and sometimes hit something. Now i just grab the arms of my lazy boy hold my breath and kind of shout !!
It’s never easy !! It’s a Bucs life for sure !!
I’m still a fan though and I love it when they win !!
Go Bucs !!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
“Buccaneer Bonzai Says:
October 18th, 2026 at 5:23 pm
QBKilla Says:
“Out coached again”
I want Bowles gone…but this just isn’t true. McCarthy coached a terrible game. Rodgers and crew won that game despite coaching…and even then, they nearly lost.
Bowles actually coached a pretty good game, and his defense was even more improved than last week.”
Uh what?
Going back to his weak ass soft zone prevent defense?
Choosing to kick to Rodgers in OT – then proceeding to watch Rodgers march down the field, chewing up most of the clock and scoring? Those coaching decisions?
Todd is a clueless moron. Always had been.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Every game we have lost by 7 or less! Or we won! Since probably our 6-2 start which we also won or lost by 7 plus. My point is our coaching has called the wrong plays at the wrong time and have made all our great “top” picks regress. When we talk about a game of inches the coaching part has got to be right. Simple as that! Before the half we caught a ball and ran out of bounds, then we throw the ball again and go incomplete. What do we do we kick the ball and give us 3 points unnecessarily before the half. All Bucs knew we lost at that point the game. Because we just can’t do that!
October 18th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
You got your sacks today..Idiots
October 18th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
adam from ny Says:
“bonzai:
wake up dude we are 1-5………………come on dude”
In what way would you like me to wake up, Adam?
Nothing I have said is inaccurate.
Yes, we lost, again…but there were bright spots. The defense DID improve over last week. And last week they improved over the week before.
That’s what we want, right? To see improvement leading into a new coach next year? Especially if it turns out to be a defensive coach?
I say again…we need to be attractive to the potential head coach. For example, Tomlin will not take the job if we blow it on both sides of the ball. If we have a defense that he feels can reach the top? He’ll take the job…whether we have the number one pick or not.
So far as being 1-5…the season isn’t over until we lose 7 games or more. Potentially, it might not be over until we lose 8 games. That’s the reality.
Sure, we might lose the next 3 games and that will be that, but until we do, don’t blame people for thinking positive.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Why is this site so boring after all these years? Bucs lost in overtime. Thank whatever the rumors of tRump showing up were BS. Bucs were winning, Then suddenly it siopped. Gambling sites weighed in. Dialing in Bucs Radio was a major headache.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
McCarthy had his own MASSIVE time management gaffe at the end of regulation. Bowles’ didn’t cost his team the game, but McCarthy’s could have. 3 runs to burn the clock & Bucs TO’s, run the clock down, take a TO on 4th, kick the FG and the game is essentially over at that point. OT wouldn’t likely even been needed.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
Season either ends in Carolina next week or begins ,,, we have all our division game left and our QB coming back,,, Robinson and Daniels lost that one , 2 bad pics and terrible play calls , it should have been Bucky runs and QB scramble runs ,, once Steelers learned Daniels can only throw 3 yard passes it kind of ended the dream! The good news is we are only 1-2 in conference and have played no division games
October 18th, 2026 at 5:36 pm
I’ll bet.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Tackleblockwin Says:
October 18th, 2026 at 4:50 pm
I know Daniels played bad in second half, but our OC is horrid. Who hired this guy? Was there really no better option?
The answer is a resounding no, there were no better options. What self respecting OC want to coach under Bowels (lack of) leadership.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:37 pm
Taylor Walls is outstanding defensively, but his offense is as bad as the Bucs’.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:38 pm
StormyInFl, I get it…you’re mad at the loss. But reality is reality. Bowles DID coach a good game this week. You might not like hearing it, and I fully expect the be in the minority saying it…but unbiased evidence is there.
If it makes you feel better…I think it is the only good game he coached in the last 15 games. Even if he lost.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
Haven’t seen anyone pointing a finger for this loss at the OLine, and that’s surprising. Their pass & run blocking was disgusting IMO. Daniels got sacked 5 times, but he escaped a number of other sure sacks. And he was under constant pressure almost the entire game. This OLine is just a shell of what it was back in 2024.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
Trade down, grab Kade (RG) and Ipani (C)….move Barton to LG…Mauch and Bredeson are back ups
October 18th, 2026 at 5:39 pm
FlBoy84 Says:
“McCarthy had his own MASSIVE time management gaffe at the end of regulation. Bowles’ didn’t cost his team the game, but McCarthy’s could have. 3 runs to burn the clock & Bucs TO’s, run the clock down, take a TO on 4th, kick the FG and the game is essentially over at that point. OT wouldn’t likely even been needed.”
Exactly.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
The defense truly is playing better, but they consistently fail to step up in crunch time.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:40 pm
Defense Rules, I agree about the oline.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Defense Rules, is it the line or the blocking scheme? Serious question! In both sports and the real world, I’ve seen great workers put in situations that do not utilize their strengths. I don’t know enough about what the Bucs run, but I do know these guys were good at one time.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Bonzai … ‘Yes, we lost, again…but there were bright spots. The defense DID improve over last week. And last week they improved over the week before.’
Our defense reminds me of ‘The Tale of Two Cities’. Take that back Bonzai, make that ‘Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde’. The defense that showed up in the 1st half was a Top-10 defense. The defense that closed out the game wasn’t even a Bottom-10 defense.
To be fair, we didn’t lose the game because of our defense. They did enough to keep the game ‘manageable’, but that’s about it. The Steelers made some obvious adjustments in the 2nd half … but we didn’t match those adjustments. Instead of staying aggressive like we played to start the game, Todd went back to his ‘safe defense’ and Rodgers picked him apart.
October 18th, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Bucnjim … I doubt that any of us, without inside information, would know whether it’s the OLine or the blocking schemes. Personally I suspect that it’s a combination of the two, but that’s just a hunch.
On one play today I saw Wirfs ride the attacking DE to the outside but then the guy ended up getting the sack. Wirfs didn’t stay with him quite long enough, and that’s all it took for whoever it was to bend back in & get the sack. Far as I’m concerned, that particular sack was on Wirfs.
Of course, I can remember a couple of others where the pressure came from straight up the middle. Kinda implies that our Center & 2 Guards couldn’t pass block for beans. They got run over.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
FlBoy84 … ‘McCarthy had his own MASSIVE time management gaffe at the end of regulation. Bowles’ didn’t cost his team the game, but McCarthy’s could have.’
Agree on McCarthy, but Bowles made a couple of management gaffes that were extremely costly IMO. One was that INT off of which they scored 3 points later on. The Steeler who intercepted it was clearly juggling the ball as his 2nd foot hit the sideline, so it SHOULD have been an incomplete pass. But Todd never challenged the call.
The one that totally blew my mind though was US winning the toss in Overtime, then kicking off to the Steelers. The obvious danger is that IF your opposition keeps the ball for a LONG DRIVE AND SCORES, you won’t have much time left to either tie or go ahead. And alas, that’s exactly what happened in overtime.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Why oh why in the 4’th quarter and overtime were our defensive backs playing 10 yards off the ball? We did really well last week in press coverage against the Cowboys but didn’t see much of it today. That’s a head scratcher.
October 18th, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Hey Bakerfan, News flash for ya” Baker sucks too and when he losses this starting job in Tampa he’ll be a back up for the next 5 years bouncing around the league until no team signs him anymore because Father Time has a hold of him