What Is It With The Bucs Defense That Suddenly Turns Quarterback Arms Into Lightning?
October 17th, 2026
Weird defense.
This is really just weird to Joe.
When the Bucs played the Packers in Week 4, the Bucs became the only defense — to that point — to barely breathe on Packers quarterback Jordan Love. Entering that game, no quarterback had taken more quarterback hits than Love.
Of course, the Bucs took care of that and spared Love. How kind.
Todd Bowles even admitted he threw the white flag on trying to rush Love — not that Bowles was ever really interested in rushing Love, or any quarterback — and Bowles said he and his coaches were more worried about coverage due to Love’s quick release.
Joe thought this was very odd. There was nothing in Love’s release that made folks forget Dan Marino. And, really, how quick could it be since every team (other than the Bucs defense, naturally) teed off on him like he was a speed bag.
(Joe was at Mike Brown Stadium in Cincinnati Week 1 and Joe’s mind was blown by how quickly Joe Burrow got rid of the ball to avoid getting hit or getting sacked. It was very impressive.)
For some odd reason, the Bucs allow opposing quarterbacks to suddenly develop superpowers. Per the fingers of Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis, damn near every quarterback magically is able to get rid of the ball in some of their quickest times of the season against Bowles’ defense.
The Bucs are struggling to generate overall pressure, ranking 30th (26.7%), but that number is misleading.
Opposing passers have thrown the ball within 2.65 seconds of the snap against Tampa Bay, the second-fastest in the league.
Teams know the Bucs are sending blitzes (they are third in blitz rate at 41%), so they work to get the ball out quickly.
Prescott and Love posted the league’s fastest throw times in their weeks against the Bucs.
Burrow was second.
This is news to Joe. Again, if you blinked you may have missed Burrow getting rid of the ball. Love and Prescott, really?
So Joe wonders what exactly the Bucs are (or aren’t) doing that quarterbacks all of a sudden turn to The Flash?
October 17th, 2026 at 12:15 pm
12 yard cushions?
October 17th, 2026 at 12:22 pm
It’s been like this for over a decade.
We had a slight reprieve during the JPP/Suh years but other than that…….
🤷♂️
October 17th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
Bowles is the QB agent’s whisperer. His bend & break defensive scheme single handedly revived the career of Kirk Kissin’ Cousins. Tens of millions in additional career earnings.
October 17th, 2026 at 12:42 pm
This only begs the question of why we play so far off coverage if we already know the ball is getting throw quickly… WRs can only get so far down the field in 2-3s… But I’m sure by week 13 our defensive genius HC will have figured it out…
October 17th, 2026 at 12:47 pm
The Packers game certainly hard to understand about less pressure and more coverage. Until the Dallas game the coverage over the last couple years has appeared soft. Greenbay was similar. Receivers given a ton of room so once again receivers open all the time. I don’t see how they played more coverage. The Dallas game definitely and it appeared for once the d line and secondary were working together. If they give Aaron Rogers soft coverage and time it will be a long day. I sure hope they play like they did in Dallas this Sunday
October 17th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
No pressure in the middle.
October 17th, 2026 at 12:55 pm
Bend but don’t break defense is basically pitch and catch until the Red Zone then it’s misdirection fool the entire D and score.
October 17th, 2026 at 12:58 pm
“For some odd reason, the Bucs allow opposing quarterbacks to suddenly develop superpowers.”
It really is odd and impossible to diagnose according to the “brain trust”.
Couldn’t be that the HC\DC employs a God awful scheme that the entire NFL has figured out. Nope, that’s just ridiculous to even think.
Just keep on waiving those Pom Poms like a good and obedient lemming.
Todd is on the case. He’s a guru!!!
October 17th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Todd TOILET BOWLES D SUCKS!!!!
October 17th, 2026 at 1:14 pm
Simple explanation here. We blitz at a high clip. We expose linebackers and our safeties in man coverage from blitzing. Teams game plan against that with man beating schemes/routes. What makes these matters worse is that our blitzes rarely translate into sacks or turnovers. It’s a net zero. Thankfully, our redzone defense has stood up, and our run defense is setting teams up with 3rd and longs. I’ve noticed less blitzing on third downs as well which killed us in previous years. Our zone coverage has vastly improved. Parrish’s route recognition and reaction have been tremendous. Zyon playing more from his head versus only relying on his athleticism has also played a huge factor. Albeit quick passes, team don’t capitalize on it. We don’t give up many big plays.
October 17th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
If you surrender any pass under 8-9 yards you’ll never get a sack. Mebbe hinder them inside that 5 yard limit once in a while?
October 17th, 2026 at 1:28 pm
I don’t know why you’re trying to make this out to be a big mystery. It’s very clear. As other commenters have said, WRs are immediately open because our CBs play 12 yards off the line. QBs don’t need to wait for their guys to fight through coverage.
October 17th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
Because Bowles plays zone/soft coverage way too much enabling the QB
to quickly identify open WRs. Meanwhile, if he played more man coverage,
that number would surely go up. I’ve never seen another team concede 6-8 yard completions per game as the Bucs do. Bowles has to start trusting his CBs especially if he is saying McCollum is playing at a CB level and Parrish has unlimited ceiling. Bucs DBs broke up more balls last game than they have in years but played soft on Dallas’ late TD drive. Play more man and see this D elevate even more.
October 17th, 2026 at 1:53 pm
Typo:
Meant to say “All Pro” level for McCollum
And missing “as many” in front of 6-8 yard completions
October 17th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Not getting home on blitz and lack of pressure by front four doesn’t help either. They should slide Bain inside on passing downs and increase Walker’s snap count too. Not sure why Bowles is limiting Walker’s snaps on passing downs. He saving him for next year when he is unemployed or Week 10 when we are 2-7?
October 17th, 2026 at 2:41 pm
Weird. Yep
October 17th, 2026 at 2:44 pm
Quick QB throws lead to few sacks by the Bucs. Even when Walker gets loose, he’s just a little late unless the DBs have tight coverage. Quick throws in Coen’s offense reduced sacks, holding penalties, and picks resulting in an offense that was 5th in the NFL. Deep-throw Joe whined about the short throws and wanted deep incompletions, sacks, and picks. Well, that’s what we got from Griz last year, and Baker this year.
October 17th, 2026 at 2:50 pm
He doesn’t take away the hot routes or outlet passes
He’s good allowing catches in front and tackling
Problem is tackling across the NFL is poor not just Bucs
The chess game would be to pressure force, say a hot slant route, then unexpectedly jump that slant from disguised coverage- something MIN does better
It’s why Bowles emphasizes pressure/tackling and believes sacks are just statistical icing
Also why any QB that can read a field picks it apart
That DAL offensive performance was an anomaly on their part
October 17th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
Blitzing with soft zone coverage = quick passes for chunk gains
October 17th, 2026 at 3:34 pm
What else is new?
October 17th, 2026 at 3:41 pm
Logic would seem to say that receivers need to get open short VERY QUICKLY if their QB is releasing the ball in under 2.5 seconds. MAYBE our defense needs to be more aggressive in that first 5 yards?
October 17th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Try bringing your corners up to press the receivers off the line, it’s not rocket science Todd! So glad you will be gone soon you useless tool!
October 17th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Interesting how most here are ignoring the latest game when discussing the defense…
…I admit, it was just one game. But it could also be the turning point we were hoping for this year.
Regardless, it’s a new week. Pittsburgh is a little tougher than Dallas this year (so far). A win against them would be nice…but it won’t be easy.
Daniels had a good game (not a great game), but can he improve enough to win this week?
I still believe Baker is the better QB for us.
October 17th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
On a side not…all I wanted in a backup QB was someone who had a chance to win a game or two. Daniels fits that bill at minimum. That makes him the best backup we’ve had since Gabbert.