“Chew With Your Mouth Closed”
November 5th, 2026
Mike Tomlin talks Bucs.
The way great football minds are talking about the Bucs, you’d never know they are a 3-5 team playing in the NFL’s worst division.
“You got elite defense and the best kicker on the planet right now, you know, chew with your mouth closed. And get out of stadiums with Ws,” retired Steelers coaching legend Mike Tomlin said of the Bucs on The Rondé Barber Show this week. “That’s what it looks like for me. And I think they’ve discovered that.
“… I think they’ve found their formula in terms of engineering victory. And that’s probably what’s most important, particularly at this stage of the journey as you go into November. You got to have a mode of operation if you want to win and win consistently and stack wins. Certainly over the last month, I think they’ve discovered that.”
Tomlin is now an analyst for Sunday Night Football. That means he’s been studying Bucs film. Last Sunday on the air, he gave Todd Bowles and Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson his “game ball” for their beat down of Atlanta.
Joe can’t accept the Bucs’ no-passing offense as a formula for victory. It’s been good enough to beat three teams with losing records — Dallas, Carolina and Atlanta — but this isn’t 1997 or 2000.
At some point, likely in three short days in Chicago, the Bucs are going to have to throw 30-plus times for two or three touchdowns to win a football game.
If you can do that, and run the ball successfully, then Joe will believe the Bucs are a contender.
As for the Bucs defense, it’s been very strong. The home defensive meltdown against Pittsburgh three Sundays ago, however, still leaves Joe with a little doubt. Hearing Tomlin call the group “elite” was eye-opening.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Accept it Joe. The Bucs may have bumbled into an offensive plan that’s very hard to stop in 2026. Most defenses are not drafted, built and designed for stopping the pass. They are designed for 7 or 8 DBs to cover RPO spread offenses. A team that runs at you 50 times is a worst nightmare for a lot of defensive coordinators right now, because “run stopper” somehow became a dude that leaves the game on 3rd down and linebackers are safeties with bigger shoulder pads.
Down 3+ scores in the 4th quarter, sure, you run out of time. But this is back to Dilfer-Dungy days… but Warrick Dunn never got to run against a field full of cornerbacks.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:03 am
now* drafted
November 5th, 2026 at 11:03 am
I still think the Bucs have to go max ground and pound, even against the Bears, until the run game is stopped. Presumably by that point, teams will be committing 8 or 9 men in the box, and Baker can then pick the light secondary apart.
But if no one can ever stop this rushing attack, don’t bother throwing a single pass ever again!
November 5th, 2026 at 11:09 am
They’ll probably go in planning to run as much as possible and only pass when they get down by more than 7. So if the defense plays out of its mind, it’s gonna be phuck-you football again.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:16 am
Joe…. in another article about the Stat Head breaking down the Run Defense, the Bears are near the bottom. Why do you think they have to go to passing the ball? until the Bears prove that they can stop the run, Bucs should keep busting them in the mouth? Just Wondering why you are stating that against what the numbers say.
I think if they keep it close and get to 4th quarter you will see this domination of running the ball come alive and the Bucs will win.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:19 am
“Most defenses are not drafted, built and designed for stopping the pass. They are designed for 7 or 8 DBs to cover RPO spread offenses.”
This man has got to have dog named “BINGO” at home pointing out understated stuff like this.
Also, this Tomlin interview was awesome. Talked a bit about the late 90’s early 00’s Bucs. Obvious Monte Kiffin references were made, and this sounded more like 2 buddies and the tagalong friend shooting the sh**. Tomlin signed off and I got a little sad about it lol
Also, the way he was talking about his post-coaching life, sounds like a man liberated from the grind. Tomlin talked about everything from being a gymnastics dad to talking about getting full-time pay for part-time work.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:28 am
Come on Joe. You’re smarter than that. There was no reason to throw the way the Buccaneers were manhandling fhe Atlanta defensive line. This was a weather game. Pure and simple. We won’t know whether they can throw the ball effectively until they have to. Dungy used to say you keep doing what’s working until the other team shows they can stop it.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Every boxer has a plan until they get punched in the mouth.
At that point you have to counter punch effectively and deviate from your strategy.
We’ve had three boxing matches vs Glass Joe. Now we face Mike Tyson in his home arena.
My money is on the Bears. Vastly superior HC in every conceivable way.
QB is off the charts better than the $165 million dollar midget that just hands the ball off.
This game will be a defensive slug fest. And the team capable of passing downfield and scoring TD’s will be victorious. FG’s will not win this game.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:38 am
…at some point the Bucs are going to have to throw it 30 plus times to win a football game…
Wins come down to Execution.
If the Bucs throw the ball 30 plus times, it’s practically guaranteed there will be sacks, an interception or 2 and drive killing holding calls.
In addition, the incompletions will stop the clock and give opponents more offensive snaps.
Executing a successful run game is winning all around- less chances for turnovers and penalties and better opportunities to control time of possession, keep the D off the field and will open up one on one receiver matchup opportunities.
Keep running the ball.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:47 am
You just contradicted yourself. A defensive slug-fest can easily be won by field goals. And the Bucs will run on the Bears just like everyone else. That counter play generates holes no matter how you try to defend it. And yes, teams are light in the shorts to stop the pass, so watching our huge, strong offensive line go out there and repeatedly pummel fools is great fun to watch.
November 5th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Sunday night in Chicago will tell you what you need to know! Like many fans here, I’m at the season crossroads. It can go either way still!!! IMHO. Sunday night in Chicago will be the “tell”!!! I’m looking forward to it!
November 5th, 2026 at 12:08 pm
i hear him lobbying for a head coaching job.
November 5th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
In all honesty , we don’t know if we line up and commit to the run it Chicago can stop us. Everyone knows what we did in our 3 wins but Bucky also averaged 5 yards against Cinci and Cleveland and 3.8 against GB , unfortunately Robinson didn’t have this knowledge yet or we probably could have did it in those games also. The Steeler game was also there to be had if managed right (especially with the lead),, I’m not saying we beat the Bears cause they look like a force but let’s give it our best shot and see what happens
November 5th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
“The home defensive meltdown against Pittsburgh three Sundays ago, however, still leaves Joe with a little doubt.”
It just seems like they’re playing with more energy now. Flying to the ball and better tackling, although that could still improve. It just seems like they’re 100% engaged now and working as a group.
November 5th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
A prime time game against a very good team?
Oh yeah, we definitely got this.
🙄
I hope we find a way to win but let’s be realistic.
November 5th, 2026 at 12:38 pm
Oh my dear imbecilic little Floormatt. You really believe Bowels is a great coach.
You are about to re-learn the lesson that you continue to ignore. Todd sucks.
Only when facing a turd pile division opponent or a face plant prone team outside the division does he ever succeed. Cowboys, Panthers, Falcons. All drecks.
In the end it won’t matter because this division can be won with a 6-11 record.
That would be comedic gold. And it would give me material for the remaining years of the HC\DC guru coach we employ.
November 5th, 2026 at 12:59 pm
Baker won’t throw more than 20 passes against the Bears, no matter the score.
November 5th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
“Three things can happen when you throw the ball and two of them are bad”
-Woody Hayes
November 5th, 2026 at 1:42 pm
This is a fascinating take. I’m not certain how accurate it is, but it’s a fascinating idea nonetheless.
November 5th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
here is a non-surprising series of events – Bucs lose games at CHI DET and at home MNF CAR in the next 3 weeks – lose at home LAR – win the NFC South (Stagg Bowl) title at 8-9 – host a wild-card playoff game – It’s A Bucs Life
November 5th, 2026 at 2:06 pm
Joe … ‘Joe can’t accept the Bucs’ no-passing offense as a formula for victory.’
You might be over-thinking this Joe, but I for one agree with you. Got a hunch both of us remember the old saying … ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’. Well, we’ve won 3-out-of-4, and a .750 win rate SHOULD Bbe good enough to win the NFC South this year (with 9 games left, that’d be 6-7 wins and give us a 9-8 or 10-7 record, either of which SHOULD be good enough to win the division & make the playoffs).
Of course, there’s ZERO GUARANTEE that we can sustain that for the rest of the season. It’s always ‘one game at a time’. I’m pretty confident though that without some semblance of a Passing Game, it WON”T be sustainable.
I’m undoubtedly in the minority, but our RUSHING didn’t win us those last 3 ballgames. Our DEFENSE did. Our defense forced 11 takeaways, and our offense only committed 1 giveaway. In our 5 losses however, our defense forced 5 takeaways, but our offense committed 11 giveaways (close to the mirror image of our wins, except that WE were the ones who shot ourselves in the foot).
Point being: Bucs have lost ALL the games in which we had a MINUS or Break-Even Turnover Differential. And we’ve won ALL the games in which we had a PLUS Turnover Differential.
IF our defense falters & gives us say 21 points, I’m not sure that our offense could win the game with JUST a rushing attack. IF our defense falters and gets ZERO Takeaways, I’m also doubtful that the Bucs could win that ballgame (offense would score LESS than their current 21.8 PPG without the advantage of the short fields takeaways often produce, AND our defense would probably give up MORE points without the takeaways because they’re drive-stoppers).
November 5th, 2026 at 2:08 pm
Danged spell-check … make that ‘IF our defense falters & gives UP say 21 points … ‘
November 5th, 2026 at 2:25 pm
ProfesserVonDoofus,
We now get you beating up on Todd Bowles. You are a racist old buddy.
November 5th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
“The home defensive meltdown against Pittsburgh three Sundays ago, however, still leaves Joe with a little doubt. Hearing Tomlin call the group “elite” was eye-opening.”
Joe – the offense couldn’t do anything but turn the ball over in the 2nd half. The guys were wore out by the 4th. Time of possession was all Steelers.
November 5th, 2026 at 2:45 pm
Definitely elite the last two weeks. Gota be ready for all 17 tho coach
November 5th, 2026 at 2:52 pm
@Gipper
You now get me beating up on Todd Bowles??? Is that a real sentence from your brain???
I’m not racist, but Todd was in fact a DEI hire. Arians said as much when asked about the hire.
He wanted Todd to win with Brady. But Todd did what Todd does.
Finds a way to lose.
November 5th, 2026 at 3:01 pm
“Point being: Bucs have lost ALL the games in which we had a MINUS or Break-Even Turnover Differential. And we’ve won ALL the games in which we had a PLUS Turnover Differential.”
This means that offensive turnovers basically erode our margin of error in real time, because what slack/benefit of a doubt can you cut an offense that turns the ball over AND struggles to post points?
November 5th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Lynchmob
We know you’re a racist – shut up
November 5th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
“offense would score LESS than their current 21.8 PPG without the advantage of the short fields takeaways often produce, AND our defense would probably give up MORE points without the takeaways because they’re drive-stoppers”
178 points scored as a team – Trotter Pick 6-Kancey scoop n score for 6+McCollum 2 pts on special teams
178-14 = 164/8 = 20.5 adjusted ppg generated solely by the offense
You take the points scored off Chases’ 19 FGs(57 points) and our offense generates about an avg of 13 ppg off TDs.
November 5th, 2026 at 3:13 pm
The Bucs did beat Dallas on a Thursday night. I guess it’s possible they could defeat the Bears, but I wouldn’t bet Joe’s beer money on it.
November 5th, 2026 at 3:38 pm
DR…Really I couldn’t have said that any better…On second thought, i did wks ago..The wizard!
November 5th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
will find out where the bucs really are Sunday night, an up and coming juggernaut that all the big mouths on sports channels all of a sudden adore for their huge two game win streak or the 0-4 team that emerges when the run game gets stopped and Baker goes back to throwing forth quarter ints
November 5th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
Professor non brain.. Bears lose…Then what?
Any given sunday
November 5th, 2026 at 4:35 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch … ‘You take the points scored off Chases’ 19 FGs(57 points) and our offense generates about an avg of 13 ppg off TDs.’
I’ve made the same point several times WBL, bu tthe fact of the matter is always that all our opponents care about is TOTAL POINTS ALLOWED. That’s what loses them ballgames.
Settling for MORE FGs (19) than offensive TDs (15) this year drives me nuts. That’s NOT what winning teams do. And the fact that we’ve been in the Red Zone 26 times, but only scored TDs on 13 of those (50%) isn’t at all encouraging. Our offense ranks #26 in the NFL in RedZoneTDs. Not very encouraging.
November 5th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
@Steve’s leaky Vag
First win it, then we can talk. Until they’re 500 or better it means nothing.
Backing into the playoffs with a losing record is unacceptable.
Only in a world with Todd Bowles as your HC is that the bar for success.
He sucks out loud.
November 5th, 2026 at 5:05 pm
Playoffs!! After the disastrous start, im just looking forward to meaningful games in December
1 game at a time..
Go Bucs!
Keep chipn
The Bears are gonna have to play!
And play well
November 5th, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Bucs sure are fortunate to have retained Todd Bowles, who is setting new standards in Tampa Bay. That el Serpiente dude in Jax obviously sucks. Dodged a bullet there.
November 6th, 2026 at 8:32 am
The running makes the throwing easier