Here Come The Bucs!
November 1st, 2026
All about the playoffs.
Don’t look now, but your Buccaneers are in the thick of a playoff chase.
That’s right. The very same team that started 0-4, the same team that entered Week 8 with the worst explosion rate and worst EPA — for those who care about EPA — are now a half-game out of first place with nine games to go.
Don’t think the Bucs can’t make up a half-game with nine to go? Think again, Schiano Breath.
This team could have easily folded. It didn’t. Tampa Bay was on fire trying to predict when KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles would be launched. Instead, he’s approaching the cusp of being retained.
The Bucs had the wagons circled, found a way to win (run, run, run the ball) and the way they are playing, it wouldn’t shock Joe one bit if this team won the NFC South landfill.
“We’re prepared to fight through adversity,” Bucs corner Zyon McCollum said. “We have already seen the worst. We’re prepared and we came out [of the losing streak] better.”
The Bucs have climbed to just a half-game out of first, but KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles said the yard work isn’t finished, not by a long shot.
“We did a lot to dig ourselves out of it,” Bowles said. “We’re still in it being 3-5 [and] not being .500.
“I told them to keep their shovels close because we have a lot more digging to do.
“Now we [have] to dig even harder and dig even deeper to get out of the hole.”
So how did the Bucs not throw in the towel, just give up and start making business decisions?
Rueben Bain told Joe in the locker room that it was the veterans on the team that held everything together.
“It’s very resilient,” Bain said of the Bucs’ locker room. “[Bain learned from the vets) each game is 1-0. No matter what our outcome is, no matter what our record is. 1-0 is our mindset.”
So here we are, ready to shovel dirt on the Bucs. Now Bowles and his team are using the shovels for something else.
The Bucs are in the thick of a division race. Buckle up. And thank your favorite deity for the NFC South landfill.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:40 pm
as we stand now, this has become quite an interesting season…
November 1st, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Let’s see what happens in Chicago next Sunday night. My money is on 3-6 headed into the bye. If they are 4-5, I might start to believe. Even at 3-6, we can probably win this division and go 0-1 in the playoffs. I suppose that is what a lot of fans want.
I believe our 165M QB will have to be an actual QB next week, as opposed to the last 2 weeks
November 1st, 2026 at 5:41 pm
Bucky will be getting alooooot of attention when he’s due for a contract, lots of teams will be drooling over him
I say we pay him early, if he stays healthy, totes the rock this effective all year we gotta lock him down
November 1st, 2026 at 5:42 pm
Saw Litch on the sideline today. After winning a few games, and finally one at home, the fans at the Litch house must not be giving him the business as he leaves the field.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:46 pm
The bears game will reveal if this is real or a mirage
November 1st, 2026 at 5:49 pm
MadMax:
if we roll chicago, in chicago, in front of a national audience…
SH!T GETS REAL broski
November 1st, 2026 at 5:51 pm
yeah Licht is gonna use a shovel alright – he’s always using a shovel – a smelly dung-stained shovel – the Bucs have played well against DAL CAR ATL – bravo – let’s see where they are after the next 3 games – .. 3-5 is ok for the NFC South – lots of football left to play
November 1st, 2026 at 5:51 pm
I’m glad the Bucs are winning again, but until they beat a serious team, I’m going to remain skeptical that Bowles can make this team an actual contender.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:55 pm
Little mixing of metaphors from ole Todd there. Nonetheless, let’s keep it up.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:55 pm
If the pass rush heats up it becomes a dangerous defense.
However – does anyone think you can win with your qb doing this?
November 1st, 2026 at 5:56 pm
I was definitely praying for a win, thank you The Flying Spaghetti Monster!
November 1st, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Nice to have a Bucs win anyway after the multiple debacles this week form other organizations. Bucs gave us a little relief today.
November 1st, 2026 at 5:57 pm
Alvin what do you want? For the bucs to lose games so we can get the #1 overall pick and a new HC? How is that going for Tennessee? I’d rather win the NFC south then lose
November 1st, 2026 at 5:59 pm
“We did a lot to dig ourselves out of it,” Bowles said. “We’re still in it being 3-5 [and] not being .500.
Todd goal is .500 ball. That is his measure of success. We need a coach that wants a higher level of success than just average.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:01 pm
If the Bucs win the division and and at least one game in the playoffs, I will gladly…….ecstatically……..admit I was wrong about Bowles.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:03 pm
I need to see a competent passing attack.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:05 pm
If we can get one win in the next 2 games at Chicago and Detroit that would be good. If they win them both, look out test of the NFL.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:06 pm
The Irving & Gainwell ground attack looked great today, now let’s see what Mayfield can do in Chicago
November 1st, 2026 at 6:08 pm
If we beat Chicago Sunday night, we better sign Tyreek on Monday!
November 1st, 2026 at 6:08 pm
Baker did what was required. The game was won. He can’t throw if Zac doesn’t call a pass. Perfect game plan. You scheme according to the opponent and the conditions. Shouldn’t be difficult to understand..
November 1st, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Stallworrh – exactly.
WilieG – you’re not wrong about Bowles. You will never need to admit anything.
There’s no legitimate world in where you can run yourself to w’s like this, consistently.
The panthers looked past us, the falcons were caught up in a monsoon.
Reality awaits.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:09 pm
Pretty amazing the last 2 games when you tell your opponent you are running the ball and they still can’t stop it
November 1st, 2026 at 6:16 pm
Why is everyone so worried about the bears? Yes I know their stats. Michael picks Jr. Was someone to worry about coming into this game, and Atlanta was 4 in stopping the run, they were supposed to beat us. Chicago is 8 on defense and 3 against the run. We have 160.4 rushing yards per game, after today’s game. Chicago was #1 with 154.3 yards per game. The buccaneers are the #1 rushing team in the NFL now after today’s games. It looks like it will be a great game if both teams play as well as the stats say, but I’m not worried about those guys. It sounds like it will be a good matchup. It will probably come down to who plays better that night.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:19 pm
We are off to a good start in the Division. We now have won 2 division games. Falcon have 1 win over the Saints and Panthers have one game win over the Falcons. The Saints do not have a win in our division at this time. Our defense is looking like it should be. Winners. Defense wins Superbowls. Really enjoyed the shut out. And the O line and extra blockers were terrific in the rain. Kept control of the ball for the most part. Another fun game to watch. Thank you. Go Bucs!
November 1st, 2026 at 6:24 pm
“Now Bowles and his team are using the shovels for something else”! Nice line, Joe! Looks like they’re using that shovel head for a bash to the side of the head tool. Not saying what they’re using the shovel handle for, but I’d wager a guess.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:35 pm
Bain……
Man is he smelling like a bust ??
Is only sack was against a tight end
November 1st, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Hey joe, can you knock off calling the NFCSouth the “landfill” division? There are other divisions eligible. Bucs can win this one next week as long as BM is watched.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Bears is the real test. Beating Carolina and Atlanta.. is nothing every team in this division is terrible. You’re supposed to beat bad teams. Bucs will come back to reality next week, then it’ll be the same old “ Fire Bowles. “ which I agree with he sucks.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:40 pm
I agree, however its been great giving Baker time to get himself back. We probably wont be able to run 58 times again, but if we can run 30, I think we win.
Alvin Scissors Harper Says:
Let’s see what happens in Chicago next Sunday night. My money is on 3-6 headed into the bye. If they are 4-5, I might start to believe. Even at 3-6, we can probably win this division and go 0-1 in the playoffs. I suppose that is what a lot of fans want.
I believe our 165M QB will have to be an actual QB next week, as opposed to the last 2 weeks
November 1st, 2026 at 6:47 pm
You have to believe!!!
7-10 – Here we come baby!!!!
November 1st, 2026 at 6:54 pm
NFC East is just as bad as is the AFC South. We don’t play any of those teams this year.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:56 pm
Like watching which bug can eat the most of the dung pile
November 1st, 2026 at 6:58 pm
Colin in Canada, I hope the Bucs go 12-5. I just don’t think they will and I believe Bowels is the ultimate .500, at best coach. I also didn’t want Baker re-signed before the season, but oh well. Let’s see what he does against teams that don’t suck.
He threw for 64 yards last week and 0 yards this week. Weather was palatable in the 2nd half today, and he didn’t attempt a single pass. I realize that was what was called, but he never checked out of anything to complete a simple pass.
November 1st, 2026 at 6:58 pm
The NFC South is better than the NFC East and the AFC South, just like they were last year.
I’m so sick of hearing that this is the worst division. They aren’t!
November 1st, 2026 at 7:01 pm
I remember multiple commenters in here that said Todd Bowles defense scheme sucks and doesn’t work. I said Bowles defensive scheme works fine . He just needs players. He now has better players and they are the #2 defense in the NFL. Since Zac Robinson changed back to the same scheme Coen was using here the running game has skyrocketed. The Oline is so much better in this scheme!! If the passing game gets to just 200 plus ypg this team could become very dangerous. I just don’t know if they can overcome such a bad start because injuries happen bad bounces happen etc.. They are a passing game away from being a contender .
As always Go Bucs
November 1st, 2026 at 7:02 pm
The more we do this and not get hurt, the better we are gonna get at it as well.
November 1st, 2026 at 7:04 pm
This makes alot more sense than Baker running in circles in the deep backfield and getting sacked and throwing it up for grabs
November 1st, 2026 at 7:06 pm
The Falcons were caught in a Monsoon? I somehow think the Bucs were in the same Monsoon. They also had the best unstoppable RB. I guess he can’t run on a wet sloppy field. Ours didn’t seem to have that problem.
November 1st, 2026 at 7:07 pm
Alvin Scizzors Harper said – “Weather was palatable in the 2nd half today, and he didn’t attempt a single pass.”
Actually, Baker did throw a pass in the second half. During the first drive of the second half, Kenneth Gainwell dropped a third down pass that would have kept the drive alive.
November 1st, 2026 at 7:15 pm
The F—- You offense made me laugh pretty hard. It’s true. It’s- “we’re gonna run the football and you still aren’t going to stop it so f—- you!”
November 1st, 2026 at 7:18 pm
3-5 and you’re acting like we’re 8-0. Ridiculous. Top of the turd pile.
Mediocrity rains supreme in Tampa now. Zero passing yards. That sucks ass.
This team sucks unless they play another dreck. Wait until they play the Bears.
Bowels is on borrowed time.
November 1st, 2026 at 7:28 pm
I DO NOT want Todd Bowels to get another season in Tampa. Sure, we might make the playoffs because the NFC South is a dumpster, but that doesn’t make us a good team. Sure the Glazers get an extra playoff ticket sales opportunity. But Bowles will NEVER make a championship caliber team. The longer it takes us to separate from him, the longer it takes to make a serious run at a championship again. To those that believe Licht is also a problem, I don’t believe he is. Yes, he cares more about quality of personality than he does about quality of player, but the Antonio Browns of the world show us that quality players destroy teams if they aren’t decent people.
November 1st, 2026 at 7:37 pm
at least the bears will have a hard time scheming for the passing attack
November 1st, 2026 at 7:40 pm
Shoutout to all the fans in attendance today. This game actually sounded like a home game for once.