Significant Red Zone Defensive Improvement
November 14th, 2026Podcast (free-stretch-bobby-fenton): Play in new window | Download | Embed
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Red zone defense fixed.
This is damn near a night-and-day difference.
Last year the Bucs defense was simply atrocious in the red zone. Horrid! Simply put, no team in the NFL allowed a higher percentage of touchdowns in the red zone than the Bucs. Worst in the league — some 69.8 percent of the time!
This year? The red zone defense has damn near flipped.
The Bucs rank No. 7 in the NFL in allowing touchdowns when offenses reach the end zone. The Bucs have gone from 69 percent down to 45 percent.
When a team does anything as the worst in the league and the next year they are in the middle of the pack in the same category, that’s a big jump and good improvement.
But to go from dead last to No. 7? That’s a massive turnaround by KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles
(Yes, the chart below from @sfdata9ers has different numbers but the Bucs’ ranking is the same. The link above is where Joe got his numbers from Pro-Football-Reference.com. The graphic is a much better visual aid.)
November 14th, 2026 at 12:25 am
All 6 of the Bucs losses are top 15 on that list.
November 14th, 2026 at 2:07 am
“This is damn near a night-and-day difference.”
Correct. Except for that pesky scorecard. Last year we started 6-2 at the bye.
And this year we’re 3-6. How joyous an occasion we find ourselves in!!!!
Soon to be 3-7 and Joe is exclaiming with pure glee about the turnaround.
Joe is a closet Bowles sycophant. Rename the site. JoeBowlesFan.
November 14th, 2026 at 4:39 am
Getting rid of:
– Hall
– LVD
– SVD (as a starter)
And adding:
– A-Rob
– A.A.
– J-Trott
Has probably helped this stat…
November 14th, 2026 at 4:54 am
Not sure about David. He was solid imo, but Dean? Omg. Sometimes it almost felt like he was doing everyone a favor if he decided to cover or not….on any particular play. Just sayin. The Bucs added just by subtracting. IMO
November 14th, 2026 at 6:05 am
Better improve even more if the D is going to counter balance this putrid offense.
November 14th, 2026 at 6:15 am
That turnaround from worst in the league to No. 7 in red zone touchdown rate is remarkable, and it shows how much the personnel changes have mattered. Getting off the field in the red zone changes the whole complexion of a game, especially with the offense struggling. If the defense keeps this up, Tampa Bay can stay in games even on off days.
November 14th, 2026 at 6:53 am
We’re 3-6 staring down the barrel of 3-7. That’s all that matters. We have to win the next 3 in a row just to get to .500, and that wouldn’t be till Dec 6th. If history is any indication we don’t do well coming off the bye week. I don’t care about feel good stats. Winning is all that matters.
November 14th, 2026 at 7:14 am
All around at this point in the season, I’d argue that the Bucs have a top 5 defense.
Rushing yards allowed/game – No. 1
Passing yards allowed/game – No. 10
Total yards allowed/game – No. 4
Points allwed/game – No. 7
It’s been a long time since the Bucs defense has been this good. Now, if we could just get the offense working!
November 14th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Red zone D would be more impressive if they played the first and fourth quarters. And somehow on critical plays there is always a wide open TE running free for 14 yards
November 14th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Oh man thank the heavens.
3-7.
November 14th, 2026 at 7:58 am
3 wins and Thanksgiving week is the next game
Chris Thomas would never allow this headline to be uttered
November 14th, 2026 at 8:14 am
That’s great but our offense needs to score way more points. Run more than you did against the bears. Only throw it on third and real deep and as a change of pace.
November 14th, 2026 at 8:21 am
The defense is at it’s best when the game is on the line in the fourth quarter.
A Todd Bowles specialty. 3-6 is just so majestic. Best in the NFL.
Once we go 3-7, you might as well crown us the SB champions! 🤣🤣🤣
November 14th, 2026 at 9:15 am
I look at it like this.
Thanksgiving wk
Still Alive, playing meaningful games
Go Bucs!!
November 14th, 2026 at 9:20 am
3-6…6-3…Doesn’t matter still in the hunt
November 14th, 2026 at 9:30 am
the cbs are playing lights out also, proud of the defense!! can’t believe how bad the passing game is!! how to improve the passing game?!!
November 14th, 2026 at 10:31 am
This means just as much as leading the league in takeaways, unfortunately those opportunities don’t mean as much as they should.