Todd Bowles Simply Outcoached The Dixie Chicks
November 2nd, 2026
Outsmarted Atlanta.
It sure looks like KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles knew what he had to work with yesterday and knew how to beat the Dixie Chicks.
And then, Bowles smartly decided, don’t fix what isn’t broken.
In that respect, Joe found yesterday’s game so refreshing.
It seemed to Joe that Bowles and offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had zero desire for Baker Mayfield and his still-healing thumb to throw any football in the downpour yesterday unless he had to.
After Ted Hurst dropped a touchdown and Bucky Irving lost a fumble as he was about to score it seemed like Bowles had enough. (How about that awesome pitch from Mayfield? He looked like he was running Barry Switzer’s wishbone),
It sure wouldn’t surprise Joe to hear Bowles told Robinson on the headset after Bucky’s fumble (on a busted play), “Zac, that’s enough. We’re pounding the ball between the tackles.”
And the Bucs pounded and pounded the ball. And pounded the ball until, when they were finished, they racked up 324 yards on the ground and came away with a 16-0 win.
Over at CBS, Bryant McFadden, a former Super Bowl-winning corner, believes Bowles completely outmatched Atlanta’s Kevin Stefanski.
“We see questionable coaching decisions situationally, week in and week out,” McFadden said. “And understanding and knowing the ball game and the flow of the ball game, which was going to be a bit slower [in Tampa] because of the conditions.”
McFadden said if he were coaching that game, it would have been obvious to play for field position, which is what Bowles did.
“I’m playing the field position,” McFadden said. “I’m putting the football; hopefully we get an ideal punt, worst case scenario, they get the ball in the 20, and let’s see [if they] can go the length of the football field in those conditions.”
McFadden thought the Bucs dominated the Dixie Chicks so thoroughly the score should have been a wider margin.
“And don’t forget, Bucky Irving muffed a touchdown attempt with the Jesse Bates [forced] fumble,” McFadden said. “So [the Bucs] left points on the scoreboard.
“Just the total coaching mindset, for me, for Atlanta, I was a bit confused with. And you saw what Tampa did. They did what they were supposed to do.”
Still, McFadden came away from the Bucs win shook.
“I never thought in my lifetime I would watch an NFL team beat another NFL team with no quarterback,” McFadden said.
That was pretty much Mayfield. He was 0-3 in passing with zero passing yards. Effectively, he was a ghost.
"I never thought in my lifetime I would watch an NFL team beat another NFL team with no quarterback."@BMac_SportsTalk on the Falcons loss to the Bucs despite Baker Mayfield not completing one pass.#scoreboard pic.twitter.com/J09FBWK3CO
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 1, 2026
November 2nd, 2026 at 12:09 am
That was pretty much Mayfield. He was 0-3 in passing with zero passing yards. Effectively, he was basically a ghost.
———-
A ghost with a $65-million cap hit for the next 3 seasons.
November 2nd, 2026 at 12:17 am
All the Bowels haters a sleep ? They got tired of trying to figure out how Bowels didn’t lose the game ?
November 2nd, 2026 at 1:01 am
Bowles can have credit but he also has to own the two games he lost because of his poor coaching to Pitt and cleveland
November 2nd, 2026 at 1:14 am
Woodman they so quiet you can hear rat urinate 😂😂😂
November 2nd, 2026 at 1:21 am
That game was a whole lot like the season finale last year. Also against the Falcons if my memory serves. Apparently the Falcons don’t play well in the rain. I’ll take the win with great relish anyway. I wonder if we can seed the clouds and make it rain like mad every Sunday? Truth be told, though I’m not quite sure what to make of this game, though. We fly to Soldier field to face the Bears Sunday night. I’ve always admired Soldier Field and Lambeau. Old fashioned I guess. I wonder if bear tastes good? Do I serve it with fava beans and a nice chianti? Having a friend for dinner. Ciao.
November 2nd, 2026 at 1:36 am
Todd ‘Radio, The Toilet’ Bowles still needs to go. Does anyone really believe this formula used in the last two games is going to take the Bucs deep into the playoffs? So the defense got some interceptions because Penix is horrible. How much did the Bucs capitalize off those? Was it two field goals? No need to hype Bowles as the damage has lingered long enough with him as the head coach.
November 2nd, 2026 at 1:49 am
Should be obvious… but just to verify.
The Bucs are LAST in passing offense.
The Bucs are THIRD worst in passer rating.
Baker is the SECOND worst starter in the NFL with a 35.2 QBR.
BUT…
The Bucs are FIRST (by a lot) in rushing offense.
The Bucs are tied for FIRST in yards per carry.
The Bucs are THIRD in defense – yards per game.
The Bucs are SIXTH in points given up per game.
November 2nd, 2026 at 2:11 am
With the exception of the New England game last year, the Bucs have won every game the past two years when their QB hasn’t turned the ball over. The formula to winning is to minimize the opportunities for Mayfield to turn the ball over. The defense is good enough as long as you are not constantly putting them in bad field position or keeping them on the file too long. Jamies got a lot of Bucs coaches fired because of his turnovers and Mayfield is capable of the same if he doesn’t start protecting the football better.
November 2nd, 2026 at 2:35 am
By my count 67% of Baker’s attempts were dropped. Just saying. It not like he was throwing off target ducks when he got his opportunities. That said, we ran the ball and ran it effectively. Why put your still healing QB or the ball in harm’s way unnecessarily by airing it out in those conditions? We ran it, they couldn’t stop us. No need to pass. W. The end.
November 2nd, 2026 at 2:47 am
I understand that this team has really stunk this year till just lately. But victories should always be celebrated. There ain’t much joy in Mudville, but at least Mighty Casey didn’t strike out. For a few minutes we have hope. I think the Bears play tonight against the Seahawks. Pray for overtime. And perhaps a mass case of dysentery in the Windy City.
November 2nd, 2026 at 3:04 am
rod is firm (pause, pause) in his beliefs about baker…
#SecretManCrushingFromTheBasement
November 2nd, 2026 at 3:04 am
bake was swell……….with less swelling in the thumb 🙂
November 2nd, 2026 at 3:16 am
Oh no. No Dungy ball revisited, part two. Say it ain’t so, Joe. 😬
Classic vintage dejavu all over again! Go Bucs!
November 2nd, 2026 at 3:41 am
Well, better late than never.