Pete Prisco Explains Why He Thinks The Bucs Will Be The No. 1 Seed In The NFC
August 26th, 2025
“Good research, Pete. Now, where did you get your intel?”
Recently, Joe typed a story about how CBS co-host Hailey Sutton was triggered by fellow CBS co-host prickly Pete Prisco when he declared the Bucs would be the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
“I mean, Pete! The Bucs? One seed? Why!”
Prisco calmly spelled it out for the Cowboys fan, Sutton. Prisco believes the Bucs have four “layups” in the division. Add Emeka Egbuka to an already potent offense and a retooled defense, and you have a powerhouse team.
“Because they’ve got four layups in the division,” Prisco began, noting the slimy Saints and Stinking Panthers are cupcakes. “They split with the Falcons. There’s five [wins].”
But it is not just what Prisco thinks is a soft division. Prisco loves the players Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht has collected and Todd Bowles has molded.
“I love the makeup of this team,” Prisco said. “They have everybody back on the offense. Once [Tristan] Wirfs gets back, everybody’s back! And they add Emeka Egbuka to the passing game.
“I mean, this team has got all the talent in the world on the offensive side of the ball.”
But what about the defense? The Bucs ‘pass defense has been bottom-five two years running and few defensive coordinators survive that in a passing league.
Changes are a comin,’ Prisco said.
“The mix of young and old and what they’ve done in the secondary will change the way they play,” Prisco said. “They move Tykee Smith from corner to safety, so now you have two guys [including Antoine] Winfield who can both run and tackle. Gives him a lot of coverage ability. So the secondary is improved.
“They love Benjamin Morrison. At some point during the season when he’s healthy, he’s going to take over for [Jamel] Dean. Jacob Parrish has been great as [slot corner].”
Prisco believes the defense improve enough to send the Bucs to the the top of the conference if the Bucs offense stays at the same level as last year, or improves.
“I love everything they’ve done in the offseason,” Prisco said of the Bucs. “To me, they’re the team to beat in the NFC.”
August 26th, 2025 at 9:08 am
I hope he’s right, but I’m sure the Eagles will have something to say about that.
BEAT ATLANTA!!!
August 26th, 2025 at 9:09 am
He totally forgot our shiny new punter!!!
August 26th, 2025 at 9:19 am
SUPERBOWL
August 26th, 2025 at 9:30 am
He is Right On LFG!!! That Putrid Pass Defense will be the barometer of our Super Bowl aspirations. Go Bucs!!
August 26th, 2025 at 9:32 am
retooled defense? lol. bye todd bowles. not sure how he survives another 500 season at best and not making the playoffs at worst or another 0-1 exit.
at some point he has to be accountable for the lack of culture on the field.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:35 am
This defense may have gotten better , but not Bowles play calling and defensive strategy. More worried about Bowles ability to make critical mistakes than the players.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:36 am
he’s not sold HR’s comeback player of the year bid i guess
August 26th, 2025 at 9:42 am
12wins!!!!!!
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP GAME!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!!
August 26th, 2025 at 9:58 am
It’s a theory. Nobody was picking the Eagles this time last year and especially after they started 2-2. But they had no significant injuries after week 4 and the Giants and Cowboys meant 4 sure victories and a split with the Commanders.
August 26th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Pass Rush, Pass Rush, Pass Rush! That will be the difference…
August 26th, 2025 at 10:54 am
I still think that the Bucs will win the NFC South, but there’ll be quite a few close games on our way to that crown. Our offense missing Wirfs, Godwin AND McMillan has to have an impact early in the season. And on defense we’re counting an awful lot on rookies (Morrison, Parrish), 2nd-year players (Tykee Smith, maybe Braswell), and several players who were injured last year or who didn’t perform especially well (Winfield, SVD, Diaby & Reddick). One or 2 gambles can be dealt with, but there’ll be a lot more gambling than that going on.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:21 am
Ironic that PPP should use the Basketball term “layup’ as current Buc’s QB’s will have receivers going high above the rim for receptions. Unfortunately the undercut rule does not apply in the NFL and contact to the legs is a normal tacking move and can be hit/grabbed even if the player is 42 inches off the ground with no flag.
I would concede that the Bucs ‘Could’ be the Number 1 Seed in the NFC but “Would” is pretty far out on a limb. Wonder if he has put $kin in the game or just the necessary words to get a smile and a Hey Pete whenever he is in the Building?
August 26th, 2025 at 11:23 am
Don’t see it not enough depth on defense this is a wild card team at best #!!
August 26th, 2025 at 11:23 am
He didn’t mention that Bowles is good for two loses at a minimum if he’s calling the defense and managing the clock at the end of halves.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:39 am
There’s no question in my mind that they have the talent to at least capture the South. That is after all the minimum standard. But this year that is not nearly enough. Can they secure the #1 seed. Talent wise they have the horses. They have a first year OC of unknown quantity, so that is a wild card. But clearly the head coach is the weak link in this scenario. He’s the captain of a rudderless ship of his own making. Charting waters beyond own his capabilities. Hopeful but doubtful.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:43 am
That would be a very exciting outcome but its fantasy…
Bowels ceiling is the playoffs and then he is the biggest choker!…
Bowels just doesn’t come close to the best 15 HC in the NFL…
August 26th, 2025 at 11:48 am
We have not seen the 1st string defense yet. I have serious doubts that the wide open opposing receivers problem is fixed. We should win the division – -Yea! But, early playoffs exit to a good passing team.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:50 am
It’s all about the injuries. We stay healthy = 11-12 wins.
Too many key players get hurt, we could miss the playoffs and have a fairly mediocre record. Pretty much the same for any team but our ceiling is decently high. We are better than last year with more depth, once again barring injury.
August 26th, 2025 at 11:57 am
That Todd Bowles zone defense without a pass rush has been the weak point. Does Reddick return to his 2023 form? Does Kansey improve even more and stay healthy? This isn’t a great defensive line unless Vea is in better shape and can be a full time player. Linebacker is so-so. Does the All Pro form of Winfield return? Do the rookie CB’s play like vets?
Talent is there but until these question marks become answered, unlike the offense, the defense isn’t trustworthy to close out games.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:03 pm
What’s with the crooked photo, Joe? I would just love to see my Bucs in the NFC Championship game right down here in west central Florida. But, man, there’s Detroit and Philly. Washington sure isn’t a cupcake either. Then there’s “good ole” Buc Luck. It looks like I’ll get my wish and Johnson and Parrish will be Bucs. Works for me.
August 26th, 2025 at 12:10 pm
The bitterness of the Traskies is obvious today. Breathe Traskies, BREATHE!!!!
August 26th, 2025 at 1:07 pm
Curious to see what impact the players not yet on the roster make on this team. We definitely still have some holes to fill in trades or free agency. Even now I see twelve wins before any additions, if we can stay healthy.
August 26th, 2025 at 1:25 pm
No matter what seed they are
I just can’t see them winning a Super Bowl
Baker Mayfield is no Tom Brady
They don’t have a Super Bowl winning roster
Super Bowl winning HC, or QB
August 26th, 2025 at 2:32 pm
The REAL QUESTIONS ARE
Will Bowkes allow pass rushers to be pass rushers? The answer Has Been … NO!
Will Retodd let the defensive coaches who are getting Great Results out of the secondary, call plays that work? The answer has been …. NO!
Is the secondary Really sure up?? The answer is …. NO!
Will Bummer’s new boy love be able to handle the pressures of pro football if Baker goes down?? The answer has been ….. NO!
People “Claim” that the locker room hasn’t quit on Bowles so the question is THEN HOW DOES ANYONE account for the SLOP PLAY of said secondary for the past few years, and with all the SAME players in those positions.. Will they all the sudden play better now for “unknown reasons”??? The answer is ….. NO!
Has Jason Licht provided enough depth in the defense? The line backers??? The answer is …. NO!
Most Importantly. Has Retodd Bummer been removed from the premises? As far as anyone can tell the answer is …. NO!
So……. how exactly are we a better team? Perhaps getting guys back that we lost last year YET we’ve Already lost a MAJOR OFFENSIVE WEAPON due to Retodd’s decision making while showing off the cripple we brought in (behind ALL first team) and the egg shell threw a now famous “hospital ball” Without Authority like a Rookie, and Nearly and Literally getting the guy Killed! (Bummers bright idea to risk it as he sure showed us what we’re getting) In the end, not much has changed Including poor decision making. Are better than last year by leaps and bounds…. The answer is …. NO!
August 26th, 2025 at 3:53 pm
Healthy, NFC Title Game, maybe Super Bowl.
But, is Winfield really healthy?
When will Wirth be healthy?
Godwin?
Morrison?
McMillan?
August 26th, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Eh, I don’t think we’re getting the #1 seed this year, which is okay so long as we win the division.
Biggest thing is staying healthy, and we’re not off to a great start on that front.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:05 pm
I already predicted a SB trip. Not sure if we win, but I believe we get there.
August 26th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
Also…we’ll be needing a new backup if Bridgewater is called on to start 1-2 games.
August 26th, 2025 at 9:43 pm
Let’s say he’s accurate about 5-1 in division. If you walk thru the remaining 11 opponents and take into account home and away I think going 6-5 is well within reason and 11-6 should be the floor.
But I’ll preface it with 1) solid/reasonable health and 2) our HC getting more comfortable in game with situational football and how to coach aggressively for the situation.
If he evolves that 6-5 could very well become 8-3. Or if he struggles to get outside of his comfort zone that 6-5 could become 4-7.
13-4 is necessary to make a run at the 1 seed IMO.
August 27th, 2025 at 1:10 pm
Bucs have lots of talent and appear to have more depth. There are 3 things that are going dictate whether they can win the NFC.
1. Bowles (Controllable)
2. Injuries (Uncontrollable)
3. Mayfield Turnovers – 16 ints, fumbles 13/8 (Controllable). Mayfield needs to cut turnovers way back. Way too many….however God help us if he gets hurt…Checkdown/Hospital Ball Teddy is not the answer!!
IMO Bowles will be the biggest reason to why this team does not get to their lofty goals. Todd Bowles is a below average head coach, which will cost them 2 or 3 wins this year!