“We Couldn’t Realize The Gravity Of The Situation”
September 23rd, 2025
It feels like confession week for Todd Bowles.
First, Bowles said his defense took its foot off the gas Sunday against the jets and players were getting worn out in the fourth quarter.
Then Bowles gave a backhanded confession about a bizarre moment in Bucs history. And then he proceeded to open up further on how the Bucs lost their way in Week 3 last season.
“I think our mental focus is different,” Bowles said comparing this season to the lead-up to their Week 3 home loss to Denver in 2024.
“We understand that we know how to win and it’s a matter of the mental lulls that go through the season. I think last year we were 2-0 and we came in and Denver was 0-2 and, you know, in hindsight I don’t know if we prepared like we should prepare and come out there and everybody was happy to see it.
“And you have family coming in town and everybody’s patting you on the back and we couldn’t realize the gravity of the situation. I think we’ve matured a lot this year and we understand week by week what we have to do going in and win these ball games.”
The comments above came on The Todd Bowles Show (Joe listens on the Buccaneers channel on SiriusXM).
Joe is ecstatic the Bucs are off to their best start in decades. They haven’t had a 3-0 start since 2005, back when Cadillac Williams was running wild and Ira Kaufman was in his 50 Cent phase.
Still, it’s bizarre to hear how the Bucs lost their way mentally a year ago before that Week 3 Denver game because Joe is always told that the Tom Brady culture never left One Buc Palace.
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:30 pm
So what is he going to do over the tough stretch of the next four games??? What excuses is he going to give if we go 0-4??? We’re going to have to run the 2 minute offense all game long in order to overcome the lapses of concentration of the defense and STs as well as taking feet of the gas? I hope Baker can keep pulling out his bag of tricks because without Mike Evans he’s going to need an extra large bag.
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:50 pm
They lost that focus for a stretch in the fourth quarter.
September 23rd, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Hey Joe,
I live in St. Louis and have Sirius XM., what channel is the Bucs channel?
Always looking for more Bucs content
Been a fan since 97!!
Lets F’n Go!!!!
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:00 pm
It varies from week to week for the games. Not sure what the permanent channel is but if you Google “SiriusXM Buccaneers Channel” it will pop right up.
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:07 pm
DavidBigBucsFan99, you do realize that most of the NFL world has a healthy dose of respect for Todd Bowles and his football team? They are hiring his coaches for head coaches and they are poaching some of Licht and Bowles ideas for building a team. He’s earned that kind of respect by beating teams like Detroit and Philly last year on the way to another division title. And starting 3-0 for the first time in 20 years for the team. Some would call it reaching the pinnacle of his career. And he’s obviously not satisfied. His competitive nature and passion for the game of football describes the man.
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:11 pm
I hope we’re fully prepared for the Eggles come Sunday, because I’m quite sure they’re not looking past us yet.
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:28 pm
Tucker
And right after he just told the sideline reporter about finishing the game.
Todd just likes to say words sometimes.
September 23rd, 2025 at 10:39 pm
Philly has eeked out wins against KC and LA the last two weeks. They could be emotionally down.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:00 pm
The 3-0 start is great, so lets not let Baker get killed in week 4.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:32 pm
The next six games before the bye might be easier than you think.. phillie: yeah tough, but we play them well. San Fran and Seattle? San Fran is on the decline and the Seahawks???… Detroit? Ok that’s a major toughie. New Orleans? Pffftttt. Looking very nice.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:42 pm
Fred
While there are many on these boards who like to pencil in wins and losses before the games are played, I prefer to believe that all of our games are winnable. It does require, however, that we are prepared for each game.
Line em up and knock em down.
September 23rd, 2025 at 11:59 pm
I think it’s high time that we claim that champagne bottle from Miami.
September 24th, 2025 at 12:42 am
I swear it’s like so called fans are willing us to lose the next four games so they can be right. Explains a lot about modern culture. Wallow in your misery as we go 2-2 over the next four games, so called fans
September 24th, 2025 at 2:39 am
5-0 here we come.
September 24th, 2025 at 2:55 am
@Estaban…you think the Bucs are going to win, throw a few bucks on it and make some money. Rational fans (oxymoron sometimes) realize this is probably the end of the miracles and stupid luck. May as well cash in.
September 24th, 2025 at 6:18 am
That falls on the coach! Bad coaching! We’ve seen so many other games where the team didn’t seam prepared to compete. I think TB isn’t a very good motivator of men, going by the performance of a handful of games each year. That being said, he’s guided us to 4 straight division titles, just wish he could keep the team focused every week!
September 24th, 2025 at 6:35 am
Against the Jets, Bowles took his foot off the gas on defense. He didn’t blitz as much and the 4-man rush was non-existent. He gave the Jets momentum and encouragement when they took advantage.
September 24th, 2025 at 7:04 am
JimBob
I guess once again, he didn’t realize the gravity of the situation
September 24th, 2025 at 8:26 am
I believe it was Bowles himself had the defense “take the foot off the gas”. Jets could not do anything then he changed to a prevent defense thinking they could run out the clock and let them back in.
September 24th, 2025 at 8:34 am
STL Bucs Fan Says:
Bowles is on Moving the Chains every Monday with Pat Kirwan and Jim Miller – NFL Channel 88. Their show is 3 to 7 eastern and Bowles is on (usually) between 3 and 430. And if you want to listen to Ra Ra the Clown (Raheem Morris), they have him on during that window as well.
For what it’s worth, its the best “football” show on radio and I have been listening to them for years. Not fluff – ALL BALL and they can really dive deep into football talk, which is what I love – the Xs and Os.
September 24th, 2025 at 9:12 am
“Still, it’s bizarre to hear how the Bucs lost their way mentally a year ago before that Week 3 Denver game because Joe is always told that the Tom Brady culture never left One Buc Palace.”
I’m so over the “Tom Brady culture”. How about the Licht culture? The BA culture. The Bowles culture.
First impressions are critical. Tom Brady could NOT have topped his first impression. He was THE GOAT sent from heaven to get the Bucs a 2nd Lombardi. And he did it in SPECTACULAR fashion. ALL HAIL ST. TOMMY. I’m not being snarky his first year was truly special in Bucs history.
However “last impressions” can also be impactful. Tom Brady’s third year destroyed HIS culture. What kind of “leader” deserts his teammates right as they are preparing for the season? What kind of leader skips time with the team in the season to attend the birthday party for his FORMER owner?
Sadly Tom played at least ONE year too long. Won’t hurt his legacy anymore than it hurt Johnny U or Joe Namath or numerous other stars who stayed a year or two too long.
But I’m sick of give Tommy Boy credit for crap he doesn’t deserve. YES he was a GREAT leader in his first year. Year three? Are you kidding? Where did the culture go?
September 24th, 2025 at 10:47 am
This is amazing, Todd.
Whose foot?
Hey, if Griz leaves for a head coaching job, Todd has proven what an ace multi-tasked he is. And Mr Magoo should be promoted somewhere.
Then Todd could be head coach and OC, DC, and ST coordinator all at the same time. That would be heaven.
September 24th, 2025 at 2:25 pm
Someone dropped Aqualung on their head when they were hatched.
September 24th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
Oralbuc that was funny! Sorry I’m too brain damaged to fix my autocorrect. If you don’t like it change your name.
September 25th, 2025 at 2:54 am
I don’t think Tom Brady abandoned the team in his third year as a Buc but he had to get rid of the ball really fast because the O line was trash.
Ask Patrick Mahomes or Jameis Winston or Tua what it’s like to play behind s bad O line.
September 25th, 2025 at 10:36 am
FRY! eagles FRYYYY!!!!
Arrrg!