An Early Disadvantage
October 3rd, 2025
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
Sunday’s game in Seattle will start on time. Will the Buccaneers?
Despite their 3-1 getaway, the Bucs have consistently found themselves behind in the opening quarter. That should be a disturbing trend for new offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard, who won’t have Bucky Irving as a key weapon to test Seattle’s stout defense.
It all began with the Week 1 matchup at Atlanta, where the Bucs quickly fell behind because the defense forgot to account for Bijan Robinson leaking out of the backfield for a 50-yard TD reception.
Things haven’t gotten much better in terms of encouraging starts.
Last season, the Buc offense was dynamic in the first quarter, averaging a league-best 6.7 points with Liam Coen calling the plays. That was a big jump from the previous two years and this current group seems to be going backwards.
Year – Average 1st quarter scoring – NFL rank
2025 – 3.3 points – 24th
2024 – 6.7 points – 1st
2023 – 2.9 points – 26th
2022 – 2.8 points – 27th
2021 – 6.5 points – 3rd
2020 5.6 points – 12th
“We’ve got to start faster,” says Baker Mayfield. “We’ve got to be the aggressor, not wait, whether it’s chippy or we got hit in the mouth once. We’ve got to come out swinging.”
The only first-quarter touchdown scored by Tampa Bay through four games was Mayfield’s 20-yard pass to Ryan Miller at Houston in Week 2. Add in a pair of Chase McLaughlin field goals and it adds up to 13 points in the initial 15 minutes.
The early numbers on defense are also concerning. The Bucs have yielded 34 points in the opening quarter, including that blocked punt for a score last week. Only the Saints, the lone winless team in the NFC, have allowed more points in the first 15 minutes.
The Bucs have never had a lead in the opening quarter this year — and have never scored first. Poor starts were overcome the first three weeks because Mayfield engineered last-minute comeback victories.
That formula wasn’t sustainable, especially against better opponents, and the early 14-0 hole vs. Philadelphia proved to be too deep.
Now the short-handed Bucs are flying 2,200 miles, determined to rebound from their initial setback. The Seahawks have won three in a row following a close Week 1 setback against the 49ers.
Seattle has relied on an opportunistic defense and the ability to establish early leads. Both factors should have Tampa Bay’s full attention.
Mayfield’s top playmakers, Irving and Mike Evans, aren’t available. This is a grand opportunity for Rachaad White, who ran for a career-high 105 yards against the Seahawks in Munich as a rookie in 2022.
In stark contrast to the visitors, the Seahawks have been quick starters this season. Seattle owns a 35-16 scoring advantage in the opening quarter … only the Bills have put up more points in the first 15 minutes.
Considering the injuries that have ravaged Tampa Bay’s offensive line, Grizzard hasn’t done a bad job. Still, two issues have emerged: Tampa Bay tight ends have been targeted only 12 times and the Bucs are plagued by chronic slow starts.
Mayfield isn’t known for his patience. He vows to be the aggressor from the start — and that’s a noble cause. Those opening 15 minutes just might shape the outcome at Lumen Field.
A Tampa tradition since 1960, one mile north of the stadium on Dale Mabry.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Grizz is very mediocre as an OC from what I’ve seen so far.
Not even close to as good as Coen was.
He’s more comparable to Canales who was also mediocre.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Another disadvantage I just realized…
The Bucs play back to back against teams who will have a 10 day rest having played the previous Thursday night game. Seems a bit punitive to me.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:24 pm
Major injuries on both sides of the ball, a long trip to the west coast, and homefield advantage all fall in Seattle’s favor. Hopefully, Grizz can incorporate some of your suggestions into his game plan and catch the Hawks off guard. We need this win to keep the Bucs ahead of Atlanta in the division.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:27 pm
playing from behind could make a qb force a throw/int that he normally wouldn’t make.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:30 pm
I worry about the statement at the end – “Mayfield isn’t known for his patience. He vows to be the aggressor from the start”.
Please don’t force anything in order to try to have a fast start, Baker.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:33 pm
Todd – start the game on defense like you finished it against the Eagles. Do that and we have a chance. I’m worried about Baker feeling like he has to be aggressive against Seattle’s ball hawking defense
Lean on Rachaad but not just up the middle. Throw him the bloody ball, he’s almost always open.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:55 pm
I think they just need to relax. Everything is going to be alright. 5-3 after eight games would be fantastic.
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:55 pm
Coen was 4-6 in his first 11 games. Let’s see if Grizz beats that.
October 3rd, 2025 at 6:03 pm
a great write up on the difference between last year and this year.
coen vs grizzard. it is what it is. i remember how futile the bucs first quarter scoring was with canales. it was a horror show. the running game, a horror show. last year was like the skies opened up and rushing and scoring came down from the football gods. i remember watching one game and the motion and the blocking and thinking “wow its great to have a running game again”
and now here we are back at the same. as so well written here by Ira. thanks Ira. now, lets have the apologist parade come talk crap about Ira and call Ira names, and troll and so on. and you dont know football Ira. and welcome to the NFL Ira and all the other crap talk in all the other threads.
or parade of apologists, still waiting for you to rebut lavonte david. take your pick lavonte or Ira. one hits hard one lays down facts harder.
October 3rd, 2025 at 6:03 pm
“Coen was 4-6 in his first 11 games”
Must be that new math….lol
October 3rd, 2025 at 6:29 pm
Rachaad and Tucker running the ball
Play action passes
Get Darnold to move his feet
October 3rd, 2025 at 6:40 pm
Bucs fans. It’s ok. The Bucs will be 3-4 but they will fight back. Gotta get healthy to make a run at the end of the season.
October 3rd, 2025 at 6:41 pm
Aqualung. You’re worried about Baker feeling like “he has to be aggressive”? You don’t really mean that. He had better have a renewed sense of urgency and play so aggressive that he gets back to looking like himself. I could care less if he throws a pick or two, as long as we win the game. He hasn’t looked as aggressive this year. I chalk it up to the offensive line but Tristan is back. That’s gonna help alot. The offense, defense, and special teams better be aggressive from the snap and let this game get a rythm and flow. A really aggressive rythm and flow.
October 3rd, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Neckbrace, I guess you’ve never been to Seattle.
October 3rd, 2025 at 7:21 pm
Like Canales, Grizz had never called plays before being OC. Cohen on the other hand, was the OC at Kentucky. Cohen also had his OLine intact for most of the season.
October 3rd, 2025 at 7:30 pm
This goes back at least 3 years. Every player, every coach says we’ve got to start fast.
Last year it was repeated here multiple times that the team looked “flat” at the start of the game.
If all the players and all the coaches understand that we’ve got to start fast why the hell don’t we start fast?
What is the disconnect between yapping at a press conference and crapping the bed in the game?
All the talk means nothing.
EXECUTE THE GAME PLAN!
If the game plan is the problem ADDRESS THOSE THAT SET THE GAME PLAN!
October 3rd, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Thinking you know what’s gonna happen in a NFL game…. is like thinking you know what the next card out of the shoe playing blackjack is . Chill , you don’t have a clue. The reason sports betting is a multi-billion dollar business is because of jerkoffs like you …saying the bucs are gonna be 3 and 4 …brother, please….go back to playing video games
October 3rd, 2025 at 8:01 pm
They addressed it Knothead they gave them an extension lol
October 3rd, 2025 at 8:09 pm
Cohen straightened the offense out, in spite of the HC. The hallmark of the Todd Bowles tenure will be horrifically bad starts, a team generally unprepared, and annual mid-season losing streaks.
October 3rd, 2025 at 9:42 pm
Baker is aggressive when he’s at rest. I don’t want him repeating the pick in the endzone on 1st down against the eagles.
October 3rd, 2025 at 10:27 pm
EXACTLY Winny! Back to back games against the NFC West where the teams are coming off of mini-byes. NFL schedule makers took some bribes I see.
October 3rd, 2025 at 11:49 pm
Erik with Pilot and Driver™ Says:
October 3rd, 2025 at 5:22 pm
Grizz is very mediocre as an OC from what I’ve seen so far.
“Grizz” has been an OC with his own offense for all of 4 NFL regular season games so far. Coen had one season experience as OC plus 2(?) years as a college OC(?) before becoming the Bucs OC. Cut “Grizz” a little slack.
October 4th, 2025 at 1:21 am
You’re right “Iwhateverpewter!” Coen was OC at Kentucky, then OC with the Rams (with McVay calling most of the plays, but still, one helluva learning experience, I would suppose), before he was then, OC at Kentucky AGAIN. He also, worked under McVay for long time, before all of that! And, was a QB himself, I think at UMASS.
October 4th, 2025 at 1:24 am
So, he’d definitely been around the block a time or two, and had paid his dues.
October 4th, 2025 at 2:10 am
Still rooting for Grizz but I’d like to see more of McDaniels influence – they definitely use pony and the TE (see Darren Waller out of mothballs)
To be sold I need to see someone schemed open – I think we’re missing Jalen Macmillan badly
October 4th, 2025 at 4:23 am
Fantastic overview, Ira.
Fully agree with Baker about starting fast and aggressive. And the Bucs do well with hurry up, no huddle, in getting the ball out fast. And then there is Baker’s magic feet plowing through. Definitely the injuries have caused an impact. No doubt about it we will miss Bucky this Sunday. However, he was pushed too hard last weekend. Time for White and Tucker.
October 4th, 2025 at 6:47 am
Correction Ira, the Buc defense didn’t forget about Robinson on his 50 yard catch, and run, that was all on Dennis. Matter of fact, Dennis is responsible for many of the opponants early scores.
October 4th, 2025 at 7:11 am
The great unknown is what part of the Grizzard offense is having to be kept in the garage due to the players available on the field.
For example, Bucky is out this game. Does anyone think Rachaad or Sean Tucker will get the same exact plays called for them?
My grade for Grizzard is an incomplete. I would at least like for him to have both starting tackles in for one game before I start saying he sucks.
October 4th, 2025 at 7:35 am
Stop with the injury excuse. That deflects from the fact the Bucs let a proven OC go in favor of Todd 500 Bowles and another 1st round exit at best
October 4th, 2025 at 7:38 am
Hard to compare Grizz with Coen considering our roster situation. We can’t even send our TE into passing routes
October 4th, 2025 at 8:36 am
And the 4th qt as well. Note the necessity of a 4th qt comebackevery game
October 4th, 2025 at 8:51 am
While injuries must limit play option, I think they will be a blessing in disguise towards Grizzard’s maturation come playoff time. Grizz seems to be second guessing himself when it comes to personnel usage, as we see with the lack of use of White and the TEs so far. He appears to rely to heavily on the stars to make plays rather than scheming plays for 2s, 3s, and TEs. However, he does seem to be at his best under pressure when he doesn’t have time to overthink and second guess himself, which is why he was so good at developing 3rd down plays last year. In short, by being forced to look beyond his playmaker, I’m hopeful he’ll gain the confidence to install a TE pass or put in White when he’s hot or just for some fresh legs
October 4th, 2025 at 9:04 am
“Stop with the injury excuse”
There it is, the NO EXCUSES rant from someone who, if their boss would take away three of their top 5 tools used to efficiently do their job, would say “What do you want me to do?”
October 4th, 2025 at 9:12 am
Sounds like the Seahawks will come into this one full of themselves. Home game, they’ve won several in a row, opponent hit by injuries and flying cross country, etc., etc. Not to mention opponent having to break in still another offensive coordinator. Now, being human and a competitive athlete, wouldn’t you feel pretty da##ed confident? A very good opportunity for the Bucs to come in and upset them. Go Bucs!!
October 4th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Like people have said- it comes down to Grizz vs Coen. Coen is a top shelf play caller, Grizz is a rookie. Its not much more complicated than that. You can try to blame injuries but Coen had to deal with them last year too. Lets hope Grizz learns as he goes along
October 4th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Corn didn’t have to deal with rhis level of o line injuries. The o line was pretty healthy except for when Goedeke got the concussion. The other four guys were healthy all season. We literally had three starters missing. The key is that the defense slows the other team down to make up for it. Hopefully that happens tomorrow… finally.
October 4th, 2025 at 4:20 pm
Corn = Coen
Freudian slip?
October 5th, 2025 at 2:38 pm
@Erik– Jezz. Give Griz some slack. 1st time calling plays, 4 games in. SMH