“Kept Me Up Late Last Night”

October 19th, 2025

Todd Bowles

The Lions average 31.8 points per game but their offensive coordinator can’t sleep.

Joe heard that this week and wondered how Byron Leftwich and Tom Brady even managed to nap in 2022, when the Bucs scored more than 22 points in only three games that season.

The Bucs face the Lions on Monday night and John Morton is the Detroit playcaller. He arrived in January from Sean Payton’s staff in Denver.

Morton was a one-and-done playcaller for Todd Bowles with the Jets in 2017.

Last week, Morton introduced himself to Detroit media, per reports, with the following greeting: “Glad you guys are feeling good, I’m going against Todd Bowles — kept me up late last night.”

Morton showed his old boss even more respect.

“Todd does a great job, obviously, I’ve worked with him before,” Morton said. “It’s a blitz fest.

Yes, the Bucs blitz a lot, ranking fourth in the league in blitz percentage, but they’ve been blitzing far less than in recent years. Those watching the Bowles defense on All-22 see a far less predictable unit.

Joe has no idea how Bowles will approach his pass rush against Lions Pro Bowl quarterback Jared Goff on Monday. But Joe would take chances. It’s a safe bet the Bucs will need a turnover or two to beat the Lions. They got interceptions last year from Christian Izien and Zyon McCollum, which was the difference in the Bucs’ win.

12 Responses to ““Kept Me Up Late Last Night””

  1. PSL Bob Says:

    Got to pressure the QB or he will pick us apart. Todd, you’ve got to come out with pressure right out of the gate. Please!

  2. 813bucboi Says:

    Defense will hold the lions to under 20pts

    BUCS 32
    Lions 16

    6-1!!!!!!

    GO BUCS!!!!

  3. Senor Harry in Costa Rica Says:

    813, I predict a Bucs win 31 – 27 score.

    I think it might be tough to hold a team to 16 points that averages 31, especially when the Bucs D is so bad in the red zone (actually the entire 100 yards). But your endless enthusiasm is a delight. Way better than reading the endless droaning negativity of Augalung.

  4. Bucs And Them Says:

    Hopefully, Bowles will call a defensive plan that is unpredictable and confuses Detroit which results in them making mistakes we can capitalize on.

  5. orlbucfan Says:

    Joe, is Izien playing? I know Parrish is, and he’s about due for a pick 6. Hey 813, 6-1, you bet!! 🙂

  6. Daryl Green Says:

    This is one of the games I penciled in a loss, but as the week goes on, my stomach is the tell🤣🤣 I’m feeling real good about this one 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾🤙🏾

  7. Jmarkbuc Says:

    Now Bowles will overthink and not blitz the Statue that is Jared Goff.

  8. Scotty Mack Says:

    The Lions moved the ball with ease every drive last year against the Bucs. The difference was their inability to score in the red zone, partly due to better defense by the Bucs in tight quarters and overly aggressive play calling by Dan Campbell (i.e. always going for it on 4th instead of kicking the easy field goal). Add in those turnovers on downs and the Lions ended up with four turnovers to the Bucs’ one.

  9. Tony Says:

    @Scotty Mack

    That’s the problem with the NFL & college nowadays. They go by all of these analytics & they don’t want to kick the FG or punt the ball when they should be smart about it & they think they need to score a TD on every single possession. That’s impossible. These teams & coaches need to get out of this ridiculous analytics mindset because it’s destroying sports.

  10. LakelandSteve Says:

    In last years game the Bucs got a lot of pressure on Goff and you could see a couple of times he got a little rattled. Hopefully the Bucs defensive line can turn up the heat and Bowles mixes in some timely blitzes. The Lions didn’t seem to be able to run much against us but you better believe they will try and make that an emphasis in this years game.

  11. BillMFl Says:

    Lady luck has smiled on the Bucs so far but the Bucs could be in for a very tough battle. Hope Baker can conjure up some razel dazel and pull out another big win!!!

  12. David Says:

    It seems like they’re blitzing less. Against San Fran the front 4 got a lot of pressure on their own.

    They absolutely have to get pressure on Goff. They cannot let him stand there and dissect.

    With all their DB‘s back, I believe they play tight coverage because most of the passes are underneath to the tight end or running backs. Just have a safety over top of Brown.

 

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