Best Safeties Duo In The NFL?

November 8th, 2025

Balling.

It sure has been nice to watch the past few weeks.

Joe thinks the way Antoine Winfield is playing, he’s back to his 2023 All-Pro self. He’s been dynamite.

And the incompetence of the zebras two weeks ago in New Orleans may have cost Winfield a second All-Pro season. The guy had two defensive touchdowns thieved from him. That just p!sses Joe off to no end!

As it turns out, Winfield isn’t the only Bucs safety balling out. Todd Bowles moved second-year safety Tykee Smith from slot corner to safety this season and he has played excellent football. Smith has 66 tackles and 8 passes defensed through eight games.

His tackles rank third in the league for safeties, and Smith has played one less game than those ahead of him. His eight passes defensed are tied for the league lead for safeties along with Talanoa Hufanga of Denver and Jordan Battle of Cincinnati.

In fact, Smith is the lone NFL player with 65 or more tackles, 2 or more sacks and 8 passes defended.

The way both Smith and Winfield are playing, it’s difficult to argue against the idea that the Bucs have the best pair of safeties in the game.

9 Responses to “Best Safeties Duo In The NFL?”

  1. Warren Brooks Lynch Says:

    Tykee is the most consistent football player on this team.

    Antoine is just reminding us who he is when his body isn’t failing him.

    Both should be pro bowl candidates, would need Tykee to get some splash plays in and I think as long as he’s on the field, those’ll come.

  2. unbelievable Says:

    You could criticize their coverage skills a bit, though maybe it’s just more of a height issue vs taller WRs, but still probably a top-3 safety tandem. Opportunistic with the splash plays for sure though.

  3. BigPoppaBuc Says:

    It’s definitely the best safety play we’ve had since the Superbowl run. Tykee is an absolute stud and opens the door Winfield do Winfield things. Honestly I think our entire secondary is shaping into one of the leagues best. Now about that pass rush….

  4. toopanca Says:

    They both have exceeded my expectations. They are a credit to themselves and to their coaches.

  5. Obvious One Says:

    Talk about Night and Day compared to last year…..

    2x MASSIVE Upgrades this year. We’re witnessing the Best safety play In the Business! And it is Quenching and Refreshing for a change!

  6. HeartyDickerson Says:

    Tykee might lowkey be Licht’s best draft pick in the last two years. He’s looking fantastic.

    AWJ has some great highlights this year, but too many bad angle, missed tackles for a $20M safety.

  7. BA’s Red Pen Says:

    GO BUCS

  8. adam from ny Says:

    the league sleeps on talking tykee…

    now that’s a football player

  9. heyjude Says:

    Absolutely, Winfield and Smith are a dynamic duo. Both doing awesome.

 

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