Todd Bowles Vs. Josh McDaniels
November 9th, 2025
Coaches duel.
Years ago Joe heard Michael Lombardi, the former NFL suit and coffee fetcher for Bill Walsh, Al Davis and Bill Belicheat, say when you’re betting or handicapping a game, always look at the matchup of coordinators.
It seems noted NFL analyst Greg Cosell of NFL Films believes the same thing.
In his weekly appearance on the “Ross Tucker Podcast,” maybe the best series of football-only pods on the interwebs, Cosell said the learned years ago from 35-year NFL coach that the game was all about coach vs. coach. So for the Patriots, you have veteran offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels locking horns with Bucs coach Todd Bowles, the Bucs’ default defensive coordinator.
Cosell likes McDaniels. But Cosell really, really likes Bowles, who he thinks may be the most creative defensive coordinator in the game, specifically how he works with defensive backs.
For Cosell, that is the game within the game: How can McDaniels identify Bowles’ unique, strange and effective blitzes and catch Bowles off-guard?
Likewise, what crazy stunts and blitzes will Bowles break out to not just surprise McDaniel, but confuse Patriots quarterback Drake Maye? Will it be enough to get Maye throwing picks?
Joe has to give McDaniels (and Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel) credit for how they are developing Maye. Before McDaniels linked up with Maye, he rode Tom Brady’s coattails into two head coaching jobs and failed spectacularly both times.
Joe had always thought McDaniels was a typical Belicheat lackey. Once these guys get away from Belicheat, they fall flat on their faces. Usually.
“Coaches coach against coaches…”
“…this is a GREAT coaching match up of two veterans who are really good at what they do, Josh McDaniels and Todd Bowles.”@GregCosell on Patriots – Buccaneers: pic.twitter.com/bexh6Z4aGx
— Ross Tucker Podcast (@RossTuckerPod) November 7, 2025
When the game’s on the line… Todd Bowles is gonna heat you up!!@rhoback pic.twitter.com/kKo6SsZgDT
— Jon Gruden (@BarstoolGruden) November 8, 2025
November 9th, 2025 at 1:38 am
Gruden’s everywhere lately
November 9th, 2025 at 1:45 am
Get ’em Todd
Force that young QB to let go of a few balls he wishes he had back….
Not really buying the coach vs coach match-up being the all important factor in any game though….. Players have to make the plays no matter how complex or simply they are drawn up.
It REALLY helps to have good players – and coach Bowles has some really nice chess pieces to work with in his back 7 when it comes to blitzing. David, Dennis, Winfield, Smith and even Parrish are all very good blitzers who know how to pressure the QB and get him on the ground. So unexpected blitzes can come from literally anywhere on the field when you have to go against this Buccaneers defense.
November 9th, 2025 at 5:55 am
Totally agree about the little me Beli’s, including Josh. This isn’t a match-up, Todd is the better coach. Pickgrin is correct, the players count too.
November 9th, 2025 at 6:21 am
Josh is as good a O.C. as anyone. All those years and only 2 hall of famers besides TB-12.
Moss and Gronk.
Bucs win today by throwing the ball.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:26 am
Blitz Voss, that way he doesn’t get exposed in coverage.
The more interesting coaching matchup is Griz against Vrabel. Vrabel might hold the edge there?
November 9th, 2025 at 9:53 am
I think you mean when they get away from Brady they fall on their faces. Bill is a 500 coach without Brady
November 9th, 2025 at 10:16 am
Makes me think about all those years of “…you give Bill Belichik 2 weeks to prepare…”
He inevitably will take away your strengths, right?
All those years, there wasn’t enough “…you give Tom Brady and 52 other guys 2 weeks to prepare…”
November 9th, 2025 at 10:25 am
Josh gon work Bowles defense lmbo Pats 33 Bucs 17
November 9th, 2025 at 11:12 am
My concern is this team comes out flat again on both sides of the ball. Seen that movie too many times this year.
November 9th, 2025 at 11:37 am
Buc2Blame –
As a Patriots fan first, I see it the other way Bucs 33 Patriots 17