Fourth-Down Decision Backfired
November 9th, 2025
The Bucs made a big deal this offseason about hiring a game-management/clock-management guru.
His services sure came into play today against the Patriots.
The Bucs have the best long-distance kicker in the NFL. Chase McLaughlin has hit 8-of-8 field goals attemps from 50-plus yards this season, including a 65-yarder at The Licht House.
With 12:51 remaining in the fourth-quarter today, the Bucs had a 4th-and-3 at the Patriots’ 40 yard line while trailing New England 21-16. Rather than line up for a 58-yard field goal to cut the Patriots’ lead to two points, the Bucs went for it. The result was a stupid and reckless pick/offensive interference penalty on Sterling Shepard.
The 10-yard loss forced the Bucs to punt.
The Bucs had not been converting well on third downs to that point. So why go for it on 4th-and-3? Wasn’t the safer play a field goal try?
If the Bucs had made the field goal there, Tampa Bay would not have been trailing by the same score with 1:55 remaining — when they had a 4th-and-3 at the Patriots’ 27 yard line.
That play was a failed short throw to Rachaad White. In theory, it could have been an easy field goal try to take the lead.
As for the gimmick two-point conversion attempt by Emeka Egbuka that seemed to have a pass option for Baker Mayfield, Joe will punt on commenting.
Not a great day for the game-management braintrust.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
Coaching!
November 9th, 2025 at 7:36 pm
If Sterling isn’t a complete moron, the Bucs get the first down there. One of the dumbest plays I’ve ever seen – and that, along with how poorly he’s been playing, should get him cut. There’s no way Greene can’t give the team more than Shepard as been doing, and I’m going to guess he wouldn’t have one of the dumbest plays in team history.
Also, cut the punter, he’s terrible. Back to back 30 yard net punts in the 4th quarter, ridiculous.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:38 pm
Out coached by a FAR BETTER coaching staff!
November 9th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
The OC is horrible actually
November 9th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
I didn’t have a problem with the call versus a looong FG in sketch weather and poor field conditions. The HUGE problem I had was ANOTHER ridiculously STUPID failed “2pt. Attempt” with STILL over 4-MINUTES left in the 3RD Fricken QUARTER. It is pure IGNORANCE. NO advantage whatsoever, at ALL. It’s stupidity.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Agreed. Shep didnt even try to run a route. He proceed to try to decapitate the DB like no one was watching. I don’t know if the FG would’ve mattered when the Pats were scoring TDs at will. Just a bad game from the home team today.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
I just want to see a top tier coach run this team before I die.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:43 pm
Garbage.
Total team loss.
Coaching
Offense
Defense
“Special” Teams
Everyone had a hand in it.
Good luck in Buffalo and LA with that crap.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:45 pm
This isn’t Monday morning yet….Not time for Monday Morning Quarterbacking…
November 9th, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Clueless Todd! He’s in WAY over his head. Could have had Coen. Huge miss by Licht and the Glazers.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
Yeah, and WHERE’S Miller… Saw him out there early while still in the 1st-Quarter, but never again!? Though, I wasn’t really ‘looking” for him! But, WHERE IS HE!? At least HE has good size and pretty good hands. He should’ve been in there on THAT PERFECT ‘on-sides’ kick executed by Chase… Instead of 5 foot 9 IZIEN, Josh Frickin HAYES, AND ‘someone’ (a LB) named Deion Jones. And, having ONLY 4-Dudes to that side, when there was NEVER a ‘secret’ or DOUBT where it was going… Wouldn’t ya THINK you might wanna have EE out there to try to cover-it!? Never stood a chance. It was THE PERFECT KICK, too!!!!
November 9th, 2025 at 7:57 pm
Had the team not been so severely impacted by injuries Bowles weaknesses would have been glossed over and our prospects would have been great even with a rookie OC. Bowles would have been getting praised by many. The team would have carried him. But the team now needs him to carry them and he is letting them down. He is also letting down his franchise quarterback. This team appears to be laying down and only he can stop it. It’s always the home games where the players take a nap.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
Emeka was supposed to throw that to Baker…it was there. Please , let Bucky be healthy next week…. bills run defense is Swiss cheese.
November 9th, 2025 at 7:59 pm
The Bucs had superior tal;ent. The Pats had a superior head coach and offensive corrdinator. Edge to the Pats. Bowles is what he is, a guy who can, at his best, coach a team to the playofs and lose in the wild card or divisional round.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:02 pm
Not only was Shep’s play egregious it was way behind the play! Be better!
November 9th, 2025 at 8:03 pm
The pathetic FAILED 2pt-conversion made-it 12 vs 11 point game at the time, too… So, that way we had to get TWO Touchdowns anyways! Instead of just ONE TD, then a 2pt. Conversion, and a FG. But, that was completely taken outta the equation to begin with, when they decided to go for 2 with STILL 4+MINUTES LEFT, in the 3RD-Quarter. Dumb. REAL DUMB. Last I checked league-wide, it only has like a 42% ‘success rate’ to begin with, but then you expect OUR PATHETIC RedZone ‘Offensive’ OFFENSE to actually convert THERE… Really!?:/ I mean, come on man. There’s really NOTHING to gain there, by doing that. It usually, just ends up biting you in the ass.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:05 pm
Better be ready for Buffalo guys. I can guarantee you they will be.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:06 pm
I believe the play before the failed 4th and 3 was an incomplete 3rd and 3. The bucs ran for 113 yds on 21 attempts, averaging almost 5.4 yds/attempt…WHY NOT consider that a 2 down situation and rush the ball on 3rd n 3. Then consider the fg. With Grizz, it’s all or nothing and he seems to be leaning more and more towards nothing
November 9th, 2025 at 8:10 pm
These bucs are pretenders not contenders i expect them to lose the division
November 9th, 2025 at 8:24 pm
The BUCS are exactly who they have always been under this so called head coach. Nothing have fundamentally changed in the last three years with this moron as head coach. Nothing will change moving forward either.
Those of you who keep supporting and/or making excuses for Todd thinking the Bucs will be a top 5 championship caliber organization will only prolong this mediocrity
November 9th, 2025 at 8:26 pm
The 2 point conversion attempt was the dumbest call of the game. Telling the other hc you don’t think you’ll score much more just gives him more confidence and shows your players that you don’t trust them. 3 50+scoring plays given up, no confidence in your offense…….that’s the dc genius hc we have. SMH.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
3rd and 3 in the 4th driving to take the lead and you pass??!! If you run you at least have a chance to get it. Im telling you know either this league is scripted or we have the dumbest OC.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
58 in the rain is iffy, if he missed it every one would say it was a bad call and should of went for it. Still plenty of game left to play at that point. Now what New England did before halftime was textbook execution. He was in bind if that TD was stopped on the goal line.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
Get your mistakes now rather than later in the season
November 9th, 2025 at 8:31 pm
The Bears have the same record as the Bucs.
Man this is incredible
November 9th, 2025 at 8:35 pm
How can a team be this down and unprepared after two weeks of rest? Coaching is horrible. And with so many gaps, no trades at the deadline?
November 9th, 2025 at 8:36 pm
Inwoodjeremy Says:
November 9th, 2025 at 8:28 pm
58 in the rain is iffy, if he missed it every one would say it was a bad call
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Yeah, agreed. If the weather as better, then maybe they kick it, but I’m not sure which way the wind was going – and I know, in general, the long kicks almost always go to the other end of the field. But on a soggy field, with tons of humidity, that’s a very long kick going in that direction.
And again, the Bucs had the 1st, Baker had a couple of open guys on the 4th down play, it was the stupid play by Shepard that cost them the first. He should be benched or cut before the next game, he adds nothing at this point, and makes stupid plays like that on top of it.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:37 pm
GIZ IS LOST ! BOWLES CANT COACH BETTER THAN AVERAGE . NOT READY AGAIN !
November 9th, 2025 at 8:38 pm
It was a good decision by Bowles. Shepherd is the one to blame here. Can we go out and pick up a receiver from other peoples practice squads or the CFL whose c season ends,next Sunday?
November 9th, 2025 at 8:39 pm
Another one and done in playoffs IF WE MAKE IT . TYPICAL BOWLES BUT GO AHEAD AND GIVE HIM A EXTENTION. . FOE BAD COACHING .NO MOTIVATION ! NONE !
November 9th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Shep should be cut, huh Rod? How about that safety, Winfield, who after that defensive stand, couldn’t cover a back to the wall 2 yard corner route. And if that’s not bad enough he was the last line of defense that gave up 240 yards on 4 plays with 3 going for tds. I mean, you’re a smart guy Rod. Shep sucks and needs cut? Winfield quadruple sucks and absolutely lost this game. Now. I love Winfield. I love Shep too. For alot longer. Our whole team lost this game from Mayfield to the punter. I’ve been blaming our defense and our receivers and the coaches. I hate to lose! But it was a team effort and the minute the team starts acting like we’re acting Rod, we’re in trouble. I know they’re mad too. Hope they display more maturity than us and take that disdain they have for losing out on the Bills next week. I’m not counting out us running the table and taking the bye.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
Kenton Smith Says:
November 9th, 2025 at 8:44 pm
Shep should be cut, huh Rod?
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Yes.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:50 pm
I keep saying all this analytics crap is just destroying the sport because everyone feels like they need to score a TD on every drive. Sometimes you just need to kick the FG or punt the ball because it usually does come back & bite you at some point.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
Man, how many times are we gonna come off a bye and look like crap!!!!!Defense didn’t come
To play, and evidently the offense was pedestrian at best. Can anybody say
3 losses in a row???? We”ll be lucky at this rate to go 11-6 maybe even 10-7!!
November 9th, 2025 at 8:52 pm
We lost this game because 3 50+ yard tds that will demoralize any team. We can’t happen on ANY of football last time i checked coaches dont tackle nor do they run fit this on the players not sure who Bake is talking about during the press but im willing to bet my pay check its someone on Defense
November 9th, 2025 at 8:56 pm
It was the right call, but it was dumbass Shepard, the 10 year vet that should know better. At some point the players need to execute. Had soo many chances this game. Smith gave them an opportunity to win. 3rd and 3 and 4th and 3, I blame Baker who missed wide open white for Otton’s hospital ball. Also, why not run there? Gets you closer worst case still passing on 4th down. Just a head scratcher there.
November 9th, 2025 at 8:58 pm
Turn out the lights , the party’s over. This team won’t win the division. Put money on it.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
How about Shepard learn not to kill drives with penalties. Ok, much better this year but what a time to kill a drive ! He timed it perfectly to pull a stupid arse move !!!! Does he work for the other team ?
November 9th, 2025 at 9:01 pm
We will lose the next 2. Too msny soft, banged up players. Sorry, but it’s just not sustainable. Bowles, the odd, most confusing hire (I have my ideas why), should have never been hired as the HC in the first place. Grizzard has made this offense boring and predictable. Other than the Brady years, this will go down as one of those franchises with some of the most wasted talent that was never able to materialize a solid run. And don’t get me started on the genius idea for Bowles to bring in Bridgewater (he probably has requested for ol’ Teddy to get a shot at startin over Baker, knowing how dumb Bowles is), causing McMillan to be out for the year as well. Looked at the remaining schedule. We will finish 9-8, and might eke our way into a fourth seed, which is not fair to more deserving teams, because our division is the worst in the league. We are paper champs of the dumpster fire that is the NFC South. Sheesh, it is so embarrassing.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:13 pm
I think the rest of the season looks good for a playoff run. We have two tough away games coming up; Buffalo and the Rams. Then we finish the season with Arizona, New Orleans, Atlanta, Carolina, Miami and Carolina again.
Win one out of two with Bills and Rams and four out of six to end the season, we’re division champs again and have eleven wins for the season.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:16 pm
If the Bucs are as mentally weak as some of the fans posting here, they probably will not win another game.
I’m wondering how many of you plan to call off work tomorrow because your stomachs hurt.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:21 pm
Should have kixked the FG an the XP instead of going for 2 Bucs had this game won they gave the game away defense kept them in the game but the defense also gave up one to many Bug plays 3 Huge long TDs the 4th down TD before half was just an amazing play
November 9th, 2025 at 9:22 pm
KC with Reid and Mahomes lost their second Super Bowl. Now they are 5-4. If they had these fans they would be trying to run them out of town already.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:37 pm
The irony is that (my opinion) TB12 refused to retire after the SB win and that led to the chaos that resulted in Bowles being hired as HC. Had TB retired we may very well have ended up with Baker as QB and BA for a few more years. Leftwich may have succeeded BA (perish the thought). The Glazers (my opinion) likely exasperated from the chaos were boxed in and hired Bowles out of loyalty and remained loyal to him as his performance was just good enough. Letting Canales get away was understandable but they missed their chance with Coen. That showed an indecisiveness and lack of foresight (my opinion). The solid foundation they have built is beginning to crack and the Pirate Ship is leaking. What will they do next ? I hate so say it but after 50 years of Bucs nonsense and the current state of the NFL, I no longer care. I feel badly for Baker Mayfield as I fear he will get caught up in a mess not of his making. It wouldn’t surprise me if we lose him.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:46 pm
Plus the last 2 minutes disaster.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
This is exactly right. We didn’t want the 7 points apparently (2 FG’s and an XP). Thankfully the Pats coach is just as dumb and threw the ball up 5 in easy FG range which gave us a shot. Football coaches are not smart people.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:55 pm
The problem with our defense is the offense knows what’s coming each play
November 9th, 2025 at 9:57 pm
Everyone knows what Todd ball is. Frustratingly bad coaching, soft players, repetitive excuses. Just enough to frustrate local fans. Todd will never win the Super Bowl, he will not make it to any final four playoff, he is what he is. Stubborn, little passion, plays not to lose instead of to win. Ownership is happy, they’re not paying tons for coaches for the foreseeable future it is what it is.
November 9th, 2025 at 9:58 pm
Bucs will be one and done in the playoffs. I guarantee it !
November 9th, 2025 at 9:59 pm
Expect three straight loses for these Bucs. Todd ball.
November 9th, 2025 at 10:08 pm
I still think the difference between our offense now and earlier in the season is mayfield running. He must be hurt and they’re telling him not to run. The 3rd down play where he forced the ball to Otten, he could have easily ran for the 3 yards. It’s taking the pressure off the defenses with baker not running.
November 9th, 2025 at 10:42 pm
Glazers couldn’t fire a minority to hire Coen, them there is that facts ! Optics would be bad even though that was the move ! TB isn’t even a top DC, living on blitzing DBs and unable to develop an EDGE.
November 9th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
Pats went for a forth and goal instead of a FG. It worked and the Pats HC is a genius.
It was a good call by Bowles. He believed in his team.
November 9th, 2025 at 11:19 pm
Annual bowels midseason slump is up coming fellas. Mr.500 special
November 9th, 2025 at 11:31 pm
The problem with Joe’s logic, let’s just say the Bucs ki9cked the 2 field goals and got a 22-21 lead with 1:55 left. You can bet that Bowles’ D would give up an explosive play and the Bucs would give up a last second FGT or TD and lose anyhow. Bowles’ D gave up the explosive plays all day, they would have done that again or if Todd went prevent, Maye would have nickel and dimed it down the field for a winning field goal. Tough loss today.
November 9th, 2025 at 11:33 pm
Try to keep things in perspective. Outside of egbuka we dont have a
Red zone threat. Thats not going to change. We have no edge rush.
Thats not going to change. Our punter sucks. Sucks. Our linebacker
Core isnt very good either. And out secondary gives up big plays.
I do believe once Irvin returns amd the run game improves we
Get back on track. Still think 10 or 11 wins is possible. Would of
Been a hell of a season had 6 of our best players missed most the year.
November 9th, 2025 at 11:42 pm
Stupid sterling. I’m glad we went for it. Enemy territory at home. Our home. It was time for momentum and we have baker. Thank Sterling.