Todd Bowles: Receiver Injuries Haven’t Caught Up To Team
November 16th, 2025
Joe watched the Bucs pound the ball on the ground successfully over and over today in Buffalo.
The passing game? It’s got no rhythm, especially in the red zone, and it’s often stuck in the mud.
For Joe, watching live in Buffalo and simultaneously on YouTube TV (love that full-play delay), it’s clear the Bucs’ injuries at receiver have caught up to the offense.
No Mike Evans. No Chris Godwin. No Jalen McMillan. The ceiling on the offense is limited. And do not get Joe started on two-point conversions.
The Bucs probably run away with this game in Buffalo today if one of those aforementioned receivers was on the field, even with the horrid special teams play and porous defense.
Joe asked Todd Bowles if those receiver injuries caught up to the club this afternoon.
“I don’t think so,” Bowles said. “I thought we moved the ball well. We had a gritty game. We had a good gameplan. When you score 32 points, you’re supposed to win.”
Bowles is correct on the 32-points line, but how much more dominant could the offense have been with better receivers softening up the Buffalo run defense even more, freeing Emeke Egbuka from double-teams, and being able to execute themselves in the pass game? Do the Bucs really punt on 4th-and-2 late midway through the fourth quarter with a $20 milliion reciever on the field?
November 16th, 2025 at 6:01 pm
Fire Bowles!! Dont blame it on anything else
November 16th, 2025 at 6:04 pm
Reaching just to save your beloved Bowles Run game came through the offense scored. The Defense is what they have been under Bowles. Riding the coat tails of Arians, Coen, Brady, is over
November 16th, 2025 at 6:07 pm
TODD BOWLES has caught up to team
November 16th, 2025 at 6:08 pm
32 points.
3 take aways.
200 rushing yards.
Still took an L. Allen best day of the year. 44 points. When is the radio express over!!
November 16th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
Side rant here, why are the refs always bailing out Mahomes? Pick 6 nullified by illegal contact. We know the answer, Mahomes is the poster boy for the NFL.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:09 pm
The only thing that’s caught up is Bowles’ incompetence.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:10 pm
What a shame that Tucker’s glorious game went down the tubes. Anyone surprised we lost? We will seldom if ever going to beat a good passing team with this set of players/scheme. No surprise here. Maybe for 813 and other fans in love with Bowels.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
It’s either the receivers, the qb or the scheme. Pass game is disjointed and something is not right.
It also doesn’t matter if the d gives up 44.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
They exploited the Bills weakness.You squealed run all week. They weren’t going to pass. They were running. 32 points worth. Both the run and pass defense failed again. And don’t say it was just because Mr Injury prone left again. Bowles and his ST Coach needs to go period.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:15 pm
Maybe so…but the league has caught up and bypassed Bowles illogical scheme.
Bad contracts and/or extensions have.
Standing on business at trade deadline may have coauthor up to the lack of depth/talent on back half of the roster.
This team is unraveling…but then again they have the last few seasons…only to emerge as the tallest midget in the NFC South. It’s going to be a lot harder to do it this year.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
Just BAD coaching/leadership has caught up to the team…
November 16th, 2025 at 6:16 pm
Grizz will be here next season. SMH
November 16th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
Receiver one, two and three are out. Yes its hurting the Bucs. So is the defense and STs.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Let’s blame Baker then. This was his third interception he has thrown this year but somehow this must be his fault that they lost. Josh Allen threw two interceptions today and yet the Bills had 44 points. TB has virtually no pass rush and man coverage players. It was an easy day for the Bills to score 44 points.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
Only issue I had with the offense considering everything they are dealing with was the inability to capitalize on turnovers. They are over achieveing for the most part IMO. Could they be better, sure.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
It doesn’t help when all your WRs aside from EE are 5’8 160lbs. Shepard, Kam Johnson, Tez…Kudos to the braintrust of Licht and Bowles for drafting and playing nothing but smurfs. Of course we’re having trouble in the red zone.
All the while, our TE are completely ignored. 0 TDs this season.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:19 pm
He’s right, the recievers that are out haven’t affected this team, the defense has. This defensive scheme has run its course. We can’t beat elite teams, we definitely stink verses elite quarterbacks. Over 200 yards rushing, decent pass plays and enough offense to win this game. Next week the Ram’s, they can easily hang another forty on us. We will reach the playoffs by winning the division. If we can muster that achievement, either we lose again at home or we show our true colors the following week on the road. Start queing Don Meredith, turn out the lights the party is over. Baker’s face said it all while Josh Allen easily marched down the field on this defense, priceless.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:22 pm
Godwin and Evans are done. McMillan is not coming back this year and the the OC is nothing special. No TDs for tight ends this year and little use every game. On defense, we have old and declining players in LVD, and below average LBs with no pass rush and no coverage. Kancey is a china doll, Dean will not be back, Winfield has regressed, Zyon, Hall and Yaya suck and VVea is one dimensional. Bucs have kept Bowles bc it’s a terrible division. Bucs have barely beat some bad teams but get exposed when they play a real, well coached team.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:23 pm
Todd’s shoelaces were also untied. The problem is Todd’s defense and handpicked special teams coach.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Todd finds blame everywhere but in the mirror. That’s why the players respect him so much.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:26 pm
Worst coached NFL game ever. Todd Bowles has singlehandidly cost the Bucs about 6 wins in the past 3 years when he has chosen to not let the Bucs go for it on 4th & a few yards, instead punting it thinking the defense will hold after not doing so the entire game. How dumb is he?
November 16th, 2025 at 6:27 pm
I’d say pretty dumb.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
Allen just had a game of his life an Bmo got caught in bad position a cpl times but he will be fine he’s a rookie learning Idk what play Dean got hurt on he only played 3 plays an was on the field when Parrish picked off Allen Dean was jumping up an down after the pick excited so idk where he hurt himself but Bucs will be fine we played 2 of the best teams in the NFL the last 2 weeks with a bunch of injuries an when the Bucs get there guys back it’s a whole different team they will go on the end of season run like they alwAys fon
November 16th, 2025 at 6:28 pm
Bad coaching and Jason Licht did
November 16th, 2025 at 6:32 pm
It’s idiotic statements like this that just reconfirm what a lot of us already know. Of course the lack of WR depth is hurting the offense. A rookie and two punt returners masquerading as wr’s, and not much at TE. A little thing called the trade deadline passed without a move (thanks Licht). Yeah, a veteran wideout wouldn’t have helped here. Pathetic.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:33 pm
Relax everyone. This is a good thing. Firstly, this was not unforeseen. This team has had a good run. Secondly, we have a true franchise QB and I dare say he will likely have a huge influence in the future of the team. This opens up the opportunity to pay Baker the huge money it will take to keep him here and give him what he wants and he wants to win. We have the key pieces and Jason is good. The coaching search will go so much better and far better candidates will avail themselves because of Baker and the front office reputation. Just be patient. By march the hopeium will be flowing freely.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:35 pm
Oh, I forgot one thing. What if the Glazers don’t fire Bowles ?
November 16th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
I think we can all agree that if Baker can get us 30+ points, but with 2 turnovers, that should be a W every week – am I right?
November 16th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
Baker won’t stay if Bowles stays. Winners want to be around winners.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:38 pm
All around the Bucs problems are decisions made at the top. The philosophy to only have pay players drafted it’s easier in the wallet. Keeping an out dated stubborn head coach with play not lose mentality, players who lack killer instinct since the coaches place them in positions to fail, and a head coach who loses fourteen more games than he wins. That is almost one season to
Account for. Accept Todd ball or frustrate yourself to no end.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:39 pm
You have a rookie in EE as WR1, an aging Shep and as HeartyDickerson pointed out, the other receivers are small AND rookies. How do you gameplan a solid passing game with this crew? Plus, our TEs are 2nd tier at best. Licht blew it at the trade deadline by not going after one or two experienced receivers.
I’m of the mind that our beloved ME13 and. CG14 are done or will have little impact if they make it back in time for post season (assuming we get there). JMac is also a question mark. Our WR Room was packed during camp. Next season it will be a ghost town with the few kids we have left, EE and whatever draft picks Licht pins his hopes to. Licht committed GM malpractice by not reinforcing our WR Room at the trade deadline.
Mayfield had lots of time in the pocket today, but nobody to throw the ball to. We got some luck or “Mayfield magic” to get some of our early wins to cover for our personnel losses, but that was bound to end at some point.
PS – wtf is up with our ST coverage?
November 16th, 2025 at 6:40 pm
The team can’t overcome the coaching staff.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:43 pm
Coaching has
November 16th, 2025 at 6:44 pm
Unfortunately, even with everyone healthy Todd is a death sentence
This team plays to the level of it’s coach and this is the 4th time in a row the same thing has happened
It’s the definition of insanity at this point, we just keep hoping it is going to miraculously fix itself
Todd is the common denominator
November 16th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Do not forget the circumstances that led to the hiring of Todd Bowles. Criticisms aside Bowles was put in a difficult situation. The Glazers and Jason Licht had a HUGE mess to to clean up. They did well. Todd Bowles got crapped on, took it with a smile on his face and performed admirably. He is a first class guy and owes no apologies. Many NFL head coaches fail. Todd Bowles did not fail. He succeeded under difficult circumstances. His 3-4 defense has run it’s course. We fans owe Todd Bowles a debt of gratitude for his part in the evolution of this team. In retrospect his tenure may go down as both critical and favorable. I speak as though he is already gone but it seems inevitable to me.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
You have a rookie the size of a female cheerleader, a 10 year vet who at best is a #5 receiver, and a #1 pick who is routinely double covered but as Todd says that doesn’t matter. It doesn’t matter either that he has EDGE rushers covering wide receivers 30 yards downfield. When all else fails, it is EXECUTION to blame. No kidding? Need some new cliches to explain this mess.
November 16th, 2025 at 6:54 pm
Who couldn’t see that a Meyers pick up would have been nice. Two rooks and Shep is all we need, yeah, ok. Forget 88, they use him to block. Plus, he has little YAC. Meyers would have been a nice player for the next few years and won’t cost 22 mil per.
JL put himself in a corner with that ridiculous CG contract. If, ME wants to comeback he’ll have to more than CG. Thats an aging guy and an often injured somewhat aging guy making 40 plus per year. Not good moves and contracts that kill.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:00 pm
Bucs have got to be the only team ever to score 30+ points, get 3 takeaways, and rush over 200 yards, and still lose… (not including overtime games).
HISTORICALLY PATHETIC DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS
November 16th, 2025 at 7:01 pm
This man is delusional. If he really believes it, then why is the passing game so bad?
November 16th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
BigZ Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 6:54 JL put himself in a corner with that ridiculous CG contract.
^^^^^
WRONG ! It was costly but Jason made it right for CG. I still contend that injury was essentially career ending and it should not have happened. There can be debate over Todd’s decision not to pull the starters but s… happens. Jason made a decision in both parties best interest.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:04 pm
he is delusional, Agree !!
November 16th, 2025 at 7:06 pm
This team is done done.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:07 pm
Totally agree with HeartyDickerson about the smurfs. Ever since Evans went down, in fact during that game, announcers were criticizing Mayfield for “throwing too high” when a high throw was the right throw to beat the defender. Several long balls over Tez’s head would not have been over Evans or even Godwin. A quarterback depends on receivers catching contested balls because the defenders are tight. Baker is excellent at throwing high ropes in tight places, but receivers have to be able to reach them.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:09 pm
Todd is who he is…be nice ownership understand that’s all Todd can produce. His teams regress. His teams have spotted heart (sometimes and some players), generally no answers only excuses. It’s not going to change. This is Todd.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:16 pm
Roscoe, CG had an acl two years ago and an ankle on backwards last year, fact. Hes almost 30. Hes not a HOF. BAD USE of the cap. It’s highly unlikely he will not return to form.
I like my team more than a specific player. You said two different things BTW.
Yep he made it right for CG, but wrong for the team, fact. Owe, 22 mil guaranteed nextvyear a0s well. I guess you care about gas making it right for a player at any expense.
I said last year don’t resign him. Again, if ME wants to come back 40 plus in two aging and injured was, but hey JL made it right.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:19 pm
Barely average HC = barely average team.
This defensive “genius” gets right a couple times per season, the rest is nail biting and futility.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
Roscoe….👍
November 16th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
Yep, Licht deserves some blame for resigning Godwin at an obscene number. We do all love him though!
Bowels just blows chunks at this point. We saw Nelson deep in coverage, YaYa deep in coverage and no pass rush. WT absolute F? The defense sucks. We scored 32 on the road. How do we not win? We had 3 turnovers, but when it wasn’t turned over, we should have just had 11 apple turnovers out there on defense. Pathetic!
November 16th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Funny how folks are starting to agree with me now…
Godwin and Evans are done.
Stop wasting our salary cap on old washed up injured players.
Right Rod?
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
November 16th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
OK GLAZER BOYS ,TIMECTO STEP UP AND FIRE THIS COACH .IT NEVER GETS BETTER ON DEFENCE ! AS DEPLEATED AS ARE OFFENCE IS ,WE SCORED ENOUGH POINTS . BUT TODD BOWLES DEFENCE AND SPECIAL TEAMS KILLED US AGAIN . YOUR FATHER WOULD NEVER STAND FOR THIS ! WHY ARE YOU ! MAYBE YALL LIKE CULVERHOUSE .PUT BUTTS IN THE SEATS JUST FOR MONEY . SURE HOPE NOT . I WONT BUY ANOTHER TICKET IF BOWLES REMANS COACH .
November 16th, 2025 at 7:33 pm
When the Glasers start to lose money they’ll get a different coach. Todd is not it.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
“When you score 32 points, you’re supposed to win.”
Correct, Todd. Unless you have an inept HC\DC that oversees the worst defense in the NFL.
All it took was Josh Allen having a career day with 6 total TDs and nearly 400 yards on his own.
Anyone thinking Bowles can lead this team to the SB is out of their depth.
Just a matter of time now. Seven games to be exact.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:34 pm
At least he’s keeping the tradition Monte Kiffin set forth, when Simeon Rice and Warren Sapp would cover WRs 30yds down field like glue, Freeing up our corner backs & safeties to rush the passer
November 16th, 2025 at 7:37 pm
Let ‘em bake Says:
November 16th, 2025 at 7:24 pm
^^^^^
Thanks
November 16th, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Marine Buc – Huh? I literally haven’t seen a single person other than you rooting for our two ALL PRO WRs to not be on the field.
November 16th, 2025 at 7:45 pm
Short qb with short Wr’s in red zone means no 2pt conversions and losing to good teams.
November 16th, 2025 at 8:22 pm
We gave up 2 touchdowns to stupid schemes putting in ends on receivers an backs .some times you just need to play smash nose football stop trying to be so cute …An the media has him full of his self talking about bowls an his exotic blitz’s see how that worked out today
November 16th, 2025 at 8:29 pm
White could of been used in the receiver game, both backs on the field.
November 16th, 2025 at 8:45 pm
duh. everyone else is scramble drill guys only. no one else can win a route.
November 16th, 2025 at 9:04 pm
Probably need to add another walk through practice to make sure the bucs stay locked in seems to be working.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:05 pm
A bold face lie. Makes you a bold face liar. Cut the schnitzel dude. Of course it caught up… is he nuts?? GTFO ✋️ 🫸 🫷 ✋️ dropping vita vea and Yaya I nto coverage. Anthomy Nelson was xovwr James Cook the speedster blew by him in an instant. What a great defensive design…brilliant 👏 👌 👍
November 16th, 2025 at 10:05 pm
If they don’t make the playoffs and I am leaving in they won’t. Then they need to blow this up. Keep the young core pieces and Baker of course cause can ball. Get rid of all these older dudes that are well over 30 and any injury prone players.
November 16th, 2025 at 10:58 pm
The bills have worst receiving core 8n the league, yet today r3ceivers are wide open 15 yards downfield, who would have thought defensive end Anthony Nelson couldn’t play corner back. This is the stupid crape bowles comes up with and why the defense gave up 44 points. Soon stupid