Todd Bowles Torched For Punting
November 18th, 2025
Awareness? Ego? Or both?
Sometimes, a football coach needs to separate himself from his players for the good of his team.
And, a coach needs awareness, an ability to recognize how a game unfolds. No game is predictable. A game has ebbs and flows, ups and downs, momentum swings back and forth. Every quarter has a different feel.
Being able to recognize all of the above in the moment often separates the great coaches from the good, the good from the average, the average from the bad.
Adjust on the fly.
Sunday, Todd Bowles had a terrible sense of awareness and feel for the game that maybe cost the Bucs a valuable win. No, his defense wasn’t playing good ball. In fact, they were playing terrible football, the worst of the season.
The offense, specifically the run game, was having its best game of the season. Bowles failed to recognize both. And it cost him.
Sure, he also failed to recognize his kickoff team couldn’t tackle. That wasn’t going to be fixed midgame. Bowles admitted to Joe after the game he “talked about” kicking the ball out of bounds on kickoffs as Buffalo averaged 39 yards a return.
Instead of just “talked about” doing something, Bowles chose doing nothing. How’d that work out?
Veteran NFL reporter and columnist Tyler Dunne, who runs his own NFL substack site “GoLongTD.com,” watched in disbelief how Bowles apparently made himself believe the Bucs could actually get a stop on Buffalo quarterback Josh Allen, who was in the midst of a record-setting day (haven’t we had our fill of watching quarterbacks set personal records against a Todd Bowles defense?). In the previous three Buffalo possessions the Bucs coughed up a combined 16 points.
The Bucs, with their best running game of the season, had a third-and-two from the Bucs-39. They decided to throw to a No. 5 receiver and then punt, even though both of their running backs were averaging five yards a carry against a soft Buffalo run defense.
The result was predictable, apparently to everyone at the stadium and the millions watching on CBS. Except to Bowles.
Buffalo scored and the ballgame is over.
In truth, the Bills won this game with 7:38 remaining when Bowles inexplicably opted to punt on fourth and 2. His Bucs trailed, 37-32, from their own 39-yard line. For some reason, he thought the odds of Tampa Bay stopping an unstoppable quarterback were higher than gaining two yards.
A throwback to McDermott cowardice past. (He’s grown immensely in this department.)
Buffalo made Bowles pay with an eight-play, 85-yard drive that iced the game and ought to register as an epiphany for the 2025 Bills. When Allen’s feeling it, two yards from any part of the field are attainable.
Harsh but not inaccurate words. Notice Dunne did not call Bowles a coward. Rather, Dunne wrote the decision to punt reminded Dunne of cowardice from the past of a different coach.
Feel free to connect the dots.
This, to Joe, wasn’t really cowardice, but a profound lack of awareness and maybe ego.
My players will get a stop. My defense will get a stop.
Awareness, often, is just as important as coaching ability.
And one could add the most important lesson Joe has learned covering the NFL: Never, ever, underestimate the power of egos within the league.
If Bowles had gone for it on fourth down, he would basically be admitting in a very public way his players and his defense weren’t good enough to get one stop and get the ball back.
Killer instinct, huh?
November 18th, 2025 at 7:10 am
New poll, would you be willing to miss the playoffs this year if it meant that Bowels gets fired?
November 18th, 2025 at 7:10 am
Seems like a bit of rationalization of the situation, but okay.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:15 am
@Jugheadfla1: You know quite well that the Glazers do not handle a change in coaching until after the season………
November 18th, 2025 at 7:15 am
Anyone that answers yes to that isn’t a Bucs fan at all.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:20 am
We can argue the Bowles malfunctions until we’re blue in the face. Truth is, the organization seems to love him. Players, the G.M. and even ownership do whatever it takes to cover for him.
His in-game decisions reek with ineptitude, yet he remains. Agreeing with nearly everybody alive, his decision to punt Sunday should have cost him his job. Yet as his blunders mount his job security never seems threatened. Hope I’m wrong.
They sent Gruden packing for less.
Lastly, is it me or has Bowles been spending an inordinate amount of time at the buffet table?
Perhaps a good run will clear his head.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:21 am
Look…we got beat by the best team in the AFC…with a MVP QB…we lost this game because of special teams…they don’t go for it on 4th a few times if they weren’t ALWAYS on our side of the 50…fire the special teams coach…at this point anything is better
November 18th, 2025 at 7:22 am
Great article and well said Joe. You hit the nail on the head…lack of awareness and feel for the game. I often wonder why TB makes crazy decisions, like running the ball eight times…I guess like you said…ego.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:24 am
This is a Fireable Offense when the season is over and his job as a coach is evaluated. His strength is supposed to be the Defense. Our Defense stinks against the Pass and it has been that way since TB left. Bowles has lucked out getting Baker and OC’s that were good. What has he done as a Head Coach? Not much. He is way too conservative with his thought process. Punting the ball with only 2 yards to go to a MVP QB that had been killing them all day? What was he thinking? I’m sorry but I can defend Todd no more. He needs to go at the end of the season and bring in an Offensive guy. Buh Bye Todd. You have reached your ceiling with this team. Go Bucs!
November 18th, 2025 at 7:25 am
Ok, time’s up. If any coach is that delusional to actually think “my team will get a stop” when they haven’t all game, then that is an admission he has stopped coaching and is a fan. No, Todd, the can’t get a stop. You’re too close to the forest to see the trees. JL, it’s time to end this charade. There has been no improvement over the years of his stint as HC. You have to step in and make a change, now or after this mess of a season is over.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:26 am
A defensive genius Bowles is not. Bowles has shown that he is unable to craft a defensive game plan week in and week out with the players he has vs. the team they are facing. He does sometimes come up with good defensive plans but sometimes is merely mediocrity.
The problem is that Bowles dreams up schemes that his players are unable to maintain and even after a mountain of evidence expects that beginning with the next play, next series, next game, next srason, it will suddenly click and his defensive genius will be as evident to others as it is to himself.
Coach Bowles – put aside your hopes and dreams and put the defensive players in a position to be successful – please. Oh – and while you are at it, ST and objective situational awareness really needs your attention too.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:26 am
I may not stay up to watch… depressing trend
November 18th, 2025 at 7:27 am
This is who Bowles is and has been.
He didnt trust Brady in Pittsburgh to close out the game.
He didnt trust Baker in the WAS playoff game on 4th and goal, and opted to kick a FG to never get the ball back.
And he did it again versus the Bills.
Todd loves his kickers. This is why paying Baker $60 million a year is a bad idea if they keep Bowles. He’ll never trust his offense with the game on the line. He hasn’t improved his decision making in 4 seasons. Absolutely pathetic from a leadership standpoint.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:31 am
I’m not sure it’s awareness. I think it’s a 61 year old defensive HC’s mind set: “this is what you’re supposed to do”
Maybe I’m wrong. He’s been better in this department this year but when it mattered he reverted back to what he’s always been.
He should be roasted for this.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:33 am
My defense will get a stop.
This is why Jason Licht needs to force Todd Bowles to hire a defensive coordinator from outside the team. This isn’t the first time he has made this same decision and we lost the game because of his ego.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:41 am
As much as we fans and pundits point out the shortcomings of bowles, nothing will change. I feel bad for Baker and lavonte.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:44 am
It was the ultimate give-up slide. Bowles seems like a nice fella…but he’s on the brink of losing the team for the 3rd season in a row. Hopefully he rallies up yet again ( with Baker’s help )…or not. He does seem to have a lifetime contract a la Jason Licht.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:44 am
Why do commenters and writers on this site always whine about last weeks game? Do you think Bowles and his staff care? Do you think your thoughts mean that much? Does it make you feel good thinking you’re an assistant to the owners? lol
I’d love to see content let’s say deans injury status, or something constructive about our next game
November 18th, 2025 at 7:47 am
TBfan Says:
Look…we got beat by the best team in the AFC…with a MVP QB…we lost this game because of special teams…they don’t go for it on 4th a few times if they weren’t ALWAYS on our side of the 50…fire the special teams coach…at this point anything is better
———————————————————————————
Special teams was certainly deserves more credit for the loss than they are getting in my opinion.
As bad as the defense was playing, and it was bad, requiring them to stop one of the best QBs on the planet and the Bills when they were beginning drives close to the 50 yard line or in Bucs territory was asking a lot.
All that said, I believe Tyler Dunne’s criticism was fair.
But those calling for Bowles head are ridiculous. A single bad game in the regular season isn’t going to get any coach fired. The Glazer’s will judge him on the full season and in the playoffs.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:47 am
It would be refreshing/stunning if he fell on his sword just once…instead of explaining nonsense away.
November 18th, 2025 at 7:50 am
Deeboo, why worry about injury reports? Staff hasn’t been forthcoming with the truth on that either!
November 18th, 2025 at 7:55 am
Those bye week adjustments are working. Haven’t stopped a drive since N.O.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:07 am
The problem was the play call on 3rd & 2….you should run on that play…either a first down or 4th & 1
November 18th, 2025 at 8:13 am
not only is all of that true, he also forgot his D needed time to recover from constant sucking (wind)
November 18th, 2025 at 8:18 am
Projected as of this week
19th draft pick
November 18th, 2025 at 8:19 am
Winny Testaverde. Bowles has never directly owned any criticism for the defensive shortcomings or other issues like special teams. He trusts his players too much or relies on faulty analytics when it comes to 4th down, 2 point tries, allowing kickoff returns etc…… Todd could be delusional, unable to read a situation or just plain arrogant like Lovie Smith was. BTW, has Todd used this clock mansgement expert they got from the Jags or is he ignoring him? If Todd is following his advice, the specialist should be fired.Todd has said the team is close to putting everything together….. That is delusional or an utter lie where he insults the intelligence of Buc fans and the reporters who demand accountabilty.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:24 am
You brought up good points, Joe. A lot of us have been trying to remain optimistic.
Special Teams should have been addressed already. Very disappointing. The kick offs!
Going for 2 points over and over again was messed up. Reminded me of getting to the red zone over and over again, and not getting a TD.
Today is Coach Bowles 62nd birthday. I am guessing he isn’t having much fun yet. He isn’t perfect, no one is. And it’s not all on him. The OC, Special Teams, players, … We do have some of our best players on the injured list. Have to see how we do next week. Go Bucs!
November 18th, 2025 at 8:25 am
Winny Testaverde Says
“It was the ultimate give-up slide. Bowles seems like a nice fella…but he’s on the brink of losing the team for the 3rd season in a row.”
He has never “lost the team.” That is a lie.
.
St.Pete Salty Buc Says
“Those bye week adjustments are working. Haven’t stopped a drive since N.O.”
That is also a lie.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:27 am
This defensive scheme doesn’t work! Players are constantly out of position and when asked there is always a “communication issue”. Maybe simply the defense and allow the players to do what they do best rather asking to do something that is not in their strongest skill set (NT dropping into coverage). Put your players in a position to succeed!
November 18th, 2025 at 8:28 am
No I wouldn’t like to see Bowles gone now but defiantly after the season is over please get rid of him he just dont have the skill to be a HC as the Jets already new.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:29 am
@Deeboooo the Bucs don’t share details about their player injuries. The game plan for next week will be the same as this one. Edge rushers and tackles dropping into coverage and soft zone across the entire secondary.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:29 am
Buccaneer Bonzai. You said it before I did. This team is in lockstep with their coach. This season isn’t over. Not by a long shot. And I ain’t Whistling Dixie.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:34 am
Here’s another one. He said he thought about kicking the ball out of bounds. Why would you do that instead of kicking it out of the end zone. Out of bounds gives them the ball at the 40 yard line instead of the 35. As if the Bills offense needed us to give them an extra 5 yards. Stupid!
November 18th, 2025 at 8:39 am
A win against the Rams would be outstanding, but even without one we’re heading for a 5-6 game winning streak to close out the season (assuming Baker plays them).
The Galzers are not going to fire him after that happens. We’re looking at 11-12 wins this year, and if we beat the Rams, tack on another win to that record.
And as I’ve said so many time this season:
🏈 Make the playoffs
🏈 Be ready for the playoffs
That is all that matters. When Week 17 is done, that’s when they have to be playoff ready.
A lot can happen between now and then, with our team and others.
NO ONE KNOW WHAT THE PLAYOFF PICTURE WILL BE LIKE YET.
Our defense and offense could both be gelling by then. The ST could be fixed.
We could have key players come back from injury.
Our opponents in the playoffs will have their own issues to deal with.
So all of this whining after a loss means nothing. Complaining about only having a half game lead at this point means nothing. Our lead will expand again in the final 6 games.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:40 am
just to clarify my comment, I meant firing him after the season, obviously not during
November 18th, 2025 at 8:49 am
Haahahaha then last week vs patriots, we go for it and miss it. Then its “why did we go for it”… gotta love hindsight in sports
November 18th, 2025 at 8:51 am
i would prefer if bowles says he’s not answering any questions about last weeks L….
this crap is embarrassing…
GO BUCS!!!!
November 18th, 2025 at 8:54 am
Tired of listening to Bowles defending his bad judgement. The guy simply makes critical errors in every game and then trys to justify his terrible decisions. Time for the Bucs to move on after another one and done finish this season.
November 18th, 2025 at 8:55 am
Bowles will always be Bowles!! That’s who he is! Tampa needs a new HC!! This was true the past 2 seasons and is very apparent this season too!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 18th, 2025 at 8:58 am
No marbles in that situation. If you can go for 2 to up the situational value of a score, then you can go for it on 4th & 2 with the game hanging in the balance. It was a weak move imo
November 18th, 2025 at 9:07 am
Lane Kiffin
November 18th, 2025 at 9:10 am
I think the biggest take away is that we ended up in 4th in 2 because we passed the football on 3rd in 2, despite both of our running backs averaging 5+ yards per carry.
That was terrible playcalling — in that moment. All these knee-jerk reactions demanding people be fired, absolutely ridiculous.
Tbf, Bowles should catch a lot of flack for continuously allowing defensive ends to drop back into coverage — Anthony Nelson and YaYa Diaby have NO interest covering anybody that isn’t an offensive lineman — but to call for the firing of coaches is some of the dumbest s#!t I’ve read.
You’re all overreacting like a bunch of rainbow-colored snowflakes at a climate change parade.