Not Only Have Offensive Injuries Caught Up With Bucs, They May Doom Bucs
November 19th, 2025
Bucs OC Josh Grizzard.
When you don’t have a defense, you better have an offense. A powerful offense.
All the injuries the Bucs have had finally caught up with them in Detroit. And the offense really hasn’t fully recovered.
The best the Bucs offense has looked in maybe a month was in Buffalo. The offense wasn’t really explosive, but explosive enough to win a game — provided the Bucs had a defense.
The way the Bucs’ defense has played, or more correctly, hasn’t played, the Bucs need a fully explosive, dangerous offense to overcome a defensive sieve. And thanks to the injuries to the skill position players, the Bucs don’t have that.
In typing about the Bucs offense, Brooke Pryor of BSPN also believes the injuries on offense may have Pearl Harbored the Bucs.
What has gone wrong? The aforementioned injuries have caused a big headache for the first-year playcaller. Receivers Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Jalen McMillan; running back Bucky Irving; and offensive linemen Tristan Wirfs, Luke Goedeke and Cody Mauch have all missed multiple games. Beyond that, the Bucs’ offense has especially struggled on third down where they rank in the bottom third, converting 36.2%.
The Bucs had a solid day in Buffalo on Sunday with third-down conversions, turning over half of their third downs into first downs. That’s not bad.
But again, despite the run game breaking out, the Bucs simply don’t have the horses on offense to put up 40 points a game. Not now. Not without Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving.
The way the defense is playing (849 yards allowed in the past two games), 40 points a game is exactly what the Bucs need to stay in the playoff chase.
November 19th, 2025 at 5:39 am
Good points, Joe.
Many injuries, and Mike being out is a biggie. Like many others have commented, his long legs are needed. Really missing him. Heart and soul on the field.
Not to forget all the bad calls on us, and the lack of calls on opposing teams. The refs have been bad most of the time for us. And we will all never forget the non-whistle and taking away a valid TD.
November 19th, 2025 at 6:30 am
Todd is being mocked by every ex football player. Everyone is calling him a quitter. I have to agree.
November 19th, 2025 at 6:36 am
I think injuries caught up to us in Detroit when Mike Evans went down for the season. And this is why it’s hard to categorize the Bucs as pretenders or contenders. They should get Bucky and Godwin back soon. But Bucs fans cannot expect Godwin to return to his Pro Bowl level. Right now it’s all about getting into the playoffs and winning ugly if we must.
November 19th, 2025 at 6:43 am
#99 the big fella – Respectfully, not every single ex football player is mocking Todd. Many still stand behind him, including our own players.
November 19th, 2025 at 6:43 am
Bowles has worn out his welcome in Tampa as far as the vast majority of fans are concerned. This team has lost it’s way because the HC/DC has lost his way. I couldn’t care less if they squeeze into the playoffs somehow. My guess right now is this team completely collapses in the weeks to come.
November 19th, 2025 at 7:13 am
It’s always going to be something with this team. Too many injuries, now they heal and the excuses will give them time to play together as they lose 3 more games. By that time more injuries and the season will be over.
November 19th, 2025 at 7:31 am
Hey Jude it was a general statement, just watch espn for a couple hours you will see many. His own players might say they support him publicly but we really don’t know how they feel. I was Todd’s biggest supporter. I argued with many people here. I just can’t do it anymore. Every year it’s the same crap with this defense.
Injuries hurt this offense, but most of the defense has been healthy. It’s definitely time for a change.
November 19th, 2025 at 7:33 am
We use to have a defense that said, give us 17, and we’ll make it stick. Now 32 isn’t enough. Todd Bowles defense will always let you down, and his in game decisions will always leave you reeling. By now it should be apparent to all Todd has taken us to his limits. This year might be different. Carolina is good enough to beat us. It won’t shock me if they do. If that happens, and Coen has more success in J Ville than Todd? Glazers might want to start putting out coaching feelers.