Uphill Battle For Bucs In The First Quarter
November 21st, 2025
Need points early.
Joe has heard the “start fast” line so often the past few years, it goes in one ear and out the other.
Of course you want to start fast. This is fundamental football. It’s so obvious it really shouldn’t be spoken. It’s like saying an offense wants to convert first downs. You don’t say?
But Sunday night, the starting-fast line may be no truer than it will be all season.
Per Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis. The Rams really pound teams in the first quarter. The Bucs? They’re one of the worst teams to get in gear right away.
*The Rams have outscored opponents 69-26 (+43) in the first quarter, the largest margin in the league.
*The Bucs have been outscored 33-58 (-25) in the first quarter, 28th in the league.
And the Bucs aren’t the greatest team in coming from behind, especially without Mike Evans and Chris Godwin.
So Bucs offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard better be on point with his scripted plays. And please, guys, don’t go chasing points early in the game by being cute with two-point attempts. Save the Harry High School plays until you really need them.
November 21st, 2025 at 9:28 am
Yes, first I don’t consider even a remote possibility that the Bucs even keep the score close , much less winning. With that said if the Bucs don’t start fast in this game it could be over and will likely be over by the end of the first quarter. I don’t mean to be a pessimist. However, the Bucs have noooo defense currently. The offense, still missing to many players. The Rams on the other hand are peaking while the Bucs are headed toward losing their division. Yes these teams are heading in opposite directions and the score is likely to reflect such. The highlight for the Bucs maybe actually seeing Chris Godwin get back on the field even if only on a limited basis. That would be great.
Yes, this is now the season that could have been.
November 21st, 2025 at 9:39 am
Our coaching staff has proven that it has no idea when and why you should go for two.
November 21st, 2025 at 9:40 am
First quarter points are important. But, just as important is establishing the run and controlling the time of possession.
If Tampa throws six passes, possesses the ball two and a-half minutes, and scores three times in the first half, the Bucs are going to lose when the Rams respond three times with six minute complimentary scoring drives. The defense will be sucking air by the end of the first half, and too slow and tired to stop anything in the second half.
The Bucs strength with this offensive line is running the football. So, run the football!
November 21st, 2025 at 9:46 am
At least we’ll know if we can go to bed early or not
November 21st, 2025 at 9:47 am
If its 10-0 Rams after Q1, I would call that a success.
November 21st, 2025 at 9:54 am
Not going to watch it. I will check the open thread to see the crying . Next morning we’ll see if Bowles Hot Seat is heating up. Hopefully it is.
November 21st, 2025 at 9:54 am
Two rules to stick with against the Rams …
1 – Go for TDs, don’t settle for FGs.
2 – Go for it on 4th down unless there’s obviously zero chance of making it. Punting is for the birds.
Rams are sporting a 64.4% Red Zone TD percentage. They’re holding their opponents to only a 43.8% Red Zone TD percentage (their defense ranks #2 in that category).
November 21st, 2025 at 9:54 am
“You don’t hate the media enough. You think you do, but you don’t.”
November 21st, 2025 at 9:55 am
The real question is am I going to drink more beers than we score points