Let’s Be Real: Bucs Are Not A Good Team
November 24th, 2025
Bucs are a bad team.
Since all the injuries to the offense mounted and defenses began respecting Emeka Egbuka, and since the Bucs defense started playing as if Mike Smith returned to coach them, this Bucs team has turned bad.
In fact, the way the Bucs are playing, they are not looking anything like a playoff team.
They look like a team with a top-10 pick in the draft.
Since the bye, the Bucs’ defense is getting lit up like a Roman candle on the Fourth of July. Every week it seems like a quarterback has a career day or sets personal records. First it was Drake Maye. Then Josh Allen. Sunday night it was Matt Stafford’s turn.
The Bucs offense is in disarray. The Bucs defense is an unholy sieve. Chris Godwin’s return helped but by the time it seemed the Bucs offense got into gear, the game was over. Baker Mayfield hitting Tez Johnson was the lone Bucs touchdown.
Getting chain-whipped tonight, the Bucs had little choice but to deviate from the run game.
Once Emeka Egbuka was moved to No. 1 receiver by necessity because of injuries, the passing game waned and Egbuka has gone from Offensive Rookie of the Year leader to being suffocated by defenses.
Bucky Irving wasn’t running the ball well when he got hurt but he was dangerous in the passing game.
Simply put, the Bucs are not a good team right now. They are playing like a team hellbent on a top-10 draft pick, not a team that two months ago had Super Bowl aspirations.
There is very little good this team is doing.
Joe thinks if the Bucs really do have good coaches, they will find a way to snap this team out of its funk. And they better find a way fast. Otherwise, when the cavalry does show up (Mike Evans, Bucky Irving, Calijah Kancey), it will be too late.
The Bucs simply do not look like a playoff team the past three weeks. They look closer to one of the wretched Bucs teams during the Lost Decade.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:09 am
“The Bucs defense is an unholy sieve.”
—
Well. not to be picky. But if the sieve is unholy then how can it be considered a sieve? It’s the holes that make the magic happen. So to speak.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:11 am
Without magic comebacks the first three weeks… this is a 3-8 sinkhole of a team. This shows just how much Liam Coen meant to this team and Baker Mayfield. Im smelling a musky draft and these owners need to clean house. Bowles, Grizzard and Licht need to go. A freshness needs to be brought in the Bucs head shed…
November 24th, 2025 at 1:12 am
Nothing changes if nothing changes, we need a new defensive coordinator.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:13 am
I see a 7-10 record in our future. Or 8-9 tops
We suck.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:15 am
I agree with Joe, lately this looks like one of the worst teams in the NFL.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:15 am
A few games of tape on Grizzard was all it took. He is not the answer. Our studs are either out hurt or playing hurt or playing old. Our Oline is incomplete and porous. Our QB is our most consistent runner and now hurt. This team has no identity.
But I don’t think they’ll get rid of Bowles without a solid plan to replace him. So it’ll be on Licht to fix the defensive front seven and on Bowles to find another new OC.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:16 am
I do not think Bowles knpws how to fix the D, else he would have.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:18 am
I guess once again we have to watch them showboat when beating up on lesser teams when Bowles pretends beating losers means they turned the corner and fixed things AGAIN. 3 years in a row and all we get is the year but because apparently it’s a hot take to call Bowles a bad coach
November 24th, 2025 at 1:29 am
Tall qb,s make a difference. Tall receivers are bigger targets.
Egbuka is not Tall and stellar Mike Evans.
Just like the NBA, it’s about height and athleticism at the qb and wr position.
We don’t have to worry about a Baker Mayfield 55 million dollar contract next year. He is simply to short..
Add a a few TALL WR’s like Evans and we’re good.
Good luck.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:33 am
Let’s be honest 100%…. Todd Bowles is not a ” Defensive Guru .” He lacks in so many ways that the exposure has come to light. Time and time again the Buccaneers defense were bought and paid for by the Rams today but this has been the case for several weeks now. Get another head coach. Baker Mayfield deserves better help.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:33 am
I was there to the bitter end. The Rams fans were at least nice about it. Shame that was my son’s first live football game. He asked me why we couldn’t do what the Rams were doing. I didn’t have any excuses to offer. Even before Mayfield left, we just don’t look like a capable team. My son said it looked like JV playing varsity. I hope they turn things around. Go Bucs!
November 24th, 2025 at 1:53 am
At least we’ll always be the Week 6 ESPN Power Poll champions with the week 6 NFL MVP!
But… they’re 6-5, and they’re a 6-5 team. They’re not bad, they’re not good, they’re just kind of middling.
Too many injuries to be more than that.
But, guys are coming back, schedule gets much easier. If the Bucs can win next week, they’re 7-5. So win next week, and the mood is totally different.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:56 am
do not sleep on the cards…they’re a little better than their record reveals…
i had them as a trap game upon first look at the schedule…
no baker next week could spell bad…
this full on collapse is getting scary…only team we beat the past month and a half is the saints
November 24th, 2025 at 2:01 am
rod offering up that positivity ^^^ 🙂
November 24th, 2025 at 2:04 am
I never bought the nonsense week 6 SB contender nonsense – but the down in the dump, we suck, time to talk draft is nonsense as well. Unless Baker is out for the year, then the season is over since Bum Bridgewater sucks and has no business being in the NFL with his noodle arm.
But I’m assuming Baker is back very fast, maybe even for next Sunday if we’re lucky, and I assume Baker will get on a roll as guys come back.
Again, win next week, the team is 7-5 and the sky isn’t falling. Lose next week, then yeah, panic, it’s all over, draft talk starts.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:13 am
Seasons over, Mayfield is out for 4 weeks. Chalk the season up to injuries or whatever excuse you want. Good half of the season , it has imploded.
I dont want to see anymore articles about wait untill all these guys get healthy. Sick of hearing about the mash unit that’s going to save the season.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:23 am
Grizzard gets a pass due to the injuries on the offense. Bowles does not get the same leeway, defense has been largely healthy and now for the 3rd year in a row has looked awful outside of individual heroics.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:50 am
Even with all of injured offensive players back, our scheme isn’t good enough to score on every single drive like the other teams usually fo on our terrible D.
I think our ceiling is playoffs and 1 and done. But more likely, the Panthers win our division and beat us both times we play them to secure it at the end of the year.
Prove me wrong, Bucs.
November 24th, 2025 at 4:25 am
Should of kept Coen, and sent Bowles packing. He’s a career below .500 HC. He is what his record says he is. I don’t see us pulling out of his mid season swoon this year. This team has tuned him out, because they don’t believe in what they’re doing. Time for a change.
November 24th, 2025 at 5:55 am
Hodad – Respectfully no to Coen too. He’s not doing that great with the Jags and he had Mike, Bucky, and Chris most of last year.
Agreed, it’s time for a complete change in all coaching, GM, medical, training, …
November 24th, 2025 at 6:08 am
Don’t worry Todd will blame everyone else next week
November 24th, 2025 at 6:33 am
The two best recent Buccaneer coaches are leading the Panthers and Jags to the playoffs. Face it folks, we are stuck with a non defensive guru who the game has clearly past by. When stone hands Otton dropped the pass and couldn’t even tackle the defensive back who clearly wanted the ball more than he did, it was game over. I turned the volume off and tried to watch without going into a rage as I have been known to do. The pitiful loss and horrific non effort by the Bucs was so expected, I am actually looking forward to change now. No way we make the playoffs. Bucs could win one more game, that is all. 7-10 or lose out and finish 6-11 may actually force the Glazers to make a move at head coach. Bowels is mediocre in a sorry division that has now gotten away from him in talent and coaching. Unless the Glazers end the Bowels era, we are doomed. I for one will not renew my season tickets and pay to watch in person the same old horrible coached team in all facets. Baker was the only one truly worth watching because he gives a crap and hates losing. Most of the others, including Zyon “I got mine” couldn’t care less and also couldn’t cover his blind grandmother. What a joke this team is. Go Bucs!
November 24th, 2025 at 6:34 am
This should be the nail in the coffin to Bowles. The Glazers look like absolute FOOLS to have extended Bowles contract. I guess billionaires can be morons too.
November 24th, 2025 at 6:48 am
Joe really thinks the Bucs have good coaching?!
Whats next Putin and Xi are good people.
November 24th, 2025 at 7:02 am
Riiiiight, lets get rid of the best GM this team has ever had– you people are f’ing morons!
November 24th, 2025 at 7:35 am
I wouldn’t get rid of Licht but I would get rid of Bowles. Cause he is showing the same coaching malpractice year after year with his mid season slump. Licht has been known to fix his mistakes.
November 24th, 2025 at 7:54 am
Todd Blows has coordinated the defense for 7 years, SEVEN YEARS!!!!
Receivers are routinely open, like WIDE OPEN, no DB even close to them. Please do not be obtuse enough to blame the lack of pass rush, even when the Bucs had JPP and Shaq terrorizing QB’s they were leaving WR’s wide open for long gains or easy completions
Todd literally trots out the same sad scheme year after year
WHY WAS THIS GUY EXTENDED?????
November 24th, 2025 at 7:56 am
“ There is very little good this team is doing.”
@Joe I am all ears on the things they are doing good in. I am struggling to find just one!
November 24th, 2025 at 8:07 am
Fire up the Dr. PEPPER HOT SEAT.
November 24th, 2025 at 8:07 am
I knew we were not a good team right after that Patriots loss.
November 24th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Let’s be real: Todd Bowles is incompetent.
November 24th, 2025 at 8:14 am
Well, now that the bucs mostly play middling to bad teams, they’ll start to add some wins and maybe even make the playoffs, only to get drubbed by a solid 5th-seeded NFC West team (Seahawks or 49ers, most likely) for yet another one-and-done. That will probably be enough to save Bowles’ job because who else could have navigated such a challenging season with so many injuries other than the defensive guru himself???
November 24th, 2025 at 8:16 am
thank you Joe, these articles needed to be written two weeks ago. i really hope Licht sees the light and fires him
November 24th, 2025 at 8:17 am
“Joe thinks if the Bucs really do have good coaches,….”
That’s just it – they don’t.
Bowles is a clown.
Grizzard is not a good OC.
And anyone who thought sitting on their hands at the trade deadline was the right call (be it Bowles, Licht or both) needs to be held accountable.
November 24th, 2025 at 8:45 am
One hundred percent agreed
November 24th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Let’s be real, Todd Bowles is not a good coach.
November 24th, 2025 at 9:08 am
What StormyInFl says.
November 24th, 2025 at 9:09 am
Stop this DEI Hiring !!!
November 24th, 2025 at 9:19 am
heyjude Says: “Respectfully no to Coen too. He’s not doing that great with the Jags and he had Mike, Bucky, and Chris most of last year.”
“Agreed, it’s time for a complete change in all coaching, GM, medical, training…”
@ heyjude – COHEN “not doing great with the Jags!?” Now, do WHAT!? Why do you even comment on ‘other’ teams, when YOU DON’T know what in the hell you’re talking about!? Now, that’s one of THE MOST RIDICULOUS things ever said on here. Either that, or YOU are a boldface LIAR. And, if that’s the case, then it’s just PATHETIC to be so weak, small, petty, and insecure, that YOU CAN’T even admit the TRUTH, and what literally EVERYONE ELSE KNOWS as FACT. And, the only reason you’re saying it now, is because YOU already know HE is taken, and WE HAD HIM. Trust-Me, IF the BUCS hired him tomorrow, it’d only be a matter of time, when YOU’D be slurpin’ him… EVERY last drop of him. 💯
November 24th, 2025 at 9:34 am
BucU Says: “This should be the nail in the coffin to Bowles. The Glazers look like absolute FOOLS to have extended Bowles contract. I guess billionaires can be morons too.”
Mind-Blowing. I said it a long time ago, that they need to force him into completely fulfilling his current contract first (because NOBODY ELSE is chomping at the bit to steal/hire him away), just like Jerry Jones does with coaches. Make them feel uncomfortable. Force them to have to FIGHT for their job and PERFORM (with middle-of-the-road head coaches). I agree with Jerry on this one, especially when NO ONE is jumping the gun to go get him. Though, I do NOT agree with how Jerry handles ‘star-players’ contracts. Prob not going to happen, but Bowles could become the first head coach I can remember, never even coaching in the FIRST GAME of his brand new extension. Just mind-blowingly STUPID. I suspect it had at least a little bit to do with how they let the Cohen thing play-out. They had to save face and show their commitment to Bowles. It’s PATHETIC. They are a JOKE. One HUGE ‘virtue signal’ for the owners.
November 24th, 2025 at 9:34 am
I checked out after it was 21-0 with 10 minutes left in the half. Once again we were outcoached, out schemed, and outplayed. I’m just sad this morning. We know what the outcome should be. Bowles should be gone. There is zero excuse for the last three games with the defense looking as bad as it does.
November 24th, 2025 at 10:01 am
Anyone that says DEI hiring is rac1st. Firing Bowles would drop this team into another lost decade.
Mark my words.
If our team was completely healthy we’d be about 9-2 right now. So much depends on the offense having long drives for points and resting the defense. All our consistency is gone without our receivers and plays need timing and locations to throw the ball. Defense would be much better with a lead too.
November 24th, 2025 at 10:04 am
Also- Cade Otton sucks out loud. Bench him for Durham (to block) and Culp (to receive).
November 24th, 2025 at 11:19 am
For the last 4 years we have been a talented roster but a bad coaching staff that won division titles bc we are lucky to be in a crap division
November 24th, 2025 at 11:32 am
This team is a burning trash fire.
November 24th, 2025 at 1:22 pm
@miken. The roster has been cash poor from the Brady SB. Bowles did a good job of making do with inferior players 80 million under the cap. He has no such excuse now. League has passed him by. His bend and then break soft zone philosophy no longer works. Time to go bye bye.
November 24th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
Dam JOE. this hurts lol
November 24th, 2025 at 3:48 pm
Bowles IS NOT a good HC period. Let’s be honest. Most of us wanted Bowles fired and Liam to take over HC last year. Bowles is in over his head. Has been for years.