CBS: Bucs Were Slightly Better Than Average
December 2nd, 2025
Got his sea legs back.
It seems one NFL analyst for an NFL rightsholder believes the Bucs did a nice job Sunday using a proper cologne to cover some stink.
Joe has written a couple of times already that while, yes, the Cardinals had their second-lowest point total of the season against the Bucs on Sunday, that game did not pass the smell test.
John Breech of CBS likes to help people forget about the leaky defense and the offense largely whiffing on opportunities to put the game away, and he’s got two to focus on. Bucky Irving’s play and the four-and-out defense to seal the win.
Breech gave the Bucs a B- against Arizona.
Bucky Irving picked a good week to come back for the Buccaneers. After missing seven games due to injury, Irving came up big for the Bucs in his return with 81 total yards and a touchdown. With Baker Mayfield playing through an injured left arm, it was a performance that Bucs needed from Irving. The defense got gashed up by the Cardinals, but no one will remember that because the unit came up with a big play whenever Tampa bay needed one, including two fourth-down stops and two forced turnovers. The Bucs (7-5) have mastered the art of winning ugly and this one was ugly, but it still counts, and more importantly, it keeps Tampa on top of the NFC South for another week.
Yes, even if it was an ugly win — or as Ira Kaufman put it: “slogging” — Bucky needed to shake off the rust. He got better as the game went on, especially in the second half. In other words, Bucky got his sea legs back.
And Joe especially liked how Chris Godwin looked like Chris Godwin. That was a positive.
It just bothers Joe that three times in the past month, someone on the Bucs had to unload on the team to get it motivated. First it was Baker Mayfield after the Patriots loss. Then, it was halftime of the Rams loss that sparked an outburst from Lavonte David.
Sunday, it was chewing out of the defense by Bucs coach Todd Bowles right before their four-and-out game-winning stand.
Why does this team need for someone to cuss them out almost on a weekly basis? That doesn’t seem like a disciplined team to Joe.
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:10 am
They need vocal leaders. Remember JPP, suh, Brady, jensen,
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:27 am
The average age of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster for the 2025 season is approximately
25.66 years for starters and
26.36 years for the entire roster.
December 2nd, 2025 at 2:45 am
Our oline needs 2 be fixed. Who says mauch will be his old self? Interior was getting beat up. Baker Mayfield holding the ball longer than 3 seconds isnt due 2 his amazing oline. It’s because a lot of the time plays couldn’t develop, so he was in scramble mode before he could find somebody 2 throw it to. Bucky Irving despite our oline not finishing blocks, scrambling to find a block 2 make, made negative plays positive. N those were contact or facing tacklers behind or at the line of scrimmage. Short gains. He made 1 scamper where everybody held their blocks for our last TD. Mayfield making audibles gave him time 2 see down field. How is our offense supposed 2 be dominant if our oline can’t block for our run game or pass game? Are we supposed to march down the field with screen plays all 4 quarters?
Mayfield isn’t comfortable behind this line with only 5 guys. Why not go heavy sets with 2 wr 2 TE n 1 RB set. TE in backfield. Or an extra linemen. Rather than the extra te maybe the problem with running heavy sets is our oline depth is minimal n we can’t afford injuries. Our tes aside from otton are unreliable and sketchy. Dennis still doesn’t look good as a cover guy. he can penetrate on the run game once in awhile but if ur a lb n can’t do that u don’t deserve 2 start. Backup or relief or role player.
McCollum smh. Still an issue. Like i said offensive coordinators are targeting his side. What’ can Morrison do at nickel cuz he gets beat or flagged. I trust Parrish more than them 2. I seen Parrish get beat twice this game but 1 was due 2 a push off, there was no call. The number 1 n 2 wrs on teams are playing wr 3 too we aren’t the only team doing that he might be ready. Brissette was number 1 in the league for the most passing yards the previous 2 weeks with like 700 yards. I knew trey McBride was going 2 be a problem he leads the league rec yards receptions for tes before our game. Those young backs are problems to knight and carter quick n stout. It seems the cardinals understand who their weapons r. N we r barely getting ours back from injury. Every team we play against understand their weapons. Grizzard called 4 great plays in the red zone the rachaad reception called back for a pass interference on Tez. Which he was pressed by his man into the man supposed 2 be covering white. The Tristan wirfs TD. The bucky Irving run with the Durham hold. N the Godwin drop. We had a lot of bad luck on Sunday. Gotta rise above it. The cardinals are a good team with a bad record.
December 2nd, 2025 at 2:57 am
Also the cardinals got back a starting corner will johnson, starting lb browning n a starting wr Marvin harrison jr. N they had sweat who had 9 sacks previous 2 the game. The Dennis play at the end was being in the right place at the right time. If he did it consistently I’d say it wasn’t luck. All I gotta say about that game.
December 2nd, 2025 at 2:59 am
if we get our act together and fin out strong…and get the bulk of our players back…come playoff time, we are legit dangerous…
why might you ask…?
yes why adam why…?
well because if we get into the playoffs, a good portion of the good teams we’d face, we’ve already lost to…and it’s not easy to beat a team twice in a season, and certainly not three times…
so if the boys are feeling chippy and frothy in a repeat match up vs the eagles, rams or detroit, we could be ok…and if we get to the superbowl vs the bills or pats, once again – they’d have to beat us twice…so i’m liking my chances just a little bit…
yes…i know, this is all pending on:
whether we get our act together or not
December 2nd, 2025 at 3:05 am
i agree with Delson…
the cards are better than their record…they’re more like a 5-7 type team that’s had bad luck, and is in a super tough division…otherwise they’re like a .500 team
December 2nd, 2025 at 3:21 am
the question is…
can baker throw 15 more tds in these final 5 games…
to get to 34…and average 2 per game for the year…
his tds are so way down now, with everything that’s gone on…
he would have to average 3 per game moving forward…
the eggman has hit a wall hard…CG is our #1 now and most polished
December 2nd, 2025 at 4:42 am
John Breech … ‘After missing seven games due to injury, Irving came up big for the Bucs in his return with 81 total yards and a touchdown.’
Fully expected the Bucs to stress their Run Game Sunday, and they sorta did. They ran it 27 times for 95 yds (3.5 YPC average) and 1 TD and passed it 28 times with 18 complete (64.3%) for 194 yds and 1 TD, plus 2 sacks. So our Run-Pass Ratio was 47.3% … almost 5% higher than we’ve been averaging on the year (42.8%).
Bucky ran the ball 17 times for 61 yds (3.6 YPC) plus he went 2-for-2 receiving for 20 yds. Meanwhile, Rachaad got 2 rushes for 7 yds (3.5 YPC) plus he went 3-for-3 receiving for 22 yds. Tucker had 2 rushes for 0 yds and wasn’t used in the passing game.
Since no one else has said anything about it, I guess I’m the only one who’s very unimpressed with Grizz’s play-calling in the Run Game AND with his use of 3 fairly good RBs. On the season, Bucs Run Game is averaging 4.1 YPC. Bucky is averaging 3.4 YPC, White is averaging 4.0 YPC and Tucker is averaging 4.3 YPC. Baker Mayfield though is our most consistent runner by far … he’s averaging 6.6 YPC based on his 37 carries for 243 yds.
So WHO got the lion’s share of the carries Sunday? Our RB who’s missed the last 7 games and who has the lowest average of our various rushers. I’m sorry, but that’s on the coaches, and specifically on the OC. I remember their words that they were gonna ‘go with the hot hand’. Horsepuckey.
BTW, 11 of Bucky’s 17 runs were on FIRST DOWN. Hmmm. Got a grand total of 31 yds on those 11 rushes … 2.8 YPC average. Kinda puts us behind the 8-ball on 2nd down, doesn’t it.
December 2nd, 2025 at 5:30 am
DR, wish I could have been there watching the game with you, but I’m afraid we saw the same thing on TV that you saw from the 30 yard line. You are Not the only one less than impressed with the conservative play calling. If we don’t get the ball to Tucker and let him test the edge we’re making a mistake. What happened to the simple quick pitch? 2 back sets and simple swing passes to our fastest back? Someone commented if we could get a decent lead our defense will pin their ears back and have more success. I don’t know about that. But I do know this OC and QB are gonna need to post more than 20 points. We’ve got the RBs to do that.
December 2nd, 2025 at 6:06 am
Iv been screaming since Bowels took over that this team has no discipline and when a coach doesn’t instill discipline and hold anyone accountable the cracks in the armor get bigger over time and it’s starting to break our team down from the inside. The loafers need discipline and it’s only getting worse.
December 2nd, 2025 at 7:20 am
“Since no one else has said anything about it, I guess I’m the only one who’s very unimpressed with Grizz’s play-calling in the Run Game AND with his use of 3 fairly good RBs. On the season, Bucs Run Game is averaging 4.1 YPC. Bucky is averaging 3.4 YPC, White is averaging 4.0 YPC and Tucker is averaging 4.3 YPC. Baker Mayfield though is our most consistent runner by far … he’s averaging 6.6 YPC based on his 37 carries for 243 yds.”
Been saying this pretty much all season DR, which started in the 2nd half of the Texans game and the snap share amongst our RBs with Buckys’ 1st game back are:
Irving – 32 snaps(52%)
White – 23 snaps(38%)
Tucker – 9 snaps(15%)
Grizzard has learned nothing, and I’m all for his demotion or getting hired away at the end of the season. We need a more seasoned mind in that OC spot moving forward.
There were rumors we pursued Chip Kelly before settling on Grizz, and Chip just got let go from the Raiders which-in my opinion-says more about the Raiders org and personnel than it does Kellys’ accumen as an offensive mind. We need to reach back out.
December 2nd, 2025 at 7:26 am
It was perfect timing for Bucky and Godwin to be back. Thinking, they are sprinkling in Mike and Jalen in the same way. Good strategy.
We will take Breech’s B-. Although in the article, he gave the Rams a C+ and the Panthers an A-. Unsure about that. Thinking the Panthers got lucky and it was a close win. Also, right after Thanksgiving and the Rams probably thought it would be an easy game. Not too sure about their grades. Enjoyed the article and grades of other teams too.
December 2nd, 2025 at 8:28 am
“””Iv been screaming since Bowels took over that this team has no discipline and when a coach doesn’t instill discipline and hold anyone accountable the cracks in the armor get bigger over time and it’s starting to break our team down from the inside. The loafers need discipline and it’s only getting worse.”””
And our messiah of a HC/DC always talks about accountability. I don’t think the guy actually knows what that means.
December 2nd, 2025 at 8:48 am
Without being +2 in turnovers and having a missed Cardinals’ field goal attempt, the Bucs do not win that game. Of course, Arizona fans would say that being -2 in turnovers and missing FGs is why you lose.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:16 am
I always enjoy reading the live game thread on this site . I do it on my drive/flight home from every game. Yes, a 20 year season ticket holder. It confirms my thought that we have an incredibly moronic fan base !! Lose a game? Fire the coach. Have a 3 and out? Fire the OC. Give up a TD? Fire the coach. Drop a pass? Bench the player ( Note – how many have we seen Evans drop over the years , so cut him? lol). Get a holding penalty? Cut the player after the game ( Payne yesterday. Note – Luke got one too. Probably should cut him as well. lol) . Remember when everyone was screaming to cut Chase early this year??? lol. Moronic is probably being too nice. You guys ever watch any other games? Everything we demand firings and benchings for…happen in every single game, every single week. Get your heads out of your azzes and support the team. Quit whining every damn play.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:50 am
Cuss them out right before the game.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:32 am
No head coach, just three incompetent coordinators. The vacuum at head coach must be dealt with. Jason knows.
December 2nd, 2025 at 7:52 pm
I don’t have a problem with players or coaches verbally motivating people. I think we all need a little external stimulus to put us over the top from time to time. I think the key is to make it timely. But my favorite comment on football motivation came from Lew Holtz when he was coaching Notre Dame. A reporter complimented him and asked him what he did to motivate his players. He replied: “I don’t motivate them. If they’re not motivated, I get rid of them!”