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 on 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.
The two things that John Breech of CBS like to help people forget about the leaky defense and the offense largely whiffing on opportunities to put the game away? Bucky Irving’s play and the four-and-out the defense had to seal the win.
Breech gave the Bucs a B- for the win.
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 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 it appeared 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