Uncomfortable Numbers From Bucs’ Win Over Cardinals
December 2nd, 2025
Can a defense be fixed in December?
Joe has had a lot of folks ask on this here corner of the interwebs and on social media ask why “this Joe” (and only this Joe) is down in the dumps over a win.
Basically, it’s because Joe believes the Bucs played down (?) to the Cardinals.
Yes, Joe gets it: The Bucs held the Cardinals to their second-lowest point total of the season. Remember watching that game Sunday afternoon? Did you at any time think the Bucs had that game locked up until the Bucs defense posted a four-and-out (!) to slam the door?
The Bucs had so many chances to put that game away and kept Arizona hanging around. And it damn near bit the Bucs in the arse.
The Bucs, who held a 10-3 lead at halftime, were outscored 14-10 in the second half by a team that has lost 9 of its last 10 games. With a backup quarterback. A team that ought to have a top-five pick in the draft.
A good playoff team would have stomped on Arizona’s throats and put them out of their misery much earlier.
In Bucs coach Todd Bowles’ mind, a win is a win. It doesn’t matter by how much or against whom.
“Most of these games are tough in this league – they’re one-score games,” Bowles said yesterday. “We knew they were going to try to make a run. We couldn’t get the quarterback down before the half. I think he got out two or three times and we had hands on him, and we couldn’t get him down.
“Even on one of the touchdowns [where] [Jacoby Brissett] scrambled, we had two guys free and couldn’t get him on the ground. Credit to him – he made a play. …
“But the guys came out in the last series and they closed it out. Considering we lost the last three, that’s pretty good.”
That’s great that the defense rose up with a four-and-out — after Bowles chewed out his defense for not playing better — but it shouldn’t have come to that.
There was very little about the win on Sunday that made Joe think the Bucs’ troubles are in the past.
Oh, it was great to see Bucky Irving shake off the rust. It was great to see Chris Godwin look like Chris Godwin. Still, Joe has trouble believing Bowles can wave a magic wand and magically transform his defense.
It’s December. The next game will be played (fittingly?) on Pearl Harbor Day. Teams rarely change stripes in December. It’s slowly sinking in for Joe, unfortunately, that having a bad defense is just who the Bucs are in 2025.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:05 am
What about the offense?
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:12 am
It doesn’t matter if the team is mostly healthy or mostly injured, there’s still mid-season losing streaks with Bowles and Baker at the leadership positions on the team. The offense can’t seem to sustain drives and yes, the officiating was horrid but there were still drops and overthrows.
Who on this team can takeover a game? Even at full strength that players isn’t on the Bucs and thats what you need to go deep in the playoffs.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:14 am
The only chance we have to get in and win one game is that the offense kicks it into gear and makes the other team one dimensional on offense. And even if that happens we won’t get past the divisional round.
I guess it could be worse.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:17 am
i think this is accurate. the bucs will only do what they have to, not what they need to. it’s lazy. the idea that they can just turn things up or down depending on the opponent is beyond foolish.
the culture is rotten at one buc place. that isnt a blanket across the board condemnation of everyone and everything. there is rot that has taken hold. the championship culture that came with brady is gone, seems like the memory of it is gone as well. now its just whatever dawg culture.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:25 am
Joe … ‘There was very little about the win on Sunday that made Joe think the Bucs’ troubles are in the past.’
I share your concern Joe. Arizona’s offense put up 22 first downs on us, 386 total yards (including 301 passing yards) as their backup QB threw for 72.5% completions. They only ran it 19 times, but put up 95 yds for a 5.0 YPC average. Cards screwed themselves by losing 2 turnovers; other than that, they could’ve won.
Arizona’s defense held out vaunted attack (ya right) to only 13 first downs in comparison, 279 total yards (including 194 passing yards). We ran it 27 times for 95 yds (same as the Cards got in 19 carries) for a 3.5 YPC average. Bucs punted FIVE times in our 10 drives, compared to the Cards punting only TWICE.
So yes I agree with you Joe … ‘There was very little about the win on Sunday that made Joe think the Bucs’ troubles are in the past.’
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:30 am
Numerous times receivers were totally uncovered by the Bucs defense. It appeared nobody knew who they were suppose to cover. Terrible.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:30 am
Yes Joe you are spot on I stated similar thoughts on another recent article. Yes unfortunately, this is a poor if not bad , below average defense. I keep saying it and will do so, I think McColumn needs to sit . At this point he is really hurting the team. I would put Parish on the outside, I don’t think he would be any worse, how could he and he may be an improvement.
Dennis, while playing better still leaves much to be desired.Licht and Bowles missed that one on the mlb position. That should be a position of strength, however, it is a huge weakness being exploited weekly. It appears every opponent is now targeting McColumn, so what does that tell you!!.
Anyway, to win another division title the offense will need to start scoring a ton of points because the defense not likely to be there. I have been saying for awhile don’t sleep on Car. While they are up and down they appear hungry. The Bucs just don’t
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:33 am
I’ve been feeling the same way after that Cards game. They more lost than we won. It was kind of a shame that somebody had be the winner of that game. 2 of our 5 remaining games are against the Panthers. Bodes poorly.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:35 am
Four years in a row with at least a 3 game losing streak.
Four years in a row of substandard Defense, pass rush and DBs.
This is a problem.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:36 am
I wonder if Bowles ever goes back and listens to the pathetic things he says, (see above).
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:37 am
After watching NE STOMP all over the Giants last night…it was a good example of what good teams do to bad ones. Now the Giants probably beat themselves as much as NE did…but my point is that Tampa should have beaten AZ like that. Perhaps they aren’t as good as we want them to be…or like Baker said…no killer mentality.
This weekend is going to be very telling for the remainder of the season.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:37 am
If you look around the league at the other division leaders, you’ll generally see teams on the rise, hitting their stride and/or that do something really well. We’re the outlier- the team hanging on for dear life. The team that doesn’t block, tackle or cover well. The team that barely has a pulse at times and can’t muster up an ounce of ferocity. We don’t scare anyone. We’re not well-coached. We’re locked in a cycle of self-congratulatory mediocrity.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:38 am
It wasn’t just the defense. Offense was bad. Mayfield was mediocre. Line was mediocre. Should have been better all around.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:42 am
Time after time, this team takes its foot of the gas after we get the littlest lead. It’s so “F”ing frustrating. We don’t have any killer instincts. You can always count on the defense to allow the other team to march down the field with less than a minute before the half to score points. I truly believe it’s Bowels mush brain to blame. He hates running up the score. He should go back and coach pop warner. He’s not suited for the NFL. I don’t know how many more games I can take.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:44 am
Too many times this defense “just doesn’t make a play”
Year after year
FIRE TODD BLOWS!!!
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:44 am
This is out of our (the fans) hands.
For those of us who think Bowles is adrift in incompetence, we must turn again to Licht and the Glazers with our hope for a change. Ok, maybe just the Glazers as Licht has his own issues with recent free agent signings, questionable draft picks and stagnation at the trading deadline.
The two best coaching hires this year were by the Bears and the Jaguars. Both teams have improved drastically and left behind teams that are floundering in their absence, especially Detroit. And we had one of those two in our building and let him walk. My guess is Coen would rather have Baker over Lawrence, but he still turned his team around.
We can complain until our mouths run dry, but only the Glazers can make a move.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:48 am
Did you all see how the best team in the NFL came out firing on all cylinders last night against the giants? What a difference a real coach make! Bowles and his weak ass defense and lazy players don’t deserve to make the playoffs.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:48 am
I hate the argument that you have to keep bringing a guy back because he gets one more win than the previous year. It’s great, but imagine what the team could do then with a better coach?
The Bucs are missing that “it” guy on defense. Tykee Smith could be that guy but they need someone with that mentality of “nobody is stopping me” and it’s just no there. They’re almost too nice of guys…
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:49 am
So when is coach gonna grow a set of balls and give zyon an ultimatum. Should have been done 2 months ago. Letting him get toasted weekly because hes bored wouldn’t fly anywhere else especially after paying him.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:52 am
Although, I agree….its’ time to move on…….we have multiple culprits in that game and we can’t blame it all on the defense.
Dropped passes….very untimely penalties….and Baker was off. I don’t think the protection was that good and I still have a problem with us throwing all those passes behind the sticks.
The defense was soft…..it reminds me of the Jets game where we had a commanding lead and let them back in.
We will get beat continuing to do that.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:52 am
That backup quarterback leads the league in yards passing. DVOA has the Buccaneers ranked as the 8th best defense in the league. I know that that ranking doesn’t jive with what our eyes see but they are regarded as the top statistics site on the internet. Buccaneers problem as far as they’ve been and offense that does not control the football, does not sustain drives, does not win time of possession. This is not my opinion. This is the opinion of Aaron Schatz. His methodology ranks Seattle first, LA second, Indy third Strength of schedule is a big factor as well Carolina ranks well below the Buccaneers on nearly all metrics They beat LA because Stafford threw a pick 6 and turned the ball over three times.
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:57 am
“Bucs punted FIVE times in our 10 drives, compared to the Cards punting only TWICE.”
Tied for 5th most punts per game with the New York Bi-Plane. We punt > teams like the Vikings, Raiders, Falcons & Bengals on offense.
Didn’t start with this most recent game either, there are multiple examples this year where we’ve punted >50% of our offensive possessions. Y’know, the type of behavior on display to start games, where you have to rally at the end in order to win
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:58 am
Remember even the year that the Bucs didn’t win the Super Bowl with Arians, when the Bucs played a bad team they ran their arses out of the stadium?
This team lets bad teams hang around.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:05 am
“Remember even the year that the Bucs didn’t win the Super Bowl with Arians, when the Bucs played a bad team they ran their arses out of the stadium?”
That team was more capable than this team is, probably overall talent and Brady got robbed for MVP that season.
Lots of differences between those rosters to make a comparison to this team now a head scratcher.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:12 am
Joe Says:
December 2nd, 2025 at 9:58 am
After watching NE STOMP all over the Giants last night…it was a good example of what good teams do to bad ones.
Remember even the year that the Bucs didn’t win the Super Bowl with Arians, when the Bucs played a bad team they ran their arses out of the stadium?
This team lets bad teams hang around.
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Which is reflective of poor coaching, look at the past 4 years. And please don’t bring up the Saints game this year, we could have put Riley Dixon at QB that game and still won handily
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:12 am
Stats are for losers. By watching with our own eyes, we know that the Bucs are not in the Rams / Bears / Eagles / Packers / Lions tier. And we can’t outscore the Seahawks any longer. Best we can hope for is to get healthier on offense and limp into the playoffs.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:14 am
Hey Joe maybe this team lets bad teams hang around because they are abad team too🤷
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:16 am
Back in August the last 6 games of the season seemed like a definite 6 wins. Now it still a puzzle what this team will bring on Sunday.
And no I will never be down about a win. I’m a true fan. But I am disappointed about our performance against a 3-8 team. SMH
This team leaves you scratching your head.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:17 am
Stats are for losers. By watching with our own eyes, we know that the Bucs are not in the Rams / Bears / Eagles / Packers / Lions tier. And we can’t outscore the Seahawks any longer. Best we can hope for is to get healthier on offense and limp into the playoffs.
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IMHO you can put the Panther’s in that tier as well now with a coach we could/should have retained who could have brought in a competent DC
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:18 am
But then again, the Rams didn’t handle the Panthers last Sunday.
Any given Sunday…
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:18 am
todd bowles is a great man but his defense is predicated on a good pass rush ! he needs to go to the defense he played in super bowl against chiefs . the idea that anthony nelson and yaya diaby can cover the running back 30 yards downfield is crazy . is anyone excited about our 3rd down defense right now ? have a merry christmas God bless rant over ps do you wish we hired ben johnson 2 years ago lol
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:19 am
No convincing wins, no killer instinct. No lead is safe with this porous defense and when the offense cant even get a few first downs late to eat clock.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:22 am
Super Bowl aspirations going into the season. According to many in this site, we have the best GM in the league.
Let me ask…How many Bucs make the Pro Bowl this year?
Dump this entire front office and that cheesy, clearly ineffective “I am that man” mantra.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:34 am
Pretty sad when barely beating a three win team breaks you out of a long funk.
Unfortunately the weak schedule will likely keep Bowles employed.
He’s only good versus the drecks of the league. The Polly positive types are happy to be the whipping boys come playoff time.
You can forget the SB as long as Toad Bowels is at the helm.
Good to see Aqualung back. A much needed voice of clarity.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:46 am
Well, I’d suggest you check out the other side at AZCentral. The Cards are discouraged by the loss, because it’s 7 games by 4 or less. yet they felt that not only were the Bucs in control for most of the game, but seemed to know what play was coming on the 4th down stops.
You only get that through alot of film study. Bucs did not panic, and did what they had to do. Win. AGainst a team that is better then the record indicateds.
And before you dump on Baker for looking “off”, the guy is playing with a shoulder that was sprained 6 days ago. And still threw some good balls.
Stafford and the Rams would have been thrilled with a 20-17 victory.
You guys should be, too. If the Cards get a better OC and a different quarterback next year they will win alot of games. They should go get Cousins after the Dixie Chicks release him this year.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:55 am
It’s been a VERY UNCOMFORTABLE SEASON!
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:03 am
The only excuse for this D is that they have no pass rush. But that’s Bowles and Lichts fault for thinking they were good there.
How could the D be as good last year with Uber drivers in the secondary, a hurt Winfield, etc.
Kancey isn’t that important is he!? How can Bowles not get more out of his unit. It’s damning.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:12 am
The team lacks a killer instinct just like their head coach. Some players play with the intent to dominate but unfortunately a lot of Todd’s players (especially those on D) seem to let up at crucial times. Also, I bet that the Bowles probably made very few adjustments at the half while AZ got Trey McBride involved in the game. Lackluster coaching where Bowles plays not to lose instead of stepping on an opponent’s throat.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:13 am
The main problem, early on in the season was the special teams. Although they have shown signs of fixing their issues, coverage on punts and kickoffs still need work.
The main problem now seems to be the D. This past game , tackling was horrible. Defensive play calling started out good, calling for a mix of pressure packages, but regressed as the game wore on, to soft coverages with man rush. The soft pass defense doesn’t work. It allows teams to pickup 5+ yards on first down and move right down the field. This was true the past 2 seasons and again this season. I believe the quality of the defensive players is relatively good but they are put in positions to fail way to often, and do. Combine this with the missed tackles and you have a formula for big plays! This seem to me to coaching issues!!!!!!!
If you have tackling and penalty problems the coaches have to step up and during practices actually fix them!! These things don’t go away by themselves! Then there’s the defensive play calling…if it’s broke, FIX IT!! Doing the same thing game after game and expecting different results is insane!!!!! Try adapting/modifying. And stick with what is working. Alter what is not!!!
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:15 am
jcscycles, I could see the Cards getting Cousins and the ATL getting Kyler Murray if the new regime in the ATL think they could work with him as Penix is probably already washed up. (Arti Blank and Rich McKay will likely launch Rah and the GM for general ineptitude as Rah is basically the same guy who lost the locker room in Tampa).
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:17 am
Slacker, I am with you 100% on Zyon. What was amazingly idiotic IMHO was in the Pat game how Bowles rotated his golden boy Benji Morrison into the backfield and benched Dean but allowed Zyon to stay out on the field. Result, both Morrison and Zyon got exposed. Zyon needs to be given a reality check, bench him next time he loafs.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:22 am
When you have this huge amount of injuries on key positions, and on the same positions, that is the main reason good teams become inconsistent teams, NOBODY again NOBODY can complaint on the first five games of the season, then things got complicated, not because of bad coaching, because you cant do magic, when suddenly your best WR’s are out, your best running back is out and your OL is a walking hospital.
The only consistent team so far is New England, then everybody else is rather inconsistent (TB, LA, Phily, Dallas, Carolina and many more)or bad teams (Jets, NO, Giants etc.)
So stop the moaning and accept reality, last three years I’ve been reading and hearing the same stupid nonsense…..
You will see, we win next three games and JPF will be 100% optimistic people and the stupid poll about Bowles will be suddenly Very confident again….
I saw this so many times…..BIPOLAR FAN BASE!!!!
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:25 am
We won against a bad team because like bad teams they gave the game away. It’s not like over the 4-5 years Bowles has been here it’s been different issues that were solved or at least mitigated and we are progressing. His defense has had the exact same type of ineptitude his entire tenure. If guys still don’t know who to cover or where their responsibilities are by now they never will.
Also, name one defensive player who has progressed after their rookie year? Bowles and his staff also does not develop players. Compare to offensive line where guys are being coached up and matched to their talents.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:25 am
Coaching is killing this team. Look at The Bears, The Pat’s, The Seahawks, etc.
New coaches that turned crappy teams into playoff teams in ONE SEASON.
And we’re stuck with Bozo the clown. It sucks. I’m sick of this one trick pony of a coach. I wonder what it’s going to take to see him get fired. He’s so God damn predictable it’s sickening.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:27 am
“”You will see, we win next three games and JPF will be 100% optimistic people and the stupid poll about Bowles will be suddenly Very confident again….””
I’ll be looking for your followup posts when your prediction blows up in your face.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:36 am
That 4 and out at the end of the game didn’t feel like a defensive stand to me so much as it felt like a tanked drive from the Cardinals. They either have to go with Jacoby Brissett next season or draft a QB because Murray is done there. That felt like a tanked drive to keep draft position.
The Bucs locker room is fractured, there is no sense of urgency and it all points at one person… the defensive coordinator!
#noconfidence
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:38 am
“Teams rarely change stripes in December”. With Baker in 2023 and 2024 we went into December with losing records. Both years we went 4-1 in December.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:40 am
The defense mirrors the Coach. When the Coach says stuff like “The coverage was good, our guy just fell down” or “Well, we almost sacked him”, the players will also have excuses. If the Coach runs a “Prevent Defense” with the lead, of course they’ll get scored on. If the Coach is scared, the players are gonna play scared. If the Coach is soft, the defense is gonna be soft. Am I wrong to think this is where at least part of the problem is?
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:42 am
Final game in December last year, 29 Dec. 2024, Baker threw 5 touchdown passes and beat Carolina by 34 points. So there’s that.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:43 am
Joe in Mich.
You are 1000% correct. This isn’t a football team, it’s a slumber party.
December 2nd, 2025 at 11:52 am
I don’t love the offense; there is a ton of room for improvement. We have a first-time play caller who is missing OL, WR1-3 and our RB1. I really don’t know what I expected & I know people are angry about the offense but I really didn’t expect us to be like last year with all of this going on.
The defense to me is the biggest concern. Bowles has been calling this defense since hes been with our team. He owns this thing from the scheme to the players. If we are regressing and it seems that we are, then it’s a major red flag. Whose going to fix this for us if we are out of ideas?
At a minium next year we need to hire a DC. It’s time to freshon things up.
December 2nd, 2025 at 12:17 pm
If the offensive line can stay healthy from here on out, the Bucs can win and improve steadily and have a chance in the playoffs, imo. Four starters playing on the line has been a rarity and they seem to need to re-jell.
Godwin and Irving and Baker should all be stronger next week and the weeks after that. Eek out another win against the Saints then be even stronger for Carolina the following week. Evans and/or MacMillan returns would sure help.
The defense can be decent if the offensive line can control the game. That’s the only formula for this team.
December 2nd, 2025 at 12:38 pm
The simple solution is to just win the next three. Just take care of business and get into the playoffs. Then anything can happen.
This team is getting stronger with players coming back, so let’s see how it plays out the next three weeks..
But when I see the same posters calling for Todds head constantly – OK, fine. Who would you get to replace him? You cannot do it now, the team would collapse. Remember what happened when Monte Kiffin suddenly left.
I have seen posters here wanting to “give back our Super Bowls” just to get rid of Todd.
Really?
I would just get Todd to give up calling defensive plays.
He might just go for it. He only plans to coach for a few more years at best.
Plenty of good up and coming DC candidates out there.
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:01 pm
offense was trash sunday….grizz has no idea what he’s doing…
GO BUCS!!!!
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:07 pm
I don’t disagree that fans, who are passionate about their team, will will swing dramatically within a season’s highs and lows. But, I believe the todd Bowles swing is a different bird. What you have been witnessing is fans who have tried to remain optimistic in a hope to manifest success. However, now we are tired of watching the mismanagement of talent, a scheme that has been failing for yrs now, poor player development and/or apathy by the GM to help mind the gaps, no adjustments in sight, lethargic and uninspired play, and an absolute void in accountability by all (coaches, players, GM, ownership). Jason likes to cash checks and keep receipts, but really he’s selling bs. The result is….we are burnt out on this product and it feels better to vent amongst our ppl than to kick the dog (just a saying, no dogs were harmed prior, during, or after this post)
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:16 pm
Boy, lot’s of negativity here. Not that there aren’t problems, the defense being the most worrisome, but many start with the false assumption that Arizona is a bad team. Look at who they’ve played and how close they have been to some good teams. Brissette is as good as many starting QBs. The offense is getting back into shape with Godwin and Irving back. There were two totally BS penalties that thwarted drives, taking away long gains and pushing them back ten yards apiece. Without those and a few perfect passes that were dropped there would have been at least ten more points for the Bucs. The D is pretty much the same as always: giving up a ton of yardage with receivers wide open, three man rushes that give the QB as much time as he wants, soft coverage and the occasional blitz that at least creates some pressure. I would support even more blitzing since that is literally the only way to get pressure on the QB. But all is not lost and with Evans and McMillan coming back soon we should still have a shot at taking the Division.
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:45 pm
How many times over the years did we see bad Buccaneers teams get ALMOST wins, but they could never close the deal. It was nearly multiple decades at one point. The Cardinals have taken better teams to overtime, including the Jags, who are better than the Bucs (better coached, better defense, get more out of a lesser offense). Discounting a win over the Cardinals because it wasn’t big enough is nonsense. This is how they got on their losing streak – they seemingly can never close the deal. Stop with the crybaby routine people.
December 2nd, 2025 at 1:46 pm
“What you have been witnessing is fans who have tried to remain optimistic in a hope to manifest success. However, now we are tired of watching the mismanagement of talent, a scheme that has been failing for yrs now, poor player development”
ChiBuc … bingo.
I have only ever voted as high as confident with Bowles and that’s mostly a reflection of how I feel about the roster. Every year I try to give Bowles the benefit of the doubt and wash the previous year away but every year I get rewarded with the same level of HC/DC competence and it’s been lacking. So inevitably the confident level wanes throughout the season.
December 2nd, 2025 at 2:25 pm
The potential is there, but a lot of the coaching scheme on defense has to change. Just remember, they were 7–5 the year they won the Super Bowl. They won out. The defense and the offense were both inconsistent most of that year.
The one thing that was better… They were a little more consistent with pressure from the front 4, even though they still blitzed White, LVD, & the DBs a lot.
December 2nd, 2025 at 2:40 pm
The reasons the Cards had fewer punts include an interception, a fumble, and at least two turnovers on downs. Now is that better than five punts averaging a net of over 45 yards?
In general, I’m not a fan of stomping down teams viewed as inferior. It only develops bad habits for doing things that don’t work against good teams. Compare the Rams bashing an underperforming Bucs team and then facing a competent Panthers team.
December 2nd, 2025 at 2:49 pm
This Joe is over the target.
Two questions for:
1) Coach “most of these games are tough… one score games” Bowles – . shouldn’t a good team play much better than a bad team week in and week out? So too, shouldn’t the final margin on the scoreboard also reflect the qualitative difference within each game week?
2) Coach “considering we lost the last three that’s pretty good” Bowles – after three straight losses, are you content with a 3 point win over an inferior team, in a game that would have ended tied if not for their missed field goal?
Only temporarily in this corner of the sad NFC South does this mindset hold. Good teams seek to maximize output in all 3 phases of play. Bad teams hope to win.
Expectations drive results and in Bowles words here, it is clear thatour Coach does not expect much.
December 2nd, 2025 at 3:01 pm
we’re accustomed to being a defensive team…all our HOFers are defensive guys…
traditionally we default to having a good defense…
yeah lately we’ve been strong offensively – but if you put the team back to factory settings, it’s defense defense defense
December 2nd, 2025 at 3:19 pm
Hey, the defense stinks. No surprise. Bucs should win division and hoping we get the Seahawks or Bears. While a playoff win in the Wildcard round would surprise me I would trust Baker more than Sam or Caleb. Having said that, I thought I trusted Baker more than Jayden last January but our damn defense could NOT GET OFF THE FIELD against the Commanders. And I suspect the same thing will happen again IF we can win this division. I like our chances despite our defense.
December 2nd, 2025 at 3:40 pm
8-9 at best people.
December 2nd, 2025 at 3:52 pm
@BucU
Thank you for saying it so that that I didn’t have to…..
@chibuc
Very, VERY WELL stated. THAT’S EXACTLY RIGHT!
December 2nd, 2025 at 4:57 pm
I hear that Darius Slay has just parted ways with the Steelers.
I wonder if Tomlin taught him how to tackle.
And whether he’d like to come and make a few tackles for us?
December 2nd, 2025 at 5:43 pm
Nothing about the offense and the fact Baker hasn’t played at a high level since mid October? Most of the best draft picks by Licht have been on offense so expecting Bowles to create anything more than an average defense is unrealistic. They’ve used their last two first round picks on offense and their only significant free agent signing on defense in recent years (Reddick) was 31 years old and coming off a one sack season! JTS, Devin White, Carlton Davis, etc, all look like the same players they were when they were with the Bucs. There’s no evidence that Bowles isn’t getting the most out of what he has at his disposal.
December 2nd, 2025 at 5:55 pm
It’s hilarious to read the grumbling from Bucs “fans.” Got to love ’em. But, I have been watching this team for 50 years, and friends, this is the glory years for this team. These are halcyon days! 7-5? How we wished for that during 1982-95. Or, from 2009-2020. We have a SB within the last 5 years. 28 teams wish they did. We’ve made the playoffs 5 straight years. EVERY team, except Bills and Chiefs would wish for that. 5 coaches in 10 years? Seen it. Worst record in pro sports. Been there. I understand the aspirations, but let’s remember where we were, and where we’ve been, so a little perspective might be in order. Fire Bowles? The second winningest coach in our history? Be careful what you wish for. Nuff said.
December 2nd, 2025 at 5:59 pm
There is only one solution and they both end up with Bowels not coaching after this year. Five games left and honestly the way our defense performs wins are not a sure thing. Even if we win the division our defense will be exposed in the playoffs. Sorry but the head coach runs this defense and they are below average. Our only hope is Evan’s and McMillan turn our offense into an unstoppable machine. We win games 35 -32. That’s ugly and this is why bowels must go
December 2nd, 2025 at 6:38 pm
The defense played better it seemed before the bye although they weren’t great. I’m still holding out hope they will come around and play good hard nosed defense. Start wrapping up when they go in for a tackle instead of trying to just knock someone down. Maybe simplify the defense to where we don’t have guys running wide open through the defense.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:10 pm
@Aqualung – money where your mouth is? 8-9? Put up or shut up.
December 2nd, 2025 at 10:26 pm
Anyone with the handle “BugBoiBluc” trying to be an ominous internet bully is too pitiful to respond to. When we were 6-2 and maroons like this wanker were predicting 15-2 and Super Bowl, I said 7-5 at this point.
And after Todd’s public defecation on the fanbase on Sunday at home, I’m saying 8-9.
Hope I’m wrong. Never bet against my team but I should.
December 3rd, 2025 at 12:04 am
@AquaDouche, show me where I predicted that record? I’ll wait. You can’t, just a loudmouth. And your spelling is pitiful at best..