Bordering On “Untrustworthy”
December 3rd, 2025
Rough November.
It isn’t just you.
Before the season, Joe thought the Bucs truly had a legit shot to make noise in the playoffs. Maybe even make a run. But unprecedented injuries and a defense that for the past month plays like they have the U-Hauls backed up and reservations in the DR booked has really thrown a wrench into Joe’s playoff dreams.
After watching the Bucs lumber to a three-point win over a team starting a backup and losing 9 of its last 10, Joe is wondering if the Bucs can hobble their way to a division title.
A month ago it seemed all but a done deal. Man, how a month can change things.
Joe isn’t a big power rankings guy. Everyone has them and many of the folks voting in these rankings don’t watch half the games. Sometimes, however, these power rankings tell a tale.
For example, after losing three straight games, two on national TV, where the Bucs’ defense got clobbered and then followed that up by surviving the Cardinals, it’s understandable some folks think the Bucs have become a poor team at the worst time: in December.
BSPN dropped the Bucs two spots from last week to No. 17 in their power rankings.
That, boys and girls, means BSPN thinks the Bucs are in the bottom half of the league. So it’s not just Joe who has been left both unimpressed and worried for the Bucs after a nightmarish November.
The same holds true for the crowd at CBS. Zachary Pereles typed an article about the most trustworthy teams in the playoff hunt and he put the Bucs in his fifth group — the least trustworthy teams in order of trust called “Wild card.” Of these seven teams, he has the Bucs ranked last.
The only lower group Pereles has is called “Untrustworthy.” The Bucs apparently are just above the bar of untrustworthy.
That’s how damning the month of November has been. People don’t know if they can trust the Bucs to win enough games to wrap up the NFC South.
Joe would feel a lot better about the Bucs’ playoff aspirations if they go out Sunday and curb-stomp the slimy Saints by three touchdowns.
Joe has a nagging fear it’s going to be much closer than that.
December 3rd, 2025 at 5:19 am
The Putrid Pass Defense is still this team’s Achilles heel and has been the last few years. There is no Stud Edge rushers that bring steady heat on passing downs. Then of course we see Ed Rogers dropping back into pass coverage. It’s the same movie over and over hopefully the Bucs Offense can really gel and hide the blemishes of our defense. Thank God for Baker. Go Bucs!
December 3rd, 2025 at 5:22 am
Edge Rushers dropping back into coverage has worn old on us Bucs fans.
December 3rd, 2025 at 5:29 am
Secondary is a total mess, D Line can’t get to the QB, LBs can’t tackle, DC won’t change – soft secondary coverages, linemen in coverage, over complicated coverages that don’t work. What’s not to like?
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:01 am
As a conservative in the original meaning of the term, I reject this whole prima donna “Edge” apostasy.”
The Bucs play a 3-4 defense with 4 linebackers. And, linebackers have coverage responsibilities.
With three defensive linemen rushing, a team is technically blitzing when it rushes 5 by sending both outside linebackers.
The best pressure is inside pressure. With Kancey out, the Bucs have had an inside pressure deficit for months that is not going to get better before the season is over..
The best way to improve the overall efficiency of the defense is for the offense to run the ball more and possess the ball as long as they can still advance the ball.
The Panthers beat the Rams by running 40 times which opened things up for the measly 20 times they passed the ball. The Bucs keep up with that, or they take down the golf clubs and fishing reels.
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:13 am
This coach (and athletic training team) squandered a Championship team.
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:16 am
Kancey could be back soon. Zyon is a huge problem that could cost us games. Even Vildor is better than Zyon right now, he looks lost. They gave him the money and he’s responded with a massive regression AWJ is so busy watching Zyon’s guy that he’s going backwards also. LVD at time looks amazing but otw is showing his age. SVD is playing good… Jamel and Reddick help a lot.
On offense CG will help us convert 3rd downs and Bucky gives us a weapon that defenses have to respect.
These last 5 games will show who the real bucs are; the team that went into Houston on Monday night and gutted out a win or the team that went to LA and fell on its face.
We need JMac ME13 and Kalijah back asap if we’re going to try to win the division.
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:22 am
Hard to see any significant changes coming for the remainder of the season. Like yogi Berra once said, it like deja Vu all over again.
Show of hands for those who think the DC will get it figured out in time?
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:39 am
When your team routinely allows players to run wide aas open at all levels of the defense week after week with virtually zero resistance it is fair to consider their potential for success untrustworthy.
Defense wins championships.
This is not a championship defense.
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:42 am
A couple of ugly wins against inferior teams has me thinking the culture at one Buc is not what we have been told…repeatedly. We should have been playing third stringers in the second half against these guys and the Rams should not have looked like the second coming of the “greatest show on turf” agaisnt us. Even with some rookies and injuries.
Spot on Joe. Not sure Baker’s “moxie” can get it done.
Go Bucs!
December 3rd, 2025 at 6:47 am
Say Anything about the defense and the out cry is So Loud it’s deafening!
NOBODY’S BUYING what Todd Bowles is selling anymore ESPECIALLY the Players.He has to “beg them not to lose” Sad…..
I’ve read lately there’s A Lot of talk about wanting to lose games? WHO said people want to lose games???
You people have it Twisted!
The REASON that there is Such an Out Cry is because We DON’T WANT TO LOSE GAMES!!! TIRED OF LOSING GAMES TO ALMOST ANYBODY AND EVERYBODY THAT HAS A RECORD OVER 500! Many are sharpening pitchforks out there! Letting the touches soak longer in “Hot Seat Oil” because it’s been so bad for so long, many thousands want to burn this antiquated head coach out from behind the wheel of this SINKING SHIP!
Confidence is low because what’s clear is that there is a strawman behind the wheel…..
The Truth ain’t pretty concerning the status of the give a D@m of the players. And the “Swan has turned into the Ugly Duckling” The OC is a J.A.G. and I don’t think he’s capable of saving face for Bowles this time as others have in the past. We’ll know that answer VERY SOON NOW!
What’s Really perplexing to me is “the guys that like to wear the nothing special brown paper bag, More Than they Want the Lombardi Trophy” in our prestigious glass case!