Bucs History With Kirk Cousins Is Frightening
December 10th, 2025
“You like that?”
Joe won’t lecture anyone on dealing with their short-term investor broker between now and Thursday night. But consider how things are shaping up for the Bucs:
* Tampa Bay is wearing the creamsicles. Joe loves the creamsicles, but Joe also knows as throwbacks, the creamsicles are cursed.
* It’s a primetime game. The Bucs generally play awful in primetime.
* Kirk “509” Cousins will start for the Dixie Chicks.
Is that enough for you to grab a bottle of bourbon and start chugging?
Given how the Bucs have cratered since beating Seattle in Week 5 and are this-close to blowing the NFC South race, all of the above has Joe on the Sunshine Skyway watch tomorrow night.
Yesterday, Bucs run game coordinator/outside linebackers coach Larry Foote was talking about preparing for a Thursday night game. He said it is fortunate to play a familiar division foe because it cuts research time.
And, Foote cited, it helps to have a history with 509 Cousins.
Dear God.
Let’s look at recent history with 509 Cousins, shall we?
Last year — on Thursday Night Football no less! — Cousins went wilding on Todd Bowles’ defense like few quarterbacks have. Before the carnage was over and the carcasses of the Bucs’ defenders lay all over the field with steam still rising from the attack, the veteran quarterback threw for 509 yards and four touchdowns in a 36-30 overtime win.
Joe required a windshield replacement after punching it so much after that game.
Then the Bucs and their defensive coaches studied the tape and crafted a masterplan to stop 509 Cousins the next time the teams met, right?
Not so fast, Waffle House-breath.
Facing the Bucs in Tampa, 509 Cousins again torched the Bucs, this time for just 276 yards. But 509 Cousins burned the Bucs with four touchdown passes in a 31-26 Dixie Chicks win.
Adjustments!
So Cousins charbroiled Bowles’ defense for 785 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2 games last season, completing 74.7 percent of his passes. Against the rest of the NFL? Cousins struggled, throwing 10 TDS against 15 interceptions in 12 starts.
You like that?
In 2023, as quarterback of the Vikings, Cousins threw for 344 and two touchdowns in a 20-17 Bucs win. And who could ever forget the Capitol Collapse, a shining moment of The Lost Decade?
So pardon Joe for breaking out in hives talking about 509 Cousins’ history against a Bowles-led Bucs defense.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:08 am
Like my Broker says past performance does not determine future performance. Just win baby win.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:14 am
I honestly think the defense is worse since this team played cousins last year. I hope the Bucs win but I just don’t have the confidence they can. I would not be shocked to see Cousins throw for 300 plus yards in this game.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:19 am
Kirkel Cuz is about the put another 500 burger on this turdly bowels D.
watching the Eagles – Chargers game, you saw Hurts have 4 INTs and a lost fumble and it still took a miracle INT in OT for the Chargers to beat them. That is what a good defense can do, keep you in the game when your O is struggling. With our D, the only chance we have is timing it perfect so somehow we have the ball last on O and even last game that didn’t help.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:23 am
We are simply not getting enough production from our high defensive draft picks……Morrison, Braswell, Kancey, Hall, JTS….and highly paid FA Reddick
That’s 6 players…more than half our defense…..
No wonder our defense sucks….this is on Licht & Bowles….and perhaps other coaches
December 10th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Yeah but if we can score more than 20 points, our D isn’t the concern. But time will tell!
December 10th, 2025 at 9:23 am
Prime time + Cousins = Pappy van winkle time,
I like that
December 10th, 2025 at 9:25 am
I remember the first time he started against the Bucs!
Tore us a new one!!!
December 10th, 2025 at 9:30 am
skyway watch waffle house breath thursday i think there is a waffle house on 19 going to the skyway the last thur breakfest thank god for the new nets
December 10th, 2025 at 9:34 am
If Drake London plays, the game will be different but right now it looks like he will be out again.
In that case Cousins has no threatening targets to throw to.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:36 am
Defense just hasn’t come to fruition over the years.
I blame Bowles more than Licht because Licht has a proven track record in the draft and we know Bowles likes to run a certain style of defense (i.e. DE’s playing Safety)
December 10th, 2025 at 9:37 am
Is there any data on any QB that makes the defense look remotely capable? I’d love to see that list. Who exactly hasn’t performed well and what do they have in common. I know it’s not against QBs with teams that have winning records because Bowles is like 6-18 in those games.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:42 am
If London is out I actually like our chances a lot more- especially if Evans and Macmillan play!
December 10th, 2025 at 9:44 am
Joe sooo funny here. “Is that enough for you to grab a bottle of bourbon and start chugging?” “waffle house breath” lol and all of it is true. Prime time+throwback creamsicles+Kirk Cousins+NFC south on the line=an epic disaster of epic proportions. It will be a loss with multiple catastrophic injuries. ughhhh
December 10th, 2025 at 9:46 am
My Wednesday special edition Five Things ( a nod to my favorite Joe’s post every week)
1. Thursday Night Football/Prime Time
2. Another HOME away game.
3. Creamsicle unis
4. Kirk 509 Cousins
5. Head Coach/DC Todd Bowles
I’d recommend chicken wire backstops placed in front of all Bay Area home TV sets. Safety, is no accident.
December 10th, 2025 at 9:50 am
Kissin’ Cousins secures his roster spot for next season with the Falcones or earns yet another bag elsewhere following his primetime performance this Thursday evening. I would be shocked ( but happy/relieved if not ) if it went in The Bucs favor. The field will no doubt be a slop-fest again…Bijan breaking ankles and dropping jocks up and down the field. Even Kyle Pitts will look like the high draft pick he was/is. Prove us doubters wrong, Bucs. Otherwise…Bowles & Licht are on notice ( or should be ).
December 10th, 2025 at 9:52 am
i have a fresh bottle of Blantons just waiting
December 10th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Bucs defense sucks! The qb. has way to long to find an open receiver. Because edge rushers are not even in the game. The Toad has them covering runningbacks out of the and backfield. Why are they covering receivers?
December 10th, 2025 at 9:56 am
i’ll be at the game in my creamsicle gear!!!!
please dont embarrass me BUCS!!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
December 10th, 2025 at 10:03 am
So Joe, if he throws for 600 tomorrow night, wouldn’t that means Bowles gets canned Friday?
December 10th, 2025 at 10:05 am
This is by far the easiest opponent they have, yet to face. Lose this one and it is over.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:06 am
If we give up the booty to “you like that!?” Kirk 509 Cousins on TNF, and we do so by these ways:
– soft coverage
-open as hell over the middle
-invisible/toothless edge rush
-invisible Antione Winfield Jr.
Then, I will be beyond upset, angry, and ready for a a coaching change. We cannot lose by the same sorry outcomes.
Go Bucs, we need a big win tomorrow, and the fans expect it.
Shake off your primetime rust, and go take this game from your opponent.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:12 am
Cousins is going to drink it up, with or without London. Atlanta has the best player on the field,Bijan Robinson. If they give him the ball 25-30 times it could be a big problem but they don’t and definitely not against us..I see him having a big game but not big enough for them. Could even see Baker having a big game, he’s due and even a broke clock right twice a day. Imo, as long as we don’t get swept by Carolina the division is ours. If we loose this game and Beat Carolina,we are in first place.Tbey still have Seattle.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:13 am
Cousins didn’t struggle in the other games. Adding up stats is really not a representative of how he played. Aside from one game with 4 INTs, his interceptions were the same as any other QB. And Joe Buc should know all about how an arm injury can affect whether or not TD passes are made. That injury happened in week 10.
Lots of QBs play hurt. And Joe’s watched nearly all Cousins’ games this year. Same QB when not playing the Bucs.–Joe
December 10th, 2025 at 10:13 am
In week 1 l likes our chances and we won…barely…but we won. On paper, I still like our chances because the Falcons stink to high heaven. But I can’t argue with Joes interpretations of the omens as set before us. I don’t need a ouija board to see this disaster coming. A few homers will blather about being a loyal fan. Loyal to what? I’m looking to next year with a new coach and a different team.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:23 am
You certainly make a good case Joe. Who can forget those two very exciting games against the D Birds last year. Both of the games were very close and there were some contested calls and a crucial fumble by BI 7.
Not sure what’s going to happen tomorrow but I’ll definitely be watching and hanging onto my chair !!
If Grizzard can plan this game out with so many stars on the roster, and the O Line and Baker have a good game, I am confident the Bucs pull off a victory on Thursday Night Football !!
I’m hoping to see Mike Evans drawing some attention and making a few catches.
CG 14 will definitely be a big factor in this game.
Can McMillan have a productive night after all he’s been through? Sure hope so !!
EE2, Tez, and SS 17 will be flashing as well.
What about our powerful running backs BI7, RW1, and Tucker !!
We have so many weapons !! I’m sure it’s hard to figure out how and where to plug them all into the offensive scheme.
Hopefully our defense will be able to rattle Cousins early and take him out of his game plan.
I’m hoping for a Buccaneers victory!!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Dirty Birds !!
December 10th, 2025 at 10:26 am
3 sacks for braswell please and clean up the Falcons as a get right game.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:26 am
No tea to think it won’t happen again.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:27 am
Reason ^^^
December 10th, 2025 at 10:30 am
Todd will rejuvenate Cousins’ career.
For one game.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:34 am
Joe, I have to say that this is one of the funniest articles you’ve ever written. I was laughing out loud reading it, lol! And I’m with you – bourbon is on deck before the game!
December 10th, 2025 at 10:46 am
Who cares … we got jpp. Brasswell. Haason. Morrison. Zion and Dennis.
December 10th, 2025 at 10:57 am
Joe, I think we all agree with you and hope we are wrong about Thursday and Cousins. I will say this if Counsins leads ATL down the field for a touchdown on the opening drive, you may as well turn off the tv and even leave the game cause it will be ugly.
I will disagree with one coment. This game won’t make the season done, that occurred last week. This week’s loss will just get all the nails hammered in. The casket is already in place all the Bucs in it, all the nails in place they just need to be hammered in. I think both coaches are playing for their jobs and the one who loses, loses his job. Fri, the other one may get til the season is over..
December 10th, 2025 at 11:00 am
I will definitely watch this game. This will be a record breaking game for Kirk Cousin throwing 500+ yards against this lousy Bucs defense. Also, this will be record breaker for Falcons defense for not allowing the pathetic Bucs offense to score a TD….. i guarantee it!
December 10th, 2025 at 11:05 am
Indeed! LOL
December 10th, 2025 at 11:06 am
Cousins dismantled Todd Bowels defense twice in 2023. Has the defense gotten any better since then? When you are in any highly paid business, employers and stakeholders expect results. I like Todd Bowles but he continues to struggle. There must be an Andy Reid experienced coach out there. Find him and hire him.
December 10th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Nothing about the creamsicles are cursed. They had hugh culverhouse as an owner and a bunch of terrible coaches. They didn’t wear orange last week and Bowles had them cursed. Now Cousins on the other hand is worrisome. Well so is Tyler slough and jamarcus Russell and Ryan leaf and anyone else against Bowles defense
December 10th, 2025 at 12:20 pm
I love my team, but I’m willing to root against them in the next four weeks for the greater good of the franchise. These next four loses need to be convincing enough to force the Glazers hands.
December 10th, 2025 at 12:23 pm
If we play Philip Rivers at this stage….. Oh boy, he will have a Hall of Fame game against the pathetic BUcs. !!!!
December 10th, 2025 at 12:27 pm
Some of us JBF posters with a 6th sense for sniffing out frauds pointed to the two Atlanta games last year as enough evidence to show Bowles the door at the end of last season.
Here we are, potentially entering a new “Lost Decade”. Hate to say it, but i told you so. Coen fell into their lap and made way too much sense for this overthinking organization to just make the correct call.
If Licht stays and is allowed to pick the next head coach, I’ll know its a defacto Bruce Arians choice and I will have less than zero confidence in that decision.
December 10th, 2025 at 12:53 pm
Atlanta +8.5
Cousins 150+ pass yards
Cousins over 0.5 pass TDs
That’s a +115 bet and sadly I have a solid chunk of change down already.
December 10th, 2025 at 12:59 pm
I got him running to the Falcons locker room cheering after thurs game going, You like that don’t you Bucs?
December 10th, 2025 at 1:47 pm
It will be 555 Cousins when he breaks the all time record. He was only one pass from breaking it last time. This sure is a different context than talking about playoff seeding and power rankings and Superbowl. How the mighty have fallen. It’s a Bucs life! Fire over confident mistake prone clueless Bowles!
December 10th, 2025 at 2:18 pm
The Bucs will win.
December 10th, 2025 at 2:24 pm
Fire Todd
December 10th, 2025 at 2:55 pm
Even if Bucs lose this game they will still control their own destiny. But if they lose next week they will not.
December 10th, 2025 at 5:42 pm
The Bucs defense should be getting some of Cousins money. I’m sure during negotiations with teams he sent them tape of him torching the Bucs defense every time he plays them. I don’t Expect anything different Thursday night against this awful defense. The only thing we can hope for is our offense can outscore them. However, who knows who plays on the O-line for the Bucs. We know our starting guards are out for the season and who knows if Wirfs will play. I’m sure that makes Baker real comfortable knowing he can’t count on the line to protect him.