Third Quarter Sunday Could Break Bucs’ Skid
December 25th, 2025
The Bucs are the worst team in the NFC when it comes to scoring points in the fourth quarters of games.
Crunch time!
Tampa Bay averages less than 5 points in the fourth quarter this season. A year ago, the Bucs ranked second in the NFL scoring fourth-quarter points — 8.6 per game.
That’s a huge swing.
This year, the Bucs aren’t good scoring in first quarters, either. Most of their action comes in Quarters 2 and 3.
This could be a good thing come Sunday against the tanking Dolphins.
Dolphins fans, coaches and players have been chattering for weeks about how Miami can’t score after halftime. Through 15 games, Miami has been outscored 113-27 in third quarters.
Miami head coach/playcaller Mike McDaniel has accepted responsibility and has no answers. It’s almost akin to Todd Bowles’ defense allowing easy completions regularly.
Maybe, just maybe, the Bucs can capitalize and build a nice lead on a tanking Dolphins team after three quarters on Sunday, enough to put the game out of reach against a rookie seventh-round pick of a quarterback.
December 25th, 2025 at 3:22 pm
Let’s all HOPE this happens!!!
Go Bucs!!!
I hope I’m not being an idiot for believing this team.
December 25th, 2025 at 3:24 pm
The whole world knows the Dolphins are tanking
With that said, this is a Buc team that had a 14 point lead late against a team that was penalized over 20 times. And the Falcons were playing man coverage with backup CBs. The Bucs blew the 14 point lead, and they failed to capitalize on the Falcons man coverage.
And the Bucs were playing at home
I’m not sure the Bucs are capable of beating a “Tanking” team
December 25th, 2025 at 3:34 pm
Will this team allow the tanking Fish to win?
December 25th, 2025 at 3:35 pm
I meant loae
December 25th, 2025 at 3:36 pm
The D locker room has checked out….im expecting a loss.
I hope we win….i want us to win the next two and do something with a playoff spot but its very doubtful. We’ll be one and done even if we do go.
December 25th, 2025 at 3:40 pm
Take Miami +6. Free money. Dolphins probably win outright. The Bucs have quit. They were not even that upset losing last Sunday. And they don’t want to be embarrassed by a one-and-done playoff appearance, so just get to the offseason. “Business decisions” will be made during the game from guys not wanting to get hurt for a lost cause and miss out on getting paid. You’ll see…
December 25th, 2025 at 3:54 pm
Kayla what do u want them to do every time they lose??? Todd Bowles isn’t f bombing 6x every game we lose idk what u expect
December 25th, 2025 at 4:38 pm
Kayla is just saying the truth.
Coaches and players are checked out.
7-10 is coming
December 25th, 2025 at 4:44 pm
Bucs have checked out. The players know they are beating their heads against the failed systems they are forced to use. The Bucs may win this game on superior talent or MIA may be more checked out than us. A win won’t change the defeatist attitude creating these losses. The players don’t believe in Bowles anymore. They provide positive lip service only, but they know he is dead man walking. They know he is derailing their careers.
This team with this coaching staff hasn’t got a prayer of reaching even the conference finals. It will be a crime if the Glazers allow this staff to return. Talent is wasted. Winning at Miami is meaningless and only prolongs the inevitable. Who cares about third quarter leads. Another year flushed down the tubes hoping an inferior coach will find a magic genie in a lamp.
Glazers need to end this travesty. Fire Bowles now.
December 25th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
I don’t know about Miami tanking, don’t think so. They had put a string of wins together before benching Tua.
The facts are this Bucs D can give up points at the drop of a hat, so don’t count on MIami not scoring late in the game.
We just saw your prior article Joe how David has become weak in coverage along with Dennis. Therefore, the middle of the field is always open. Add this to the fact that their is no edge rush and as we have seen any QB can exploit the middle of the field on the Bucs. I have said prior that the only answer is for the Bucs to score a mountain of points.
December 25th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Ewers is no slouch. He will carve up the Bucs secondary if he isn’t pressured.What should be an easy win on paper will be a dog fight unless the Bucs show up.
December 25th, 2025 at 6:13 pm
May be a rookie seventh round QB, but no way he started as many games for the Texas Longhorns as he did if he’s a middling quarterback. He’s good enough that he was the number 1 QB in the United States coming out of high school. Not too many scrubs in the NFL.
December 25th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
When’s the last time we built a nice lead and put a game out of reach?
Last Panthers game of last year ?
December 25th, 2025 at 6:18 pm
Miami 28 – Bucs 24
December 25th, 2025 at 6:24 pm
And this talk of Miami tanking….. Mcdaniels has pulled them out of their downward spiral and They’ve played better than us for the last 5-6 games in spite of Tua being krap. They’ll probably be better with Ewers.
December 25th, 2025 at 7:32 pm
Watching games on Christmas day. I wonder how many Detroit Lions fans are calling for Dan Campbell’s head now?
Go Bucs!!
December 25th, 2025 at 9:26 pm
Fire Todd
December 25th, 2025 at 9:34 pm
I was just looking for a short comments list to wish one and all
a Merry Christmas!!