Opponents Were Explosive Against Bucs Defense
February 18th, 2026
This really shouldn’t surprise anyone who follows the Bucs.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles loves to blitz. That did not abate last season. The Bucs blitzed on 30.7 percent of the defensive plays. That was sixth-most in the NFL, per Sharp Football Analysis.
So what did that get the Bucs? Burned, that’s what. The Bucs’ defense had the sixth-highest explosive play rate in the league.
An explosive play is generally regarded as a run of 12 or more yards and a pass play of 16 or more yards.
Part of the reason for this was the blitzes didn’t always get home. Another reason is the inside linebackers couldn’t cover themselves with a blanket at night.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:23 am
Maybe, but that wasn’t Todd’s fault. It was due to all the injuries on the offense and bad coaching by the assistants Todd hired.
Don’t blame Todd Bowles.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:34 am
And that’s why this readership — for the most part — has been clamoring for a new coach.
I certainly have a lot of respect what Todd has accomplished in his career, but what he’s been doing hasn’t been working — and he just kept on doing it — and kept blaming lack of results on his players “not executing”. If it’s not working, it’s not working and it’s time to move on.
I’m pretty sure a lot of you saw what I saw as the season progressed; a lot of players showing that they were no longer buying in to the coaching strategies. The defensive motivation just kept on declining to the point of embarrassment.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:51 am
Glazers willing to give this loser more chances over and over is why many of us are moving on from this team. The owners do not make good coaching a priority. The offensive coordinator last year was a rookie, why was he hired? Why was Bowles extended early?
February 18th, 2026 at 1:12 am
@FireTheCannons
Then they’re shocked why they’re inconsistent & why they can’t stay consistent. They’ve got a Hooked On Phonics coach & front office & some Hooked On Phonics owners, too!
February 18th, 2026 at 2:16 am
Bottom of the barrel defense with so many holes not sure how long it will take to recover. Coupled with bad coaching and a GM who has been a disaster at drafting defensive players and signing free agents, I don’t see how the defense is going to be any better next year.
Shame really as the offense is going to waste. Kind of like the Jameis years , when the defense was so horrible the Bucs often started out in a 14 point hole.
I honestly don’t see how both Bowles and Licht still have a job.
February 18th, 2026 at 2:20 am
And Todd “No Accountability” Bowles says
“We had a bust in coverage. Oh yeah we had a bust in coverage there again. The Linebacker slipped and fell. We over pursued that runner. They didn’t get the signal and were in the wrong defense. Well we practiced that in the 3’rd walk-thru last week. The players just aren’t getting it. It’s the players. It couldn’t be me. This is the defense we are running. I AM THE GREAT CORNHOLIO!!!!
February 18th, 2026 at 6:07 am
Also, when you emphasize interceptions over and over and over again all preseason, players take more chances, jumping routes and guessing wrong, leaving receivers wide-a$$ open.
February 18th, 2026 at 6:31 am
It may be the easiest defense to decipher in the league. Everyone knows where our guys will be, and will not be, on every single play. Couple that with mediocre players and this is the result.
February 18th, 2026 at 6:38 am
3RD AND 28.
We as coaches can’t do any more.
Abysmal record at home.
A more abysmal record in (national) night games.
Worst redzone defense in the ENTIRE NFL.
Players quit on him during the great collapse of 2025.
Players calling the HC out on and off the record.
Constantly blaming failures on players.
Last but not least We have to coach it better. Players have to play it better.
February 18th, 2026 at 6:58 am
What gets me is the fact that Bowles hired these defensive coaches that are now fired. Licht didn’t hire them!!! What is worse is the special teams coaches. They cost the team at least 3 wins and were able to keep their jobs until the end of the year. Should have been fired after a blocked Field Goal and a blocked punt in back to back games.
February 18th, 2026 at 7:05 am
Watched the first quarter of the season opener against Atlanta. Our defense sucked right out of the gate. If you forgot, Atlanta took the opener, and scored on a 65 yard swing pass. The season started that way, and ended that way. The hot start was always doomed to fail, which it did. Todd never got the defense right, and Grizz was no Coen. Don’t have faith Todd, and Licht will get it done this season, but that’s why they play the games, and we watch.
February 18th, 2026 at 7:34 am
He has pictures of the Glazers that are compromising. lol
I am still waiting for the reason why Todd still has his job. Too cheap to pay his Salary and fire him? Do not want to fire a Minority coach? His great Pass Defense we can’t live without. He is a Nice guy and the players and Owners love him? Gimme a break. He is not a good coach. Look at his record. The definition of ‘Meh’.
February 18th, 2026 at 7:38 am
Kancey was hurt all year, other than Vea, the other Defensive Tackles are not quality, not serviceable, not good.
February 18th, 2026 at 8:34 am
…and what is that reason Bucs3? Come on out and state it. You have me curious.
February 18th, 2026 at 10:38 am
Give Bowzo a raise! ROFL
February 18th, 2026 at 10:40 am
Aqualung must have the bends he is not making sense.
February 18th, 2026 at 11:09 am
The Bucs defense is bad!
February 18th, 2026 at 11:57 am
Todd Bowles defense has no identity. Who can they bring in that is going to change that? Vita is on the wrong side of 30 and isnt the tone setter he used to be. No impact players on the DL or at LB and this is what you get left with. A complicated scheme without impact players and no identity. Rest assured to see some DE’s dropping into coverage on 3rd and 15
February 18th, 2026 at 12:13 pm
Bowles’ D was horrific. Everyone saw it and shook their head except for the Glazers.
February 18th, 2026 at 12:45 pm
4th and 14. Not Bowles fault. It was the woman who cleans the uniforms . Her fault.
February 18th, 2026 at 1:22 pm
All the hate negativity Why would the glazers want this ? They had the scapegoat ,didn’t pull the trigger on Bowles? Maybe drama queens? They must like reading this crap? Its a Damn shame cause they had the team and blew it
February 18th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Glazers don’t care they still get paid
February 18th, 2026 at 2:14 pm
Translation: IBS is becoming as horrific as a DC as he is a HC!
Nationwide celebration in January 2027 when IBS is removed from Bucs team…
February 18th, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Explosive is not the word for it. Opposing Offenses marched up and down the field at will on Todd Bowles ‘ defense. It was a pitiful exhibition of NFL Defense. It was and is Unforgivable.
February 18th, 2026 at 8:14 pm
Explosive? Gee, we didn’t notice those long break away runs by a variety of opponents or opposing TD passes on last second plays at the ends of half. When opponents weren’t being explosive they methodically moved the ball against Bucs in time consuming drives. Really shocking with all the HC turnover at the end of 2025 season that Todd Bowles survived. He won’t survive if defense doesn’t shape up in 2026.
February 18th, 2026 at 8:17 pm
Don’t blame Bowlez it’s all Mayfield’s fault