Bucs Win The Division Because…
September 12th, 2026
Kings of the hill, BSPN says.
You can rest easy, Bucs fans.
All is right with the world. There’s no reason to worry. Every day you wake up is sunny now. Every night when you go to bed your significant other looks like Hannah White. Every beer you grab is ice cold. The Bucs will have a home playoff game to open the postseason because the Bucs will win the NFC South landfill.
Who says? Why, it’s no less an authority than follically-challenged Billy Barnwell of BSPN. Albeit Billy says it happens by default.
Why? Because the NFC South is a landfill.
… I’ll lean toward the Buccaneers, who saw their running game deteriorate last season as they battled injuries to both their lead back (Bucky Irving) and much of their offensive line. Baker Mayfield was able to pull out games with fourth-quarter magic early in the season, but the offense stagnated as the year went along. Tampa also had some of the worst special teams in the league, which should hopefully be alleviated by the addition of legendary Steelers special teams coach Danny Smith.
… … I don’t feel great about the Bucs, but I feel worse about everyone else.
Joe thinks the Bucs will live or die based on how the defense plays.
Joe has no issue or worry about the offense. There are enough weapons to get the job done and Joe is a big fan of the Bucs’ offensive line if they can stay healthy. It’s the defense that gives Joe the shivers.
As Brother of Chucky said this week, cornerback is a major concern. Unless you have a pass rush that is other-level ferocious, you cannot hide bad cornerback play in the NFL.
The other element that freaks Joe out is the Bucs are banking on three rookies playing like veterans right off the bat. One rookie, sure. Two rookies? Well, OK. Three rookies? That’s pushing it.
If any of the three rookie starting defenders struggle, rest assured they will get exposed by opposing offenses. For example, if, as the haters are convinced, Josiah Trotter cannot defend the pass, what do you think Joe Burrow is going to do tomorrow? That’s right. Burrow, if Trotter struggles, Burrow will pick on Trotter all day.
Joe thinks this defense and significant playoff fortunes for the Bucs are a season away.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:11 am
Almost v everyone,stays healthy.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:11 am
So BSPN is going with the biggest midget argument for picking the Bucs. Hard to argue though I am with the Joe who predicted that Bowles could turn 10 wins into 8. Tampa should win the division but a chain is only as strong as its weakest link which many think is Bowles.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:14 am
“..I don’t feel great about the Bucs, but I feel worse about everyone else.” Not exactly a ringing endorsement.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:21 am
Nobody uses that term anymore. It is height challenged.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:33 am
Top Offensive Lines for 2026.
According to preseason and analyst evaluations from sources like PFF and Sharp, the top units feature strong continuity and elite individual performers:
1. Denver Broncos: Returns all five starters; led by standout tackle Garett Bolles and guard Quinn Meinerz.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: Retains their core starting five, anchored by elite right tackle Lane Johnson.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Boosted by star left tackle Tristan Wirfs and a recovering Cody Mauch.
So there is that…
September 12th, 2026 at 8:35 am
the Bengals were not good at stopping the run in 2025, yes, they added Simmons, but lost their starting DE for this game.
RUN the darn ball up their AZZES
September 12th, 2026 at 8:42 am
Gruden isn’t wrong our secondary is our weak spot on paper. We will have to see how they do in live games. Our starters on the o line are among the best it’s our depth that we have to be worried about.
Hopefully if the Bucs are going into the game against the Bears at 7-1 or 6-2 Licht makes some moves to improve both.
September 12th, 2026 at 8:46 am
I had AJ Brown and Davante Adams as 2 of my 3 WR’s. I need Baker to throw for 3 hunnert and 3 tuddies
September 12th, 2026 at 8:51 am
I disagree with the idea that the offense is not a worry. Holding teams under 22 pts. is a low bar and if Bowles can do that we should have a good season, IF. If Zac is really a good coordinator (not clearly evident), Oline stays healthy, and Baker’s play reverts to ’24 form. Bowles job appears to be an easier task than what Zac has to perform. Granted, all the horses and hay are in the barn for the offense to break out. Coaching in all 3 phases are the main unknown in how the season will play out. All the incentive necessary is available. Is the coaching talent available? Sunday will be a good test. GO BUCS!!!!!
September 12th, 2026 at 8:55 am
If this team makes the playoffs, the rookies will have 17 games NFL experience- they won’t be rookies anymore.
The Bucs have the talent… will they be healthy come playoff time and does OC Robinson know what he’s doing? – those are keys
September 12th, 2026 at 9:12 am
That is a lot of hand wringing, Joe.
Is getting three instant starters on defense such a big ask?
The Bucs have been averaging 3 to 4 instant starters.
Granted, while there have been three recent instant starters on offense in the same year, two has been the max for defense. But, the Bucs have drafted offense even when the need was on defense.
2025 – Emeka Ebuka, Jacob Parrish, Elijah Roberts, Tez Johnson
2024 – Graham Barton, Tykee Smith, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving
2023 – Calijah Kancey, Cody Mauch, Yaya Diaby
2022 – Luke Goedeke, Rachaad White, Cade Otton
September 12th, 2026 at 9:29 am
Aint won a darn thing!!!! We’re NOTHING until we’re something….one game at a time!
September 12th, 2026 at 9:31 am
I’m not a fan of Bowles, but I do think he will be better on 4th downs this year. Danny Smith has already said in his presser that he’s involved in 4th down decisions. That might be enough, along with better special teams play, for the Bucs to win 1 or 2 games over expectations.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:32 am
Wow Joe!
I feel like you’re reading my mind! Because you’re, SPOT ON.
Can’t make a call on the pole because technically I have no clue what we actually Have. Far too many rookies in critical positions that are cutting there teeth for the first time Ever this year. And it’s WELL KNOWN that the NFL is a different animal than all others. Besides, I haven’t heard Any of the coaches that are convinced that we’re unstoppable for that matter…. so
It’ll be next year for anything special. This year’s about survival more than it is thrival.
Anything beyond that (in a good way) is icing on the cake.
The “alleged” leadership has been Absolutely Killing Us. Starting with the Full On dismantling of a Super Bowl winning team and ALL of its Dominate, Winning ways, to (the point of having the defense in particular but the WHOLE TEAM PARTICIPATED) the Entire Team Quiting on bowles! That’s what’s called a FACT… And THAT’S a tough hole to climb out of in the first place… SO… A change there is UTTERLY an “Obvious Need”.. The retention makes it CLEAR that they don’t “expect” that they will actually be competitive in December. Though they have been resetting the chess board with the means to be in 27 and beyond.
September 12th, 2026 at 9:38 am
‘Joe thinks this defense and significant playoff fortunes for the Bucs are a season away.’
Likely also a HC and DC away!
September 12th, 2026 at 10:04 am
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Tye said it and he is correct
September 12th, 2026 at 10:21 am
The Bucs will win their division this year because Dean and Davis have been sent walking and their offensive lineman remains healthy! Go bucs
September 12th, 2026 at 10:29 am
None of this makes me rest easy.