Congratulations, Bucs Fans!
September 13th, 2026
How many more Bucs games do we have in this life? How many more opening days?
It’s a personal question. But when you start to think about the answer, it underscores how precious each game should be for a Bucs fan.
Enjoy today’s 1 o’clock kickoff against the Bengals in Cincinnati. It’s a wonderful feeling every year.
Hope is alive from Bradenton Beach to Brandon. Excitement fills the pregame Publix aisles and the comfortable seats at Hooters. Your fantasy team is still special.
Joe’s even excited for the small sect of angry Bucs fans that wants Todd Bowles gone so badly, rooting against Tampa Bay is part of their plan. The start of the season represents a chance for those fans to get their priorities straight. Winning this season will turn them around!
Joe picked against the Bucs today but hopes to be wrong. This upset is exactly what this team needs to rid itself of the stink of last season.
Count on Joe and Ira Kaufman to be here after the game typing away in celebration of this momentus day — win or lose.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:30 am
“Small sect” ?? LOL
Unfortunately the stench goes back far beyond just last season Joe, but let’s not dabble in facts since it’s opening day. todd’s going to reimagine himself in his 26th season in the NFL, there’s your headline lol
September 13th, 2026 at 8:34 am
Today is my personal Christmas morning. Nfl football is back. I can’t wait to unwrap 12 games today.
I want the bucs to to go 21-0 and win the superbowl.
I dont think Bowles is the headcoach or especially the DC to lead this team. I think he gets exposed real bad by the traditionally defunct bengals who always start seasons slow.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:40 am
Mulligan!!!
September 13th, 2026 at 8:40 am
I’m in my 70s. Been a fan since 76. Wondered if we’d ever win a SB. During the lost decade I wondered if I’d see another one. Now I’m wondering if I will see yet another. I think so.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:42 am
Hope is alive from Bradenton Beach to Brandon.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
There’s that word again! GOOOOOOOO BUCS!!!
September 13th, 2026 at 8:46 am
Maybe I just don’t know much about football, but I think the BUCS should be slightly favored in Cincinnati. The Bengals just aren’t that good overall. Go BUCS!!!
September 13th, 2026 at 8:47 am
Hope springs eternal. Beating the crap out of that GQ-looking Joe Burrow would be an adequate birthday present
September 13th, 2026 at 8:50 am
@Bojim, I’m hoping ya see another Lombardi trophy too.
September 13th, 2026 at 8:54 am
Spread went to Bucs +4! Lots of Bengals money coming in, go get some of that disrespect Baker!! Let’s Go boys!!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:07 am
Small sect???? You are dreaming.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:11 am
The Bucs are currently unseated!! Celebrate this day!
Can wait to see them play. Joe, THANK YOU for getting us thru another offseason. I read other blogs when I have time and NONE compare to JBF. NONE have as many articles. NONE provide the coverage of JBF.
The only competition you have is that leftist Florio, but he covers 32 teams, not one.
THANK YOU again Joe(s) and Ira!!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Yes Small, 70% of buc fans on this site predict a winning season, you will ALWAYS have trolls.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:17 am
Finally some semblance of optimism! Hope springs eternal no more do than on opening day. As in life, all of us only have so many football seasons left in us so let’s be happy and enjoy them all! Love when the Joe’s have a Zen moment lol.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Joes are feeling it!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:22 am
@ Mike C
Troll = anyone who disagrees with me…
LOL!
You guys are all the same.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:23 am
17-0 unless the team proves otherwise. May as well dream big!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Cin – 24
TB – 17
I guess I am a “troll” because I don’t believe the Bucs CBs match up very well against Joe Burrow, Chase and Higgins…
The two Joe’s said the same thing are they also considered “trolls”?
September 13th, 2026 at 9:25 am
I have to watch a replay later today, so I’ll be avoiding the website until after that.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Sentimental Joes …
Brought a tear to my eye 👁️
September 13th, 2026 at 9:26 am
No real fan cheers for her team to lose! Good or bad result, Bucs and the coaches are the greatest!!!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:31 am
This off-season seemed to last forever, compared to previous ones. Ugh.
So thankful opening day is finally here!
I’m not a Todd Bowles fan, but he’s our HC/DC this year so I just deal with it. If he succeeds, the team will succeed.
Joe, thank you for keeping the news and information flowing during the painfully long months between January and August. You guys really kicked it in once training camp started. The amount of news and info has just been amazing. Thank you. It’s only week one, but you’ve already earned well-deserved vacations, lol.
GO BUCS!!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:36 am
“How many more…”
Watched last night the Ricky Bell movie. 🙁
September 13th, 2026 at 9:47 am
Bucs fans that are truly Bucs fans wanted Bowles gone. For the past 3 years now. You are a fool to think this year is going to be any different with Bowles in charge, damn I really truly hate to say that
September 13th, 2026 at 9:49 am
Another year of Todd Bowles. Ugh
September 13th, 2026 at 9:51 am
@ Marine: You aren’t a troll; you use reason and educated opinions. I think he’s referring to the people who root daily for the Bucs to lose so Bowles will be fired, and simply just to ruin other fans day.
September 13th, 2026 at 9:52 am
well last year I wanted Bowles gone and Baker tagged. So now here we are on game day with a rich Baker. LFG! Lets win every game even remotely possible and keep Bowles till he retires then. I hope it works out for the Bucs today. Sometimes I get conflicted when it comes to Bowles–last year’s colllapse was soo intolerable and I could not believe the feckless Glazers gave him another pass. With that said, it is a new year and I am a Bucs fan again for better or worse, but it is not my only team anymore. Goo Bucs!
September 13th, 2026 at 9:57 am
It’s not a great situation but one we find ourselves in….
A no lose situation for Bucs fans…
Win a bunch of games for a great season….
Lose and get rid of one of the leagues worst HC/dc ….
The only way to lose is if Bucs choke the season and IBS remains HC anyway!
However many games we have left in this life will have far less value as long as he is still hc!
September 13th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Marine Buc, rooting for your own team to lose makes you a troll, hope that clears it up for your simple mind.
September 13th, 2026 at 10:01 am
@ Anyhony
“You aren’t a troll; you use reason and educated opinions. I think he’s referring to the people who root daily for the Bucs to lose”
I appreciate that thanks.
I always want the Bucs to win and I do believe they have a solid chance today.
I just really don’t trust these CBs but – again – I hope they prove me wrong…
Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2026 at 10:16 am
Forget the game line…
Bucky and Gainwell rec yards seem pretty low. 13.5 and 22.5 respectively. 13.5 for Bucky seems first half doable.
New offense so I have been scared to pull the trigger but I wouldn’t be surprised to see both those lines go over today.
September 13th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Yes, sir! Opening Day is terrific day to be alive. Go Bucs!
September 13th, 2026 at 10:27 am
Lets get this party started…..Get us a win Bucs!!! And Bain gets his first sack!!
September 13th, 2026 at 11:05 am
I think the Bucs are great! Iykyk
September 13th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Joe – your words really hit home today. My nephew who was a diehard Bucs fan passed away last Sunday from a heart attack at only 57 years old. We had planned to watch the game together today and couldn’t wait for the season to get here. Turns out his last Bucs game was a worthless preseason game, but it wasn’t worthless to me, it was the last time I saw my nephew alive. His Dad and I will be watching the Bucs game together today rooting for a Bucs victory. Go Bucs !!!
September 13th, 2026 at 11:27 am
LongTimeBucsFan:
Sorry to learn of your loss. Condolences. This is why sports are much bigger than what happens on the field.
September 13th, 2026 at 11:31 am
Marine Buc … ‘I guess I am a “troll” because I don’t believe the Bucs CBs match up very well against Joe Burrow, Chase and Higgins’.
Our CBs may or may not match up very well against Burrow, Chase & Higgins, but our DLine & OLBs certainly will. And so will our ILBs. And from what I’ve read, our Safeties are 2 of the best in the NFL.
If a QB ‘picks on’ one position group, or even just a particular member of one like a CB, there are ways that the DC can ‘slide help’ to that side and compensate to varying degrees. Change the equation so to speak, and force the QB to change what he’s doing. Love those games of ‘cat & mouse’. Today’s game may very well be one of those.