Browns Beat Writers Pick Bucs To Win
September 18th, 2026
On paper, the Bucs should mow through the Cleveland Browns on Sunday in Tampa Bay’s home opener.
What a glorious happening that would be for Bucs fans rattled by their team’s sloppy road loss at Cincinnati.
A resounding win will satisfy most fans; the Bucs squeaking out a hard-fought “W” will be problematic for those who hold the team to a high standard. The Browns are so bad, the Bucs will need a few style points on Sunday to keep the masses optimistic.
So what are Cleveland beat writers saying about the game?
Cleveland.com, the digital arm of The Plain Dealer newspaper, has three Browns beat reporters. Mary Kay Cabot is the big name and she has the Bucs winning 26-13. She noted she knows Baker Mayfield well enough to say he’ll be totally locked in after a bad Week 1 and the Browns lining up across from him.
Colleague Dan Labbe thinks the Browns aren’t as bad as they appear and will compete on Sunday. He picks the Bucs to win 26-19. Ashley Bastock says the Bucs will cruise to a 28-17 win. The Browns’ “across-the-board” collapse on defense in Week 1 isn’t something she can get past.
At ESPN Cleveland, iconic Tony Grossi said the Browns have “zero” chance of pulling off the upset: “I see no pathway to a Browns win here.” Grosso also isn’t picking the underdog Browns to cover the 8 1/2-point spread
(Tidbit … Grossi and Cabot were removed from the prestigious Pro Football Hall of Fame selection committee this month as part of the Hall’s overhaul. Sage JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman made the cut when the committee was cut from 50 to 28, plus three alternates.)
Ira Kaufman Reads The Locker Room And Todd Bowles Vibes, Week 2 Predictions, His Hall Of Fame Status, And More
September 18th, 2026 at 3:08 pm
We’re doomed.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:10 pm
Hodad
You beat me to it.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:11 pm
Hodad: lol Only if the Bucs’ players read this stuff and believe it.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
“We’re doomed.”
——
Lol – yes we are 🤣
Oh wait, you’re talking about football
September 18th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
I actually think the Browns are tanking the season
They are doing exactly the same things when Hue Jackson was HC
Doing their infamous tank season, getting the top pick to draft Baker
They want one of the top QBs in the 2027 draft
And they have the picks from the Myles Garrett trade also
I see a team that has some young talent on their roster
But they are missing talent at a few key positions, especially QB
The Bucs winning this game is no big deal
They will only be beating a teams that’s trying to lose
September 18th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
I remember the same statements before the Miami loss inn2025.
And yet here we are again. 2-8 in our last 10 games. Bowles survives to suck again.
I’m going to put a wager on the Browns as a Hail Mary to possibly get paid off.
Todd’s defense routinely makes backup quarterbacks look like Marino in his prime.
No way to lose to the Browns? Bowles says hold my beer.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:29 pm
I actually wish we were playing another possible contender (Cinci is a possible playoff team) instead of Cleveland.
Damned if we do damned if we dont as even a good showing will be met by a chorus of it was “only the Browns” by the poo crew.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:35 pm
Lakeland…
Doesn’t matter if they get the very first pick in the draft and pick the best QB out there. They’ll screw it up somehow and that same QB will be playing well for somebody else in 5 years.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:36 pm
I know our luck with making bad teams look awesome, especially our D making bu QB’s look like HOF qb’s….. yes, I would love to see us hold Cleveland to a few FG’s while we score 20+… but I know Todd and our luck….uhg! We should dominate, and I think we will, but I aint putting money on it!!!
And CALM DOWN BAKER!!!! calm down….play smart.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:37 pm
Bucs win but Browns will cover.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
If it’s a close game and we win, I too will still be disappointed.
If they win by more than two touchdowns, by 14-15 min points, I will be appeased. Nothing less. And how they win matters. No sloppy playing on offense or defense. How many Bucs players get injured? How many times are we being penalized? It all matters this Sun.
September 18th, 2026 at 3:39 pm
This is going to be sooo embarrassing!
September 18th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
As most of us, I have little faith in a solid win and feel this will be a close game. We had better seem some passion and solid football or the calls for Bowles head will be through the roof.
On paper we should win. Based on W/L record over the past 10 games, we should lose.
All eyes are on you Bowles!
September 18th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
What are the chances Todd’s defense revives Watson’s career on Sunday?
September 18th, 2026 at 4:31 pm
Oh good, can we stop seeing Anzalone play Fabio through the air, just to fall to the turf with no tackles. Can we have more Trotter, he’s my new favorite player. Can someone tell Bain to show up along with the rest of the defensive line. Let’s wake the offense up too, and please Mayfield ball security is a like doing your job, tell Irving to do the same.
Other than that hmmm 🤔
September 18th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
All I know is… for all the killer instinct talk from Bowles and Baker… if the Bucs go up 14, they better be trying to go up 28!
None of this conservative run the ball, play prevent D crap that will inevitably lead to a 14 pt gap becoming 6.
September 18th, 2026 at 4:34 pm
Makes it even that much worse if the Bucs lose.
The Bucs will lose a lot of games this season, but this is not one of them.
September 18th, 2026 at 4:52 pm
We never beat the bad teams. We usually end up making there quarterback look like an all pro.
September 18th, 2026 at 4:56 pm
Tony Grossi is a real one, got suspended by ESPN way back when for calling Baker Mayfield and I quote “an effing midget” on a hot mic 🤣.
Lot of unrealistic expectations in here, we’re going to go old school
First team to 20 points wins.
September 18th, 2026 at 4:58 pm
Ask the Chargers how they feel about being big favorites at home. I think the point spread was exactly the same as ours. I’m a huge Bucs fan, but until they learn how to win again and do it consistently, I wouldn’t bet a dime on them even money line.
September 18th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
If you only beat the bad teams what does that make you?
September 18th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Certain Loss
September 18th, 2026 at 5:29 pm
Ditto U got robbed
September 18th, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Not predicting it, but here’s a scenario.
Bucs lose to the Browns on Sunday. Watson looks revived—-Kirk Cousins-Derek Anderson-Desmond Ridder-Kenny Pickett-PJ Walker-Gardner Minshew-Taylor Heineke-style.
Todd is fired Monday morning. Before you say the Glazer’s have never fired a coach mid season….they’ve never had their Yom Kippur spoiled by losing to the Browns.
Again, not predicting it. Just a scenario I’m definitely not predicting.
September 18th, 2026 at 5:45 pm
guaranteed loss, the browns will be fired up watson will look like joe montana- baker will throw three pics instead of three fumbles, bain will disappear. we will be up by 14 to start the fourth quarter but a baker interception followed by the browns converting 3rd and 38 as they march down the field and score the winning 2 pt conversion as time expires, only in tampa
September 18th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
“All professional athletes and organizations want to lose”
I’ve read some dumb sh!+ on this blog!
The prize goes to Lakeland .
Here’s your sign!
September 18th, 2026 at 6:00 pm
NFL teams don’t “tanked”. Give me break. Todd Monken didn’t take the job to be embarrassed by tanking
Anyone who thinks this player, coaches and everyone else involved is purposely trying to lose is an idiot.
September 18th, 2026 at 6:07 pm
I have the Browns +8.5 and feel great about it for 2 reasons: 1) Todd 2) Bowles
September 18th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
Todd .Monken was hired to developed the 2027 QB they draft
Teams tank in all sports for higher draft picks, especially football and basketball
If a person thinks teams don’t think
They just naive
They don’t know how sports operates
September 18th, 2026 at 6:15 pm
***Don’t Tank****
September 18th, 2026 at 6:22 pm
The NBA has even created Anti Tanking Rules
September 18th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Lakeland was the kid who always was picked last in gym class,that’s all I can come up with…
September 18th, 2026 at 6:31 pm
Here’s your sign!
September 18th, 2026 at 6:46 pm
I get a migraine reading these comments. I wonder who has it worse the Bucs or browns fan? I know we have to be in the top of the list with the most negative fans
September 18th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
I predict @ least 20 of the commenters here will be disappointed with a solid win cause they’re bigger haters of the HC or QB than they are fans of the TEAM.
Pathetic 🤡s
September 18th, 2026 at 6:59 pm
Bucs are 2-8 over their last 10 games.
Browns are 3-7 over their last 10 games.
No idea why the Bucs are 8.5-point favorites when Baker isn’t giving the Bucs a chance to win games. But hopefully Baker can finally turn it around after singlehandedly losing 5 of the Bucs last 6 games. Needs to have a very very big day and start playing like the 3rd highest paid player in the NFL, and the highest paid player in team history — because since week 6 of last year, Baker has been mostly awful. Now would be a good time to snap out of that.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:05 pm
If they lose to the Browns….the season’s over!
September 18th, 2026 at 7:09 pm
I know they have a better shot ,then the Rams facing the New York Ravens! Thats where my money’s going Giants getting 7.5 im in!
September 18th, 2026 at 7:12 pm
My mom used to be a HUGE Baker fan…now she’s like meh.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:21 pm
#99BigFella
The JNF comment section is not representative of Bucs fanbase. Many of the negative comments are by same individuals on repeating themselves over and over and over again.
No matter what happens it will never be enough.
Most readers simply ignore their noise.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:31 pm
It supposed to rain, so we know what that means. Loss for the Bucs. On the bright side, it’s one step closer to Bowles firing.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:41 pm
So much over-reaction. It’s been awhile since the Bucs started 0-1. Look it.
10 in a row is over.
September 18th, 2026 at 7:49 pm
It’s always such a treat when you get a matchup of RANKED teams on a Thursday or Friday Night!!!! #22 Houston at #13 Texas Tech. Just an added Bonus. Especially, even more so, when you also have a #5-Ranked Miami team to switch back over to check-in on. Can’t. Beat. It.
September 18th, 2026 at 8:16 pm
The Bucs need to worry +less+ about winning and more about effort and execution. Focus on the things within your control.
September 18th, 2026 at 8:28 pm
Have they met our coach?
September 18th, 2026 at 8:35 pm
It’s amazing to me how jaded folks have become about this team. I get that people don’t love Bowles, but they’re better than last year’s second half. There’s no reason to think they shouldn’t beat Cleveland. I mean, they could lose, sure.
I still think the defense is going to come around sooner rather than later to improve significantly over last year. I haven’t lost faith in the talent on offense. Special teams appear to be better… I’m expecting a winning season (in spite of Bowles).
September 18th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
I’d rather us come on slowly and be at our best for the 2nd half of the seasons. We can’t dig a hole tho – we need this one!
We had the following issues week 1
D-line, Anzolone, Fumbles
D-line must have been reading how great they were going to be – I expect them to put their heads down and get back to work. They’ll be better.
Anzolone – let’s just hope it was bad week 🤞🏼
Fumbles – freak occurrence, I just don’t think that happens again
September 18th, 2026 at 9:21 pm
Coach Sean McDermitt took a sinking Bills team and made it contender for years.
Hopefully the Glazers have some business sense to make him the Bucs HC 2027 and make Bucs contenders again!
September 18th, 2026 at 9:51 pm
Bowles will make it close.
September 18th, 2026 at 10:34 pm
Saskbucs Says:
September 18th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
All I know is… for all the killer instinct talk from Bowles and Baker… if the Bucs go up 14, they better be trying to go up 28!
None of this conservative run the ball, play prevent D crap that will inevitably lead to a 14 pt gap becoming 6.
—————————————————-
This has been one of my major complaints about Bowles. We’ve all seen him put a governor on the offense and go conservative prematurely.
Personally, I’m a strong advocate of advancing full throttle when hot. Petal to the metal!
September 18th, 2026 at 10:37 pm
If the offense can score points it motivates the defense.
September 19th, 2026 at 1:12 am
monken is def one crazy guy to take that gig…
destined for failure
September 19th, 2026 at 1:58 am
Fanofdabucs – Trading away all of your best players, and not trying to replace them or making any other ‘winning’ moves all during the offseason, and then double-downing on more of the same before the trade-deadline, is TANKING. I don’t know what else you’d call-it. Now, of course, they can’t just come out and SAY-IT. Though, they don’t really need to… Since, EVERYONE already KNOWS IT. It’s called “Quiet Tanking.” The FO and Owners, just go through the motions, and fail to do their actual jobs. And, when you get more towards the end of the season, you start sitting guys, with still 4-5 games left… Maybe, the owner calls the HC in and says, “I Wanna See Such and Such” start and play during these last 2-3 games. The HC and literally everyone else in the room KNOWS WTF is up. 💯 Monken understands this is a rebuild year.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:06 am
@ Lakeland Says: “Teams tank in all sports for higher draft picks, especially football and basketball.
Oh, they do in MLB too, and BIG-TIME. Both, the Cubs and the Astros got their “World Series” Rings exactly that way… Both, literally TANKED FOR 4-5 SEASONS in a row!!!! It was extremely ROUGH on their fans. BUT, it ended up really ‘paying-off’ for them, in the end.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:18 am
@ Lakeland Says: “The NBA has even created Anti Tanking Rules”
Yeah, and I am totally AGAINST IT. I don’t agree with it, at ALL. It was just another WEAK knee-jerk move by a PANICKING NBA, who is struggling mightily, as a league. I’m not getting into it right now, BUT this season’s ‘all-time’ DEEP and LOADED DRAFT, with the large number of teams ‘unofficially’ TANKING, was a complete anomaly. There are usually, nowhere NEAR that many. And, there is literally, NO OTHER WAY, for the ‘small-market’ teams to ‘restock-up’ on TALENT and get BETTER now!!!! Absolutely IMPOSSIBLE, when you are NOT a “free-agent” destination. They will just become the NBA’s minor leagues, and they’ll have to start treating it like European Soccer. Those consistent ‘bottom-tier’ franchises, will be like G-League Teams, to the upper division. Just a HORRIBLE move by the “tanking” NBA right now!!!!
September 19th, 2026 at 2:48 am
@ SkunkApe Says: “It’s amazing to me how jaded folks have become about this team.”
They are 2-8 in their last 10-GAMES. Mostly, against BAD Football Teams. Hell, one of those ‘wins’ was just by ‘3-points’ at HOME to a REAL BAD Arizona team last season. The only other ‘win’ was again, at HOME… By only ‘2-POINTS’ to Carolina. Throughout, one of (if not THE) ‘weakest’ schedule in the entire LEAGUE. And, let’s not pretend that any of the previous 4-SEASONS looked any different (other than when we had COEN, and even it was just barely, not by a whole lot). Thennnnn… You add to it that the friggin’ OWNERS decided at the very last minute, to swoop-in and ‘extend’ BAKER. FRIGGIN. MAYFIELD. to a LONGTERM ‘tip-top-of-the-market’ DEAL, when they didn’t have to and there was absolutely ZERO REASON to do so. An AGING 31-YEAR OLD, beaten and banged up, reckless and erratic, inconsistent and mediocre, often “injured,” undersized Quarterback, who is a HUGE distraction, and mostly focused on being a tv-commercial pitchman. Ummmmm… There is A LOT THERE, I would say. But, “YOU” just can’t figure any of it out!!!!! Hmmmmm… Well, Ohhhhkaaayyyy. (with the “this person must be NUTS” side-eye). LoL.
September 19th, 2026 at 10:09 am
According to the several wagering sites 80 per cent of the wagers and 90 per cent of the money wagered is on the Buccaneers. With those numbers I would not feel confident about if I had a wager on Cleveland.
September 19th, 2026 at 10:22 am
“It’s amazing how jaded fans have become about this team.”. True ON THIS SITE! I enjoy this site but it is truly the FOX NEWS of Buccaneer sites That’s not to say there isn’t a lot to critique from last year’s collapse. But I hang out with serious gamblers who move the lines in Vegas. The line on this game opened prior to kickoff against the Bengals at -6 and now is -8.5.
September 19th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
@ Buddha – Yeah, you are exactly right. This site for the most part IS just like FoxNews… It lives in REALITY, and speaks the TRUTH. And, is in response to all of the Propaganda and outright LIES, that are being pushed by empty ‘brainwashed and brain-dead’ followers, of nothing but empty slogans from a very specific FAILED ideology, and status quo.
September 19th, 2026 at 2:01 pm
Lmmfao @ Melvin
What a tool…… Reality 🤣