Todd Bowles: Bucs Need More (Big) Plays On Offense
September 21st, 2026
Make plays.
This is odd: Joe doesn’t remember this much hand-wringing about the Bucs offense after Week 2 last season. Weird.
But here we are. In his day-after presser this afternoon, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles bemoaned the lack of big plays by his team’s offense.
“We’ve got to make plays on offense,” Bowles said. “We can coach it better for sure. We’ve got to make plays.
“We’ve been in worse situations in practice in two-minute [drills] than the [28]-yard line. We’ve got to be able to execute.”
Well, Joe again will reference Nick Saban’s greatest football lesson. Without rehashing the whole thing, read here. But in a nutshell, if you want winning plays, you get the ball to your best playmakers.
Chris Godwin had but three targets yesterday. He may be the Bucs’ best receiver. In contrast, Cade Otton had twice as many targets. Otton is the personification of a “mid” player. Godwin is a Pro Bowl receiver.
OK, OK, OK. Godwin was covered, maybe doubled. Joe gets it.
Well, isn’t that why offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is paid the big bucks? Wasn’t he hired to concoct plays and scheme guys open instead of trying to be a PlayStation Warrior with a Waffle House menu in his hand?
September 21st, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Big plays? Any plays. Screen passes for 1 yard? GTFOH.
This guy is a clown, coaxing the most unmotivated, laziest team ever.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:17 pm
How about Anzalone not have a PFF grade in the 30’s
September 21st, 2026 at 5:18 pm
Joe Said “But in a nutshell, if you want winning plays, you get the ball to your best playmakers.”
Joe Facenda said it nearly 50 years ago in describing Bradshaw’s approach in Super Bowl 13 of letting it rip to his receivers—“when you go to the big, dance with who brung yuh.” Its pretty obvious to everyone the Bucs are not using their playmakers the way they should.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:19 pm
The Bucs are ranked 20th in total offense
13th in total defense
But the offense lack of scoring is dragging on the defense
Baker and his one TD pass isn’t making matters any better
They need to figure this out…..real soon
September 21st, 2026 at 5:20 pm
Bowles blames everyone except himself. How’s that for character?
Just 15 more games left for the clueless one, then on to retirement.
Very sad that 2026 is already a waste. But that’s a Todd Bowles special.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:20 pm
A lot of reading material today it’s hard to keep up. I’m tired of the finger pointing to be honest. Bowles it’s your team! The offense, defense, and special teams are ALL yours. You’re involved in the freaking game plan so don’t act like you’re not. Also, I guarantee you that the ball control dink and dunk is coming straight from you. So, get in front of whatever microphone you can find and put the entire blame on yourself because it all comes through the head coach. If Coen was head coach, there is NO WAY this team lacks passion & urgency.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:22 pm
Coach Robinson is more of a Chicken ‘n Waffle guy.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:23 pm
I forced myself to watch the all-22 this morning, SOOO many plays was 3 dudes running verts while the Browns played tight man, leaving dumpoffs to Bucky for 1.3 yards
September 21st, 2026 at 5:27 pm
This is going to be a LLLLLOOOOONNNNNNGGGGGG season. Go BUCS!!!!!!!!!
September 21st, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Where is DEFENSE RULES? I’m usually able to skim through the emotional responses and read his factual common-sense posts. Hopefully he’s looking at what the hell is going on.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:32 pm
This is only game 2
They still have more than enough time to get it right
It’s not over yet, it’s far from over
I’m not counting them out, just yet
It’s way too early to count them out
September 21st, 2026 at 5:34 pm
Very predictable desperate Bowles will throw all and anyone under the bus. Limit your musings to the film room
September 21st, 2026 at 5:35 pm
All I know is if I’m Zac, don’t get in front of any busses if Bowles is behind you. He’ll definitely throw you under it. The blame for this is all on the Glazers. Up to them, and only them to fix it.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:35 pm
Bowles is right on that one. However he left out half the team. The defense needs to make plays too. They have not now for sometime. Yes we knew the defense was going to hopefully be average and the offense would score a bunch of points. Well with no injuries the offense is not scoring a ton of points and the defense is giving up a ton of plays. Let’s not pin this on the offense please!!!.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:35 pm
not sure what the problem is but if the receiving game isnt built around a healthy chris godwin someone needs a kick in the ___.
the second part of the receiving game shouldnt surround egbuka running wind sprints up and down the line of scrimage like he was misbehaving at practice.
robinson needs to get his act together. the preseason was suspect, the first game had not much going on, and yesterday was a tragedy.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:40 pm
not getting the ball to godwin and then egbuka running wind sprints is all you need to know about the keystone kop playcalling by robinson. wake the he ll up.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:43 pm
Bowles doesnt have sense enough to know that he should stop talking. Nothing he can say will change the product on the field.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:43 pm
Fire Bowels
If his performance and record was a player he would be CUT !
September 21st, 2026 at 5:45 pm
Lakeland you are to choose a kind word
NAIVE
September 21st, 2026 at 5:46 pm
No. The Bucs need new owners, a competent GM, a competent personnel department and a new HC. Then we can talk about the play on the field.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:46 pm
TECMO BOWL and its 2 plays you can pick on defense is better then Bowles playcalling.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:47 pm
We are not a smart coaching staff we arent smart as players. This teams lazy. Plain and simple. Physically mentally. We do not deserve anything
September 21st, 2026 at 5:50 pm
Bucnjim,
Defense Rules off season thesis that the additions on defense were going to be a sea change in how they perform is now being eviscerated.
That being said.. he’ll be back. As he should.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:54 pm
Still haven’t read a single article here on Joey Bucs about the real biggest problem in these 2 winnable games.
The leader, the QB, the highest paid guy in team history.
Baker plays up to his pay check and the Bucs are 2 dash zero.
Sure there are other problems that need fixing..but it starts and ends with Baker. Can’t hold a team to 6 points in 3rd quarter and not bury them.
Can’t have the ball at the 20, 1st down with 4 downs to work with and fail so miserably.
Joe’s must be Baker backers. That has become obvious.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:54 pm
I seem to remember the OC putting Baker in a position to win the game with a very easy throw – and Baker missed it.
Just like I seem to remember the OC scheming up a number of plays where WR’s were open deep, only to have Baker miss them.
It’s almost like the issue aren’t the coaches, that they’re putting our franchise highly paid QB in positions to win, and yet he’s not playing like a franchise QB, instead he’s playing like Baker Mayfield.
September 21st, 2026 at 5:57 pm
The WR runs are cute, I know Godwin popped one for a big gain but we legit have Bucky-Gainwell-Tucker. Run the MF’n ball, the mistake is trying to run this offense out of the pocket which in and of itself is out of pocket. We’re not built that way, and the whole reason Coen was successful was because he ran the offense out of the backfield via the RBs. That was the main course in ‘24, everything else was side dishes and garnish.
Robinson needs to get in his bag in that regard, but at the end of the day if the players are going to play it’ll make no difference. They’ll make that look worse, then we’ll be saying the adjustment sucks. It’s a fine line when you’re just an observer and have next to no intimate knowledge about what’s in a playbook or call sheet. The results though, are not resulting.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:00 pm
Looking 4ward to radio show at 7. Gonna be like therapy. Who needs the skyway bridge when there is joebucsfan
September 21st, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Rod !
It’s the BIG picture !
What is Bowels lifetime NFL HC record !!!
The guy is an insult to honesty and integrity
September 21st, 2026 at 6:07 pm
According to PFR, team captain Anzalone is leading the league in missed tackles (4). The passer rating against him is over 143. Team captain Vita Vea has two tackles this year. Probably our worst two players on defense. Bowles should give other guys snaps, like Roseboom and Nacho.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:08 pm
Remember the good old days(2 weeks ago) when Zach robinson was an offensive genius
September 21st, 2026 at 6:08 pm
I was saying where’s Godwin’s targets the whole game, but even if he was targeted, Baker was off. The last pass to Egbuka was terrible
September 21st, 2026 at 6:09 pm
SB~LV Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 6:05 pm
Rod !
It’s the BIG picture !
What is Bowels lifetime NFL HC record !!!
The guy is an insult to honesty and integrity
————
Well go back the last 7 games.
The Bucs have lost 6 of those games.
All 6 games were lost by Baker Mayfield making stupid plays, missing wide open guys, fumbling the ball, etc. All 6.
What is Bowles career record if Baker doesn’t choke? I mean they literally would be 7-0 in their last 7 games if Baker was just a normal middling NFL QB. But he’s been terrible, has given his team no chance to win, got his entire offensive staff fired — and then was rewarded by becoming the highest paid player in team history.
I don’t care about Bowles or his super soft garbage zone defense – the issue is people acting like he’s the one losing games when it’s all on one person, Baker Mayfield.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:10 pm
Should have traded Vea and let Baker play out contract.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:19 pm
He can’t be serious! If Bowles wanted more big plays then why did he kept Baker as his QB? The guys is an overthrowing machine.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:20 pm
Man, doesn’t he just seem disinterested in the outcome? He looks bored and indifferent.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:21 pm
Remind us again Todd, how many attempts did Watson make and how many were completions? Stfu
September 21st, 2026 at 6:22 pm
Baker Mayfield is the 24th ranked QB this year
And the 3rd highest paid QB
This is travesty to all Quarterbacks, past and present
September 21st, 2026 at 6:24 pm
Joe Says; Well, isn’t that why offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is paid the big bucks? Wasn’t he hired to concoct plays and scheme guys open instead of trying to be a PlayStation Warrior with a Waffle House menu in his hand?
^^^^^^
Tennessee Williams is alive and well.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:25 pm
Fanofdabucs Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 5:54 pm
“Still haven’t read a single article here on Joey Bucs about the real biggest problem in these 2 winnable games.
The leader, the QB, the highest paid guy in team history.
Baker plays up to his pay check and the Bucs are 2 dash zero.
Sure there are other problems that need fixing..but it starts and ends with Baker. Can’t hold a team to 6 points in 3rd quarter and not bury them.
Can’t have the ball at the 20, 1st down with 4 downs to work with and fail so miserably.”
The last two minutes was all Todd. He didn’t trust his defense to stop Cleveland if there was time left on the clock. So they didn’t go for the jugular and instead tried to score with a few seconds left.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Rod!
Baker Baker Baker
What about the other 52 !
It’s BOWELS TEAM!
Jason and Todd are both responsible for this sheet show
I have been a fan since walking into the very first preseason game in 1976
I have been to 250 games plus or minus
Bowels is incompetent
September 21st, 2026 at 6:27 pm
Need a bigger o-line then. It all starts at the line of scrimmage. After watching some of the Saints game, the Chiefs and Colts game, the Eagles game, the Patriots game, and the Bills game, we easily have to have one of the worst o-lines in the league. These other teams just seem to block so much better on the run down the field, *without holding, as well as keep the pocket from collapsing on impact. Baker does not look like the Baker from a couple of years ago, who seemed to thrive in chaos, but I think there is way too much chaos with the o-line. It’s gotta be near the bottom of the league, and it affects everything. If you watch one of these other teams, as I did, on a side by side tv screen, there is a notificeable difference, especially on the interior part of the line. A gap all day. It’s gotta be fixed, or we’re gonna have to dink and dunk our way to a win by a FG each week, hoping the questionable defense will hold up.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:31 pm
I asked AI to analyze the Bucs 2-9 stretch, to see if it couldn’t find a “common denominator” as to why the Bucs keep on losing… here’s what it says…
————-
The Bucs are 2-9 in their last 11 games, and the common denominator has been Baker Mayfield.
1. Patriots: L, 28-23
The defense kept giving Baker chances. Tampa got the ball three times in the fourth quarter while it was still a one-score game, and the offense came away with zero points on those opportunities. The biggest chance came after Tykee Smith intercepted Drake Maye in the end zone, giving Baker the ball down five with a chance to go win it. He got to the Patriots’ 27 and the drive died on fourth down. The late touchdown came only after New England had stretched the lead to 12 with 1:31 left. When the game was actually there to take, Baker did nothing with it.
2. Bills: L, 44-32
This was one of Baker’s better games during the collapse, but he still made the backbreaking mistake. Tampa led 26-24 late in the third quarter when Baker threw an interception in his own territory. Buffalo scored a touchdown on the very next play. Baker later helped regain the lead, but when Tampa needed a comeback at the end, he finished it off with a fumble. Even Baker pointed to the interception as the play that swung the game.
3. Rams: L, 34-7
The worst Baker performance of the entire run: 9-of-19 for 41 yards and two interceptions before leaving the game at halftime. Forty-one passing yards. The offense was completely nonfunctional with him behind center and Tampa was buried 31-7 by halftime.
4. Cardinals: W, 20-17
This wasn’t a good Baker game just because Tampa managed to survive it. Against a 3-9 Arizona team at home, the Bucs scored 20 points and produced only 279 total yards. Baker threw for 194. Arizona actually outgained Tampa 386-279, and the defense had to produce two fourth-down stops in the fourth quarter to save the game.
5. Saints: L, 24-20
14-of-30 for 122 yards against a bad Saints team, with an interception that handed New Orleans the ball in Bucs territory. Then Baker got one final chance to win it. On fourth down, Cade Otton was open for the first down and Baker threw the ball down around his shoes, forcing Otton to stop, lunge back for it and go to the ground short of the sticks. Even Baker acknowledged afterward that the ball needed to be higher so Otton could catch it and get past the marker.
6. Falcons: L, 29-28
This one belongs squarely on Baker. Tampa had a 28-14 fourth-quarter lead. After Atlanta made it 28-20, the Bucs were driving in Falcons territory with a chance to put the game away. Baker threw an interception. Atlanta immediately turned it into a touchdown. Then Tampa got another chance to drain the clock, and Baker failed to hit Egbuka properly on the critical late third-down sequence. Atlanta got the ball back and kicked the winning field goal. Baker’s own words afterward: “This falls on my shoulders.” Correct.
7. Panthers: L, 23-20
Another game sitting there waiting for Baker to win it. He managed only 145 passing yards all afternoon. Carolina went ahead by three with 2:24 remaining, and Tampa still had plenty of time to at least get into field-goal range. Baker moved them into Carolina territory, then with 49 seconds left threw an interception at the Panthers’ 30. No tying field-goal attempt. No final shot. Just another Baker turnover with the game on the line.
8. Dolphins: L, 20-17
The 346 passing yards are exactly why raw quarterback statistics can be misleading. Tampa was down 20-10 in the fourth quarter and drove into Miami territory twice with a chance to get back into the game. Baker ended one drive with an interception and the other with a strip-sack fumble. Two opportunities. Two Baker turnovers. Tampa eventually lost by three. The Bucs lost the turnover battle 3-0, and Baker was responsible for all three turnovers. That’s the game.
9. Panthers: W, 16-14
This is the one game where Baker was basically OK. Nothing special, but OK. He went 16-of-22 for 203 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Even the interception was a bad situational throw with Tampa leading 10-0 in a downpour where they just wanted to run the clock. For once during this stretch, Baker didn’t manage to lose the game.
10. Bengals: L, 33-27
This might be the most indefensible game of all. Baker personally lost three fumbles. The first was returned 27 yards for a touchdown. The second came when he scrambled toward the goal line, fumbled into the end zone and turned a potential Tampa touchdown into a Bengals touchback. Then, with the Bucs mounting a second-half comeback, Baker was sacked near midfield and coughed it up again, helping Cincinnati add another field goal. Baker himself said Cincinnati scored 17 points off his turnovers. Tampa lost by six. Take away even one of those disasters and the game looks completely different.
11. Browns: L, 23-19
Another bad team, another home game, another Baker failure. Cleveland’s defense gave Tampa opportunity after opportunity, while the Bucs defense held the Browns to 59 first-half yards and twice stopped them on fourth down. Baker responded with an interception that handed Cleveland the ball at the Tampa 28 and an offense that repeatedly settled for field goals instead of touchdowns. Tampa still got the ball back down four with a chance to win. On the final fourth down, Egbuka got behind his defender in the end zone and Baker threw it out of reach. Baker admitted afterward that he needed to give Egbuka more air to run under it. Another game-winning opportunity, another miss.
The pattern isn’t complicated. During this 2-9 stretch, Baker hasn’t merely failed to overcome the Bucs’ problems. He has repeatedly been the problem.
When the defense gives him another possession, he fails to score. When Tampa has a lead, he throws the interception that flips the game. When the Bucs need one drive to win or tie, he throws a pick, fumbles, misses the open receiver or puts the ball where his receiver can’t make the play.
And it’s gotten worse when the games have gotten tighter. Atlanta: fourth-quarter interception and a missed chance to close it out. Carolina: interception with a tying field goal within reach. Miami: interception and fumble on fourth-quarter drives into Miami territory. Cincinnati: three Baker fumbles accounting for 17 Bengals points in a six-point loss. Cleveland: an interception, repeated red-zone failures and an overthrow on the potential game-winning play.
That’s not bad luck. That’s not a defense failing its quarterback. That’s a quarterback repeatedly being handed chances to win football games and screwing them up when it matters most.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:32 pm
So #6, doesn’t get any blame…. You guys are something else!!! I don’t see Bowles out on the field on any play!!!
September 21st, 2026 at 6:32 pm
Todd Bowles says, “We’ve been in worse situations in practice in two-minute [drills] than the [28]-yard line. We’ve got to be able to execute.” Well Todd, the difference is that they were going up against your Swiss cheese defense in practice. They actually play against pro-level defenses in games.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:33 pm
After Bowles and Zac are shown the door at the end of the season.
Faker will be onto yet another OC.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:37 pm
Blame goes all around, don’t just blame any one person – Bowles, Baker, or several others. One has just sucked at One Buc longest – and I don’t just mean Rod “ Johnny One Note” Munch.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:38 pm
I officially change my season win-loss record prediction from 9-8 to 3-14.
We may possibly be able to muster up 3 wins if we’re lucky (unless we make some profound changes like benching Anzalone and Bain and giving up on running Zone defense altogether, which we’ll prob do neither of those things).
September 21st, 2026 at 6:38 pm
Defensive guy hires offensive coaching staff. Defense subpar, offense good, offensive coach leave to run new team, new team better than old team.
Defensive guy hires offensive coaching staff. Defense subpar, offense good, offensive coach leave to run new team, new team better than old team.
Defensive guy hires offensive coaching staff. Defense subpar, offense subpar, Defensive guy fire offensive coaching staff.
Defensive guy hires offensive coaching staff. Defense subpar, offense subpar, result yet to be determined…..
Defensive guy never looks inward at real issue. Ownership apparently rubes that dont care. Have too many bills to afford change. Some fans either foolishly surprised at results, other fans knew what was coming and will go into NFL hibernation for another season awaiting brighter days when favorite team isnt run by incompetents.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:50 pm
I just found the last bit of yesterday’s game online (couldn’t stay through the delay at my sports bar yesterday). Baker made a really good pass that wasn’t caught, followed by an absolutely perfect pass that wasn’t caught, then tried and failed to make something happen with his feet, and finally missed the spot on his third pass attempt, under pressure, with a soaking wet ball. Whoever is ranting about him single-handedly losing the game needs to get a grip.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:53 pm
SummerofGeorge … ‘Bowles blames everyone except himself. How’s that for character?’
Joe’s article quoted Todd Bowles: ‘“We’ve got to make plays on offense. We can coach it better for sure. We’ve got to make plays.’
Did I miss something there (like the words ‘We can coach it better for sure’)? Bowles is right; this team has to ‘make plays’, and especially BIG PLAYS. IF your offense is nothing but dink-and-dunk, odds don’t favor you ever getting to the end zone (takes too many plays, and the possibility for screw-ups, like penalties or sacks, looms large).
September 21st, 2026 at 6:54 pm
Erik ..I beat you to that prediction last night when I went from 5-12 to 3-14.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:55 pm
DR…cept Bowles is always saying we have to coach it better.
September 21st, 2026 at 6:59 pm
Rod: which AI was that, and what was your exact prompt?
September 21st, 2026 at 7:02 pm
Rod Munch … ‘I asked AI to analyze the Bucs 2-9 stretch, to see if it couldn’t find a “common denominator” as to why the Bucs keep on losing… here’s what it says…
————-
The Bucs are 2-9 in their last 11 games, and the common denominator has been Baker Mayfield.’
I agree that Baker is a ‘common denominator’ Rod … but only one. There are many more. You can’t let coaching off the hook. Nor the OLine, or the receivers. Or the DLine, or OLBs, or ILBs, or Secondary. IOW, EVERY LEVEL has underperformed consistently. I personally believe that we have sufficient talent to win a lot more games. We just seem to lack that ‘je ne sais quoi’ that it takes to get you over the top.
Wish I knew what it was. Oh wait, my French is coming back to me.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:03 pm
I agree. A lot of blame to be passed around. It’s not just Baker, Munch. Not saying he looks great, but that’s always your out. He was on the verge of getting sacked on our lone TD pass. And that is your opinion, and I know AI didn’t directly say it was Baker that made us lose every single game in the last year. Again, he hasn’t been amazing, but neither has a lot of stuff on this team. I’m just watched a play on replay where Hurts had like 6 seconds to stand there and hold the ball. We rarely ever get that and it directly affects the passing game. Don’t you wonder why teams constantly stack the box against us. It’s either because they don’t respect the receivers, or they know the line will not hold up long enough against their blitzing scheme to actually allow us time to find or get open receivers. Again, Baker deserves some blame for yesterday, but so does the crummy o-line, the inability to tackle by the defense, Barton on a horrible penalty, and Hurst dropping maybe the best pass of the game by Baker to win the game.
And again…Any QB in the league on this team=not a whole lot better of a team…until all of these problems are fixed. Oh, yeah. I forgot the weak coverage on short yardage situations again. That was another problem.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:03 pm
Buc1987 … ‘cept Bowles is always saying we have to coach it better’.
And he’s right. One day he’ll figure out how to do that. Well, if he last long enough.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:08 pm
@Defense Rules
Keep waving those Pom Poms as hard as you can.
Spew more Polly positive lemming speak about the greatness of Todd.
Tell yourself that day and night. Say it until it becomes true in your tiny brain.
IF Bowles continues to be this clueless and inept we SHOULD get a new HC soon.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:08 pm
I asked Claude Opus 5.0 for an assessment of Rod’s AI analysis. I didn’t give any info on my perspective, preferences, etc. Here’s the response:
“The core claim holds up better for some games than others. Mayfield’s turnovers genuinely decided several of these losses. But “he has been the problem” overstates it, because the piece leaves out his injuries, a depleted offense, and a defense that also collapsed.
Where the piece is right:
Dolphins: Accurate. Two fourth-quarter drives into Miami territory ended in an interception and a lost fumble by Mayfield. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Bengals and Browns: Mostly fair. Both are 2026 games with healthier rosters, and his mistakes were central.
The overall decline is real. He threw 16 TDs and 2 INTs in the first half of 2025, then 10 TDs and 9 INTs afterward. (Yardbarker)
Where it overreaches:
Falcons (“squarely on Baker”): The interception was un-pressured, but he was under fire most of the night and sacked five times behind backup interior linemen. The defense just had to stop Cousins on 3rd-and-28, then 4th-and-14, and didn’t. Kyle Pitts had 166 yards and three TDs. Bowles himself called it a team collapse. (Falcons-Buccaneers on ‘Thursday Night Football’: What We Learned from Atlanta’s 29-28 win | Latest NFL News, Analysis & Updates | NFL.com +2)
Rams: He was playing with a shoulder injury. The piece omits this and his touchdown.
Injuries generally: He played through sprained MCL and PCL, a biceps contusion, and a left shoulder injury, and Evans missed nine games. (Wikipedia)
Bengals details: The 17 points came from four fumbles, not just Mayfield’s three.
The defense: It allowed 44, 34, 33 and 29 points in losses, and was outgained 145-53 on the ground by Miami. (CBS News)
Bottom line: It’s a solid indictment of Mayfield’s late-game ball security. It’s a misleading diagnosis of why the team went 2-9.”
September 21st, 2026 at 7:10 pm
Bucs let Evans out the building with him gone all other WRs are just mid.Godwin is JAG
September 21st, 2026 at 7:13 pm
Why pay Baker Mayfield $55 million
He can’t make all of the throws
He has limited passing abilities
He’s not clutch, he’s not a winner
Baker is on the exact same path as Jameis
Fire a bunch of coaches, hire and fire offensive coordinators
And you still have the turnover machine as your QB
September 21st, 2026 at 7:18 pm
Bowles face is a representation of the merging of Kabuki Theatre and a Vaudeville act.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:19 pm
Defense Rules Says:
I agree that Baker is a ‘common denominator’ Rod … but only one.
———-
He’s the franchise QB, he’s making the big money, and he’s the guy with the ball in his hands as things continue to go wrong over and over again when something goes wrong with the game on the line.
Again I’ll point out, with all the talk about the coaches, the coaches put Baker in a position to win the game with an easy pass to a wide open WR, and Baker missed the throw. The OC repeatedly schemed WR’s open deep, and Baker kept missing them.
On defense… they have to be expected to keep opponents to 18 points or less to have a chance to win? That’s nonsense. We all know this is not a top 10 defense, but it is supposed to be a top 10 offense.
Speaking of defense, Analzone is singlehandedly tanking them. On that long TD pass, it was that moron Analzone, who in the process of blowing that tackle, managed to swing around and take out Winfield as well. Analzone has been horrifically bad this year, nearly as bad as Baker as been – and added at least another 2 missed tackles to his resume, this time giving up a TD.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:21 pm
Buc1987,
It’s a sad state of affairs right now for sure.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:24 pm
Saw that Minny is favored by 1.5. Are they serious?
I’m taking Minny it’s easy money.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:35 pm
The main culprits behind these losses
Baker Mayfield
Alex Anzalone
Todd Bowles
I blame Todd Bowles for not benching trash like Anzalone
It’s obvious with Baker, the turnovers, the misfires, not doing his job
Todd gotta do a better job with his rotation on defense
I can’t really blame Zac Robinson
He has dialed up some deep throws, but Baker can’t connect
And the run game is up to par
The main problem in offense is missing too many throws
That’s on Baker and the WRs, not the OC
September 21st, 2026 at 7:35 pm
They could go all the way! To the bottom
September 21st, 2026 at 7:41 pm
Rod
I don’t remember
Are you a Jameis fan?
September 21st, 2026 at 7:47 pm
SB… YES he is.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:48 pm
“We can coach it better” sounds a lot like last year…. clueless!
September 21st, 2026 at 7:51 pm
Where’s the big plays on guru ls defense?
Teams are 50 percent on 3rd down.
Can’t get pressure still guys wide ass open.
Man so small Conor this guy!!!
September 21st, 2026 at 7:54 pm
The Bucs defense are actually 13th in total yards allowed
They may give up a big play, but they are not giving up a lot of yardage
And they are 5th in rushing defense
The offense is another story
Pure pathetic
September 21st, 2026 at 7:56 pm
Just think how nice it would have been to have Harbaugh here as a HC. Giants doing great with his staff
September 21st, 2026 at 7:57 pm
SB LV, Rod is Bsker’s back up QB in high school. He just can’t get over it.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:57 pm
Enough! of the idea Baker can’t throw the ball. Did anybody see that first bomb he chucked to open our game? I saw it- and I know what I saw. Egbuka got a step and Baker must of chucked it 50 or sixty yards. Would have hit Emeka right in the head at full gallop if the defensive back hadn’t inadvertently tripped up Egbuka a step. Wasn’t interference, but it was an elite deep pass. I know I saw Tez catch a well thrown deep ball.
Baker has been losing. No doubt that is the only QB measure. But our offense is still a little ways from figuring it out. Notice I didn’t say a long ways. We’re almost there. And Baker will be flinging highlight reel dimes right and left again.
September 21st, 2026 at 7:59 pm
Kenton, well said, BUT, you have to call Baker out on ball security! That sensei game was horrid. That interception Sunday was terrible.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:04 pm
The high powdered offense that no one was concerned about
Has 3 touchdowns and 6 field goals
When an offense has twice as many FGs than TDs
They stinks loudly
September 21st, 2026 at 8:04 pm
Looking at yesterday‘s games and potential coaching changes or vacancies, how does Brian Flores sound as a head coach and defensive coordinator?
September 21st, 2026 at 8:07 pm
How about start with the fact that Anzole was so bad we started using 3 ILBs in the 2nd half Coach
September 21st, 2026 at 8:08 pm
Thanks for the feedback about Rod panties in a bunch
If only he applied the same criteria to Jamyth
So that makes it easier to understand how he can support Jamyth and Todd 🤮 Bowl
September 21st, 2026 at 8:09 pm
I am so disappointed today was not the end of Bowles. What does he have to do to get canned.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:09 pm
Get pay 4
😆
September 21st, 2026 at 8:27 pm
I love watching people trying to defend Bowles and we know why. Of course you don’t see him on the field. I wonder why.
So any coach that has been or ever will be fired shouldn’t be. No coach plays in the games so nothing’s their fault so you didn’t hold them accountable. LOL!
September 21st, 2026 at 8:30 pm
MNF Dart got hurt Winston is in we can see what a better Baker looks like that doesn’t cost 55 million a year lol
September 21st, 2026 at 8:31 pm
Hoping for 3-14 and a first round pick. Total rehaul next year
September 21st, 2026 at 8:34 pm
wow……dart is out……………..jameis in…!
when i think of harbaugh X jameis…..i find that to be a wild mix
September 21st, 2026 at 8:38 pm
The Jameis Bois are calling each other and setting off fireworks.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:40 pm
I need my $55m QB to play better.
Look at it this way, Bakers cap number is $34m this year. Or 11% of the cap, at $55m he’s 18% of the cap. What’s vita’s cap number, Anzalone, etc. he costs more and it hurts more.
Additionally, professional QBs are the biggest equalizer in all of sports. Great ones overcome adversity. Good ones perform consistently, mediocre ones aren’t consistent. Baker touches the ball every offensive play, so therefore he’s more important to the equation.
Baker’s inconsistent patches of turnovers, and rising cap number make him the culprit. A lot of the blame attempted to be applied to the O Line is misguided as he had more than 3 seconds to throw in week 1, it still fumbled three times. He’s holding the ball to long, not taking care of the ball, and averaging 6 yards per attempt (lack of deep ball success or intermediate routes).
No one doubts his toughness and attitude, but dude is not cutting the mustard right now.
Heaven forbid if the Bucs lose a lot this year, then I’ll be hoping for a franchise QB in the draft on a rookie deal. We can figure it out however from there.
I never thought that if we paid him it’d be so bad, but it looks like his second half of last year is rolling right over into sucking this year.
45 yards passing at the half yesterday, sad.
Tired of everyone blaming the defense too. Sure they play soft coverage and have a toothless pass rush, but they have been playing better than Mayfield has. The defense would’ve been a winning effort if our team could score like they should. It’s just a fact.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:41 pm
I hope the Giants o-line isn’t considered good, because based on this game and the way our o-line looks, Baker, along with Daniels are both getting carted off when we play the Rams. Unless the season drastically changes for us, I am terrified to see how that game will go. SMH.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:45 pm
Rod Munch … ‘Analzone has been horrifically bad this year, nearly as bad as Baker as been – and added at least another 2 missed tackles to his resume, this time giving up a TD.’
I don’t disagree with ya, but more-so because he’s a team captain AND he’s got the green dot. As the primary defensive-signal caller, he’s the one responsible for making sure everything is set properly on the field before each play. If THAT guy doesn’t excel, you have to wonder how much other defensive players will be paying focusing on his instructions.
Not a good look in any event. I’m not at all a fan of SVD’s, but Rozeboom has some good starting experience, and he MIGHT be an option once his foot is 100%. He’s practicing FULL now, but that doesn’t mean he’s 100%.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:46 pm
Glazers are really going to let this season go to waste.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:51 pm
How is it that Rod sees everything more clearly than anyone else? Maybe he could fix the Iran situation and deliver world peace too.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:52 pm
The Glazers are wasting more money than any team in the NFL
But it’s only two games, it’s still early
September 21st, 2026 at 8:58 pm
@ Joe – You prob already saw it, but Colin on his FS1 show “The Herd” today, had some real damning words about the Bucs AND Baker Mayfield today! The main part is only a ‘couple of minutes’ tops, and would make a great little ‘clip’ and article for right here. I think it’s good to get out as much information on here as possible, from the ‘national’ programs. I’ve noticed that A LOT of people on here, do not have tv’s or cable… I’ve really been SHOCKED at the number, since I had just ASSUMED (there’s that word again) they all had.
First, he talked about Cleveland (and the Jets) DO HAVE TALENT, especially on Offense. He said, “They’ve Got PLAYERS.” I think it’s extremely DAMNING concerning the BUCS… When, you are being “OUT-talented” by THE BROWNS. I mean, even for him to JUST SAY THAT. But, think about it… As I watched that game yesterday, it was NOT obvious to ME that the BUCS WERE the MORE “talented” TEAM out there on the field, this past Sunday! And, they are NOT.
Thennnn, he got to BAKER… And, he was 💯 spot on. It was REAL BAD. He said, that since Coen and Canales left… He’s just out there ad-libbing, waaayy too much… Maybe, it is Mike Evans… It’s like BRO, you are NOT Lamar Jackson, you’re NOT Caleb Williams, you’re NOT Josh Allen, you’re NOT EVEN Brock Purdy… So, STOP running around.” He’s right! But, the biggest problem is the same problem going back to last season… He’s holding the ball, and is just flat-out missing wide-open receivers… He’s not even SEEING-IT.
He’s NOT reading it PRE-Snap, and he’s NOT taking WHAT the defense is giving him. He’s always, a day late and a dollar short. He’s either, looking downfield, or he’s looking over there… When, he’s got guys running WIDE-OPEN underneath. And, when he does see them… Again, it’s too late and it’s in traffic, (&/or) they’re just standing there, with nowhere to go, and the timing AND the throw are BOTH OFF. He’s inaccurate and they all have NO SHOT.
September 21st, 2026 at 8:58 pm
JustVisiting Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 7:08 pm
I asked Claude Opus 5.0 for an assessment of Rod’s AI analysis. I didn’t give any info on my perspective, preferences, etc. Here’s the response:
“The core claim holds up better for some games than others. Mayfield’s turnovers genuinely decided several of these losses. But “he has been the problem” overstates it, because the piece leaves out his injuries…
———-
LOL!
He’s injured… Yeah, just wait until Baker is healthy, everything will be different.
Anywho, if you actually pay for AI, you get the good stuff. When you’re welfare however, and just get instant results that don’t analyzed games, you get the worthless “he’s injured” nonsense.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:00 pm
Stevek … ‘I need my $55m QB to play better.’
I’m glad to see that SOMEONE has taken ownership Steve; I’d hate to be the one paying THAT bill.
In a mere 2 games, Baker has fumbled 3 times (with 1 resulting in a TD), been intercepted once, and been sacked 7 times. That’s not a prescription for success. As I’ve watched him in both games, what I think I see is a QB who’s too ‘twitchy’. It’s like he’s poised to ‘bail out of the pocket’ from the moment the ball is snapped to him.
I keep thinking that maybe he isn’t fully trusting his OLine to protect him for starters, and thus he’s anticipating having to scramble from the git-go. Bucs have now run 114 plays in our 2 games, and Baker has rushed 9 times & been sacked 7 times. That’s him getting tackled on almost 15% of the plays, a good way to get your QB banged up.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:01 pm
Joe Bob Pigskin Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 8:51 pm
How is it that Rod sees everything more clearly than anyone else? Maybe he could fix the Iran situation and deliver world peace too.
————-
Remarkably I do have a solution…
Say it with me everyone… send Baker to the middle east since he’s the most qualified person on earth to… over throw Iran.
LOL!
Get it, over throw…
Funny every time.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:03 pm
Hey tell. Ayfirld to watch and learn from Stanford go D Adam’s, and learn how to not overthrow. What a joke of a QB, and HC.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:03 pm
Rod’s boy Jameis is in!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:04 pm
Yeah, just watch the last play where Stafford threw a bomb to Adams. That is how an o-line is supposed to block, and Stafford moves like a turtle. Lol!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:06 pm
SteveK, you are spot on! Excellent analysis!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:06 pm
The Rams couldn’t do squat against the 49ers
That’s their biggest problem…. San Francisco and Seattle
September 21st, 2026 at 9:08 pm
On that touchdown pass by Stafford, notice how the pocket is intact and wide open with planty of space and security for Stafford there. We didn’t have anything close to that yesterday. The pocket crumbles apart almost immediately after the snap for us. That is why wr will never have a deep passing threat until that is fixed. We’ll have to keep dinking and dunking. Lol!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:09 pm
I hate the rams but watch their OLINE push the Giants DLINE around. I’m not giving baker a pass cause I think he sucks. But Stafford has time, he’s not running around like an idiot. Baker has to make plays, and for $165 million you’d hope that he would overcome the pressure, but he can’t. Turnover machine
September 21st, 2026 at 9:11 pm
The Bucs need a real HC and a legit DC. The incompetence starts at top, though. The Glazers deserve blame for keeping this clown around.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:11 pm
Get What You Pay For Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:03 pm
Rod’s boy Jameis is in!
——–
I’m learning from watching this that you are in fact allowed to throw the ball past the LOS.
So far Winston has been pretty dead on accurate, something Baker can’t claim in basically a year. He will of course screw up and throw an INT or fumble any second now – but at least he’s entertaining about it. Unlike Baker.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:14 pm
Let’s see what Harbaugh can do with JW
September 21st, 2026 at 9:16 pm
Not really, Rod. He has missed quite a few early on in this one due to being under constant pressure. I’ve watched ever play, and early on he wasn’t doing much. Not completely his fault because he is getting little to no time. He just completed one to a wide open receiver, then threw a very short completion to a short hitch route. Not exactly playing lights out though, but again, his o-line isn’t giving him a lot of time.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:17 pm
Just missed Theo Johnson by a mile there.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:18 pm
Anyone hoping JW beats the Rams?
September 21st, 2026 at 9:18 pm
ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAININED!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:19 pm
Dang, Winston looked like Baker Mayfield throwing into double coverage there.
Wait, the Baker INT yesterday was thrown into triple coverage.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:19 pm
Rod, 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 bad overthrow to a wide open receiver and a pick right after you speak
September 21st, 2026 at 9:19 pm
One of my best Bucs memories is when Jamis Winston led them to a post-delay win over the Seahawks. Wasn’t there yesterday but that loss has to hurt big time for those who stuck around. But every game is a new chance for good memories. Back to back wins against Minnesota and Green Bay could provide that. Let’s hope for that. Rooting for losses to get the coach fired is bush league.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Damn Winston looks as bad as Baker. Another great draft pick by Licht with that Winston pick lol.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:21 pm
This is what the Glazers have relegated us to, enjoying others’ misery to make us feel better
September 21st, 2026 at 9:22 pm
BucsFan81 Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:20 pm
Damn Winston looks as bad as Baker.
——–
Winston hasn’t singlehandedly lost the game yet, and isn’t making $65M a year. So it’s literally impossible for Winston to look as bad as Baker.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Jameis Winston and Baker Mayfield are running back to neck in the turnover department.😂😂😂🤣🤣 2 great turnover machines.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Winston just threw a terrible interception there, Rod, so obviously we are watching a totally different game then one another. Kinda like I don’t always agree with your assessment of the Bucs’ problems to being just QB issues. So, we definitely are not watching the same games apparently, but everyone is entitled to their opinion, I suppose.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Todd,you had 2 chances this season..Please step down coach. Please..
September 21st, 2026 at 9:23 pm
***running neck to neck in the turnover department***
September 21st, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Your team is empty…
September 21st, 2026 at 9:23 pm
Dang… Stafford looking like Baker Mayfield on that throw.
Wait, that was only double coverage, not triple coverage. Never mind.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:24 pm
Your time is up in Tampa..You know it..
September 21st, 2026 at 9:25 pm
BUCDADDY Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:22 pm
Winston just threw a terrible interception there, Rod, so obviously we are watching a totally different game then one another.
———–
I literally said he’d throw an INT or fumble right before he did so.
Before the throw where he missed while running to his left – he had been accurate, put the ball in perfect spots for his receivers, but the Rams had some remarkable coverage. An incompletion because the opponent makes a great play, doesn’t mean it was a bad or inaccurate throw.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:27 pm
Now Winston suddenly has a touch of the Baker, is completely inaccurate, can’t hit anything past the line of scrimmage.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:28 pm
Winston with no protection there, but we should blame him for the pocket collapsing. That’s what we do with the Bucs, right? Just blame the QB, because they’re supposed to do everything, right? Football is not a team sport, right? Also, another dime into the ground by Winston. I’m sure we should’ve just kept him in Tampa, right?
September 21st, 2026 at 9:28 pm
@ Joe Bob Pigskin Says: “How is it that Rod sees everything more clearly than anyone else?”
Because, most of it is very obvious to see, if and when you watch a lot of football, follow all the other teams, open your eyes, pay attention, use your brain, and are capable of taking your ‘emotions’ out of it. ESPECIALLY, if you watch A LOT from ALL LEVELS, including following and keeping up with High School and College Recruiting, & etc. Hell, I’ve been watching MOST of these guys ‘playing’ in the NFL today, ever since they were in HIGH SCHOOL. Literally. And, IF I didn’t catch one of their ‘live’ games… There is probably about an 70% chance that I’d heard of them before, remember their recruiting star-rating, where they’re from, who they played for (if it’s a ‘national’ powerhouse), and their overall ‘recruitment’ with WHO they had ‘their list’ narrowed down to. I’m reading MaxPreps/On3/247sports/RIVALS/USAtoday/SI/you name it… WEEKLY. Then, there’s probably OVER a 90% chance that I actually WATCHED THEM play college. And, I watch/listen to 4-HOURS a day, of PAWL Finebaum. So, you will eventually catch on… IF you want to. 💯
September 21st, 2026 at 9:31 pm
Winston STILL sucks!!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:32 pm
Well, I guess Jameis should score here. If not, it will be pretty embarrassing.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:33 pm
By the time they’ve already ‘made-it’ to THE NFL… I’m already BORED with ‘em, and ready for the next crop of players, and WHO’s NEXT.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:33 pm
It should all be blamed on Winston if they don’t score here, right? Not the o-line, that can’t block to save there lives, right?
September 21st, 2026 at 9:37 pm
I’m actually rooting for Winston, but he has not looked good at all, especially under all this pressure.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:38 pm
Jameis is playing injured.
But just wait until he’s healthy, he’s MVP material when healthy!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:38 pm
Yep, tell me that an o-line isn’t important, or unpredictable play-calling is not a huge factor. Sound familiar, Bucs fans?
September 21st, 2026 at 9:39 pm
I like how this has become a giants-rams open thread. I think we might I’ll be able to agree on one thing. Joe could put less pictures of Todd on his site. At this point, I’d rather look at anything other than his face. Put a random kitten, a tree, a dirty shoe, even any slimy saint. Seeing Todd‘s face is just as bad.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:42 pm
I wish we had open threads for SNF and MNF, makes watching the games more fun, in particular if they have a Bucs connection.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Even Jon Harbaugh can’t turn this around. You need weapons, and just like the Bucs, this team has little to no weapons. Again, no pressure on Stafford, which gives the QB confidence to step up into the pocket and get set and make accurate passes.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Coach is gunna need bigger balls on defense.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:44 pm
BUCDADDY Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:37 pm
I’m actually rooting for Winston, but he has not looked good at all, especially under all this pressure.
————
Winston generally always starts out slow, then heats up as the game goes along.
But at the goal, the defensive conservative head coach just decided to play for 3, didn’t even attempt a pass. Might be the right play until Winston heats up.
I think the last time Winston played in LA he had the following line…
385 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT
September 21st, 2026 at 9:45 pm
BUCDADDY Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:43 pm
Even Jon Harbaugh can’t turn this around. You need weapons, and just like the Bucs, this team has little to no weapons. Again, no pressure on Stafford, which gives the QB confidence to step up into the pocket and get set and make accurate passes.
————
It’s literally his 2nd game, and he just lost his starting QB.
I think it’s a little early to claim he’s a bust, and can’t turn things around.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:47 pm
O’NEAL Buc it doesn’t take a racist, to see Winston, well he sux
September 21st, 2026 at 9:47 pm
The stupid flashing Rams video board in the background is making the local dimming zones on my TV go nuts, I think it’s going to trigger a seizure.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:48 pm
I would kill for a Harbaugh over Bowles.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:51 pm
I see why ME bailed for SF. Can you imagine listening to this tool crap on you in press briefs and not take any accountability as a leader. This guy in no way is a leader of men!
September 21st, 2026 at 9:52 pm
Im done with the lame excuses
September 21st, 2026 at 9:54 pm
Confido75 Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:51 pm
I see why ME bailed for SF. Can you imagine listening to this tool crap on you in press briefs and not take any accountability as a leader. This guy in no way is a leader of men!
———-
No reason to talk about Baker like that. The man has a family.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:56 pm
Buc1987 Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 9:48 pm
I would kill for a Harbaugh over Bowles.
——–
That I agree with, and I believe the rumors were the Glazers quietly contacted Harbaugh’s agents who said the Bucs weren’t on his list of teams he was interested in. I believe that was the rumor, if I remember correctly.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:56 pm
Todd Bowles is a fat hairy bit€h, a terrible HC, a bad DC, and can’t drive himself to and from One Buc anymore as his gut impedes a steering wheel.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Bowles won’t be fired until after the season.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:58 pm
Never said he was a bust. I know he’s a competent coach, if not one of the best to do it. I’m simply saying the whole night has been a disaster, losing Dart, and and o-line that is getting bullied. Not even Belicheck could save this game.
September 21st, 2026 at 9:58 pm
I dont care what aby1 says im calling for a new coach and Jason Daniel’s to start getting reps to see if he’s any good the season is over
September 21st, 2026 at 9:59 pm
Lmao. Pretty Much.
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September 21st, 2026 at 10:00 pm
Those RAMS unis are soooo freaking CLEAN tonight!!!! SHARP AF.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Joe! Looks to me like the big tix items could have used some preseason games!
September 21st, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Rod, Jameis was 4-9 when you said he looked accurate.
Dirted 2 balls to open WRs and threw an ugly pick.
2 RZ trips turned into an INT and a FG. If that was Baker, you would already be hollering about how he lost the game.
Baker sucks right now but pipe down. We get it. The only people here being truthful, are the ones saying we have numerous issues. Baker and Bowles are the biggest 2 problems! The OC, OL, DL, LBs … are all problems right now as well. No juice, no protection, it’s bull. Unfortunately for your case… Baker has nothing to do with other units being terrible. Todd does!
September 21st, 2026 at 10:04 pm
I’m just making the point that if you have a suspect o-line, much like the Bucs, good luck getting the offense to produce like you think it should. It’s one of the most important parts of football, and it’s one of the biggest reasons teams don’t succeed, much like the Giants tonight, causing Dart to get injured in the first place.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:06 pm
Saskbucs Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 10:04 pm
Rod, Jameis was 4-9 when you said he looked accurate.
——–
That’s not the timeline, kiddo.
I said he looked accurate after he hit two guys on the hands, but the Rams defenders knocked the ball down. I said that, because he literally looked accurate at the time.
Then I also said he’d screwed up and throw an INT or fumble any second, and he did.
Winston is always slow to start games, and coming in cold means a warm up period.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:07 pm
Lakeland said:
The Glazers are wasting more money than any team in the NFL
But it’s only two games, it’s still early.
You have to remember that the Glazers are richer than sin and the Bucs are playing second fiddle to Man United as far as the almighty USD/Pound go. If you look at which franchise the family has more money tied up in and which franchise has more net worth, it is Man U hands down. I truly think they could care less how the Bucs do, they seem to be more involved with their investments across the pond.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:08 pm
See, perfectly accurate deep ball, and a drop by the receiver.
Unlike Baker, who missed what, 4 times throwing deep. The only deep ball Baker hit was because he slipped, and it messed up his overthrow timing.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Underthrown by Winston there. Should’ve been a walk-in TD by Nabers if thrown accurately, but Jameis was under serious pressure again.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:10 pm
rod i forgot how much fun crazy jameis can be 🙂
he’s gonna draw ole harbaugh to get a pacemaker if dart id out for extended time
September 21st, 2026 at 10:10 pm
Watch the replay, Rod. Nabers had him beat and had to go back for the ball.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:10 pm
dart is out*
September 21st, 2026 at 10:12 pm
adams might have 200+ yards tonight…..crazy
September 21st, 2026 at 10:12 pm
This game is putting me to sleep….ZZZZZ!
September 21st, 2026 at 10:13 pm
BUCDADDY Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 10:09 pm
Underthrown by Winston there. Should’ve been a walk-in TD by Nabers if thrown accurately, but Jameis was under serious pressure again.
——–
Literally hits him in the hands…
Meanwhile Baker can’t even get the ball in the same zip code as his receivers, yet Baker is never to blame.
LOL!
September 21st, 2026 at 10:14 pm
YES! Finally Williams finally overcomes the fumble, gets up to 11pts, wins my game tonight!
So long as he doesn’t fumble again.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:15 pm
See, Rod. That’s how you lead the receiver properly. Jameis didn’t do that on the Nabers pass.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:15 pm
Rod said: I think the last time Winston played in LA he had the following line…
385 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT.
That is correct September 29,2019, Bucs beat the Rams 55-40 to go 2-2 on the way to a 7-9 finish where on the final game of the season, Jameis threw a pick 6 to lose to the ATL and end his career as a Buc.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:18 pm
They’ve got to go to a ‘quick’ rhythm passing game with TEMPO, and Baker’s just got to make the ‘right’ read, and ‘right’ timing, while out in front of of ‘em where they can actually do ‘something’ with it… So, that they can pick up that YACKETY-YAC, JACK. More possessions, and try to out-score people. Cause, THIS SPIT ain’t workin. They coach-it and play-it TOO SCARED, always wanting to just keep-it CLOSE. Then, that always leaves it on Baker’s shoulders at the very end of ballgames. And, that’s really NOT where you wanna be. You have absolutely NOTHING ELSE TO LOSE HERE, if you are Todd Bowles, at this fricken point. JESUS. Just get some BALLS already, AND MOVE. This team has completed LOST ALL CONFIDENCE. You have to MAKE-IT “FUN” AGAIN. The “same old” ain’t WORKING. And, it’s NOT GONNA work. I mean, haven’t “you” SEEN ENOUGH YET, Mr. Bowles!? Come-ON, COACH… WAKE TF UP. Snap out of it! WHERE are the adjustments!? GOOD GOD.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:19 pm
FortMyersDave Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 10:15 pm
Rod said: I think the last time Winston played in LA he had the following line…
385 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT.
That is correct September 29,2019, Bucs beat the Rams 55-40 to go 2-2 on the way to a 7-9 finish where on the final game of the season, Jameis threw a pick 6 to lose to the ATL and end his career as a Buc.
———–
Also, fun fact, Winston threw for 5000+ yards that year, and didn’t even need 17 games to do it (Mayfield needed 17 games last year to throw for less than 3700 yards).
Anywho, Matt Gay singlehandedly lost two games, the Bucs should have been 9-7.
But if Matt Gay doesn’t singlehandedly lose two games – then it means the Bucs certainly sign Winston to a long term deal – and never sign Brady, and almost certainly never win their second SB. Although they would have had as much success as they’ve had with Baker considering the awful NFC South competition.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:20 pm
It always goes back to Baker with you. It’s childish. Winston clearly didn’t lead Nabers on the pass, which is why he had to come back and try to catch a contested pass. Nabers had him beat by quite a few steps, it was just underthrown. As a QB, you don’t throw the ball short for a 50/50 jump ball when you can just float it over the top.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:20 pm
And, you have to run more LATER, against a ‘tired’ defense… As long as it’s still close, AND it’s working.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:21 pm
WOW, a 15 yard pass.
Baker hits that and people are chanting MVP.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:24 pm
BUCDADDY Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 10:20 pm
It always goes back to Baker with you. It’s childish. Winston clearly didn’t lead Nabers on the pass, which is why he had to come back and try to catch a contested pass. Nabers had him beat by quite a few steps, it was just underthrown. As a QB, you don’t throw the ball short for a 50/50 jump ball when you can just float it over the top.
——–
LOL!
The ball literally hit Nabbers on both hands and he failed to catch the ball.
The fact you’re denying that Nabbers had the ball in his hands and failed to catch the ball is fake news.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:38 pm
BUCDADDY is right. MUNCHONTHAT.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:38 pm
Yeah, I don’t get your point with Winston or Nabers. Had he lead Nabers on the pass, we’d probably be talking about a TD versus a contested pass. Also, I remember the Winston years in Tampa and it wasn’t a great time to be a Bucs fan. Remember Jameis and his 30 for 30? 30 TDs and 30 picks. 0 playoff appearances if I remember correctly. Yeah, it hasn’t been great, but I’ll take the 2 playoff appearances over that.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:41 pm
I haven’t watched one game. As soon as they retained toilet bowl and Mike split them they extended head case I knew this team is looking at maybe two wins, sinking ship
September 21st, 2026 at 10:41 pm
it’s so true fruitcup matt gay cost us 2 games that year, while arians was deciding what to do with jameis…
we could have been 9-7…and if shameis didn’t screw up a couple more games we just might have gone 11-5…
jameis was killing arians tho…his face was always beet red…so jameis was out………..and in came one tommy b
September 21st, 2026 at 10:42 pm
Maybe being a fan means something different than I remember, but I thought it included something about supporting your team and its players, even when they sucked. And by “support”, I don’t mean buying a ticket or getting cable. I know a guy who didn’t miss a UM home basketball game in 47 years…now +that’s+ a fan. If you think someone isn’t playing hard, fine: light ’em up. But that’s definitely not Baker, and it doesn’t seem to be Anzalone, or most of the guys on either side of the ball. So, I don’t know, maybe stop talking so much trash and cheer on your team and your players.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:51 pm
Rod said:
Anywho, Matt Gay singlehandedly lost two games, the Bucs should have been 9-7. But if Matt Gay doesn’t singlehandedly lose two games – then it means the Bucs certainly sign Winston to a long term deal – and never sign Brady, and almost certainly never win their second SB. Although they would have had as much success as they’ve had with Baker considering the awful NFC South competition.
I was at the Giants game (Section 205) where Gay missed that short kick, that hurt about as bad as losing to the Browns yesterday.. Bucs had an 18 point lead. True, Gay cost the Bucs 2 games but man Winston had his chances down the stretch. In the last 2 games he had 4 picks vs the Texans and the pick 6 in OT vs ATL sealed the deal. If the Bucs could have won at least 2 of the 4 games (2 Gay lost and the last 2 of the season), Winston likely would have been extended. If they won 3, perhaps playoffs a year early, you never know. The Bucs future certainly would not have changed. No Lombardi but also no Baker, Arians might have stuck around longer, heck Jameis might still be on the team setting records, both good and bad.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:51 pm
JustVisiting, the voice of reason. Lol! I agree, buddy.
September 21st, 2026 at 10:56 pm
FortMyersDave – I will say Winston has not been the same QB since he got injured in that game vs the Bucs after the Saints started the year, what, 5-2?
He’s never seems to have had the same drive on the ball since then – but also has played more sporadically so that could be it too.
But while I was mad as hell at Gay for those loses at the time, it all worked out in the end.
September 21st, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Jameis singlehandedly lost the game. Couldn’t we ven get the ball in the end zone . Kept his defense on the field all night and tired them out
The defense was fine and did their job. At least that’s how Munchkin tells us how it works . It’s all on the Quarterback.
September 21st, 2026 at 11:24 pm
JustVisiting …JBF is not for you.
September 21st, 2026 at 11:28 pm
Bowles has said similar things for a couple of years. For the life of Joe he does not understand where people get the “he’s unaccountable” from.
September 21st, 2026 at 11:30 pm
One consistent through 2 weeks there’s been a lot of bad QB play and some from supposed super stars.
September 21st, 2026 at 11:30 pm
rod – jameis looks pretty bad broski………..wake up 🙂
harbaugh is gonna have a meltdown if his season rests on jaboo
#RodNeedsToEndHisLoveAffairWithJabooNow
September 21st, 2026 at 11:40 pm
DBS Says:
September 21st, 2026 at 11:19 pm
Jameis singlehandedly lost the game. Couldn’t we ven get the ball in the end zone . Kept his defense on the field all night and tired them out
The defense was fine and did their job. At least that’s how Munchkin tells us how it works . It’s all on the Quarterback.
————-
Each player’s last game in LA…
Winston: 111 yards, 4.1 yards per attempt, 1 INT, 37.7 passer rating
Mayfield: 41 yards, 2.2 yards per attempt, 2 INTs, 32.0 passer rating
One is the 3rd highest paid player in the NFL and a franchise QB, one isn’t.
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:06 am
I thought baker needed better protection then on a play when he had a clean pocket he threw an interception. I think his confidence is shot
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:19 am
The greatest thing Bowles could do is resign right now.
September 22nd, 2026 at 12:57 am
McVay’s postgame press conference was GOLD. He friggin’ OWNED the entire room there!!!! Amazing. Drafting a QB this offseason does absolutely NOTHING for this football team. It’s a WEAK ROSTER. Look, it’s THE NFL… All these guys can play! So, ENOUGH. Just open your FRICKEN EYES, or start watching other teams without your ‘blinders-on’ while drinking your Bucs flavored kool-aid. This is going to be a COMPLETE TEARDOWN. Rebuild. The ROSTER. FIRST. Sign a vet “bridge” on the CHEAP (when the do decide to move off of Baker)… It’s not like these TOP ‘Draft-Picks’ are CHEAP. Hell, Arizona is paying Jeremiah Love over $20-MILLION (for a RB). Caleb Williams is OVER $20-MIL+ too, when DREW LOCK is JUST $2.5-MIL… 2yr/$5-MILLION. Mac Jones is only like, $5-MIL. Hell, what was Baker’s first season as a Buc… around $5-MIL!? WASTING your future franchise-QB’s ‘rookie-level’ deal, is… Well, a WASTE. It’s STUPID. And, hell… There is no hurry. Churn talent, and build DEPTH. While, clearing cap space and getting your books inline. They did the ‘unthinkable’ and PAID “BAKER” LONGTERM. It’s going to take time, and LOTS of patience.
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:23 am
I also said, to JUST STOP about our Cornerbacks… I’m tired of hearing it. That, they’ll be just fine, as long as they are healthy… That, you cannot EXPECT to have ELITE ‘backups’ at friggin CORNER, or at EVERY position. That, there is a thing such as the “Salary Cap,” and we have miserably misused ours (and thus was BEFORE the Baker-extension)… That, there are only maybe, just a ‘handful’ of truly ELITE Corners, to begin with. And, that everyone else, was in the exact same boat. Also, I warned about y’all are being waaayyy overly ‘optimistic’ about the Offensive-Line… That, I believe they are OVERRATED. I didn’t think they’d be much better than they were last season at all, when they were “ok.” Though “great,” given the circumstances. They were definitely, GOOD ENOUGH. It’s just not a great ROSTER. There’s just not a whole lot there to be excited about. It just is what it is.
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:33 am
@ JustVisiting – Absolute ABSURDITY. This is ‘PROFESSIONAL’ Sports. These are little kids here, that we are talking about. And, just because “your friend” went to all of those games, didn’t mean that HE wasn’t demanding that the coach be FIRED, or went NUTS screaming at a player for CHOKING, & etc. So, I don’t even know what you’re trying to ‘insinuate’ with this BS you’re spewing!? I mean, are you drunk!? What’s with the FEELINGS!? What kind of virtue-signaling’ are you trying to push onto everyone else!? It makes NO SENSE.
September 22nd, 2026 at 6:56 am
MelvinJUNIOR RIGHT ON. TOTALLY AGREE
September 22nd, 2026 at 7:47 am
Rod Minch talks more than my wife.
September 22nd, 2026 at 8:14 am
Keep trying Munchkin. Points on the board. Last rams game. Baker. Put up 7. According to you he singlehandedly Lost it. Jameis 0 only the kicker scored. Even if you count 6 Baker beat him. Jameis still singlehandedly lost the game. Your rules now you’re trying to wiggle out of it don’t I don’t care about QB rating. It’s out scoring my with more points to win the game. It’s your rules Jameis . Oh and now he’s injured and just never recovered. Fake excuse.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:17 am
Jameis singlehandedly lost it,.^
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:47 am
@Melvin Junior,
Completely agree. Tired of being preached to on how to be a fan. Go cry into your pillow holier than thou.
September 22nd, 2026 at 10:47 am
If Godwin is doubled and Egbuka is doubled why isn’t someone open?!? Was Cleveland playing 14 men on defense? I love the Bucs but this is bull!
September 22nd, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Bucks ‘n’ Bucs…thin at WR, like I’ve been saying for six months on here.
Fans think I’m an idiot for saying it….but just watch it all play out.
September 23rd, 2026 at 1:11 pm
bowles finger pointing and passing the joe bucs fan motivation starts at the top
he came( and Leftwich) with arians the bucs were not good in 2019 then somehow came tom brady and brought his friends with him and publicity/ then played 1 too many years some people were not meant and born to lead
bud liked the dungy era great leader/calm teacher Gruden that guy still has the fire/motivation and actually likes the bucs idk i see 0 motivation from anybody anyone can talk or point
September 23rd, 2026 at 3:55 pm
@RodMunch
Funny, I used your “analyze” bit in AI that is paid for by my company on the highest setting available and it says the defense is the #1 problem.
analyze the Bucs 2-9 stretch, to see if it couldn’t find a “common denominator” as to why the Bucs keep on losing
Yeah. After going through the entire stretch, I think there is a common denominator, and it’s more specific than simply “the offense is bad” or “the defense is bad.”
I’m defining the 2–9 stretch as Nov. 9, 2025 through Sept. 20, 2026. One correction from what I said while digging through it: seven of the nine losses were by six points or fewer, not six.
The numbers are surprisingly revealing
During the stretch 9 losses 2 wins
Points scored/game 21.4 18.0
Points allowed/game 28.7 15.5
Offensive yards/game 315.7 308.5
Defensive yards allowed/game 345.4 335.5
Turnover margin/game -0.9 +2.0
That is weird.
The Bucs actually scored fewer points and gained fewer yards in their two wins than they did on average in their nine losses.
What changed?
Turnovers and high-leverage execution.
Both wins came with a +2 turnover margin. In the losses, Tampa averaged nearly one turnover worse than its opponent per game.
And the raw yardage barely changes between wins and losses. This looks much less like “Tampa simply isn’t talented enough” and much more like Tampa keeps losing the handful of plays that decide football games.
The common denominator: they lose the high-leverage snaps
There are four recurring pieces to it.
1. The defense keeps surrendering catastrophic plays at exactly the wrong time.
This has happened over and over.
Against New England, Tampa allowed three touchdowns of 50+ yards — a 72-yard pass and runs of 55 and 69 yards. Todd Bowles acknowledged afterward that the explosive plays were both an execution and coaching problem.
Against Buffalo, Tampa actually went ahead 32–31 in the fourth quarter — and then Buffalo scored 13 unanswered.
Against Atlanta, Tampa led 28–14 with about 13 minutes remaining and lost 29–28. Atlanta accumulated 476 yards, scored 15 unanswered fourth-quarter points, and kicked the winning field goal with four seconds remaining.
Then this season against Cleveland, Tampa led 16–6 before giving up a 55-yard touchdown, eventually surrendering the go-ahead TD and losing 23–19.
That’s not one defensive weakness. It’s a recurring problem with explosive-play prevention, tackling, assignments and late-game situational defense.
2. The offense gets opportunities to win games but doesn’t finish enough drives.
This might be the other half of the equation.
Look at the scoring totals in losses:
23, 32, 7, 20, 28, 20, 17, 27, 19.
Sometimes they score plenty. But in five of the nine losses, they scored 20 or fewer.
And even when they move the ball, points don’t necessarily follow.
Miami is the perfect example: Tampa outgained Miami 380–298 and still lost 20–17. The Bucs turned it over three times while Miami turned it over zero times.
Carolina was another. Tampa had a chance to tie or win late, but a Mayfield/Evans miscommunication produced the game’s only turnover with 42 seconds remaining.
And against Cleveland on Sunday, they again got the ball into position to win and failed to convert the final red-zone opportunity. Cleveland had rallied from that 16–6 deficit.
So Tampa isn’t consistently getting dominated between the 20s.
They’re failing to turn possessions into touchdowns when touchdowns matter most.
3. Self-inflicted mistakes are absolutely killing them.
The Bengals game almost feels like the entire 2–9 stretch compressed into one afternoon.
Tampa lost four fumbles. Baker Mayfield lost three himself. Cincinnati converted the first three first-half fumbles into touchdowns and ultimately won only 33–27.
Think about that.
They gave Cincinnati four extra possessions, three of which immediately produced TDs…
…and still only lost by six.
That’s a pretty strong illustration of what I’m talking about.
They aren’t necessarily getting physically destroyed. They’re repeatedly making enough mistakes to turn winnable games into losses.
Penalties, turnovers, missed assignments, missed tackles, failed red-zone possessions — different mistake, same consequence.
4. They’re terrible at protecting small margins.
This might be the single biggest red flag.
The nine losses were by:
5, 12, 27, 4, 1, 3, 3, 6 and 4 points.
So:
7 of 9 losses were by ≤6 points.
Remove the Rams disaster, and Tampa’s other eight losses average only 4.75 points.
That’s not the profile of a team that is hopelessly outclassed.
It’s the profile of a team that keeps getting to the final few possessions and losing the situational battle.
And there are examples everywhere:
Game Critical failure
NE Explosive TDs of 72, 55 and 69 yards
BUF Took 32–31 Q4 lead → allowed 13 unanswered
LAR Early pick-six; offense completely collapsed
NO 17–17 late → offense manages only FG, defense gives up go-ahead TD
ATL Blew 28–14 Q4 lead
CAR Final potential winning drive ends in INT
MIA Outgained Miami but lost turnover battle 3–0
CIN 4 lost fumbles
CLE Blew 16–6 lead; failed final red-zone opportunity
That’s a pattern.
So is it Baker? Bowles? Injuries? The OC?
I don’t think Baker alone fits as the common denominator.
There are games in this stretch where he played well enough to win and the defense failed. Against New England, for example, he threw three TDs without an interception, while the defense got shredded by explosive plays. And Tampa scored 32 against Buffalo and 28 against Atlanta and still lost.
Baker absolutely owns part of it — the Rams interceptions, the late Carolina interception, three lost fumbles against Cincinnati, etc. — but he’s not sufficient to explain the whole thing.
Injuries were a major factor in 2025, particularly on offense. Tampa went through nine different starting offensive-line combinations down the stretch, with Cody Mauch, Ben Bredeson, Luke Goedeke and others missing substantial time.
But injuries don’t entirely explain it either, because we’re now seeing eerily similar problems in 2026.
And here’s where it gets interesting.
The offensive coordinator changed.
Josh Grizzard was replaced by Zac Robinson for 2026. Tampa is now on its fifth offensive coordinator in five years.
Yet through the first two games under Robinson:
Cincinnati: four fumbles, loss by 6.
Cleveland: penalties/negative plays, blown 10-point lead, failed late red-zone opportunity, loss by 4.
Same movie. Different offensive coordinator.
Which brings me to Todd Bowles
If by “common denominator” you mean one organizational constant, Bowles deserves scrutiny because he’s the head coach throughout this entire stretch and the defense is his specialty.
But I wouldn’t reduce it to:
“Todd Bowles is why they’re 2–9.”
The evidence supports something slightly different:
The Bowles-era Bucs are repeatedly failing at situational football.
That’s a head-coaching issue and a player-execution issue.
Bowles’ defense repeatedly gives up explosive plays or decisive late drives. The offense repeatedly leaves touchdowns on the field or commits a critical turnover. Penalties/missed assignments appear at horrible moments. And instead of one unit consistently bailing out the other, the failure usually switches sides depending on the week.
That’s actually what Bowles himself described after the Patriots game — one or two players having a mental error, and it being a different player each time.
My diagnosis of the 2–9 stretch
The common denominator is:
Tampa Bay has almost no margin for error because the offense isn’t consistently finishing drives, while the defense is prone to explosive/late-game breakdowns — and then turnovers, penalties or missed assignments decide close games.
That’s why the 2–9 record looks considerably worse than the actual competitive gap.
They’re not playing like a team that should routinely get blown out.
They’re playing like a team that repeatedly gets itself into a 50/50 game…
…and then loses the 2–4 plays that determine who wins it.
The stat that really seals it for me is this:
The Bucs averaged 21.4 points in their losses but only 18.0 in their wins. Both wins came with a +2 turnover margin.
In other words, their winning formula lately has essentially been: the defense must manufacture extra possessions because the offense isn’t reliably creating enough separation on its own.
And when the takeaways don’t come, all those little mistakes become fatal.