Five Things
October 9th, 2026
Winning is fun!
What an awesome win! Did the win save the season? Is this a turnaround? Is KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles safe? A lot to get to this wonderful morning. Grab the coffee and make sure the mug is full.
Major Win, But Too Late?
If the Bucs somehow make the playoffs and Team Glazer decides in January to retain KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles, Joe will look back on last night’s game as a monumental win for Bowles and maybe a franchise-changing victory.
It’s one thing to finally have your offense show up for work for a change, especially with an undrafted rookie making his second start pulling the strings. On national streaming. On a short week. Against the Cowboys in Jerry’s World.
The Bucs passed the test with flying colors
Any win over the Cowboys is a good win. Given how so much was riding on that game (playoff percentages, job security, etc.) Joe cannot remember a bigger October win.
The Bucs on a Thursday night beat playoff-bound Minnesota 36-17 in October 2012. But the Vikings are not the Cowboys. The Cowboys have beat down the Bucs plenty over the years.
And for the Bucs to rise from the dead like last night and shut down (for most of the game) the most dangerous offense in the league, well, this one will be remembered by Bucs fans for a long, long time.
So last night was a great win. Maybe a win to turn the franchise around. Maybe save jobs and careers.
But at 1-4, did the Bucs’ awakening come too late?
Don’t Lie, You Know You Are Thinking About This
Joe wrote this a day or two after it was announced Baker Mayfield would miss some time with a dislocated thumb.
What happens if Jalon Daniels leads the Bucs to a win over the Steelers?
Joe is already seeing chatter on Twitter saying if Daniels wins, you can’t bench him. If you take Todd Bowles literally, he would do it. Notice Bowles always talks about riding the hot hand?
Mayfield didn’t look sharp at all in his first three games. Daniels has looked just as good as Mayfield, maybe a little bit better. Maybe Daniels has forced the Bucs to change the offense and that’s why it looked so damn good last night?
Joe cannot imagine Mayfield riding the pine when he’s cleared. Bowles is a Mayfield guy. He’s the one who hounded Bucs AC/DC-loving general manager Jason Licht to sign him in the first place.
Joe is beyond confident Bowles was hounding Team Glazer and Licht to re-sign Mayfield this summer, too.
But if Daniels leads the Bucs to a win over Pittsburgh…
Look, it’s great that the Bucs won last night. But it’s going to take a whole lot for the Bucs to make the playoffs. And based on Team Glazer’s history, when their head coach has two losing seasons back-to-back, he better be renting.
Bowles and his assistants have their backs to the wall. As Todd Monken once told the local pen and mic club when he was Bucs offensive coordinator and Dirk Koetter benched America’s Quarterback, Jameis Winston, “We’re trying to save jobs.”
Yes, that was a panic move. And Joe has seen coaches do really weird things when they are desperate.
If Daniels has a good game in a win over Pittsburgh a week from Sunday at The Licht House, how much pressure would there be on Bowles to “ride the hot hand” and tell his hand-picked quarterback to take a seat for a while?
Again, when coaches are under pressure in part to save jobs, and to save their own hide, weird things can happen.
Kaylee Hartung Demonstrates Sideline Reporters Are Overrated (and America Cares Only About America’s Team And Not The Bucs)
Joe used to stick up for sideline reporters. If a coach cooperates, sideline reports can get really good.
(Curt Cignetti is a good example with his sarcasm. Same with Dan Lanning, who is fun. And if Ryan Day and/or Nick Saban were PO’ed, they were entertaining if not informative with sideline reporters. And of course, the master was Mike Leach because you never knew what he might say.).
Joe would say sideline reporters serve a role. Until they don’t.
The best example Joe can come up with was two years ago Texas was playing Georgia. Arch Manning, maybe the best, most famous backup quarterback in the world, was warming up as starter Quinn Ewers was struggling.
Joe saw this on Twitter as reporters up in the press box were twittering about it. Manning entered the game a few minutes later and both Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit were shocked when Manning broke the huddle. They didn’t even know.
Where the hell was Holly Rowe? Wasn’t that her job was to deliver breaking news? The most famous backup quarterback not only was warming up but he went in the game and no one on ABC knew about it.
You had ONE job! #MegaFail!
Joe lost all respect for Rowe after that stunt.
Fast forward to last night’s Bucs game. If not for Logan Robinson of SI.com, who covers the Bucs, Joe had no idea Bucs All-World left tackle Tristan Wirfs was off the field early in the third quarter – or later for a period in the fourth.
Wirfs apparently had a right leg issue and was limping noticeably. But he gutted it out. (Todd Bowles said he was unaware of it and had to ask someone when they got back to Tampa.)
Joe first noticed something wrong when early in the third quarter, a play blew up to the Bucs’ left side. Replays showed backup tackle Justin Skule was on the field. No mention from Al or Herbie about Wirfs.
Where was he?
Amazon sideline reporter Kaylee Hartung not once all night reported on Wirfs. You could argue Wirfs was the best player on the field, but for Amazon, he may as well have been Anthony Collins.
Pretty freakin’ important when the best left tackle in the game leaves the game twice, and goes to the locker room once. And there is no report of either absence.
Joe promises you every time a Cowboys player farted the wrong way, Hartung breathlessly reported the cologne Cowboys trainers used to help fumigate the bench.
Irresponsible! Shame on Hartung and shame on Amazon producers! If you are going to pay these sideline princesses seven figures a year for maybe 60 days of work, the least viewers should expect is to know when star players leave the game and why — from both teams.
You know, report?
Then, Joe remembers how Charissa Thompson, also of Amazon and FOX, confessed she used to make up quotes from coaches when she was a sideline reporter.
So maybe we need to rethink this sideline-reporter thing?
The Missing Element For The Analytics Crowd
Boy, these stat nerds sure are a thin-skinned bunch. Joe’s not anti-analytics but Joe is very much anti-analytics-above-everything-else.
For years now, whenever a coach decided not to “go for it” and kick a field goal (or punt), Twitter filled with the cries, whining, and foot-stomping of the calculator crowd. These folks just hate field goals.
Joe slightly agrees that touchdowns win games. But Joe’s not a stooge like Brandon Staley, who blindly slams his head into the ball, avoiding gimme field goals and “going for it” and losing when he doesn’t get a touchdown or first down.
So last night when the Bucs had a chance to score a touchdown late and put the dagger in the Cowboys, with fourth down near the goal line, conservative, KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles decided to go for the knockout punch.
Then, Al Michaels said, “Analytics say ‘kick it.'” WHAT? WHEN? Joe swears to never hearing one hardcore analytics guy ever say to kick a field goal over scoring a touchdown. Apparently, there is a subchapter in Book of Nerds that suggests making a game a three-score game with a field goal is better than a touchdown.
Hey, ya’ learn something every day. And boy, did the stats crowd freak out on Twitter because Bowles was (GASP!) aggressive.
Usually, the stats crowd kills Bowles because he is not aggressive. The one time he is, Bowles still gets raked by these people. He can’t win.
For the record: Joe was pleasantly surprised Bowles went for the kill shot and was happy about it. The way Bowles’ defense was playing and if the Bucs failed, Dallas would have to go 99 yards to score, Joe had zero issue with this.
Two Late Items
Two things happened late after the Bucs sealed the win.
First, the moment the Bucs got a first down on the final drive to put the game away, Amazon cameras quickly cut to Bowles. It appeared they caught him about to collapse. Bowles immediately grimaced in discomfort and dropped to a knee.
Joe quickly thought of the time about 13 years ago when Houston coach Gary Kubiak collapsed during a game. Joe knows Bowles is under a lot of pressure these days and wondered if it had caught up with him at that moment, or if he was having a medical issue.
(Joe noticed the comments in the JoeBucsFan game day thread where others saw this, too.)
In his postgame remarks, Bowles looked like he was fighting back pain but there was no mention of what happened.
Joe reached out to the Bucs. They told Joe that Bowles caught friendly fire from the sideline celebration and may have taken a helmet to the side. That’s why Bowles dropped to a knee.
Bowles, a month shy of turning 63, can’t quite take the hits like he used to when he played for the Redskins 40 years ago. 🙂
Bowles is fine, Joe was told, and might be sore for a couple of days. But the big win last night will certainly help soothe the pain.
The last thing is, now that Joe mentioned being caught by Amazon cameras, when the Bucs stopped the Cowboys late in the fourth quarter. Amazon cameras caught Jerry Jones slapping his desk up in his suite in frustration.
Joe could put that on a loop and watch it all day today.
October 9th, 2026 at 5:13 am
Two things
In the post game interview, Wirfs didn’t look comfortable at all. I know he’s not a press guy, but he seemed like he may be hurting a bit.
Todd definitely didn’t seem ok. You could see it in the Tebow kneeling on the side line then when he was walking across the field later. More to that story then a stray helmet for sure. Normally when a coach takes friendly fire and gets hurt the Medical guys check him. Never saw them.
October 9th, 2026 at 5:13 am
Aaaaand… Feeny got some burn and he did such a decent job it was hard to notice. I’m not joking.
October 9th, 2026 at 5:14 am
It’s official. FanDuel owns the NFL
October 9th, 2026 at 5:25 am
5 Things + 7
Jerry’s New Streaming Service: Amazon paid billions for Thursday Night Football, but I’d pay extra for a dedicated camera showing Jerry Jones slowly realizing he can’t buy a fourth-quarter touchdown.
The Daniels Dilemma: We spent the offseason wondering who would protect Baker Mayfield. Turns out we should’ve been wondering who would protect his starting job.
The Bowles Paradox: Todd Bowles finally goes for the jugular on fourth down, and the analytics crowd demands the return of the conservative Todd Bowles they spent five years trying to fire.
America’s Team: The Cowboys are America’s Team in the same way the IRS is America’s favorite government agency. Everybody knows the name, and millions celebrate when they get their asses kicked.
The Amazon Experience: Tristan Wirfs could’ve been abducted by aliens at midfield, and Amazon’s sideline reporter would’ve interrupted the broadcast to tell us Dak Prescott changed his shoelaces.
Jerry’s Desk: Somewhere in Dallas, a furniture salesman is explaining to Jerry Jones that the deluxe executive desk wasn’t engineered to withstand another Cowboys fourth-quarter meltdown.
Quarterback Economics: Baker Mayfield has millions guaranteed. Jalon Daniels has absolutely nothing to lose. Suddenly the most dangerous man in Tampa is the guy working for rookie wages.
The KitKat Incident: Bowles finally got aggressive, nearly got decapitated by his own sideline, and watched Jerry Jones assault office furniture. That’s one hell of a Thursday night for a guy who just wanted another KitKat.
Analytics Anonymous: “Hi, my name is Todd, and I went for it on fourth down.” “HI, TODD!” “But the spreadsheet said kick.” Entire room begins hyperventilating.
The Quarterback Controversy: If Daniels beats Pittsburgh, Tampa’s quarterback depth chart is going to look like a Thanksgiving seating arrangement after somebody brings up politics.
The 1–4 Resurrection: The Bucs waited until their season was in intensive care to discover they had an offense. Apparently our playbook comes with a defibrillator instead of a table of contents.
The Final Diagnosis: Dallas lost, Jerry exploded, Daniels delivered, Bowles survived friendly fire, and the analytics nerds are furious. That’s not Thursday Night Football. That’s five simultaneous therapy sessions with commercials.
October 9th, 2026 at 5:35 am
The sliced us up on that first drive, but the defense really took hold.
Go Jalon Winnings, Go Buckey, Go Receivers corps and go D. Reluctantly, credit also goes to the coaches.
October 9th, 2026 at 5:57 am
A win like this can turn a season around. We will have to see. #10 is my guy, they said he added juice and they were right. Play him until he proves us wrong.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:26 am
I did not see it live….. I saw parts of the original replay because I could not sleep and now I have that Prime Vision replay on and it gave me a headache
Bucs were lucky #26 DB Bland dropped the pick 6 near the end of the game
#92 Elijah Simmons got pushed around on the DLa lot
Okay enuff of being critical,….. Bucs secondary played great for the most part
No sacks …. disappointing (okay being critical again)…. but overall … solid game plan all around and a nice win!!!
October 9th, 2026 at 6:27 am
wirfs injury situation and coverage = crazy amazon failure…hopefully big wirfsy is ok…
bowles on field medical situation = glad he made it thru to live another day…..his face looked off at the presser too…hope he’s ok too…
also…if we win the next 3 games and get to 4-4…somehow we are back in the thick of it in the division…just trust me on this one…lol
i know i’m getting way ahead, saying win 3 more in a row…tall order for sure…but if we do it, i promise you, we are in the thick of it for the division title…check the schedule and trust in ole adam from the zoo
October 9th, 2026 at 6:29 am
Finally QB pressure!
October 9th, 2026 at 6:33 am
Joe, I agree that TDs trump field goals and they’re often worth the risk. But with 8.5 minutes left in the game, the difference between a THREE-score game and a TWO-score game is HUGE. A field goal would have required Dallas to score on THREE possessions in 8.5 minutes — nearly impossible. At first, I thought Bowles was just going to try to draw them offside and was going to take the five-yard delay-of-game penalty. I never dreamed the Bucs would ACTUALLY risk not taking a nearly guaranteed three-score lead. I SCREAMED at the television when they actually went for it (even before Tucker was stopped). Had the Bucs ended up losing — and only a lucky interception saved them — this decision would have been flat-out suicidal.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:43 am
One thing. Why did it take till game five to show a pulse? We beat a dysfunctional Dallas team with arguably the worst defense in the league. I still don’t see this team having a winning record, but I can also see why the Glazers wait till seasons end to make decisions. Will this team end up 1-16, or 13-4? Will somewhere in between be enough to save jobs? We should know soon, because the Bucs margin for error is slim.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:44 am
You know- it’s so weird. Before the season, k thought the Bucs would go 4-0 and then lay a turd on Thursday Night Football in Dallas. Welcome to opposite-land!
Remind me never to bet on the Bucs.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:48 am
Heck if we win 1 more game , we will rise right up to todds long term coaching record
just below .500 average
October 9th, 2026 at 6:49 am
Last night was fun. Surprising. Unexpected.
But the hole they are in is so deep, it’s hard to get too excited.
Think about this. How many 4 game winning streaks have the Bucs ever had? Even if they have one here, they’d only get to .500.
Don’t care if Baker is “healthy,” if the kid plays well, leave him in.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:51 am
Was waiting to hear Joe’s take on going for it. Fully agree. Wasn’t particularly impressed with the play call but loved the aggressiveness.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:53 am
We should wait to put Baker back in there until he’s 100%. That’s all I see here. We would have won a game with 260 yards rushing with or without Baker.
October 9th, 2026 at 6:53 am
Jenna Laine said Todd caught a helmet to the gut which must have been a powerhouse helmet to damage the rotund one. Of course G is close to N on a keyboard, so maybe that was it?
October 9th, 2026 at 6:55 am
Trenches, you do realize 4-4 is .500, right? Back to math class…
October 9th, 2026 at 6:58 am
Two things.
1. Anthony Collins ???? Jeez Joe hahahaha
2. I know Analytics and 4th downs are a subject that you can talk for days and never agree with someone. I know Coach Bowles is on the conservative side of things with his decisions over the years. With that said I believe you judge a decision based on the facts and circumstances you have at the time of the decision and not based only on the result.
To go for the TD with 8 minutes left and 14 points in front is a bad coaching decision even if its in the 1yd line.
You kick the FG you up 3 scores with 8 minutes left its a 99% win. There is no significant advantage to go up 21 instead of 17 with 8 minutes left. If for example this was in the 1st half I would say yes go for it go for 21 point advantage. But with 8 minutes left its more important to secure the 3 score game. Because if you not succeed then you open the door for the opponent. We saw Dallas had the ball in the redzone to try to tie the game. They had that opportunity. They woudnt had that opportunity if the Bucs kicked the FG.
So its nice to discuss Analytics and 4th&1 or 4th&2 to go or not to go but you have to take into account the timing, the in game situation. Bad decision.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:08 am
Also, *I* started hyperventilating when we didn’t kick a field goal to go up 3 scores late. Also, Tucker was THOROUGHLY IN THE END ZONE! He scored a TD on that play and the officials took it away!!! He landed with the ball all the way past the goal line for God’s sake. And he wasn’t running fast so didn’t bounce/slide forward. Terrible officiating like #10 on the Bucs season.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:15 am
Ok 240 yards rushing solves most offensive problems ,,, the kid played pretty good mostly short passes and a wide open Tez,, Robinson called a good game , Bowles coached a good game , the line blocked! So now we find out against the Steelers if the Bucs offense has recovered or if it was the Cowboys defense that made us look good .. Baker will be back for the division games starting 2 weeks
October 9th, 2026 at 7:19 am
I missed the Todd Bowles imitation of Fred Sanford. He is one unhealthy looking fella with that massive boiler…a telltale sign of potential heart issues…not to mention diabetes. His partner in crime JL should share some of than GLP-1 he’s taking.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:24 am
Daniels should hope Baker comes back soon actually. He could go back to the bench on top and probably keep a backup job for years on that game alone. His Mom polishing off nachos while cheering him on…it was cool.
The Steelers and their defensive front will expose him. Daniels tried to turn back into a pumpkin with that tailor made pick 6 throw…the but the football gods said “not tonight”.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:28 am
I was wondering what happened to Bowles on the sideline. Thanks for getting the scoop on that.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:39 am
No, no, no. When your on the road with a 14 point lead and 8 minutes to go you take the 3 and say thank you very much. A kill shot is not needed.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:48 am
Joe accusing anyone of being thin-skinned may be one of the most not self aware inadvertently funniest things written on this site.
The take of the “offense…looked so damn good last night”, Joe must have watched a different game than the rest of us. The rook played well for a rookie & that’s promising. However, wheezing to 24 pts after two gift wrapped turnovers, a high school level blown coverage on Tez & total tackling breakdown on the Bucky run vs the dead last pass defense of Dallas is not “looking so damn good”.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:49 am
It was nice to watch the rookie beat up on the Mighty Cowboys. Still want new coach but hope Bowles is not sick. Any given Thursday. Walker makes a diff.
October 9th, 2026 at 7:57 am
Imagine that.This is what happens when qb’s do their job and let the playmakers do the work. Running backs find holes to run thru (thank you Mr. Irving)…. receivers find holes in the coverage of the defensive secondary to become wide open (thank you Tez Johnson)…and defenses hurry opposing QB’s to make errant throws.(thank you defense)..
An excellent effort team, but much work still to be done..
October 9th, 2026 at 8:05 am
If the Cowboys came back and won because of that Forth and inches fail would Bowles be cleaning out his office this morning?
October 9th, 2026 at 8:06 am
And with the 15th pick, Tampa Bay selects…
October 9th, 2026 at 8:13 am
I’m not an analytic guy, but I thought the Bucs should have kicked the FG. Putting the team in a position to nearly guarantee a win is better than failing and giving the opponent a chance. TD or FG, you still make it a 3 score game.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:22 am
NFL is so rigged its crazy people dont see it. All bout taking ur money. NFL dont care u you believe cause then know you will still watch
October 9th, 2026 at 8:33 am
1) Where has THIS team been? The one that played the way they did last night?
2) I have been as critical as anyone on Bucs, Bowles, JL – happy they won last night and I was wrong about that game. Having said that (and eating crow) – how do you NOT kick the field goal? Do they not realize 17 points makes it a three score game just like 21? This has nothing to do with analytics. It’s simple math coach Bowles and it’s basic common friggin sense man! That is coaching malpractice – AGAIN!
What would everyone be saying had the Cowboys won that game?
October 9th, 2026 at 8:34 am
It was the 4th quarter Kick the FG…take a 3 score lead…game over
October 9th, 2026 at 8:43 am
“The Bucs on a Thursday night beat playoff-bound Minnesota 36-17 in October 2012. But the Vikings are not the Cowboys.”
– – – – – – – – – – – – –
No, the Cowboys are not the Vikings.
But, the Cowboys offense was ranked #1 in the NFL and was averaging over 33 points per game for the last 3 games. The Bucs held them to 16 points last night. The Bucs offense gets some credit for the by holding the ball for 39 minutes. But the Bucs D was friggin STRONG
But don’t yet get too high for the Bucs offense. The Cowboys D is ranked #32. So Zac, yes, your boys looked very good last night.
A step in the right direction. But Zac you still have to prove you don’t suck as an OC next week against the Steelers.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:51 am
Excellent summation and insight Joe. I was riveted reading every word
October 9th, 2026 at 8:56 am
I think even if Daniels beats Pittsburgh, he’s going to have to perform better than last night to unseat Baker. The kid is managing the game well. And the O-line and the protections looked improved, helps when Bucky starts to chew up chunk yards. It’s what made Coen’s offense so successful in 2024.
The real x-factor I’ve seen in Daniels is his running ability. It’s so much more deliberate than Baker. He literally turns into a running back vs. Baker still a QB looking to pass, then scrambling for a few yards. I’m still concerned with Daniel’s decision making. He played such a clean game last night, and right there at the end, the same out-route that got picked last week, almost ended up a pick 6 and ruined the party.
If Daniel’s continues to find ways to win, I see it as an opportunity to give Baker more time to heal. But as much of supporter I am of Daniels, he’s got to show me a bit more to climb over the vet Mayfield. Last night wasn’t Daniel’s playing heroics as much as it was all 3 phases stepping up and doing their part.
October 9th, 2026 at 8:59 am
D-Rome Says:
Usually, the stats crowd kills Bowles because he is not aggressive. The one time he is, Bowles still gets raked by these people. He can’t win.
I’m not an analytic guy, but I thought the Bucs should have kicked the FG.
– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
Your point is completely fair. But I think what fans are failing to really appreciate is how out of character it was for Bowles to go for it. IMO, Bowles has lost us games on many occasions bc of his conservative play calling. Maybe this is a sign of change.
From a strategy standpoint, I get that too. If they failed, Cowboys had to go 99 yards, which they did. But it took a lot more time off the clock which benefited us in the end, yes???
October 9th, 2026 at 9:01 am
Wow Joey, just wow.
There isn’t a single NFL, college or pop warner coach out there that doesn’t kick the FG there to win the game.
Then take into account you’re playing an explosive offense on the road with a rookie UDFA QB. You kick the FG and take a 3 score lead with 8 mins left 100 out of 100 times
It was one of the dumbest coaching decisions I’ve seen in my 51 years watching football.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Sounds like Joe has a thing against female sideline reporters. Not surprising given his other ignorant takes.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:13 am
Kudos to whoever gave Dak the qualud.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Worst coaching decision in my many years and Bowles is “being aggressive” – what a joke. Since Joe can’t do math like “stat nerds” maybe look at history….
Since 1970, a total of 16 teams have successfully overcome a 17+ point 4th-quarter deficit to win.
That’s with a full quarter left. There was 8 minutes left.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Bowles going for it for 4th down was one of the most illogical decisions I’ve ever seen – Joe you can’t be serious?
October 9th, 2026 at 9:15 am
That picture of Jerry Jones slapping his desk is worth a million dollars. When Todd Bowles needs to motivate the team, he has the perfect billboard to show his players.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:19 am
Bowles was trying to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory going for the TD. If Dallas wasn’t stupider than Todd by going for 2 and dropping a pick 6, Todd is a loser again. Luck beats skill sometimes. Go Bucs.
October 9th, 2026 at 9:21 am
I loved seeing this team and I repeat team play up to their potential! I hoped this would happen earlier in the season, but no! I also felt good seeing Jerry Jones pissed off after BI1’s last run!!!! He and his entourage left his suite before the game clock ran out!! Then there was all the humble pie being eaten by the Amazon Prime crew, after the game, who all picked Dallas to win!!
October 9th, 2026 at 9:27 am
as much as i like aggressiveness, kicking the FG at that point would have made it a 3 possession game
October 9th, 2026 at 10:02 am
Daniels is smooth. Baker is frantic.
October 9th, 2026 at 10:12 am
Does anyone want to address the fact that this defense played significantly better without Antoine Winfield?
October 9th, 2026 at 10:18 am
There seems to be something ‘off ‘ neurologically with Tod Bowles.
Almost as if he has had a series of mini strokes. He seems slow mentally and has a very flat affect. No obvious normal emotions.
His massive weight gain shows that he is not in control of himself.
We will see…….
October 9th, 2026 at 10:24 am
So you wanted them up by only 2 scores and not 3. The FG was guaranteed. Screw analytics the kick was just logical
October 9th, 2026 at 10:28 am
Thanks for mentioning the go-for-it decision. These games are about moments and what this team needed more than anything else in that moment was for the coach to say, “Boys, I believe you can win this game” and that’s what that decision communicated. It’s a pity the pundits are so predictably dull. But not Joe!
October 9th, 2026 at 10:34 am
“To use the word ‘embarrassing,’ it’s tough,” Prescott said. “I feel like I’m discrediting the NFL if I use that, in particular the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the great Todd Bowles coach, defensive-coached team. The guy’s been a winning coach for a long time and whether he’s been a head coach or a defensive coordinator.”
oh no – Todd will point that comment out to the Glazers in January
October 9th, 2026 at 11:23 am
Respectfully, I disagree with your take on the decision to not kick the field goal. I 100% believe that going up by 3 scores should have been the move, and Todd’s decision almost cost us the game. As expected, the Cowboys immediately drove the length of the field to score a TD.
To me, it is another example of Bowles getting happy and excited before we’ve actually done the damn thing. He’s over there smiling on the sideline thinking about how great it will be when we score a TD. But we didn’t. And it’s the same thing we see whenever we have a lead in a game, and the same thing that happened at the bye last year. The team acts like they’ve already “done it” when they haven’t done a damn thing. And that mindset starts at the top.
If we don’t get a lucky interception and we end up losing the game, that decision to not kick the field goal becomes yet another fireable offense.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:25 am
Hodad Says:
October 9th, 2026 at 6:43 am
One thing. Why did it take till game five to show a pulse?
———-
I feel like the Bucs have been one of the worst teams to adjust to the new pre-season schedule and workout rules. Last year aside (which is looking like an outlier for Bowles), they just never seem ready at the start of the season, be it coordination, conditioning, discipline, you name it.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:33 am
SHHHHHHH!! Don’t jinx this, the Bucs won by gosh. I still think they will finish below .500 for the season but this week they are the BUCCANEERS again. Hope Wirfs & all the players are healthy. Hope Todd is healed from the helmet th as t him him in a soft spot. I thought the Bucs should have kicked the FG & made it a 3 score game, but I applaud him for being aggressive, even though the plowboys did go 99 yards in like 3 min. To make it a 1 score game( wasn’t that the fear when the Bucs O-line couldn’t get that tough yard?) but all’s well that ends well. The Bucs Defense held on what was too close to being atie game. But thanks to Tykee & Anzalone made the play, a big thanks to plowboys DB #26 for showing why he’s not a Wr. Also. Ok, well take this one for sure. CAUSE IF WE ONLY WIN ONE GAME , I AM DEFINITELY HAPPY IT WAS AGAINST THE Americans team ,( just not this part of America)
October 9th, 2026 at 11:45 am
purplebeard Says:
It’s official. FanDuel owns the NFL
^^^^^^^^^^^
93% of the money was on Dallas.
I was the Bucs are going to win vote in the confidence poll. This was an easy call. Jerry Jones and the Glazers taking a payoff … no brainer.
More money is bet in a week than the NFL makes in a season. The owners are businessmen. You do the math.
October 9th, 2026 at 11:46 am
If a FG would have taken a 4 point lead to 7, then go for the TD because the lead would still only be a 1-score lead.
But the FG would change a 2-score lead to a 3-score lead Bowles. Your team was 0-4, on national TV (only time this year?) and on the road and you go for the TD? Bad choice coach.
Very, lucky Prescott didn’t finish that last drive with a TD. Good defense tonight coach. Best you stay in your lane.