Bucs Defense May Be Better Than You Think
October 12th, 2026
YaYa Diaby gets a key third-quarter interception against Dallas.
A weird thing is about the Bucs through five games is KitKat-eating head coach coach Todd Bowles just might be turning in one of his best defensive coaching jobs.
The Bucs have had one of the better defenses in the league this year. Sneaky good. And all of this without any edge rush (what’s new?).
Consider what NFL senior researcher Tony Holzman-Escareno dug up. The Bucs lead the NFL in total forced three-and-outs and have the highest percentage in the NFL of forcing three-and-outs.
(You’d think with those numbers the Bucs ought to be scoring points because they have, in theory, the ball more often than anyone else. Nope.)
The Bucs are also third-best in the league allowing the fewest first downs per game (16.3). Additionally, the Bucs rank third-best in rushing yards allowed per game (78.5).
Just imagine how sorry a team’s offense must be for a defense to lock down opposing offenses this well, and the same team not only struggles scoring (23rd), they can’t win unless they’re playing a total sieve of a defense.
#Sad
Buccaneers defense this season:
đ¸ 20 opp 3 & outs (1st)
đ¸ 45.5 opp 3 & out pct (1st)
đ¸ 16.3 opp 1st downs/game (3rd)
đ¸ 78.5 rush YPG allowed (3rd)
đ¸ 282.4 total YPG allowed (4th)
đ¸ 45.5 opp red zone pct (5th)
đ¸ 32.7 opp 3rd down pct (6th)— NFL Researcher (@NFL_Researcher) October 8, 2026
October 12th, 2026 at 4:49 am
Typed out a long post..it didn’t post
October 12th, 2026 at 5:01 am
Now hold on now, Joe. The prevailing wisdom among your commenters is Super Bowl winning, defensive coach Todd Bowles sucks. Your post should have come with a trigger warning. Minds will be blown.
October 12th, 2026 at 5:38 am
This might be an oversimplification, but it seems like it’s the SECOND HALF of the season that usually makes or breaks the Bucs when Todd Bowles has been our HC/DC.
His best defense for instance was in 2023, when we gave up only 325 total pts (19.1 PPG). For the first 8 games we went 3-5, but then won 6-of-the-last-9 games to finish 9-8. We even won a playoff game that year. We finished that season very strong, winning 5-of-the-last-6 games, thanks to our strong defense (ranked #7) but barely average offense (ranked #20).
In 2024 we were 4-4 after 8 games, but finished 10-7, winning 6-of-the-last-9 games … again. Actually closed out the 2024 season by winning 6-of-the-last-7 games. So we finished very strong, with a very strong offense (ranked #4) but just an average defense (ranked #16). A total flip of 2024.
In 2025 we changed course & started the year on-fire, going 6-2 after 8 games. It looked like a continuation of how we finished 2024 (very hot). But we totally fizzled after the BYE, winning only 2-of-the-last-9 games. Statistically we were barely an average team, going 8-9 on the season with a #18 offense and #20 defense.
The 2nd half of the 2025 season seemed to carry over to the start of this 2026 season, as we started 0-4. But Todd Bowles seemingly has a way of ending up in the 8-9 to 10-7 ‘window’. Very much ‘average’ but seemingly ‘good enough’ in the NFC South.
And THAT was ‘good enough’ in the 2022-2025 years while we were recovering from our salary CAP woes, but not now. The Saints, Panthers & Falcons are also just getting over their own salary CAP woes, but they’re improving, and they’ll probably continue to improve. It’ll be interesting to see if the Bucs can continue to improve & end the season in that ‘average Todd Bowles window’.
October 12th, 2026 at 5:39 am
Joe got the edge rush dig inâŚ. Again. No surprise there. However, to Joeâs point, the defense, which some of us have seen all year, is an edge rush away from being elite. Seemingly, all the other pieces are in place. Hopefully Bain and Walker make it happen. Iâve given up on Diaby being a sack specialist. One step too slow.
October 12th, 2026 at 5:40 am
Defense has not been the issue-QB has.
October 12th, 2026 at 5:45 am
The Bucs problem is scheme, just as much as it is players
Our GM and Head Coach donât value the pass Rush.
Thatâs insane in a pass first league.
Normally, Coach Bowles is heavy on the Blitz. Since the middle of last year until the Dallas game, he dialed the blitz waaaay back.
Our pass rushers arenât good enough to pressure the QB, if we donât blitz.
Sooo, weâve been getting beat.
That, despite having a fantastic secondary this year! Zyon is playing better than any CB Iâve seen this year.
He should be an All pro.
Parrish and Tykee are playing outstanding, and Scott is going to be great!
If only Jason Licht had bothered to get a pass rusher over the last 5 years.
October 12th, 2026 at 5:51 am
Yeah I hate that we don’t have a pass rush. I’ve been telling people that the defense, despite conventional wisdom is doing very well. The offense is the problem as.of now. If only we had a pass rush, we’d be elite defensively.
October 12th, 2026 at 5:53 am
Joe … ‘the same team not only struggles scoring (23rd), they canât win unless theyâre playing a total sieve of a defense.’
So reading between the lions Joe, we only won in Dallas because the Cowboys’ defense is a ‘total sieve’? Our own defense forced THREE turnovers, and the Bucs’ offense played ‘good enough’ offense to score 10 pts (1 TD & 1 FG) off of those turnovers. Nice COMPLEMENTARY FOOTBALL I’d say.
Our 1st TD, 15 plays & 11 minutes responding to Dallas’ own first TD was also a very solid drive. Yes there was a little ‘luck’ involved (3 Cowboys penalties for 15 yds total) but those were mostly offset by our own 10-yd holding penalty. So I’d say we earned it.
That’s a solid 17 points right there, enough to win. More importantly though, our offense held the ball for a whopping 39:21 TOP, meaning that our defense only had to spend rough 20 minutes on the field against the Cowboys #2 ranked offense. And in those 20 mins we surrendered 16 pts. Imagine how many they MIGHT have given up if they’d had to spend 30 mins on defense.
October 12th, 2026 at 6:26 am
Capt Tim … ‘That, despite having a fantastic secondary this year!’
Bucs have used 5 CBs thus far. They’ve been targeted 88 times, and given up 59 completions … 67.0%. Pretty much ‘average’. They’ve also surrendered 4 TDs (McCollum, Parrish, Scott, Garnes at 1 TD each; Morrison 0 allowed). Again, pretty much ‘average’.
I think that Bowles is using them in more man-to-man than he normally does, and our Secondary is responding positively. Sharp’s Football Analysis could verify that, but I don’t subscribe to that so can’t verify it. Asked Gemini that question though and here’s what it spit back …
‘Through the first 5 games of the 2026 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers secondary has played man-to-man coverage on 22.8% of their defensive snaps.
Head coach Todd Bowles has leaned heavily into a zone-based approach to start the year, running zone coverage 71.9% of the time. This places the Bucs in the bottom third of the league for man coverage usage. Instead of relying on isolated one-on-one matchups on the outside, the secondary is primarily operating with the middle of the field closed (64.7% single-high looks) to protect the defense and keep eyes on the quarterback.’
Like I said though Tim, I can’t verify Gemini’s answer. Lots of great info though is hidden behind paywalls. It is interesting though that Keionte Scott’s gotten 186 def snaps (62%) thru these first 5 games. The way Todd ‘pays’ for having the Nickel out there is by only putting 2 DLinemen on the field when the Nickel’s out there (he still keeps 2 OLBs & 2 ILBs).
Only having 2 DLinemen on the field for almost 2/3rds of our plays is probably (IMO) the key reason our pass rush sucks. Having Kancey out there so much is the other reason (IMO). Put Vea (347 lbs), Robinson (320 lbs) & Roberts (in excess of 300 lbs now) out there together with say Bain & Walker or Diaby & Kancey and we could generate a much better pass rush IMO.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:00 am
#3 blitzing defense in the NFL, but we go 2 games without getting one sack. I just don’t understand.
And to be fair, you could see the Bucs D baffled Dak Prescott even tho we did not touch him. The D played great against a very good NFL offense.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:09 am
“Just imagine how sorry a teamâs offense must be for a defense to lock down opposing offenses this well, and the same team not only struggles scoring (23rd), they canât win unless theyâre playing a total sieve of a defense.”
Smells like 2023, when we finished 7th in points against and 20th in scoring and only won 9 games. 6 of our 8 losses that year we couldn’t score >20 points on offense.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:47 am
Green Bay was an exception with an average of 3.03 seconds from snap to pass with the rest of the season average around 2.4 seconds from snap to pass. (AI numbers.)
With often a four man rush forcing the opponents to get the ball out in 2.4 seconds with the middle of the field closed by nickel defense, the Bucs are best in the league so far at scheming to create 3 and outs.
Three and outs keep the defense fresh and gives the offense more chances to get a sustained drive that kills game time, rests your defense, and wears down the other defense.
No sacks, Thursday night, but two interceptions by the Bucs coverage “closing” the middle of the field.
But, if you think that Bowles isn’t sitting on plans to send six or more when he thinks the time is ripe, you haven’t seen any Bucs football in the past few years.
But, as long as he is getting three and outs at this rate, the blitzes will come at a time when he hopes to make them devastating and game changing – maybe season changing if he can keep them in his pocket until January.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Oh please, donât save Todd Bowles job!
October 12th, 2026 at 7:55 am
Itâs ridiculous to compliment any portion of a 1-4 team. On this pace, they will win 5 games.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:57 am
toopanca … ‘the Bucs are best in the league so far at scheming to create 3 and outs. Three and outs keep the defense fresh and gives the offense more chances to get a sustained drive that kills game time, rests your defense, and wears down the other defense.’
Great point toopanca. Seems like winning the TOP by a substantial margin like we did Thursday night is another example of COMPLEMENTARY FOOTBALL. BOTH the offense AND the defense contributed mightily to that huge TOP margin.
October 12th, 2026 at 8:37 am
They finished last year as the 20th ranked defense. This year they are 18th they have improved slightly. Until they can get to the Qb there will not be any significant improvement.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:12 am
Dare I say the defense is better without Winfield and Morrison? Plus all these new FAs and Rookies should only get better as the season progresses. But, you have to factor in the Bowels effect, soâŚ.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:16 am
Also they need to issue a BOLO for the pass rush / sacks. Assuming we WANT to sack the opposing quarterback
October 12th, 2026 at 9:25 am
Circling the wagons for Bowels after one win vs a putrid defense.
This is why weâre going to be stuck with the guru HC\DC until he retires or perishes.
1-4 is now the benchmark for success in this division. Might as well hand us the title and save time.
Once we get to 2-8 theyâll need to produce Lombardi trophy t shirts for everyone.
Our record proves the defense is fixed and at a championship level. Yay!!!
October 12th, 2026 at 9:33 am
I noticed much of the game we seemed to be blitzing AND playing aggressive man at the same time, and it WORKED. After failing on that 4th and 1, back to the soft zone and 4 man ineffective pass rush, Dak had a tuddy in about 90 seconds. Does Todd learn from this? We shall see
October 12th, 2026 at 10:06 am
We played man that entire 99 yard drive for all but 2 plays, we sent a blitz on 4 different plays all out of man coverage on the boundaries and is partly why Parrish got yanked for Garnes as he was getting boxed out on in-cutting routes.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:16 am
The stats are solid for a team that cant rush the passer. Until the Dallas game, we also havent played an offense that was worth a sh*t. Lets see how they do against the Steelers, who are on fire right now.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:37 am
We absolutely need to trade for best OLB money can buy.
If we get an elite OLB like Mafe (who I called for)
We can have a top 5 or maybe even the best defense in the league.
Trade Winfield and his huge contract and a 2nd round pick for the best OLB on Ă bad team.
Extend him. And bam. We finally will have an elite OLB.
October 12th, 2026 at 11:16 am
People keep talking about an âedge rushâ. Thats not how a Todd Bowles defense is designed. His defense is designed to get pressure mainly from blitzing! Specifically, by confusing offenses with who is and who isnât blitzingâŚ
Look at the Dallas game. When his defense is working, this is what it looks like. (I still donât understand why he played passive against the Packers?) if an edge rusher or defensive tackle can get pressure, great, but thatâs not how itâs designed.
Without an edge rusher, the defense is playing good right now and have played well enough to at least be 4-1, if not, 5-0.
Myles Garrett had how many sacks last year? Single season record and what did that get the Browns? đ
After the mess that was last seasons defense, enjoy your team playing top 10 defense and quit crying about a edge rushâŚ
October 12th, 2026 at 11:18 am
Small sample, Joe. Still the OC is a liability this far. Only hope is they can hide the QB one more time before Baker returns.
October 12th, 2026 at 11:32 am
Bottom line is defense is doing its job – sacks or not.
October 12th, 2026 at 12:53 pm
no lamb and no jefferson helped but defense has played well
October 12th, 2026 at 1:44 pm
@Captain Tim!! Which is it ? The “scheme ” or ” Our pass rushers aren’t good enough?? Or you are just a Bowles hater?? UGH!
October 12th, 2026 at 1:47 pm
Regardless its working! I know that irks alot of fans! So called
October 12th, 2026 at 1:51 pm
OK go be a defensive coordinator because that is your peak level Todd Bowles. Just Because a guy on offense or defense is good at calling plays it doesnât make them good head coaches. I wouldnât care if they were #1 in every statistical category, a good defense doesnât change 1-4 record
October 12th, 2026 at 2:17 pm
Since the SB the defense has gone down hill and has bin trash. Itâs lost us a lot of games and I think like most we all thought the defense would be the same this year. I was hoping with the new attitude change it would be diff and Iâm glad Iâm not like most who are out for blood for Bowles. I like him as a DC. But as a HC no. If the offense can get its stuff together and the defense just keeps playing the way it is this season is far from over. 1 game at a time
October 12th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Just like 2019 the defense was actually very good. QBs not so much 30 for 30.
October 12th, 2026 at 3:54 pm
Steve V,
Can you not read?
Comprehension issues? I clearly pointed out that the problem with our pass rush was BOTH PROBLEMS.
BOWLES scheme, that drops our pass rushers in to coverage.
LICHT has failed to acquire a decent pass rusher in 5 years
That is how you end up 1-4
I donât hate Bowles. I like him. Licht too.
But they arenât getting it done here anymore. It happens to the most successful of us.
Defense Rules.
The Secondary is excellent. It suffers, because we canât pressure the QB without blitzing.
First 4 games. No Blitz. QBs had ALL DAY to pick apart the defense. No Secondary can cover NFL WRs forever. Most defenses expect the secondary to hold up for under 4 seconds. A lack of a Pass rush lets QBs have 5-6 seconds. Sometimes more.
You try covering a world class sprinter for 6 seconds!
You wonât need it explained again.
October 12th, 2026 at 4:06 pm
What are we talking about. We have played 3 offenses that are bottom of the league. We havenât played good teams minus maybe the bengals. The Vikings are the worst 5-0 team ever. Our defense is not good. This team is not good. Fire Bowles and get someone in here that can put the players in the best positions to make the plays. Last thing we need is our division sucks again we some how get to 8-9/9-8 we get lucky in the first round and then blown out the next round and Bowles keeps his job
October 12th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Capt Ron ,I just watched Atlanta and Bmore drop dudes all game long..I think you just like to say scheme! As far as the whole front office not want to drop the qb is ridiculous
October 12th, 2026 at 5:35 pm
I’ve always said the D & the team overall does have the talent on it.