CBS: Bucs Played The “Perfect” Game
October 12th, 2026
As Chicago sports radio legend Mike North would say, “Take it eee-ZEE!
Damn right the Bucs had a good game Thursday night. But “perfect?” That’s over the top.
But that’s what John Breech seems to think. The son of former Bengals punter Jim Breech has seen a lot of football in his days. And he thinks the Bucs played about as perfect football as you could expect when they manhandled the Cowboys.
In fact, Breech gave the Bucs an A+ grade.
This was basically a perfect all-around game for the Buccaneers, who went into Week 5 with zero wins. The Bucs used big plays to take down the Cowboys. There was a 72-yard run by Bucky Irving (that drive ended with a TD). There was a 64-yard catch by Tez Johnson (that drive ended with a TD). And there were two interceptions by a Bucs defense that bullied the Cowboys. And let’s not forget about Jalon Daniels. The undrafted rookie QB played like a veteran: He completed his first eight passes on a night where he completed 76% of his throws and averaged 7.6 yards per attempt. If the Bucs keep playing like this, they could sneak back into the NFC South race.
There was a bunch of things to like, and Joe believes maybe showed signs they will break out of a bad funk. But Dallas’ defense is so terrible, Joe doesn’t know how much good came as a result of the opponent.
Before pounding beers and watching football Sunday, Joe began considering how drama queen Aaron Rodgers is sure to have a rotten day on Sunday for the Steelers against the Bucs.
Rodgers’ record in Tampa is poor, and he’s got a bad record in warm weather games. And Rodgers has whined and cried about the turf at The Licht House — he’s the only guy Joe knows that kvetches loudsly about the turf there.
So it would not shock Joe one bit if the Bucs pull off an upset. Pittsburgh (3-2) is a 2 1/2-point favorite.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:06 am
Super Bowl baby!!!
October 12th, 2026 at 7:32 am
This guy apparently doesn’t understand the Value of sacking the QB. Far from Perfect. How about the Moronic decision to go for it on 4th down vs. kicking the FG and going up 3 scores?
October 12th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Enjoy your Cinderella ride
Clock is ticking towards midnight
October 12th, 2026 at 7:36 am
‘Joe believes maybe showed signs they will break out of a bad funk. But Dallas’ defense is so terrible, Joe doesn’t know how much good came as a result of the opponent.’
The only thing that really changed from the first 4 games is that Baker’s on the bench and Jalon is QBing the team. The OLine’s the same, the ‘weapons’ are the same, the defense is the same. So was it the quality of our opponent (Dallas) that led to the win, or the fact that we played our most ‘had-our-stuff-together’ game.
That’s the FIRST game this season in which theh Bucs won the Turnover Battle. Also the FIRST game in which we won the TOP Battle by more than 1 minute (every other game we’ve been right around 30 mins TOP, meaning our defense has had to play a full 30 mins of defense). Thursday night though our Turnover Differential was PLUS 3 and our TOP was 39:21. Either one of those by itself is HUGE; together they’re UNBEATABLE.
October 12th, 2026 at 7:40 am
Hey !
Did anyone else see ME’s TD yesterday
Back to back throws
Just like Mike Evans has done his whole career.
Evans had 5 years of Jaymth then came Brady and a SB Ring and then he looked around and said
See Ya!
Happy for him and hope he gets to catch a TD in the Super Bowl… Gronk got the ball that Evans had earned but….
October 12th, 2026 at 7:43 am
Oh !
Next year and every year the Bucs should play their starters for the first half of ALL 3 Preseason games!
They were flat all 3 preseason games and the first
4 of the regular season!
October 12th, 2026 at 7:47 am
It was one game.
October 12th, 2026 at 8:04 am
and no………………it was far from a perfect game
still a lot to clean up
October 12th, 2026 at 8:19 am
It would be fun to make it two in a row against Rodger’s, who seems to have a beef with everyone alive who is not him.
He rags on about “emotionally unavailable” girlfriends from years past when their only real problem was to be dumb enough to agree to date him.
He complains endlessly about subjects we care nothing about. Little knowing the only reason people listen is to be entertained by a man who is more than willing to make a bigger fool of himself than the last time he opened his mouth.
From movie stars, race car drivers to a current “wife” with a Jason Bourne identity complex, Rodger’s barely has enough time to blame his teammates when he plays poorly.
Man, I hope we stick it to him this week. Couldn’t happen to a “nicer guy!”
October 12th, 2026 at 8:23 am
I wouldn’t mind seeing Rogers end his career on the field of the RayJay on Sunday
October 12th, 2026 at 8:36 am
Let’s see if they beat the Steelers first
October 12th, 2026 at 9:13 am
Was it a “perfect game” or did we just have a QB that didn’t fumble three times?
The defense has been solid all season…
What happens if JD leads us to another victory against the Steelers?
That will be an interesting situation – especially with Baker trying to throw with that surgically repaired thumb.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:27 am
And Todd ruined this season’s perfect record.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:29 am
It was ONE game and not for pseudo cowboys punt off a facemask,
Dallas might’ve won the game. I was shocked the Bucs won to be honest, then again I feel this is a 7-10 team so 6 more wins to go.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:30 am
If Todd kicks the field goal he is a p.o.s for not going for the td so either way nobody would have liked what he did
October 12th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Dallas is terrible and they took the game for granted. The Bucs’ OL is flaccid and just terrible with penalties, poor communication, and repeated mistakes. A case of blue pills couldn’t help these limp guys.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:43 am
If Bain played half like he was cracked up to be, this defense could be dangerous.
Yes, it’s still early, and perhaps I’m expecting too much from the “can’t miss, steal of the draft,” but when digesting these pages and listening to those “in the know” I was led to believe Bain was gonna take the league by storm.
In camp he was “all business and playing angry.”
What happened? Was he possessed by the ghost of JTS?
Other than Bain, the biggest obstacle to this defense playing even better is of course Terrible Todd.
Doesn’t it thrill you to watch Bowles bench Walker every time after making a great play?
His crime?
He’s a pure pass rusher who can’t play corner.
Perhaps those sack numbers would go up if Todd allowed his pure pass rushers to RUSH THE PASSER!
October 12th, 2026 at 9:48 am
El Hefe Bucc Says:
October 12th, 2026 at 9:30 am
If Todd kicks the field goal he is a p.o.s for not going for the td so either way nobody would have liked what he did
Have to disagree there. You never pass on the near auto-chance to go up three scores with the 4th quarter half over. NEVER!
Unless you’re Todd Bowles or someone who either can’t add or knows NOTHING about football.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:51 am
@ Mons
“I feel this is a 7-10 team”
I agree.
I got highly criticized for predicting a 7-10 season back in early August.
I have the Bucs at 2-4 next Sunday…
The major surprise so far – the loss to the Browns and the win at Dallas.
Other than that this season is going exactly how I thought it would.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:51 am
Perfect is not what I saw. The offensive line is still a mistake prone, inconsistent and easily beaten group. They consistently hold, jump off-sides, or just miss their assignments play after play after play. Dallas bailed them out numerous times and JD made some great escapes to keep drives moving. Without the many Dallas mistakes, the result would have been much different.
The offensive line did make a number of better plays blocking in the running game. However, the protection was still not anywhere near what is needed for winning football games. Unless the critical mistakes can be coached out of this group, there is no way the improved defensive play can make up for their short comings. The offensive line was supposed to be the strength of this team. Instead, it is their least effective unit.
The defense is playing much better. They just can’t let Bowles keep putting them in prevent the win mode. When they play match up zone or press man they are quite good. Soft zone kills them nearly every time.
This team has a long way to go to become consistently better on offense. JD was a breath of fresh air, but you can’t expect the Houdini act to show up every week or for the opposing defense to bail you out with penalties like Dallas was doing.
We have some potential to be much better than we have shown. Whether the offensive line is capable of that improvement is unknown. The players on the interior may just not be good enough. This may be as good as it gets. Brederson and Barton get abused and beaten regularly. Mauch sometimes also. I’ve seen nothing so far to expect that to change. Without personnel or coaching changes, we will remain a subpar punching bag for any of the better defenses in the league. Baker or JD are not good enough to make up for the constant crucial errors committed continuously. Perfect is not who we are.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:52 am
14 penalties is far from perfect. It looked like the mirror image of Atlanta at Tampa late last season, where Zac’s offense unleashed a star (Pitts) against a weak defense.
Dallas may have taken the Bucs too lightly on a short week. Pittsburgh will be a true indicator.
October 12th, 2026 at 9:54 am
4-12 in our last 16 games. That’s a .250 win percentage. Superb!
We are 0-3 at home this year and this “Joe” thinks we have a home field advantage!
Browns, Packers, and Vikings proved otherwise in resounding fashion.
The stands are going to be teaming with terrible towels and drunken Steeler fans.
But the Pom Pom squad rolls on. Hoorah shish boom bah go Todd!!! 🤣🤣🤣
October 12th, 2026 at 10:02 am
@JA,
Agree 100%. Odds of losing shrink to zero if you kick. OK – 1 in 1400. Todd was trying to lose. Luckily, Dallas was even stupider in playing the odds and easily could have still won the game without an unbelievably botched pick 6. The reprieve for Todd could be very short lived with decisions like that.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:15 am
Yeah terrible towles and Evans jerseys tampa fans are an embarrassment….Go Bucs!
October 12th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Top 3 reasons Yucs beat the Pokes:
1 – Dropped pick 6
2 – Pass off the hands of a usually sure handed TE that was picked off
3 – A little dumber coaching by the Pokes than by the Yucs
Back to reality on Sunday!
October 12th, 2026 at 10:24 am
No, no, no, no… I think what they are meaning, is exactly what “I” said on that night, immediately following the game. That, it was THE PERFECT “Game-Plan.” It doesn’t necessarily mean that they were “perfect” at ALL times.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:32 am
@ SB~LV 🏈 Says: “Hey !
Did anyone else see ME’s TD yesterday
Back to back throws
Just like Mike Evans has done his whole career.”
The only beef I have with Mike is… I feel-like, HE could’ve told LICKT, that whatever you do, DO NOT extend Baker LONGTERM, at Top $. Just whatever you do. Period. He could’ve at least done us a real ‘solid’ there, on his way out the door.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:36 am
No intelligent football fan would have been “pissed off” if Bowles kick the FG to ice the game by going up 3 scores with 8 mins left.
It was monentually dumb to go for it in that particular situation.
Please stop.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:40 am
That’s a big if. That would mean you HAVE TO play Daniels the rest of the season. And why not? Hes only had 2 games in his professional career and looks better than most starters.
October 12th, 2026 at 10:56 am
Credit the coaches with a smart game plan. The way to beat Dallas is to control the clock and play error free football. Penalties prevented an absolute blowout. If your going to say we won because Dallas missed an easy pick six then you have to acknowledge that Buccaneers would have beaten Packers if not for some bad luck. The action Network ranked the Buccaneers as the unluckiest team in the league the first four games. It is incredibly rare to fumble three times and not recover any of them. I don’t fault Bowles for the call on the one yard line. But what happened to the tush push?
October 12th, 2026 at 11:08 am
The perfect game, or did the blind squirrel find an acorn? Next four games, with two division opponents coming up should tell where we’re going. Bucs really need to win 3 out of the next 4 to have any realistic chance. I don’t see that happening.
October 12th, 2026 at 11:14 am
Bowles tried all he could do to lose the game on TNF.
An IQ of 60 would have kicked the FG to ice the game.
But not Todd. He’s a guru. Best HC in Tampa Bay history according to, the Pom Pom squad.
Had the Cowgirls not gone for two and intercepted that pass, we’d likely be at 0-5 and the Joes would be outraged.
Instead we’re 1-4 and it’s all puppy dogs and rainbows.
October 12th, 2026 at 11:17 am
They’re a lucky play away from being 0-5.
Yeah, they played better. Bucky ran well. The defense is pretty good except for the pathetic sack production. I can’t say there’s reason for hope as long as Bowles is head coach. I don’t want any outcome that keeps him as HC in ’27. In the NFCS landfill, I suppose this team is in it until they’re not, but if we were able to win it with another 9-8 record, I’m not sure I’d want that. This team will never ascend as long as Bowles is HC.
October 12th, 2026 at 11:45 am
Every time one or both of the Joe’s predict a win, we lose. Do you never learn? Seriously.
October 12th, 2026 at 11:50 am
14 penalties is terrible and the Bucs are not beating the Steelers if that happens again
October 12th, 2026 at 11:52 am
Some of the fans on here remind me of Lloyd from Dumb and Dumber when Mary tells him there is a one in a million chance of them being together. Lloyd’s response, “So you are saying there is a chance!”. Its one freakin game against a garbage Dallas team. If this team gets back to .500 its because of the dumpster fire NFCS they haven’t played yet.
October 12th, 2026 at 12:04 pm
Why did I read Drag Queen Rodgers 😀
October 12th, 2026 at 12:26 pm
They’re 4 UNlucky plays away from being 4-1 also. Eventually, you have to have *some* positive luck. And the damn holding penalties and failed pass protection need to stop! The O-line played better in run blocking but only slightly better in pass protection. It’s time to play up to your level of talent and salaries, fellas!
October 12th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
Beating Jerry Jones is always fun. But we’re 1-4 with the same HC and OC. Temper yourselves.
October 12th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
@ fan of da bucs
“It was monentually dumb to go for it in that particular situation.”
To quote the great Harry Carry – “Holy COW!”
We can finally agree on 1 thing…
Nice.
October 12th, 2026 at 12:31 pm
*Caray…
October 12th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
Drama Queen Rogers makes Brittany Spears look grounded and present.
October 12th, 2026 at 12:46 pm
“The only beef I have with Mike is… I feel-like, HE could’ve told LICKT, that whatever you do, DO NOT extend Baker LONGTERM, at Top $. Just whatever you do. Period. He could’ve at least done us a real ‘solid’ there, on his way out the door.”
In what world do you live in where a player signing with another team tells his old front office what personnel decisions to make?
October 12th, 2026 at 1:08 pm
We are a lucky play away from being 2-3 too. Or lucky plays from being 3-2. Such is nature of NFL. Games yesterday show the razor thin difference between winning and losing.
That said, concur we need sacks this week. And an offense. If we can somehow get ahead on score board and create more obvious passing situations for Rogers, then we may finally see some actual sacks.
October 12th, 2026 at 1:45 pm
Perfect? Winning cures alot of ailments. But as as long as our defense, when a stop wins the game, looks like our defense and allows the opponent to drive 99 yards? Well, that takes a special level of sucks. And then by the Grace of God almighty, our offense melts and throws the perfect pick 6? Pure, dumb luck. Then the defense, after the luck of the offense, lets them immediately drive it right down our throats again? Thankfully the Cowboys tight end was practicing catching the ball with the Dallas corners. Pure, dumb luck.
All of this happened after the coaching staff made one of the dumbest blunders I’ve ever witnessed in a pro football game.
And Jalon Daniels is in the same league as Baker Mayfield? I’m not only not sold yet, only flabbergasted at the idiocy of many of our posters here.
October 12th, 2026 at 1:52 pm
The one thing I’ve yet to see anybody mention about this Dallas game is the one thing that has been a struggle for this team going all the way back to week 11 of last year. That thing is, scoring TDs on back to back offensive possessions. Which also helped improve our “points off turnovers” on the way to behaving like a team that can build a lead. FWIW, we haven’t scored 3 TDs on 3 consecutive offensive drives since week 5 of last season @Seattle.
Partly credited to that tip ball that turned into a Yaya Diaby INT on Dallas’ first offensive possession of the 2nd half which was sandwhiched between 2 TD drives for us that allowed a 7-10 halftime deficit into an 11 points 21-10 lead having run our first SIX plays out the half. Even after that, we got the fumble recovery after the 2nd TD and had a shot to dump more unanswered points on Dallas, but came up short from 1-yard out. We show any signs of being able to compliment 2-3 phases in this Pittsburgh game, I’ll feel a little better about our chances.
We were however, the first team to 20 in this game even after getting behind going into the half.
October 12th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
Nah, we didn’t. But you know who played a perfect game? Mike Evans did! He had a perfect game yesterday with all his teammates praising him afterwards. Christian McCaffery said at the podium as Mike was leaving the podium “that guy is unbelievable!”
The Bucs, in his honor, should paint in the hallway leading into the locker room at Raymond James, Mike’s parting words:
“3rd and 28, 3rd and 28!!!”
LOL
October 12th, 2026 at 2:46 pm
Far from perfect game management. You play to win the game Denny said. Bowles plays to make games closer. Kick it and its over. Common sense must prevail at some point