Stingy Bucs Defense
October 25th, 2026
Playoff defense?
Joe can just see it now.
Many Bucs fans who have been stomping their feet for years for the Bucs to move on from KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles believe they are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.
The Bucs are 1-5. The howls for Bowles’ head on a platter can be heard from Dade City to Venice and every bar in-between.
But “this Joe” can actually see Team Glazer build a case to keep Bowles. No, really. Remember last year Bowles was sort of given a pass with all the injuries? Well, Joe can see something like that happen again come January.
Bowles is actually doing a solid job with his defense, even without any sort of pass rush. Consider the numbers Rich Hribar of Sharp Football Analysis dug up.
41.2 percent of the drives against Tampa Bay fail to gain a first down, 4th in the league.
This is something Joe has been screaming about for years, dating back to lousy Lovie Smith: Football people are way too focused on turnovers.
First, a defense has to hope an offense makes a mistake in order to get a takeaway. If a defensive coordinator puts too much emphasis on takeaways (which too many seem to do), what happens when an opposing offense doesn’t make mistakes? You have lousy Lovie all over again.
Joe’s a huge believer in three-and-outs. Play good, strong, solid defense with strong tackling; at worst you’ll get off the field. At best the turnovers will come.
Punting is a turnover, too.
And the Bucs are doing just that. Bowles has his defense getting off the field. Regularly.
If this continues, Joe could see Team Glazer saying Bowles is doing a good job with his defense. He only needs an offensive coordinator. “This Joe” is not predicting this, only saying it could happen.
When the folks who cut the checks like an important employee, they will be creative when protecting him, whether the public at large agrees or not.
"I don't feel like we've really sat with the fact that they're one of the best eight-ish defenses in the NFL right now.
Derrik explains why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have one of the NFL's most underrated defenses.
Sponsored by @usbank pic.twitter.com/WQc2CdMK6e
— The Athletic Football Show (@TA_FootballShow) October 24, 2026
October 25th, 2026 at 1:41 am
The defense has looked surprisingly good, at times. At the end of games, they pretty much choke, can’t get a stop when they need it most.
October 25th, 2026 at 1:44 am
Yeah just not when it matters the most. Like 4th qtr and ot.It’s a no more room for error 3-28 Bucs life.
October 25th, 2026 at 1:46 am
Joe says this,” Joe can actually see Team Glazer build a case to keep Bowles.” I completely agree. I believe there is a strong likelihood the Glazer family will just take the lazy and cheaper way out and keep Bowles and Licht. I can no longer cheer for this team. Honestly I have moved on from this team. The owners are not motivated to make this team better. Bucs can and likely will lose every game from here on out and it will change nothing. They will not fire Todd Bowles–he is their family friend that they adore. My new team won on TNF several nights ago and I think they have a chance at a hard run in the playoffs. So moving on from the Bucs–just such a poorly managed and coached franchise with owners too cheap and too lazy to do the right thing.
October 25th, 2026 at 1:49 am
and for tomorrow’s poll–my answer is : Panthers win
October 25th, 2026 at 1:58 am
stingy or stinky is the question…
if the fellas seem molded out or mildewed up, then they’re stinky stanky stunk…
but if the defense is acting like bowles’ new rebuilt defense, then they’re pretty darn stingy…
gotta give coach his props on that at least…the D is playing pretty darn well
October 25th, 2026 at 2:13 am
Don’t see that happening, but as they are now, if it does happen again the Glazers will deserve everything they reap from that decision.
October 25th, 2026 at 2:14 am
And lose even more fans, some permanently, in the process.
October 25th, 2026 at 2:16 am
Been a fan since ’76, but the current ownership apathy has some of seriously considering our options. Success and pride starts from the top down, and the Glazers are seriously lacking in both at the moment. Curious what’s caused the change in standards behind the scenes.
October 25th, 2026 at 2:17 am
Stingy? Give Todd a 3rd and 16 like against Pitt or 3rd and 28 and Todd will dial up a way to lose. Fire him yesterday. Glazers, shame on you for retaining him.
October 25th, 2026 at 2:24 am
the defense is otay
said buckwheat
October 25th, 2026 at 2:41 am
absolutely – Bowles & Licht will be back next year and the next year will be another mediocre to bad season – winning championships is not a priority – just the way it is
October 25th, 2026 at 4:26 am
12-5
God Loves Todd!
October 25th, 2026 at 5:25 am
He’s pretty good as D coordinator, but the game/clock management is so abysmal he should hire a new coach to take over those duties for him THIS WEEK
October 25th, 2026 at 6:18 am
Smoke Porterhouse … ‘At the end of games, they pretty much choke, can’t get a stop when they need it most.’
I don’t think it’s so much that they’re ‘choking’ but more-so that they just run out of gas. We’ve got 2 sets of talent on that DLine; Vea, Robinson & Kancey then RNR, Simmons & Roberts.
Vea (73% snaps) & Kancey (65% snaps) have been on the field far more in their past years. Robinson (45% snaps) is being used less for some reason (strange, since he leads the DLinemen in every stat category). But then RNR (23% snaps), Simmons (11% snaps) & Roberts (22%) are being used comparatively little. Capehart hasn’t been used at all yet.
I think our big guys are getting worn down before the 4th qtr.
October 25th, 2026 at 6:19 am
The Bucs were 10-7 with arguably their best OC since Bruce Arians.
First round play-off loss…
Is that as good as it gets with a “real” OC?
October 25th, 2026 at 6:37 am
I can think of a few million reasons they would keep him. On the other hand a lousy coach will cost you money too.
October 25th, 2026 at 6:44 am
Is this a joke?? Let’s look at some good offensive minded coaches like Andy Reid and Kyle Shanahan. How is it their defenses are always good?? They don’t put up with mediocrity on the other side of the ball. Heck even last year with over half their defensive starters out, the 49ers D played respectfully. Tired of these damn excuses!
October 25th, 2026 at 6:47 am
Bowles is the head coach!!! He is responsible for the whole team. If the offense or ST does bad, it’s still his responsibility. This argument is per stupidity!
October 25th, 2026 at 6:57 am
If you can’t see what Bowles is after 9 years of being a HC, I will just call you Ray Charles!
October 25th, 2026 at 7:08 am
The D roster is good. Bowles may have good schemes, but he doesn’t adjust. And he has the uncanny knack for calling the exact wrong play at the exact wrong time. This is where he is weak. Situational football
October 25th, 2026 at 7:38 am
This season is SHOT !
October 25th, 2026 at 7:46 am
You have to be careful of watered down stats. When all the offenses the Bucs have played against (except the Cowboys) are ranked near the bottom of the league, then it will deflate the points & yards given up. What the eye test tells me is that this team had a sizeable lead going into the 4th quarter several times and lost. Poor coaching, poor play, poor time management, poor use of time outs, no sense of urgency (especially early in the season) definitely no identity on offense or even defense when you think about it.
October 25th, 2026 at 7:50 am
I would think that overall record and other teams fans taking over Ray-Jay on a weekly basis weighs more that the defense going three and out.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:03 am
Welcome to fantasy football! We watch this team to admire a few players. Outcomes are predictable.
Go Rays!!!!
October 25th, 2026 at 8:11 am
opponents dont have to score much or go far to beat the bucs. and when they want to march down the field and score, they do.
whats the saying? like taking candy from a baby?
the baby bucs. starring wet nurse todd bowles.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:31 am
Joe’s, y’all didn’t put out a podcast with your pics on this game??
Boy’s your slacking, haha!!
October 25th, 2026 at 8:32 am
Boyz, you’re slacking 🙂
October 25th, 2026 at 8:49 am
The next money making move for the glazers should be to stop selling Bucs gear at home games. Only sell the opposing teams gear. They’ll make millions more at each game. I’ll sleep so much better knowing that the grifters, er, I mean the glazers, are making money.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:58 am
They’re good till it matters. Teams need to score, they score. Games on the line, they fold. Great defenses don’t let 1-5 happen.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:15 am
It will be painfully clear by 4 o’clock that the Panthers want the game more and are better prepared to take the victory.
Please…. Death with Dignity for the 2026 Bucs season
October 25th, 2026 at 9:19 am
As a DC he is not bad. As a HC not so much. In game decisions and deciding to play soft zone late in close games? Clock management, despite the hire of a time management guru. Is he still there? Personnel decisions?(Walker and others) Lots more to being a HC versus a DC.
BTW, tackling has been an issue for the last three years and is still an issue. Still not fixed in my opinion. Better at the 3 and outs this year for sure. Love seeing the punts lately.
Short of some huge surprises soon? No question we will have yet another OC next year. Feel sorry for our dudes on offense. They now know every play known to man though.
Go Bucs!
October 25th, 2026 at 9:34 am
If the glazers wish to see more of the fan base move on, empty seats and more loss of revenue keep Todd Bowles. Always will be a Bucs fan but I have better things to do on a Sunday and better teams to watch play real football.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:43 am
He is the head coach ! He is under .500 ! Way under !! The team is ….. WTF are we even doing Joe suggesting such as this ? Bowles is gone !!! C ya !
October 25th, 2026 at 10:00 am
Don’t be stupid. The Glazers have not shown any hesitation to move on. They fired Dungy who had a top 5 defense because the offense was mediocre It is good that the defense is now top ten and has good young players. Trust me, the Glazer’s are not going to keep Bowles short of a miracle finish. The new coach will be a younger offensive mind, possibly from the college ranks.The Glazer’s care about their reputation in the business community.
October 25th, 2026 at 10:04 am
1-6.
And there is no path for Bowles. If you want to know how they will finish this year under Bowles, just look at last year.
Shame, Joe. This is just absurd to say he will be back.
October 25th, 2026 at 10:13 am
With a compliant lap dog sports media the Glazers can easily justify going 3-12 in the last 15 games.
At that point just keep the best HC\DC to ever work in the NFL. He’s a guru.
The Joes and Ira are officially part of the problem. They love mediocrity.
1-5 is way better than 5-1 to them. 0-6 even better. Championship caliber.
0-17 is now out of reach. They must be very depressed to have watched a victory.
Losing is just so exciting!!!! Oh the culture!!! Todd needs a lifetime contract that can be passed to his son!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
October 25th, 2026 at 10:20 am
Buddha said; “The Glazer’s care about their reputation in the business community.’
If so, why was Bowles retained after last year’s meltdown? Bowles must’ve really pulled a con job selling himself while hyping injuries while throwing Grizzard under the bus to stick around. Perhaps the Glazers knew they would be pretty far down the pecking order for new coaches as there were so many opening with the Bucs being toward the bottom of destinations with Arizona, Cleveland (Bucs could have hired Monken) and Tennessee after jobs like the Giants and Baltimore or perhaps they are waiting for Tomlin, who knows but keeping Bowles for 2026 just extended a potential rebuild by another season…
October 25th, 2026 at 10:23 am
@Joe
Why didn’t we get another Ira Kaufman podcast this week???
No predictions or commentary on the game vs the Panthers????
What are you not telling the fans?????
Something is rotten in Tampa!!!
October 25th, 2026 at 10:37 am
@Joe. I agree 3 and outs are where its at. It keeps your D fresh and gives your O great field position. However, Bowles gets to stick around if he is a DC only, but too much damage culturally with him as HC has been done. Right now I am of the belief the owners, GM and HC need to go. I’m tired of this franchise only being relevant every 15 to 20 years. If you don’t know how to build a consistently successful team that can legitimately win a championship you are in the wrong business. These last few years beating up the special needs division, aka NFCS, does not count as consistency.
October 25th, 2026 at 10:47 am
What does the stats say about drives in the 4’th quarter and overtime. We may not be last in the league on defense but I bet we’re close
October 25th, 2026 at 10:57 am
Whole team needs an overhaul including HC and GM. Bowles is out at the end of the season or before. OC should not even be in coaching. GM has made huge mistakes but apparently the Glazers have bought into annual hype game. Jason continues to double down on draft picks that should not be starting. If I were the owner I would have dumped his azz after last year.
October 25th, 2026 at 10:58 am
I believe Gruden is available.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:03 am
Perhaps that’s we don’t have more sacks. No first downs plus we have not held big leads that put opponents in obvious passing situations.
If our offense could score touchdowns, we would have more chances to get after the QB.
If our offense could score touchdowns, we hold onto the ball longer; and the defense wouldn’t be gassed in the 4th quarter (or OT!).
If our offense could score touchdowns, then we would win football games.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Yes the Bucs defense plays well in the first 3 quarters. And they never fail to collapse in the 4th.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:08 am
Why not bring in Gruden as OC or some type of offense consultant (like whatever Tom Moore used to do)? We may actually score touchdowns.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:19 am
Marine Buc… Bowles gave 2 wins away that season. Off top of my head, code turtle vs ATL and giving the ball back to Mahomes on the road (maybe that still turns to a loss).
Bowles mismanaged games and cost wins that season as he always does. Coen went to the Jags and immediately won 13 games with an inferior roster to the Bucs. Bowles held him back.
Bowles also didn’t adjust in those playoffs otherwise Bucs beat Wash. Couple rookie mistakes didn’t help on offense.
If Bowles is retained again, I’m out. Love for the Bucs will turn to hate due to ownership.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:24 am
Cool. Let him be a DC somewhere else. He’s still horrendous as a head coach. Next. This team is going nowhere fast until he’s gone.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:29 am
I agree with some of yalls comments. When the 4th qtr comes or OT outside of the cowboys game the Bucs D has failed. This is tru. What is also tru is the fact that they spend more time on the field cause our offense goes 3 and out faster than a dude throw dollar bills at a strip club or our offense turns the ball over. Cowboys game again our offense sustained drives kept our D fresh cause they were off the field and our D ended the game. I’m not saying keep Bowles as a head coach. I dislike Bowles as a head coach I do like him as a DC. this year his defense has proven he still knows what he’s doing as a DC and the game has not passed him by.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:32 am
I promise you Bowles is toast at the end of the season.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:33 am
Oh and many defenses have beaten Mahomes. No excuse there.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:39 am
They might want bucs fans in the stands too. The decision has already been made
October 25th, 2026 at 11:52 am
The answer is really simple, Gruden next week as OC. He has forgotten more than Zac will ever know. Even if the Bucs continue to lose with Gruden, at least it will be fun watching him chew out our lousy WRs on the sidelines and in press conferences. “ You got to be freaking kidding me…”
October 25th, 2026 at 11:55 am
On fox they said the Bucs are the # 4 defense over all. The first 3 games they were not that good. With no starters playing in pre season it takes 3 games to in get in sync. Game 2 was a dropped touchdown pass by Hurst and 3 was a punt return td. Otherwise those were called wins. last game was a perfect game by the special teams and defense. Yet the kid nobody wanted panicked and melted down in the fourth quarter. Can 32 GMs be wrong? No jalen is un draft able and a bust. So now all Baker has to do is not melt down and let the defense and special teams win it.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:57 am
It’s more like they can’t get points when they need it there defense is tired at this l point of the game offense should figure out a way to at least get close enough for field goals
October 25th, 2026 at 11:58 am
Marine buc you are lying about being a marine because Marines dont stab their commander in the back.
October 25th, 2026 at 12:06 pm
More like stinky
October 25th, 2026 at 12:21 pm
Every loss this season is on the offense
October 25th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
The most compelling case for replacing Bowles as Head Coach is that the QB play has regressed the past 1 1/2 due to annual changing of Offensive Coordinators and/or ineffective Offensive Coordinators or QB coaches.
Bucs need a Head Coach with proven record of developing winning QB’s.
October 25th, 2026 at 3:24 pm
Can I remove my commentary now? lol Bucs are havin a day!!!!!!