How ‘Bout That Offensive Line?
October 25th, 2026
Bucs’ front line wasn’t toothless today.
Boy, whatever was said or done this week, for crying out loud, do not fix what is not broken.
And the way the Bucs’ offensive line played this afternoon, nothing is to fix and nothing is remotely broken. Kudos to backup right tackle Ben Chukwuma going the distance for injured Luke Goedeke.
The Bucs didn’t just play smashmouth football today, the Bucs’ offensive line simply pummeled the Stinking Panthers. At times, Joe thought he was watching the old Barry Switzer-led Oklahoma Sooners the way the Bucs running game simply rolled Carolina’s defense.
The Bucs averaged over five yards per run. That will just about win every game. The Bucs racked up 258 yards on the ground. Impressive.
Further, per Jenna Laine of ESPN, the Bucs had a total of 171 yards rushing before contact. That demonstrates the Bucs’ front line was simply owning the Stinking Panthers’ front seven.
Joe heard FOX analyst windy “Moose” Johnston noted on today’s broadcast suggesting Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson had been tinkering with the Bucs’ blocking scheme in order to find a fit that worked.
Joe has two things to say about that:
1. What took so long?
2. Keep it up!
The Bucs had 171 rush yards before contact according to ESPN's tracking, the most in a game so far this season. The Bucs have two of the three highest yards before contact games this season. That’s a testament to run blocking (Dallas was the other game).
— JennaLaineESPN (@JennaLaineESPN) October 25, 2026
October 25th, 2026 at 4:12 pm
Chukwuma, needs to start, had a very solid game!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:13 pm
About time…..
October 25th, 2026 at 4:14 pm
pound the f’in rock…
that is the identity of this offense…!
and sprinkle in little bit of passing from tom thumb
October 25th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Maybe we will actually have a home game next week 🙃
October 25th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Give the O-Line credit. They imposed their will on the Panzers.
All Bucs running backs played extremely good.
Bucs defense was more aggressive and played with really great fire and urgency.
Todd looks like he is making adjustments to his scheme.
I for one don’t mind if Coach Bowles proves me wrong. Give credit where credit is due.
LFG!!!
GO BUCS!!!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:21 pm
You know what really burns me up? Why the hell this tinkering didnt take place during the preseason?
October 25th, 2026 at 4:22 pm
Beat a good team and I’ll believe. Beating the kittens in the worst division is a contest between a horrible team and a really bad team.
October 25th, 2026 at 4:29 pm
Imagine, if you will, Todd Bowles returning as head coach next year… because that is exactly what will happen if we win the division, even if it’s a cesspool division.
None of us want that. We’re not going anywhere this year, but if we win the division we can count on the same frustrations again next year.
October 25th, 2026 at 4:30 pm
Doesn’t matter whether we have lost or beaten a good/bad football team. The reality is this we have lost/won that last two seasons of games by 6 points or less. If our offensive line keeps playing the way they did today, our defensive line played the way they did today, and we just run the crap out of the ball, we don’t lose another game this regular season. Go Bucs! Simple as that!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
Yeah i agree winning the division is quite ” frustrating “…Me think like Bigfoot!!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:33 pm
@SkunkApe. 100% agree. Todays’s game was a fight between Timmy and Jimmy from South Park.
October 25th, 2026 at 4:36 pm
I gotta hand it to the Marine! He predicted the Bucs and Rams would have the same record..Ill throw Melvin the “IT” in also. Keep chipn Go Bucs!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
Confido don’t like playoffs.. quite frustrating!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
Boom! The Bucs are about to go on a streak. Not the old, bad ones.
October 25th, 2026 at 4:40 pm
Are they much better at the running game than pass protection?
October 25th, 2026 at 4:43 pm
To me, the game was set up by the defensive performance. Yes, O line and RBs played great and put it in the endzone. But complimentary football, D crushed CAR all day (even scored) and put the offense in good spots. Well done all the way around
October 25th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
I was wrong about them today. Great job from top to bottom. Kancey. Zyon and my God, Yaya!
I have been as harsh on you all as can be.
I’m really happy for you all.
God Bless America, you guys are going to make me believe again.
October 25th, 2026 at 4:46 pm
Trash division? Falcons beat the 49ers. Let’s effin’ go!
October 25th, 2026 at 4:49 pm
Steve V Says:
October 25th, 2026 at 4:32 pm
So you’re satisfied with winning the absolute worst division in football, by being slightly less terrible than the other teams, losing in round one of the playoffs? That’s the best you’re likely ever going to get with Todd Bowles.
October 25th, 2026 at 4:54 pm
Offensive line was anything but offensive. Chumba Wumba played well in Goedecke’s absence.
October 25th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
I don’t care who the coaches are IF we play like this. Who would!?
With that, let’s see if we can keep this type of passion and energy up.
If, somehow, we win the division at 8-9, a playoff win should be required for Bowles to keep his job. Prove us wrong Bowles and Zac!
October 25th, 2026 at 5:13 pm
‘74 Bucs Fan Says:
October 25th, 2026 at 5:00 pm
Sure, if they could dominate like this every week… but the coach we’ve now tolerated for over 4 seasons is NOT that guy. And we all know it.
October 25th, 2026 at 5:15 pm
Skunk nails it. The more the Bucs win, the more the fans lose by saving Bowles. It is a lot of drama, like a trap. Should be a mini series.
October 25th, 2026 at 5:16 pm
Zac finally used Liam Cohen offense for rushing the ball
October 25th, 2026 at 5:49 pm
No Goedeke, no false starts. Hmmm
October 25th, 2026 at 5:59 pm
How is Luke’s smarting calf ??? Make him a high paid back up,,, one game is nice but let’s get the next one,, Bowles job is still on the line against falcons ,,,
October 25th, 2026 at 6:50 pm
Skunk ape I have been on this site since before we changed logo. I will tell you this much I always root for a win because I’m a Bucs fan! As soon as I deviate from that mentality I might as well call myself a loser. I would suggest you change your piss poor attitude because son you will be let down for a long time and just won’t ever find solice within the big picture. Simple as that.
October 25th, 2026 at 6:57 pm
@Buc4L, you have low standards.
Losers accept mediocrity and don’t look at the big picture. Big picture is that we’re not a good team, Bowles is not a good coach, and every win increases the chance that our idiot owners will retain him next year… and nothing will ever get better. After over 4 years of Bowles’ mediocrity (at best), are you not wanting anything better? If not, you are a perfect fan for the Glazer family.
If you’re not competing for Superbowls or building a team to get there, it’s pointless. We’re not doing either of those with Bowles as head coach.
October 25th, 2026 at 7:06 pm
As I said on another post, it took the line a while to ‘gel’ and adapt to the new OC’s scheme. Let’s hope it keeps up next week against Atlanta. We still miss R White in pass pro (Bucky’s attempt to block a LB was PATHETIC).
The D finally looked aggressive.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:07 pm
Buc4L: I’m with you all the way. Winners play to win, full stop.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:37 pm
Im still calling to trade Goedeke. His giant helmet and giant contract need to go. Chukwuma was excellent today and has more upside, on a cheap contract. He looks more athletic and nimble.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:44 pm
@JustVisiting,
I’m not suggesting the players shouldn’t play to win. I feel happy for them that they came out and played hard and put a spanking on an opponent. But I’m looking at the future. If these guys manage to save Bowles job, we’ll have to endure the awfulness of Bowles again in 2027.
October 25th, 2026 at 8:47 pm
Skunk! All I know is home team is in the thick of things! Knock on your head! Scratch that i meant wood!
October 25th, 2026 at 8:56 pm
@ Steve C…
In the thick of what? To be the least awful team in the worst division in football. Does that make you proud? That’s what Todd Bowles gets you. Suppose they manage to win the division and our idiot owners keep Bowles for 2027. What do you think our prospects are then? Another race to barely win the NFCS landfill and a first round playoff loss? I think that’s peak Bowles.
So we’re in the thick of something completely meaningless and IN FACT potentially detrimental to the future of the team. Tell me I’m wrong.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:06 pm
What a crazy thought, let’s not square peg/ round hole the team. The O line is built for this type of run game, not the outside zone. I can’t stand coaches that have only one game plan.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:13 pm
Skunk, I guess what you have to answer is if you were in charge, how would you approach this? If the players don’t play to win then they play to do what exactly? Seriously, how would this thing work for you? Because you keep suggesting losing is good. None of us want Bowles back as coach. But yet we want our team to do well. Yes, it’s a conundrum. But I’ll take a big bucs win anytime.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:17 pm
Sure would have been nice to get this starting offensive (and defensive) line some preseason games work so they could have hit the ground running instead of sputtering for 6 (games, not points)! But no, that Joe and his worthless preseason games attitude and watching the same at flat hooters should be fired! The O/D lines had not played together in over a year but that Joe decides that preseason games are worthless as a kit kat. Despite the win, Kit Kat should be fired and That Joe needs a long look in the mirror! The bucs won because the players decided that it was easier to win where they are given the prep time they need rather that risk it all to go somewhere else, like (Evans) the fortiners.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:35 pm
Cred whichever Joe.
Just commented in previous thread that Chuk deserved credit.
Good performance for a guy who could turn into another Penn or Dot.
I’m not confident about either starter making it until they are long in the tooth, so that may be necessary. Good to see.
October 25th, 2026 at 9:38 pm
Dagnabit sez
“Sure would have been nice to get this starting offensive (and defensive) line some preseason games work so they could have hit the ground running instead of sputtering for 6 (games, not points)!”
SO MUCH THIS!!
October 25th, 2026 at 9:51 pm
Dadgumit, quality comment. All true.
October 25th, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Hey SkunkApe, you a Bucs fan back in the 1980s? No, huh. You have no idea how rotten a football team can be. Bucs were B-A-D from ownership on down. So, yeah, it’s fine to criticize your team, but you sound like a broken record. And a boring one at that. This Bucs team is so much better than their record. And still another new OC, yet again? Hopefully, the musical OC chairs will come to an end. And Baker will get his head on straight, and play like he did when he first came here. Okay Bucs, Halloween is coming. Scare the crap out of the Falcons and do more than say BOO!
October 25th, 2026 at 11:05 pm
orlbucfan Says:
October 25th, 2026 at 10:52 pm
Yes, I was. Suffered through every game. So, we’re supposed to be grateful that we’re no longer a complete laughingstock?
Sorry, I have higher standards. There is no reason to accept mediocrity gratefully.
Maybe, but somehow they still managed to have that record. Why? Look no further than the entire reason I’m making these points over and over — Todd Bowles.
I’m not going to throw a party because they played one good game. Any hope I have for this franchise rests on Bowles being gone in 2027.
October 25th, 2026 at 11:07 pm
Goedeke is hurt, no OT holding penalties that I can recall today.
Coincidence?
October 25th, 2026 at 11:31 pm
SkunkApe,
If Bowles wins the Division this year- why wouldn’t you want him back?
Playoffs 4 out of his 5 years as Head Coach.
You know a coach with a better record than that??
No, you don’t. And even if you did, He ain’t looking for a job.
Jason Licht is the real issue. He has failed to build the offensive line.
Drafting Barton, switching him from LT to Center has crippled the middle of the line for 2 years.
Bredesen is a great run blocker. Horrible pass blocker. He has the shortest arms ever measured at the combine- for an Olineman. It matters.
Mauch was playing good pre injury. He sucked this year, but was improved today.
Hopefully it was rust.
GMs build the team. Not the Coach.
And this team has some major flaws
October 26th, 2026 at 12:02 am
1 game at a time. Next up dirty birds. Just goes to show that the nfl is very unpredictable. They beat an undefeated team. Only players , coaches and GMs know how hard it is to win in the nfl. It’s funny everyone was talking about the trash browns and look at their record look at the giants. Just goes to show not everyone knows what they are talking about in about. Lastly REAL FANS DONT ROOT FOR THEIR TEAMS TO LOSE. Doesn’t matter who the coach is, GM or players are.
October 26th, 2026 at 12:02 am
@Tim,
So you think barely winning the absolute worst division in football and getting bounced in the first round is something to be proud of? I don’t.
Did you say Jason Licht failed to build the offensive line? You mean the one that got our running game 260 yards today?
Bowles is the issue. I understand the criticisms of Licht, but if you had to replace one or the other, Bowles would be gone, no question.