Hope Is Alive
October 28th, 2026
History says…
It ain’t over yet.
Yeah, the World Series might be over, but the Bucs’ season isn’t. Yet.
A few days ago, everyone was ready to start shoveling dirt into the grave of the 2026 Bucs. They were 1-5 and looked mostly dreadful. Joe was researching the draft and prospective new coaches.
Then along came Sunday. On the road. At Carolina. Against the NFC South landfill leader. And the Bucs absolutely curb-stomped the Stinking Panthers in one of the more dominant games Joe has ever seen the Bucs play.
Joe hasn’t seen such a one-sided beat down since TCU-Georgia in the national title game a few years ago.
Still, 2-5 is pretty much insurmountable, right? Well, think again, pigskin breath.
The Bucs’ media relations department, by way of Bucs radio play-by-play man Tony Castricone, put out some fun facts.
In the past 15 years, there have been only three teams with a positive season point differential through its first seven games despite having two or fewer wins. That’s the 2018 Colts, the 2022 Jags and your 2026 Bucs.
Those Colts and the Jags teams the playoffs despite the slow start. So if history holds, the Bucs will be preparing for a playoff game in less than three months.
You said there’s a chance?
Massive game this weekend to capitalize on this momentum. BE THERE @RJSTADIUM!!!!! pic.twitter.com/LFPvFTp5a8
— Tony Castricone (@Castricone) October 27, 2026
October 28th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Delusion is alive and well.
I have a shot with Sydney Sweeney
Bernie Sanders can win
Carl Nasib just wants to watch game film at night with the new bucs cheerleaders with beards
October 28th, 2026 at 7:22 am
Last I saw, Bowles is still the HC. It’s over.
October 28th, 2026 at 7:35 am
Itzok: The difference is that Sweeney would have to agree.
October 28th, 2026 at 7:41 am
I think I’ll pass judgment after the next two games before the bye. I believe one way, or the other Sunday’s game will decide the season.
October 28th, 2026 at 7:45 am
I guess we can always hope. We have Bears, Lions and Rams still on schedule last I checked. That will probably be 3 losses bringing us to 8. And if Lamar Jackson is back the Ravens could be also. If the Bucs lose to Falcons this week our best hope is probably another 8-9 season and that will take a lot. More likely a 7 win season if we get lucky, which is what I thought at beginning of year looking at schedule.
So cheer up if we make it to 8-9 Bowles gets a raise and a long extension and called a Ring of Honor member.
Licht gets promoted to President of Football Non-operations and ticket prices go up.
October 28th, 2026 at 7:47 am
Hope in one hand and pour Baker Mayfield into the other and see which one fills up first…
LOL!
October 28th, 2026 at 7:50 am
our division is so bad…that a 2-5 record is potentially equal to almost like a 4-3 record in division…or at least equal to a 3-4 record in division…
and with a win on sunday, our 3-5 would be equal to a 4-4 or 5-3 record…
i’m a math head…so try to grasp what i am saying peeps…
it’s hypothetical, but also almost reality…that’s how we are still in it going into sunday funday…
let’s smoke these dirty birds…
0-4 = may day @ ray jay
#MayDayAtRayJay
October 28th, 2026 at 7:51 am
has anyone seen what has happened to kay adams….geez meng!
October 28th, 2026 at 7:54 am
One way to look at the numbers is we can’t beat teams with a winning record. That is not pessimism, it’s just facts.
Are we really celebrating this fact….
Flush Toilet Bowles and the coaching staff.
October 28th, 2026 at 7:57 am
I still have no hope that this coaching staff can win a playoff game.
October 28th, 2026 at 8:04 am
next bit of delusion from joe will be “ring of honor coach todd bowles”
October 28th, 2026 at 8:13 am
@Hodad,
Kind of the same boat. My Hope-o-Meter is on pause until after the Bears game.
It doesn’t mean we necessarily HAVE to win that one, just not look like we don’t belong.
However, this weekend pretty much has the season on the line. Must win.
October 28th, 2026 at 8:19 am
If we are looking at 2-5 still mathmatically still in it at this stage of season…we are doomed
October 28th, 2026 at 8:29 am
Sweet, we will make the playoffs with a losing record and get bounced in the wild card round again. Glazers retain Bowles for another year of mediocrity in 2027. Same sad song on repeat. Over and over average as can be, with no desire to get better. Isn’t this the definition of insanity doing the same thing over and over again and hoping for better results.
October 28th, 2026 at 8:31 am
@ adam
“has anyone seen what has happened to kay adams”
I believe Kay is going for the “Billy the Puppet” look from the movie “Saw”.
LOL!
October 28th, 2026 at 8:31 am
goshdarn it joe, don’t give me hope.
October 28th, 2026 at 8:41 am
And Paige Spirinac is sitting somewhere just waiting on me. I knew it.
October 28th, 2026 at 8:43 am
One game at a time. Beat Atlanta. Which team will have a bigger let down after this past week’s big wins?
October 28th, 2026 at 9:05 am
Is this the same “Joe” that went on another epic rant against the Todd Bowles regime just a few weeks ago???
These wild mood swings are intense man. You are now advocating for Bowles to keep his job.
We’re 2-5 after a 2-7 collapse in 2025. That’s 4-12 in the last 16 games.
And yet, here you are giddy as a school girl. Waiting to hear you call Bowles America’s HC….
October 28th, 2026 at 9:24 am
Super Bowl baby!!!!
October 28th, 2026 at 9:35 am
GB will beat carolina Tampa beat Atlanta =Trolls worst nightmare!! San Fran lost in Atlanta because! You guys ready!!!Thats right they lost the turnover battle .It happens to the best of them!
October 28th, 2026 at 9:39 am
@Marine..Its not like you gotta a whole truck load of those lil blue pills!! Everyone needs something!
October 28th, 2026 at 9:40 am
Professor !!!still living in the past..
October 28th, 2026 at 9:43 am
Back to reality on Sunday I’m afraid…the Yucs haven’t figured out how to win at home under TB!
October 28th, 2026 at 9:46 am
Yes Bowles likes to keep the games close so that’s not surprising. Also not a good idea when you’re terrible at clock and game management.
And if the bucs aren’t done then neither are the rays.
October 28th, 2026 at 9:48 am
It’s not over until it’s over. Then again, it’s over, for this year.
October 28th, 2026 at 9:54 am
Only the Bucs would play them selves out of a top 10 draft pick and still not make the playoffs that’s exactly what I can see playing out. Hopefully I am wrong and this team makes a run but I still dont trust the coaching staff.
October 28th, 2026 at 9:55 am
NFC North and AFC North two best NFL divisions – Bucs will get swept
NFC South is the worst NFL division – let’s assume Bucs sweep
that’s 6 -8
DAL W LAC W that’s 8-8
how healthy / motivated is LAR ?
that’s either 9-8 or 8-9
but this all assumes a win against ATL
CAR & ATL aren’t great but they are dangerous
this season it’s all about the divisional games
October 28th, 2026 at 9:55 am
I’m sure Alt is going to target their backs and TEs…because this team can’t cover or tackle either! Somehow TB has no idea how to correct that!
October 28th, 2026 at 10:03 am
the next 6 games are away CHI DET BAL home ATL CAR LAC – probably 3 W 3 L –
the Bucs will be 5-8 – the question we’ll be asking is : can they go 3-1 to finish the season ?
October 28th, 2026 at 10:12 am
MNF with CAR could decide the division title
October 28th, 2026 at 10:29 am
The difference between 1-5 and 2-5 is one game, same as the difference between 2-5 and 2-6 or 3-5. Bowles knows it’s not about one game or one win, he knows it’s about the other things, the little details and the locker room . Do all those things well and the score and standings become meaningless. This season is Bowles finest coaching ever, regardless of the outcome against Atlanta on Sunday.
And the Rays won last night so it’s not over either.
October 28th, 2026 at 10:31 am
basically the ATL game on Sunday is like the Rays game tonight – the goal is just to stay alive and keep going against all odds
October 28th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Cheese heads better not lose tonight, rays up from the dead Rays!
October 28th, 2026 at 3:56 pm
World Series isnt over until it’s over. Win game 5 and the pressure is back on the Brewers with them expected to close it out. Fool and around and win game six and all bets are off for a game 7 as to what the hell happens. But all moot if business isn’t taken care of tonight just like the Buccaneers on Sunday I have confidence in both still.
October 28th, 2026 at 4:01 pm
I also never shoveled dirt on the Bucs and said we are much better than the perception based on our record, and thought we’d beat the Cowboys on the road on a short week. It’s a long season, and the Buccaneers have the talent to compete with anyone, especially given the defensive improvement.