Bucs Riding Resurrected Run Game
November 5th, 2026
Trusting players.
Can the Bucs run to the playoffs?
We’re now preparing for Week 9 of the NFL season and the Bucs passing game still sinks. In fact, it may have sunk if the Bucs if not for the intervention of KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
This week, NFL insider Jeremy Fowler of ESPN claimed Bowles had a sitdown with Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. There, the two figured out a way forward.
The two decided the offense’s strength is its line and two pretty good running backs. So why not play ground-and-pound, to an extreme level, to get the Bucs winning and perhaps ride that run game to the playoffs?
So far, it has worked.
The Bucs have won three of their past four games (the one loss came in overtime when the Bucs choked away a lead at The Licht House).
Yesterday, Bowles was asked what took place to change the run game from mediocre to the most dominant in the league. Bowles, as he is wont to do, just shrugged and suggested the offense only needed tinkering.
“I think we’ve tweaked some things, obviously, in how we’re running it and the things that certain guys can do well up front, as well as what kind of runs the [running] backs can do,” Bowles said, which seems to Joe like more than just tweaking.
“I think the coaches get more comfortable with the players and vice versa, and everybody is settling into the scheme and kind of buying in and being on the same page, really. We finally got on the same page and they’re making it work.”
The coaches just got comfortable with the players? What?
The Bucs have been practicing off and on since April. Sorry, Joe isn’t buying that.
But what in the world, if this is true, were assistants doing until October, until assistants started trusting the players? Nah, man.
Joe would be more apt to buy the following than this fish tale: Robinson wanted to run the offense a certain way and it was just not working. It was so bad Robinson was on the verge of getting run (this is Joe’s speculation).
Knowing if something didn’t change quickly he was going to find himself collecting Social Security in January, Bowles had his sitdown with Robinson and basically told Robinson to mimic what his good friend Liam Coen did two years ago and — voila! — the rushing offense quickly came together and began to dominate, just like they did two years ago.
The Bucs find themselves a half-game out of first place in the NFC South landfill. And all of a sudden, Bowles’ hot seat has cooled quicker than you can say “Josh Grizzard.”
The forward pass, an unnecessary abomination 🗣️@Buccaneers | @InsideTheNFL pic.twitter.com/MRl3iCGBNr
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 4, 2026
November 5th, 2026 at 7:22 am
Hilarious video.
It’s been fun swimming in recent success like Scrouge McDuck on a pile of coins, but it’s time to move on. Enough questions about what the team did a week ago to address their failing offense as they set out to face weaker defenses and anomalous conditions. It’s time to ask what they are going to do to address Simmons, a hot offense with an elusive QB, and what is being done to kick start our $60 million/yr QB?? Time to walk away from the black and white news reel of the past and walk toward this Sunday’s prime time game in full color, which hopefully includes a passing game
November 5th, 2026 at 7:45 am
If we win, why do we need to pass? Let’s see how the run game is going first…
November 5th, 2026 at 7:56 am
@ Chi
“what is being done to kick start our $60 million/yr QB?”
Baker will be fine…
As long as we run the ball 58 times and Baker stops fumbling several times per game.
The constant fumbling and bumbling by this clown is an embarrassment.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:12 am
Love that clip!!!!!!
November 5th, 2026 at 8:18 am
If nothing else the last two weeks should have told you this is the best team in the NFC South without question. Not for nothing here but we are 2-0 in division so far and those tie breakers sure might come in handy if let’s say three teams finish 9-8 or 8-9. We are going to win the NFC South and running the ball like we are I doubt we get embarrassed when we make the playoffs. Im not saying we get out of round 1 but im saying the game will be close.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:27 am
I’m pretty sure the Bucs running game won’t dominate Chicago’s D. Plan 1B better be a passing game.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:38 am
It’s amazing to me the people complaining about the lack of a passing attack the last couple weeks when they have a really successful running game. I guess if the passing game was working, people would be complaining about the running game.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:38 am
They better figure out how to have a passing game cause Da Bears are no NFC South garbage team. Pretty sure the Bucs can go undefeated against NFC South opponents.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Funny video! Joe and I are Woody Hayes fans. F the deep ball, just run it! :). Seriously, run play action to Godwin like Coen did. Godwin leads the NFL in separation and fewest drops, target him!
November 5th, 2026 at 8:47 am
First team to win 2 games back-to-back passing for less than 62 yards combined since 1942
November 5th, 2026 at 8:50 am
The Bears Know the Bucs are gonna run Sunday.
But Knowing ain’t stopping.
Unless Mayfields hand makes incredible progress, We sign a Real NFL WR, and our OLine suddenly learns how to pass Block,
Then we will Run.
And we are a tough team team when we run.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:57 am
MarineBuc,
Brady 3 full seasons at Tampa fumbles lost =8
Mayfield 3 full seasons at Tampa fumbles lost =8
Brady 3 full seasons at Tampa INT’s =.33
Mayfielld 3 full seasons Tamp. INT’s = 37
Keep lying about Mayfield the way you lie about being a Marine.
November 5th, 2026 at 8:57 am
The clip is great!
November 5th, 2026 at 9:03 am
Joe … ‘The Bucs have been practicing off and on since April. And it took until early October for coaches to get comfortable with the players? Sorry, Joe isn’t buying that. But what in the world, if this is true, were assistants doing until October, until assistants started trusting the players? Nah, man.’
Whoa Joe, time out. Zac Robinson is new, and so is our QB coach. But our OLine coach has been here for 3 years; our RB coach has been here 4 yrs; our TE coach for 3 yrs; our WR coach for 3 yrs. This year isn’t their first exposure to the Bucs’ players.
Our Passing Game is horrific. It’s averaging 4.8 Yards Per Play (ranked tied for 5th LOWEST in the NFL). Our Running Game is now averaging 5.1 YPP (ranked #2 in the NFL). What’s almost humorous is that our Passing Game has only generated 1051 yards in 208 attempts (5.1 YPP average). But when you subtract the 129 yards LOST on being sacked 23 times already in just 8 games, it comes out to 3.99 Yards Per Passing Attempt (assuming that all sacks are Passing Attempts).
THAT’S RIDICULOUS. There’s no rocket science involved in creating a respectable short passing game, especially if the opposing defense is loading the box to defend the run.
November 5th, 2026 at 9:14 am
Defense Rules: what you said
November 5th, 2026 at 9:20 am
Im positive that Baltimore would love to have mayfield starting tonight ,instead of an undrafted rookie against all of tampa”s ” hero” Coen!
November 5th, 2026 at 9:21 am
Floormatt with yet another mindless post. No need to pass!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣
Never mind that the run the ball 60 times scheme only works against abysmal teams.
The Bears will not allow that to be successful and they will go on the attack on offense.
Ben Johnson is going to embarrass Bowels on national TV. Book it!
November 5th, 2026 at 9:48 am
Baker had as many fumbles as pass attempts last game. Ridiculous.
Really need Baker to earn his money versus Chicago. Chicago is going to crowd that box and makes us beat them in the air.
November 5th, 2026 at 9:56 am
Only on JBF do we have stolen valor accusations in the comments
“Joe would be more apt to buy the following than this fish tale: Robinson wanted to run the offense a certain way and it was just not working. It was so bad Robinson was on the verge of getting run (this is Joe’s speculation)”
That’s what the ‘fish tale’ from Bowles is saying, between the lines.
November 5th, 2026 at 10:05 am
Love the video
November 5th, 2026 at 10:24 am
Love that clip Joe. I am probably that get off my lawn guy here but. I do like old school football. Offense and defense. Roger wants flag football.
I still remember Joe Theisman (After getting his leg snapped) doing the commentary early in his broadcasting career. After a horrible roughing call. He said they should jut put a dress on em.
These days they get flags for giving the QB a dirty look. Like the one we got called on Robinson. Come on now. I tripped over my coffee table and was in greater danger of injury.
Go Bucs!
November 5th, 2026 at 10:35 am
Gipper Says:
November 5th, 2026 at 8:57 am
MarineBuc,
Keep lying about Mayfield the way you lie about being a Marine.
…….
Gipper
His new name is StolenValor Buc
November 5th, 2026 at 10:37 am
So what JBF is saying is that the thing that happens every year in the NFL is something that doesn’t hold water? New coaches getting accustomed to their players as the season progresses is as dependable as the tides.
But sure, let’s instead trust whatever TMZ’ism pops up in Joe’s head.
November 5th, 2026 at 10:42 am
Playing smash mouth , in your face football destroys your opponents confidence when you push them all over the field. This playing style destroys your opponents confidence when successfully done. So far in the last couple of games, that’s been the case.
Now it’s the Bears in Chicago – who have been playing Super Bowl bound football, that the Bucs face. The Bears are favored by touchdown.
For the Bucs this is a must win game. A lost can limit their chances of winning their division.
The way the Bucs played in their rain soaked win in Tampa was epic. That win could build the confidence needed for the Buccaneers to shock an over confident Bears team.
The Bucs need to play lights out again like they did in Tampa to win in Chicago. Can lighting strike twice again? Yes, but it will take another last Sunday’s repeat performance for that to happen. GO BUCS
November 5th, 2026 at 10:45 am
In the modern passing NFL I believe defenses aren’t used to being run on to this extent. Now what happens when you get behind? This conservative approach is why Robinson is here to begin, but running with the lead is much different than trying to play catch up. Lets hope we jump on them early so we can once again ride the running game.