Turnovers Don’t Win Games, Points Do (And Always Will)
November 10th, 2026
Points > takeaways.
One reason Joe isn’t all that fond of defensive coaches being head coaches in the NFL is that too many of them are absolutely obsessed with turnovers, and seem to think offense is little more than an annoyance.
These defensive coordinators are convinced that turnovers win games. Fully convinced. Yet, there is all kinds of evidence to the contrary. They just choose to ignore it.
Here is what wins games: Points.
Victories are not handed to teams because they forced more turnovers. But every team that finishes a game with more points than its opponent is victorious.
The Bucs were tied for third (31) in takeaways in 2013. The Bucs finished that season 4-12.
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady threw three picks on the road in the 2020 NFC title game. The Bucs won 31-26.
Take this season; the Bucs lead the NFL in takeaways with 21. The Bucs are 3-6.
It’s not even close to an absolute that turnovers = wins. They may *help* a team win, but that same team has to take advantage of those turnovers and turn them into points. Otherwise, you’re pissing in the wind.
And that’s just what the Bucs offense did Sunday night in the Windy City. The Bucs offense had their piss blown back in their faces.
The Bucs defense had one of its greatest games Joe has ever seen. It forced five turnovers on the road against maybe the game’s best offense. FIVE! When is the last time the Bucs did that?
And what did the Bucs’ offense do? You guessed it. Their white jerseys turned yellow (and the seat of their pants turned dark brown).
That was the most shameful performance by a Bucs offense since the 1999 NFC title loss to the Rams when the Bucs’ defense played a near-perfect game, and the Bucs couldn’t even score one friggin’ touchdown. (And whattya know, the Bucs picked off Kurt Warner three times in that game. The Bucs won, right? Oh, right.)
Points win football games, people. Points! Always have. Always will. The Bucs, yet again, proved this on Sunday night.
Joe has no clue how failed Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can look a Bucs defensive starter straight in the face.
📊 Most turnovers forced by NFL defenses this season:
Buccaneers – 21
Packers – 19
Jaguars – 15
Raiders – 14
Steelers – 13
Bears – 13
Seahawks – 13 pic.twitter.com/nzu8AvmwIz— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) November 9, 2026
November 10th, 2026 at 7:10 am
Turnover margin tells the story alot the time. Unless one team has bad coaching and the other doesnt.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:12 am
Only this team could get five turnovers and still lose the game. It’s dumbfounding madness.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:17 am
The main issue with Zac Robinson in Sunday’s game was he relied too much on the passing game , especially in the 1st half.
Receivers were dropping passes, and Mayfield was throwing some inaccurate passes, and an interception.
In addition, they targeted Otton way too much – resulted in a pick 6, and 2 costly incompletions inside the 5 yard line. Otton is a good blocker and they should’ve run more and used him to help Bucky more which he did during the game.
Mayfield’s 2 interceptions cost the Bucs scoring opportunities and gave the Bears 7 points. The sacks didn’t help either. There were open receivers on some plays that Mayfield didn’t see.
Robinson could’ve called a better game, but Mayfield is getting off easy for how poorly he played in this game
November 10th, 2026 at 7:18 am
2 points per turnover. Not close to being good enough. Give Mahomes or Burrows 5 extra possessions and see what they do with it. That was putrid.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:25 am
Jalon, please. There is fire there. Baker’s just running scared.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:30 am
Sure seemed like turnovers lost Atlanta the game 2 weeks ago…
They lost 16-0.
4 turnovers to 0 turnovers…
How does a team win if they can’t score?
Seems like a silly debate – scoring matters… Turnovers absolutely matter.
Can you win if you turn the ball over – YES – Chicago just proved that you can although they were assisted by a pick-6 (thanks Baker).
Can you win if you don’t score a point – NO – However you can still tie.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:44 am
35% of our overall 208 points scored this season, came off the back of a defensive takeaway.
We’re 1st in takeaways, but tied at 24th for in TDs per game.
We also rank 4th in forcing 3 & outs, with 25 drives against our D ending that way.
Our 41 total punts through 9 games ranks 6th most in the league.
So yea, giving the offense more opportunities to do. . .nothing, means nothing.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:52 am
coaches need to held accountable. bucs lead the south in points scored and tied for 7th in the nfc. whats the problem?
bucs lead the south in least points scored against. and 5th in points against in the nfc. whats the problem?
the problem is the coaches.
they dont know how to win games.
the coaches are led by bowles, he is the number one guy who doesnt know how to consistently win games. he repeatedly does situationally stupid things, or doesnt prepare the defense and get down 14 points in the first quarter.
or lose on the last possession because they allow brain farts and broken coverage for easy completions.
robinson is beyond talking about how poor a play caller he is.
its obvious.
November 10th, 2026 at 7:53 am
Joe — The Cowboys are first in total points scored this year. And yet they’re worse than the Bucs.
Point scored there.
November 10th, 2026 at 8:32 am
“…every team that finishes a game with more points than its opponent is victorious.”
Ya think?
November 10th, 2026 at 8:40 am
It is so disappointing to see how few points were scored off of the turnovers. Who is Lian Cohen’s assistant OC? Let’s steal him. He couldn’t do any worse.
November 10th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Letting Coen go was the biggest mistake if all.
November 10th, 2026 at 8:43 am
Correction Liam Coen
November 10th, 2026 at 8:43 am
The real question is who should be our coach next year?
November 10th, 2026 at 8:44 am
Todd Bowles continues to favor FG’s over TD’s. He makes the call to kick it or go for it.
But he always chooses to kick it like he can win a game 9-0. And he never does.
Enough already about Robinson. Yes, he sucks. No shocker because Bowels hand picked him to be the OC.
Everything this HC\DC touches goes to crap. 5-13 in the last 18 games.
When will the media start holding him responsible? Wake up Joe.
November 10th, 2026 at 8:45 am
Statistically Baker Mayfield is the worst QB in the NFL right now. And he’s getting paid as a top 3. That alone should make the stomach queasy.
November 10th, 2026 at 9:19 am
“Statistically Baker Mayfield is the worst QB in the NFL right now. And he’s getting paid as a top 3. That alone should make the stomach queasy.”
33rd in EPA per play
33rd in EPA per drop back
33rd in drop back success rate
33rd in Pass success rate
32nd in 1st downs per pass attempt
30th in explosive pass rate
30th in sack avoidance
33rd in pressure to sack rate
3rd lowest pressure rate in the NFL