Bucs Playing Excellent Defense Despite Little Pressure
November 15th, 2026
Pressures narrative wrecked.
Has Todd Bowles given up pressures for sacks?
Joe just isn’t a pressures guy. It is just about a worthless stat in Joe’s mind. The believers try to say pressures lead to turnovers. Once again, turnovers are virtually impossible to bank on and turnovers don’t win games — points do!
Now Joe is a big believer in sacks. They are drive-killers. And pressures don’t faze the best quarterbacks, Joe firmly believes. In the playoffs, a team is very likely to face the league’s better quarterbacks.
KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles is not a believer in sacks. He frowns upon them, declaring them not key to winning.
It is interesting to Joe that Bowles defense last season was sad in total sacks, the lowest total of Bowles’ time in Tampa. They’ve had more in recent games but are on pace for only 32 sacks this season. That’s five less than last year! But defensive pressure? Per the football data outfit Sumer Sports, only the Colts have a worse pressure rate than the Bucs.
So the Bucs lead the league with 16 picks. Yet, they have the second-worst pressure rate in the league.
So much for needing pressures to get picks.
Pressure rate generated vs. allowed through Week 9
The Rams allow the least amount of pressure, while the Vikings generate the most pic.twitter.com/pHOHbJQvSI
— SūmerSports (@SumerSports) November 10, 2026
November 15th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
coach lookin’ good in that throwback gear!
November 15th, 2026 at 12:12 pm
With these stats, that means our secondary and coverage in general is playing out of their minds. *Ridiculously* well.
November 15th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
But, but…..but…… the pressure cost them the game versus Da’ Bears last Sunday night!!!!
I hate that pressure Blitz of one Todd Bowles!!!! It Su!
November 15th, 2026 at 12:33 pm
Pressures are subjective. How is it defined? Does it mean the quarterback is moved off his spot by the pressure? You would think it would lead two more turnovers in that case. But yet we are getting the turnovers without the pressure. Who cares at this point? As long as they’re playing well back there. And they are. Hopefully to continue. Remember, it’s not just the secondary. Middle linebacker has just as many ints.
November 15th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Joe feeling vindicated?
November 15th, 2026 at 12:40 pm
“So the Bucs lead the league with 16 picks. Yet, they have the second-worst pressure rate in the league.
So much for needing pressures to get picks“
Too quick of a conclusion Joe, how many of the 16 picks were on plays we generated pressure.
Then swatted/broken up passes I can think of about 5 that came on plays somebody on D got mitts on a pass to set up a tip drill. Both of A’Shawns, at least 2 of Anzalones’, and Yayas’ pick.
The turnovers have been a product of good teamwork imo, everybody doing enough or being on their respective marks to make those plays. The pick AA caught off that Parrish PBU was a good example of that.
November 15th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Warren Brooks hit it right on the head. I’m afraid joe may be losing it, he would rather see a sack than a turnover.
November 15th, 2026 at 2:36 pm
great defense yes – great ST – great running game – great OLine – awesome
November 15th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
Piss poor QB though..
BAKER SUCKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
November 15th, 2026 at 3:03 pm
No.
November 15th, 2026 at 3:12 pm
I don’t think it’s accurate to say Bowles “frowns” upon sacks, as Joe puts it. It’s a little more like he doesn’t believe you have to get the sack in order to affect the QB or play winning defense. I think he welcomes the sack when they get it.
That said, I don’t agree with any pass defense philosophy that doesn’t prioritize putting the QB on his ass as violently as possible without getting flagged.
November 15th, 2026 at 3:23 pm
At 3-6 in the NFCS you don’t need sacks or pressures.
You’ve already won the SB. Extensions for everyone!!!
Especially Mr Mid QB. He’s the best playoff QB of all time!
Just ask Kenton Smith. He loves mediocre QB play.
Gets him all warm and fuzzy. Pom Pom waive!!!!
November 15th, 2026 at 3:43 pm
Go Away Pom Pom Boys.
November 15th, 2026 at 5:27 pm
Probably Joe’s most willfully ignorant pet narrative.
Pressures don’t matter but sacks are game changers.
Nobody with a greater than 10th grade knowledge of football would actually believe that.
Watch our pics – how many started with (were created by) pressure ?
Pressures don’t faze the best quarterbacks ?
Caleb Williams isn’t one of the best QBs ? We’ve faced numerous MVP contenders @ QB already this year – ask them if pressures matter or not.