Was progress made Sunday in the world of the Buccaneers? Absolutely. It’s as sure as the crisp on Joe’s fried haddock sandwich Saturday in downtown Buffalo. [read more]

The porous Bills defense seemed to spook Todd Bowles yesterday. [read more]

Hello, Kirk!

In four weeks the Bucs host the Dixie Chicks. Who knows what the Bucs’ record will be the way this defense is playing. But Joe knows one thing for certain: they won’t face quarterback Michael Penix. [read more]

Rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison (circled) drifts inside in zone coverage while backup Bills WR Tyrell Shavers sprints past YaYa Diaby and the Bucs defense for an easy catch and touchdown yesterday.

Plays that have the Bucs getting no edge rush with an edge rusher downfield seemingly covering running backs or receivers send Bucs fans into orbit.

Understandably so. [read more]

Special teams players didn’t want to tackle.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles didn’t say it. But it sure seems like the idea has crossed his mind. [read more]

Postgame remarks.

“Somebody has to make a play.” — Troy Aikman.

Joe swears the quote above will be on Troy Aikman’s headstone. The NFL analyst says this several times a game. [read more]

This Ray Davis return ended at the Bills’ 49 yard line yesterday.

So Joe caught up with core Bucs special teams player Josh Hayes yesterday in the locker room after the Bills buried the Bucs 44-32.

[read more]

Rookie cornerback Benjamin Morrison.

One way to teach a kid how to swim — though not very smart — is how parents did before electricity: Throw a kid in the river and he/she will learn how to swim real quick. [read more]

Tristan Wirfs is ready to road grade on Sean Tucker’s 43-yard touchdown run at Buffalo.

Sean Tucker sure likes New York state. [read more]

Buffalo QB Josh Allen raked the Bucs’ defense over the coals Sunday.

What a trash performance by the Bucs’ defense and maybe Todd Bowles’ worst coached game of the year in Buffalo. Certainly, the worst since handing Cleveland an upset win in 2022. Grab your mug. You’re probably going to need two belts of black coffee for this. [read more]

Sadly, not a cornerback.

Word is getting around in NFL circles. [read more]

Welcome to your Morning Cup of Joe, an eye-opener to help Joe’s readers ease into their busy workday with a few football links, wacky news and a pleasant distraction. [read more]

Click through to BillCurrieFord.com. Family-owned in Tampa since 1960! Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is ready to help you PERSONALLY and give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of their sale prices. Don’t Worry, Drive Currie!

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Todd Bowles is dealing with an in-season malaise.

Yes, again.

Despite an improved effort, the Bucs fell to the Bills 44-32 for their third setback in the past four games. It doesn’t get any easier in Week 12 as Tampa Bay ventures to Los Angeles for a Sunday night matchup against the 8-2 Rams, who look like the best team in the league at the moment.

In his first year as Bucs coach, Bowles had to overcome a 1-5 slump in 2022, In 2023, the Bucs dropped 6-of-7 at one point. Last year’s swoon was a 1-5 stretch.

On all three occasions, Tampa Bay rallied to win the NFC South. Don’t look now, but the Panthers are 6-5 and haven’t played the Bucs yet. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles winces during the loss to the Bills. So too did Bucs fans.

Joe’s head is still spinning as to why the head coach who applauded his quarterback, Baker Mayfield, for scolding his teammates last week for lacking a “killer instinct” showed on Sunday he didn’t have any either. [read more]

Joe cruised through the Tampa Bay postgame locker room this afternoon in Buffalo and found very little concern with how the team has lost three of its last four games. [read more]

Huge day.

Losing three out of four games has a way of hurting your postseason chances. The Bucs are feeling that burn right now. [read more]

Joe watched the Bucs pound the ball on the ground successfully over and over today in Buffalo.

The passing game? It’s got no rhythm, especially in the red zone, and it’s often stuck in the mud. [read more]

Todd Bowles

Buffalo’s first 5 kick returns went for 220 yards today. Keep in mind most are caught around the 10 yard line.

Joe asked head coach Todd Bowles about this after the game — whether he considered calling a code red. [read more]

Quit running at worst time.

Joe typed many times before today’s loss in Buffalo that if the Bucs could get rolling on the ground, they had a great shot of winning. [read more]