Todd Bowles’ First Must-Win Game
October 8th, 2022
It only took one month.
Strip away any spin or happy-homer silliness, and what stands before the Bucs at 1 o’clock tomorrow is a must-win football game for head coach Todd Bowles.
At 2-2 with a healthy Tom Brady all season, the good men in pewter and red simply cannot lose to an inferior opponent at The Licht House to spark a three-game losing streak — and a three-game home losing streak.
It just can’t happen, not against the Falcons.
Fair or unfair, a Bucs loss would put Bowles’ ability to guide a championship-caliber team under a local and national microscope. And the loss would be a tragedy that would signal the demise of the golden era of Bucs football, or at least the first giant step in the wrong direction since 2019.
Joe can’t fathom the Bucs losing to the Falcons without arguably their two best offensive weapons: Cordarrelle Patterson and Kyle Pitts. Both will miss the game with injuries.
It sounds a little nuts, but while Joe believes it’s fair to say the Bucs will be on a Super Bowl track and in great shape with a win tomorrow against heavy-underdog Atlanta, at the same time Joe also thinks it would be fair to call the Bucs a spiraling mess if they lose.
Joe is not nervous and will sleep like a baby tonight. But damn, just win, Coach!
October 8th, 2022 at 8:31 pm
He took SMB off the field… he was already looking crazy.
October 8th, 2022 at 8:39 pm
Players have to play and not screw up
October 8th, 2022 at 8:42 pm
The story of this game will be the Bucs’ defense capability to stop the run. If we lose, it’ll be because we couldn’t stop the run. If we win but can’t stop the run, that’s all folks will be talking about.
Gotta stop the run to get the train back on the tracks. It’ll be very interesting to see how Vita Vea, JTS & Logan Hall all fare in this game.
October 8th, 2022 at 8:45 pm
I don’t know about Bowles, but I don’t think there’s anyway Brady let’s us lose 3 in a row.
October 8th, 2022 at 8:47 pm
Press coverage and stacked box. Corner back blitzes effective against the run. Ronde was the master of it. Force them to pass.
October 8th, 2022 at 8:51 pm
If we do lose this game, we will most likely implode.
I can not imagine us losing to the Falcons, at home, with first place on the line.
October 8th, 2022 at 8:59 pm
I would consider using 3 LBs with 3 DBs on 1’st and 2’nd downs. Dare them to pass.
October 8th, 2022 at 9:16 pm
I hate the “must win” framing, when it technically isn’t. But this is about as close as you can get. New coach, roster turnover, injuries and Brady’s personal problems. I bet this group can’t wait to get out of town. If they lose, still time to right the pirate ship. Absolutely must win 4/5, or looking at a wild card
October 8th, 2022 at 9:31 pm
If we do not capitalize and strike early and often this could be a long day. The bright side is no Matt Ryan. Let’s see if SMB makes the best of his opportunity and solidifies his mission for a new contract with Tampa Bay…
October 8th, 2022 at 9:41 pm
Well if we can’t beat THESE guys….
October 8th, 2022 at 9:44 pm
I dont consider a “must win”. We are 1st place in weak division. Plus we are not 100% healthy. You must be having alot of bromosas
October 8th, 2022 at 9:49 pm
Bowles has to sell this fan base on his abilities to motivate a talented team and to get all of the units playing smart, physical and effectively.
There are some in Tampa that are having doubts. Just play hard.
October 8th, 2022 at 10:05 pm
If we win the division at 9-8 what’s the point?
October 8th, 2022 at 10:08 pm
I have watched Atlanta on and off. They play hard at times, but they do have a history of wilting toward the end of the game. We need to beat them at their own game. Find a running back or fullback to gash them and wear them out.
October 8th, 2022 at 10:26 pm
Todd and Bymoron can screw it up. Tom needs to take over the offense. I don’t know how to stop the run with this group.
Suh.
October 8th, 2022 at 10:51 pm
The discussion has been about defense and everything else but the X-Factor, which is why the Bucs will win no matter what ATL’s offense does. Tom Brady, that is why the Bucs will win if things go awry. He doesn’t lose 3 in a row. It’s not going to happen. Take it to the bank, the Bucs will win 😂
October 8th, 2022 at 10:56 pm
He’s 45, still one of the top 5 qb’s in the league
October 8th, 2022 at 11:38 pm
Tom has a shackle on each ankle. One is named Byron. The other is named Run Defense.
October 9th, 2022 at 12:09 am
Not sold on Bowles. Let’s see how his team plays against Atlanta.
October 9th, 2022 at 12:35 am
The defense looked AMAZING and carried the team the first 2 weeks. until…. Aaron Rodgers and Patrick…. Com’on man. The Falcons without their 2 biggest weapons….This game is NOT about our D having to stop the flightless Falcons. It’s about our lack of Offensive production. Take away the inflated hurry up offensive Brady numbers and it’s still not playoff caliber O. We are still working out the kinks. But getting healthier by the day. This is the week to break through. We are going to destroy Atl and take out all our offensive frustrations on them tomorrow. 41-17. A late garbage Atl TD makes the game closer than that score indicates.
October 9th, 2022 at 2:10 am
Pelsbuc, your not sold on Bowels?
Me neither, but I’m not sold on B.L. also
Let Tom call his own plays ,instead of that famous run on 1st
October 9th, 2022 at 8:11 am
This Defense really played poorly last week. I’m rooting for Bowles as he is a D man and them. That said, in all fairness, the team is human. It played one of the top 3 teams in the NFL. Chiefs are healthy. They weren’t dealing with a cat 4 disaster of a hurricane. Plus, Bucs O has been dealing with injuries which are slowly healing. We’ll see what happens today.
October 9th, 2022 at 9:32 am
I can’t exclaim it a “must-win” game; however, I do declare it a MUST play much better game.
If we play well in a tough game and lose on a fluke kick or something, I can handle that. Last week against the Chiefs, we didn’t play well as a team, and it was a tough loss.
GO BUCS!!!
October 9th, 2022 at 10:25 am
Statement game for the Bucs. Loose 3 in a row and the season will be in serious doubt. They need to romp and stomp on both D and O and get their MOJO back. Send the Falcons home missing their tail feathers!