Largest Single-Season Offensive Crash Since 1976
December 25th, 2022
This stunning statistic, not derived by a bunch of acronym-peddling, numbers-twisting, subscription-selling freaks, should turn the head of every Bucs-loving being on the planet.
As of today, Todd Bowles and Byron Leftwich are presiding over the worst one-year dropoff in points scored by a team since the 1976 Buffalo Bills took the field. And that Bills team had an excuse; their stud starting quarterback was lost with a back injury at midseason.
What’s the Bucs’ excuse?
Tampa Bay is averaging 12.4 points per game less than it did a year ago. Those Bills were down 12.5 points from the previous season. (Data courtesy of CBS Sports HQ.) The team with the biggest dropoff came before the Bills, so the Bucs are riding a modern-day record — with Tom Brady starting every game!
When will the madness stop? And why can’t so many offensive geniuses at One Buc Palace right the ship?
Joe still can’t believe Leftwich has been left to ride out the madness. And it’s hard to consider Bowles a strong football man if he can’t roll up his sleeves and help find successful tweaks to the offense.
Joe sure hopes the Bucs and Brady dig out of the awful numbers over the next three games, including tonight at The Bird Cage against a brutal Cardinals club. It will be hard to consider Brady a superior investment for next season if he can’t pull that off.
December 25th, 2022 at 5:39 pm
“It’ll be hard to consider Brady a superior investment for next season if he can’t pull that off.”
It will be hard for Brady to consider the Bucs a serious investment of his time next year if we can’t pull that off.
December 25th, 2022 at 5:40 pm
Have you ever thought the coaches have tried to get them better but players aren’t good enough?? Probably why we see the same results from same players
December 25th, 2022 at 5:43 pm
Lamarcus. Or possibly that culture change we touted for the last couple years was just transitory, and without good leadership, we so easily slipped into playing like the bad old Bucs.
December 25th, 2022 at 5:59 pm
Last year, O-line grade: Probably B, maybe B+.
This year, O-line grade: Probably D+, maybe C-.
It all starts with O-line. The O-line starts with Licht, then trickles down to Bowles, then matriculates down to Leftwich, then the effect is Brady isn’t Brady.
That’s a good starting place of why this O sucks this year, in my opinion.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:02 pm
Oof. And it sounds like Gronk reached out to The Bucs to come back and they were perhaps uninterested. They sure could use him these final 3 weeks if for no other reason than to cheer Brady up.
BA boxed the Bucs in for the head coaching gig given to Bowles. Licht assumed he was a top tiered GM because Brady came to Tampa after a handful of “no’s” elsewhere. The Bucs lost 2 key interior o-linemen ( 3 if you count Cappa )…his kryptonite is pressure up the middle. There’s a long list of alibis as to why this season has sucked/fallen off a cliff.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:03 pm
BTW D-Rok. What to evaluate the D line, compared to two or three years ago? And add that fact that Shaq is out?
December 25th, 2022 at 6:03 pm
With the current makeup of this offense, IF we had 2 very quick, squirrel-types, this O might could move the chains. But we don’t have those players, except maybe Gage if he was healthy most of the year. But he wasn’t.
Our WR’s need time to get separation, and this O-line isn’t right for the WR’s we have.
That is all, and that’s why we suck. Bad GM choices, bad schemes, bad coaching which doesn’t match what players we HAVE. Then add in a skittish QB and we have the disaster we are seeing.
Everything that could go wrong has went wrong this year. It would take a football miracle to right THIS ship, sadly.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:04 pm
The whole thing in a nut shell is that Bowles has made to many stupid decisions that has cost us wins and points.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:04 pm
Mark2001
We only can speculate by watching the games. We don’t know what’s happening. Nobody on the site every drew an offensive play let alone know the play book to blame coaching or play calling. Nobody knows what football leadership look like by their own personal experiences. I have to go by the games I watch on TV and make my judgement from there. The players are not good at all. Overrated
December 25th, 2022 at 6:05 pm
mark,
D-line also took a huge step back this year. Huge mistake to not bring Suh, at the minimum, maybe (maybe?) JPP also. They were warriors and leaders and this team lacks leadership on D-line. Another huge problem this year.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:06 pm
The fastest Brady is history, the better. He better not screw up in the 2 nd half tonight.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:07 pm
Lamarcus and mark2001, you are both right. A tricky combination of all of the above.
To Lamarcus’ point, under this regime, I think many of the veterans seem to have maxed out their upside, even the younger veterans who should be great and entering their primes. Maybe they weren’t that great to begin with. They now have bad habits and bad attitudes that have to be undone somehow. Or you let them go. It’s sad to see other teams with “less” talent outperforming. That’s coaching.
Mark2001, the culture change was Brady. Problem is, one old legend alone isn’t enough. Must have great and visionary coaching, that gets an entire locker room into the right mindset. That started falling apart right after winning the SB. All the turmoil with Arians (sorry, not a great HC), AB, etc. etc.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:09 pm
Bowels does that to teams.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
But even the lowly Bucs look better than The Denver Drunkcos
December 25th, 2022 at 6:10 pm
orlbuc,
I disagree. If you have a V-8 car, and you blow out 4 cylinders, is your car gonna go as fast or as efficient as it used to? It all starts with the horses up front, and we just don’t have the horsepower this year vs. last year = offensive failure.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:12 pm
orl,
You are blaming the driver for losing half of his horsepower.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:13 pm
Bah humbug!
I’ve seen what good football looks like the past two days and none of it reminded of what the Bucs have been offering up this year, not expecting anything different tonight.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:27 pm
The madness will stop when Bowzo and Co. are shown the door.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:28 pm
Wilson versus Mayfield, yuck. Glad Celtics are playing Milwaukee Buck.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:45 pm
It’s all about chemistry and the loses on the online . Can’t blame Brady or any offensive player . I do however believe it was a mistake to have Bowles take over as head coach . Leftwich is not to blame for the poor protection of the offense. Gronk would help but bottom line is Oline !
December 25th, 2022 at 6:48 pm
No, this madness will continue if we win the division and get a playoff game.
This scenario will almost guarantee that Licht, Bowles and Company get another year.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:49 pm
Joe you are conditionally right. If Todd is still there next year, just scratch Tomm off the roster and THEN he would be a good investment for some other team. Joe do you honestly not know why there is a major drop?????????????? I will put it as simple as possible, Bruce, Bruce and the Todd. Yes Todd is 2022. That as simple as I can possibly make it. Try to keep up
December 25th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
I have to give it to Joe. He’s found a way to write the same article at least 20 times.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:50 pm
It’s not that hard to figure out fellas. They’re asking a 45 year old QB to carry them. He can’t do that anymore, and hasn’t been able to for some time. It’s the main reason he came here to begin with. He doesn’t need the best line in the game, but above average. Same with the running game. By every metric except sacks allowed (Brady doesn’t take them) both have been well below average to poor. He isn’t that guy anymore. The first two years in Tampa, it was an embarrassment of riches. Just about any Joe blow coordinator would’ve had tremendous success. The coaching only matters when you have to do more with less. It’s clear Bowles and BL can’t handle that. If they both were coaching the 49ers, I’m sure the record would be comparable to Shannan. Don’t make it more complex than it is.
December 25th, 2022 at 6:57 pm
now D-rok take it easy on orl. He’s trying so hard. we all need a little help sometimes
December 25th, 2022 at 7:00 pm
(Yawn)
None of this is a surprise, or a mystery.
Its EXACTLY what several other pisters and I said would happen, back in July.
These coaches are horrible. Absolutely the worst
You replace Suh with Logan Hall
Replace JPP with JTS
Replace Gronk with Cade Otton
Replace Marpet with Geodeke
Replace Jensen with Hainsey
Replace Antonio Brown with a collection of always injured guys.
All pros replaced by rookies
Honestly, what did you think was gonna happen?
Disgusting waste of our last year with Brady.
The front office did nothing to refill the missing talent. So convinced they were great drafters. They arent.
Coaching staff has no clue whatsoever.
Young players fold under pressure
And the greatest QB in History is stuck with this crap.
Pathetic
December 25th, 2022 at 7:25 pm
It’s Todd Bowles.
He was a lousy HC in NY and he’s no different now. He’s neutered the offense. He said he was going to do it as soon as he got the job.
He wanted to change from no risk it no biscuit to ground and pound ball control. It didn’t work. Nothing like fixing something that wasn’t broken.
The sooner he’s gone, the better. He never should have been hired in the first place.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:26 pm
These games just don’t feel fun anymore.
Feels like a chore to watch this team.
How nice would it be to get a dominant Bucs win on Christmas?
December 25th, 2022 at 7:33 pm
My first Bucs game I was 8 years old and watched those 76 Bills beat the Bucs 14-9. Saw Dave Green score the first points in franchise history.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:38 pm
Not at all related but just DC Morris just break up a chat between fired up plates and casually walk off and all I could think was, what a beautiful story a #raheemredemption would be if he was the new head coach after this season.
But wait, we still might make the playoffs. It’s a buc’s life.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:38 pm
Plates=players. Postgame.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:43 pm
Winny Testaverde
Is dead on point about JLicht being an imposter GM…
December 25th, 2022 at 7:55 pm
The BUCS have an excuse also, they are coached by football morons.
December 25th, 2022 at 7:57 pm
Injuries and the loosing 3 key starters is the reason for the dropoff.
December 25th, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Test
December 25th, 2022 at 8:03 pm
I hope the Glazer’s have been working on a dramatic culture change for next season. Jason would have to layout a dazzling plan to keep his name in the mix.
Everyone below him on and off the roster is on the chopping block.
Have not seen good football all year.
December 25th, 2022 at 8:03 pm
Bucs cards tie. 20-20. Leftwich will say they’re not losing games!
December 25th, 2022 at 8:05 pm
okay…
last chance to right the ship…
let’s go bucs — let’s reel off 3 wins in a row — put up some points — and whoop some azz along the way — maybe take a few prisoners too…
bucs win tonight 30-16
(i can’t believe i’m saying 30 points…but i am)
December 25th, 2022 at 8:19 pm
Anybody else having trouble posting their comments?
December 25th, 2022 at 8:35 pm
I’m not sure TB12 is worth additional investment at this point in his career.
December 25th, 2022 at 9:55 pm
D Rock.
Not a big enough spread. The line comparison should be: B+, maybe A-.
Now a solid D, with some C grades, maybe B- in spots but a lot of D- and flat out Fs in games. Probably the inconsistency is the biggest issue. Design a game plan to minimize problems with the line and you limit your offence. And our guy can’t make changes if the play really well. If the game plan reflects improvement in the line, and the line regresses, it goes to hell and the defense which prepared for crappy line play eats our lunch.
December 25th, 2022 at 11:09 pm
The fact that the Glazers have stayed quiet is weak. There are several players that have quit on them make some changers show the fans you care
December 26th, 2022 at 9:04 am
The bottom line when you look at this year’s team it’s the names on both sides of the trenches
December 27th, 2022 at 6:20 am
Bowles has got to go, he’s turning the Buccaneers into the Jets. Where the only thing we can look forward to is high draft picks. Forget Let’s go Brandon, Let’s go Brandon Bowles.
December 27th, 2022 at 10:04 am
Bowles sucked as the HC of the Jets ! He is not much better in Tampa. I think Brady should fined a team with a decent O line and receivers who aren’t always hurt ! Since Tua’s new injury maybe he will retire and Miami looks like a great landing spot for Brady….better looking woman in Miami!