Ira Kaufman Predicts A Bills Blowout Win, Gets Pushback At JoeBucsFan Headquarters
October 26th, 2023
“I’m not buying it, Baker.”
The venerable Sage of Tampa Bay Sports, JoeBucsFan.com columnist Ira Kaufman, has seen a lot of football while covering the NFL since the mid-1970s.
He’s been nearly everywhere covering the league, starting in the days when coaches mingled with media on a whole different level — and no scribe ran to social media to share what he knew.
Sage became a New York Giants beat writer in 1979 and arrived in Tampa in 1985 to start his long run covering the Buccaneers.
On his popular podcast yesterday, Kaufman put his foot down on tonight’s Bucs-Bills game. He’s no fan of the state of the Buccaneers and sees a drubbing coming at the hands of the Bills.
“I don’t like the looks of this at all,” Kaufman began.
“You can talk positivity all you want. I don’t like this matchup. The Bucs are reeling. The Bills are seething. I don’t like it. I don’t like it one bit. … I took the Bucs to beat the Falcons. I’ll say it again. I’ll say it forever. That game deserved to end in a 0-0 tie. That’s how bad it was. Nobody deserved to win that game. I got the Bills on a roll [to win] 34-13. I don’t like this matchup one bit.”
Ouch!
Joe was a bit stunned that Kaufman doesn’t think the Bucs will be competitive. One “Joe” picked the Bills to win 24-19. The other “Joe” picked Tampa Bay to beat a slumping Bills team 21-17.
It’s rare to have such a great divide among the powers at JoeBucsFan.com world headquarters. (Once in a while Joe lets the interns out of their cubicles, but they don’t get a vote.)
Joe will raise a Bromosa tonight in hopes Kaufman has lost his mind.
October 26th, 2023 at 10:54 am
Come over to the dark side Ira. The Trask mob will hand you a torch and pitchfork.
October 26th, 2023 at 10:57 am
This game is over in the first quarter, Bills 21 – Bucs 0. The rest of the game is just padding stats….. final tally. Bills 45 – Bucs 3. 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
October 26th, 2023 at 10:58 am
Bucs averaged 18ppg last year. They are averaging 17ppg this year.
The problem isn’t with the quarterback. It’s the lack of a run game, poor offensive line blocking, and coaching.
I don’t see the Bucs winning this game but Josh Allen is susceptible to throwing INTs more than he should be. The Bucs need at least one defensive TD to win.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:00 am
Methinks there’s a reason the line moved a full point in the last 24 hours, and Ira might have nailed it. I hope he’s wrong and due to conflicts between my head and my heart, my wallet will be on the sideline tonight.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:02 am
Sorry. but I have to agree with Ira. The situation does not look promising for the Bucs. After tonight, the Bucs will be playing for their future draft picks.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:02 am
The QB isn’t the main problem, but he is a problem. Baker needs a lot of help to thrive and he doesn’t have that on this team. He can’t take a game over and can’t hit the deep ball.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:07 am
Why wouldn’t the Bucs also be seething? We both lost our last games.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:09 am
Joe(s) have harped on it for weeks now. The absence of a running game does not help Baker or the team at all. This would be a perfect offense for Baker if the running game had any semblance of success. Until the Bucs fix that, it won’t matter how well the defense plays. If you can’t score more than 17, you generally won’t win (at least that’s what Sapp always preached).
October 26th, 2023 at 11:11 am
All depends on how healthy the Bucs’ defense is. If Vea & White are both hurting & not able to play full throttle, this game will likely get out of control quickly. Our pass rush is marginal, our Secondary has been getting burnt, and we’ve had trouble stopping the run particularly in the 2nd half of games. I’m sure that Buffalo is licking their chops right now.
On the hopeful side though, good to have Edmonds back; maybe he can breathe some life into our running game. Would dearly love to see the Bucs at least try Rachaad at slot receiver, just to see if there’s any possibilities there. If we lose (that’d be 4 losses in our last 5 games), I fully expect to see Bowles give Trask an opportunity to start for several games, starting against the Texans. Heck, what’s he got to lose?
October 26th, 2023 at 11:15 am
If, the Bucs are down something like, 27-3, 31-6, or even 17-0, with 2:43 left towards the end of the 3rd quarter, & it’s just more of the SAME stagnate Offense, with Baker & Co. STILL being unable to move the ball, or make any ‘Big-Plays,’ etc. Then, you HAVE TO pull the plug on it & make the move by going to Trask… Hell, he couldn’t do ANY worse, & you might as well give him a CHANCE!!!! Geeeez. At least, he can SEE the field and over the Line… I think he’s capable of making some plays!!!!
October 26th, 2023 at 11:18 am
I think the Bills are pissed about their last two losses Their playing at home, so I think they will beat the Bucs but not by the margin lost think. I think if it’s a blow out, it will be because the offense fails to help out the defense (again) which is what I’ve seen the last 2 games. My thoughts are, when a defense hold a team to 1 or 2 TDs over 4 quarters the defense is doing their job
October 26th, 2023 at 11:19 am
Maybe Bowles should bring back BL so that he’ll have a scapegoat again.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:20 am
Everyone wants to blame the QB for losing. But Baker isn’t the big problem. Hes made mistakes. Yes. He’s not Tom Brady. He can’t go without a running game, pass 50+ times a game, and win consistently. Very few QBs can do that. Trask won’t either.
The playcalling has no creativity. And there is no run game. What QB is going to make it work? When you can’t run, it’s very easy for defenses in this league to shut you down completely.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:23 am
I’ve gotten to the point this season where I don’t yell and scream as much because my expectations have been beaten down. Figure we’ll lose but I want to see something from which to draw hope. We had that for a couple of games when Mayfield played well but have lost that since. We will not win without a very good game from Mayfield, period. If he is ordinary, then sayonora.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:24 am
Let Baker throw more to help the Bucs offense, and see what happens.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:25 am
This game will all heavy on Baker and the Defene.If he can get his guys excited with a couple of early dramatic long strikes they will tighten up and fly the game like the did against the Saints. These are showing definite road warrior traits. It is now GUT CHECK time.
Remember Baker great players have their greatest games against the greatest adversaries when the most is on the line.
Go Baker let it fly Maverick must reengage and splash TDs until the “bandits bug out”. Baker can do this with a little help from his friends.And Baker if you do win stay away rom the talk show appearences. Buckle down and line up the next one. Go Bucs!
October 26th, 2023 at 11:27 am
depends on if our defense is called better. less soft coverage and more white blitzing. our offense is going to suck unless the play calling is different. If we keep trying to pound it up the middle with a 2 TE formation we will get the same crap.
Run it out of something different like the spread. use the short passing game as an extension of the run. run outside of the tackles. get some screens going.
We know what our offense and defense cant do now adjust to something they can. we have the talent for it.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:33 am
Jack Sparrow Says:
October 26th, 2023 at 10:57 am
This game is over in the first quarter, Bills 21 – Bucs 0. The rest of the game is just padding stats….. final tally. Bills 45 – Bucs 3
—
Well that’s depressing . Why so hard on Trask and that he will certainly lay an egg? I mean because surely you know in the NFL in such blow outs the coaches pull their starters. You’re saying Trask won’t even be able to register a touchdown with second stringer defenders? Ouch.
IF that’s the case a lot of people here are going to be upset. Bowles won’t start him any time this season.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:43 am
Maybe that will ignite a fire in the players ?
October 26th, 2023 at 11:44 am
boy oh boy, i hope ira isn’t right on this one…
i’ve been having trouble picking against the bucs in recent weeks…
my head says 30-22 bills…
including a late bucs td to make it respectable, score wise…
(but if the bucs pull a shocker, they squeak it out like 31-30)
October 26th, 2023 at 11:47 am
The FSU meltdown will be glorious when Trask balls out.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:49 am
We have been terrible in prime time games for years, Thursday night games have been even worse. I would love a win, but I feel it’s most likely over by the end of the first half, and we are embarrassed again.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:50 am
I’m skeered.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:50 am
And the Patriots had no chance to beat the Bills either…
October 26th, 2023 at 11:53 am
Agree with Ira. Gonna get ugly with this team and it started last Sunday. Go look at their schedule between tonight and Thanksgiving. We will be lucky to be 4-7.
October 26th, 2023 at 11:58 am
Game ball to Ko Kieft after he plays FB and runs the ball 25 times for 125 yards and 4 TDs while Rachad White plays slot and catches 19 balls for 150 yards and 2 TDs.
Bucs 42, Bills 27
October 26th, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Bucs will be a good slump buster for the Bills. This won’t be a competitive game. I could see this team losing the next five games before finally beating the Panthers in a pillow fight.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
Next 5 games are going to be tough to watch.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:03 pm
The predictions on this game – wow everyone is picking a blowout not just Ira.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:11 pm
No idea of final score, but the Bills seem primed for a good game. Even if Bucs lose, which seems likely, IF the Bucs play well, play competitively, and lose, I can handle that.
What is hard to accept is the stale offensive performance the last 2 games. Show us fans some spark and fire, and for cryin’ out loud, run SOMEBODY over in the run game!!!
October 26th, 2023 at 12:12 pm
Baker is the 14th ranked QB in the NFL, I’m not sure what’s to be gained by benching him
October 26th, 2023 at 12:13 pm
We were so bad in late games that Arians had the team practicing at night. But Ira has been wrong many times so I am still looking for a cherished win.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:22 pm
That’s funny. I’ve posted almost that exact score all week.
I love that Ira is following my posts!
Teamwork makes the dream work!
October 26th, 2023 at 12:35 pm
I agree with Ira. Bills will destroy Tampa. The wheels will come off. This season is done.
Bye bye Baker, Bowles, JTS, Hainsey, Canales, any player named White, the two underperforming CBs, Dainty Dean and Deserter Davis, and probably a few others.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
There might actually be some truth to Baker playing well on the road.
He dis win his only playoff game in Pittsburgh.
This defense could look totally different this week with some turnovers that aren’t on the goal line. Our 3 last week all came in the Red Zone and did us no good.
It’s possible we get embarrassed, but it would equally be embarrassing for them if we start fast and balls bounce our way. Unlike the Montgomery fumble that luckily bounced back to him. If you think about fumbling a ball forward there is like a 1% chance is comes backwards.
This is the game we need to win the toss. What have we won, 1? Take them out 3 and out or even better turnover early and go score. Then it’s a ballgame after a couple plays. You just never know, so predicting a blowout is just frustration.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:42 pm
This offense is so consistently inconsistent, that I think the play well enough to get the win tonight. Bills have an ok defense, giving up less pts than ours. They are also not good against the run. I can see Allen turning it over more than Baker. Bucs Win- half the fan base loses their mind wondering why they dont play like this all the time, while the other half loses their mind waiting for the other shoe to drop sooner than later. Its a Bucs Life!
October 26th, 2023 at 12:47 pm
Hard to get excited about this one. I too could see this getting away from the Buc’s in a hurry. If so and they’re down 21+ at half I would have no problem at all with Trask coming in especially with BM bad knee. They being said, it would just be setting up the Traskmaster to fail. Whatever, they’ve got a lot to work out. Biggest deficiencies are not at the QB spot.
October 26th, 2023 at 12:52 pm
How could anyone with a brain think this terrible offense can even keep the score within a touchdown?? Even this bad bills defense will probably find a way to shut us down
October 26th, 2023 at 12:55 pm
i told my wife this morning that i predict a 31-13 game and it is going to be real ugly. i hope i am wrong but…
October 26th, 2023 at 12:59 pm
This game is going to be ugly.
The Bills will look all world again.
The Bucs will be embarrassed.
I’ve watched this team for 30+ years and history repeats itself. I’ve seen this game many times before.
October 26th, 2023 at 1:04 pm
MPTF. You better hope he balls out. I called for him to play. But if he sh!ts the bed after you and all your people have run your mouth just like you are doing now pay back is hell. And I don’t care about any school.He better be ready to put points on the board and you have no excuses.
October 26th, 2023 at 1:08 pm
I think the Bucs run game is entirely the reason we suck. Constantly being 3rd and long is not a recipe for success. And offensive line penalties have also killed us. It’s sad because I think the Bucs defense has been great all year aside from the eagles game. But they look worse than they are because they are constantly on the field just getting drained
October 26th, 2023 at 1:15 pm
It’s real simple. Baker gives the team the best chance to win and the Bucs are not out of playoff contention. This is not a pro-FSU/anti-Florida take. It isn’t for most people. It clearly is for you.
Trask should be playing when the Bucs are eliminated from playoff contention. Baker Mayfield is playing better than Joe Burrow and Dak Prescott right now. Benching him would be moronic.
October 26th, 2023 at 1:18 pm
Some of you guys sound like the Mike Glennon Mob from 10 years ago.
October 26th, 2023 at 1:31 pm
Bucs are out putting up 3 not 7. That is not going to win you games. This is the same BS we saw last year.
October 26th, 2023 at 1:42 pm
@Toad Bowels Bahahahaha ko kieft 4 rushing tds and 150 yards hahahaha
October 26th, 2023 at 1:44 pm
Bucs are coming back to reality … started 2-0 last year, and then…. This year is roughly the same.
Teams have figured out Baker & the Canales offence. There is no help in sight and the track record of Bowles/Mayfield says that tnere is impending doom.
I hope for a Bills blowout, a Mayfield season ending injury, Trask forced to play the rest of the way, a fire sale on Tuesday, and then a clearout of the coaching staff on Black Monday.
Been a fan since 76 and I cant go through another 10 years of mediocrity and excuses.
Tear off the band-aid and lets start facing reality!
October 26th, 2023 at 1:51 pm
If Baker doesn’t run for over 50 yards they lose, and that might not be enough.
October 26th, 2023 at 1:58 pm
The blowout will be similar to the weekly ones Irv has in his pleated khakis with the elastic waistband following a plate of wingys, a beet salad and 8 drinks ( most of them purchased by his fan base ). I hope to forget the game is on this evening so that I’m not tempted to tune in.
October 26th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
To look at this site, one would think this is the 1980s Bucs. All the gloom, doom, Debbie downers, fakes, etc. The Bucs won a Stupid Bowl 3 years ago, not their division. They won their division the last 2 years. Nope, I don’t agree with Ira. Not if the entire Offense gets its collective act together. I used to really like Josh Allen of the Bills. What has happened to him?
October 26th, 2023 at 2:05 pm
This reminds me…Irv doesn’t care about the outcome…as long as JBF keeps him on the dole/payroll. He’s in heaven reading about/watching his favorite team…The KC Swifts…and longs to be in the owners box alongside Momma Kelce, Brittany Maholmes and her deviant brother in law…and of course the most popular person on the planet Taylor Swift herself!
October 26th, 2023 at 2:23 pm
D Rome
Allen won’t have to throw picks tonight. This secondary is Swiss cheese. Lame, overpaid Swiss cheese
3/4 anyway…
October 26th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
No D- Rome
Baker “was” playing better. He’s starting to lose his edge. It’s simply his ceiling without a run game. Not sure if it’s time to pull him but… all the sudden he’s not hitting the broad side of a barn.
The ONE STAT that I haven’t seen yet was the last games completion percentage. Haven’t seen a break down of that one for some reason. I’m about to watch all22 but I heard the game. The one thing I KEPT hearing was “INCOMPLETE”!
Anybody have the breakdown in their pocket and why hasn’t that been shown? Is there an Ugly truth there from Sunday or did I hear it wrong?
If he can’t hit the target guess what? BETTER NOT SCREW THE POOCH TONIGHT or it’s TRASK TIME because somebody has to be able to complete passes. If Baker can’t, maybe Trask can. We HAVE TO try SOMETHING to shake things up if Baker continues to miss his targets.
October 26th, 2023 at 2:31 pm
Looking forward to post game excuses and empty platitudes. It’s a Bucs life again.
October 26th, 2023 at 2:39 pm
we have No run game and a suspect O liner guys. Buffalo tends to play hard at home. I’m forever a Bucs fan. But I will be absolutely shocked if we pull this one out. So shocked, I would have to continue with my libations and call-in sick tomorrow for work.
October 26th, 2023 at 2:52 pm
Agree with Ira…we are in trouble tonight. Barring a major implosion by the Bills with multiple turnovers etc, I see the Bucs losing by 14. Hope I am wrong, but just dont see what they do well. Poor offense, non threatening special teams and a defense that can’t pressure the QB
October 26th, 2023 at 3:04 pm
I’ve been following this team religiously since 1980. Uh, Ira is right, if they score 22 points I’ll be shocked. Buffalo isn’t going to loose infront of their home crowd. So early in the season and we are already thinking about next year, that sucks. Bills: 34, Bucs: 20, and I might be conservative. I hope not, but I have read this novel and verse way too many times while supporting a team that needs a voodo cleanse.
October 26th, 2023 at 3:07 pm
Everything looks like crap when your interior O line sucks as a hole, to think all of our RBs are worst in the league is brain dead. They certainly are not world beaters, but it starts up front, I’m actually expecting an improvement with Stinnie playing tonight
October 26th, 2023 at 3:30 pm
The Bills have one of the sorriest run defenses in the NFL, unfortunately, the Bucs won’t be able to capitalize on that weakness.
The Bills looked shoddy last week against a fairly untalented New England team. Either the New England O Line managed to improve overnight, or the Bills pass rush came out flat as they generated little pressure on Mac Jones. Bear in mind that New England has either the worst or second worst O Line in the NFL, on a par with the Giants.
There’s a dynamic that seems missing on the Bills’ offense. Josh Allen still hasn’t developed into a reliable pocket passer, he’s actually more dangerous when he moves out of the pocket. He doesn’t seem to process quickly after his first read, the extra seconds when he’s flushed from the pocket give him and his receivers more time.
Forget the spread, I think this will not be a blowout of high scoring game, and that spread of 9.5 points looks too generous.
October 26th, 2023 at 4:33 pm
Bowles gets out coached, Bucs come out undisciplined, get man handled and lose 31-10.
October 26th, 2023 at 4:39 pm
“Obvious Says:
October 26th, 2023 at 2:29 pm
No D- Rome
Baker “was” playing better. He’s starting to lose his edge. It’s simply his ceiling without a run game. Not sure if it’s time to pull him but… all the sudden he’s not hitting the broad side of a barn.
The ONE STAT that I haven’t seen yet was the last games completion percentage. Haven’t seen a break down of that one for some reason. I’m about to watch all22 but I heard the game. The one thing I KEPT hearing was “INCOMPLETE”!
He was 27 of 42, (64%) a TD and a pick. Not all world, but certainly not bad either
October 26th, 2023 at 5:01 pm
Other than his table manners, how dare you question the Sage!
October 26th, 2023 at 5:08 pm
The Bills will get right against the BUCS. All they need to do is Just get Diggs matched up against the reincarnation of Rod Jones AKA “Can’t cover anyone Neal” a few times and that should be a few easy TDs for Buffalo.
October 26th, 2023 at 5:31 pm
BEEJ, yes don’t know how obvious missed that or why he has to wait for posts to enlighten himself. WTF
QB is not the problem, let’s see them play a clean game on offense and keep JA & company on sidelines about 7 minutes per possession.
Maybe we should use trade deadline to get ourselves a disposable running QB.
BM cannot do this long term.
I think the Bucs D has played admirably this yr.
October 26th, 2023 at 5:34 pm
JA gonna be toating the rock tonight.
October 26th, 2023 at 5:43 pm
The lack of a running game becomes painfully obvious in the red zone
October 26th, 2023 at 5:48 pm
Truth be told; the Sage has been wrong plenty times before when he goes again the BUCS.
Joe, can you please check his stats when he does so?
I don’t have anyway to check, but I’m pretty sure I’m right.
October 26th, 2023 at 5:52 pm
Obvious,
You take completions divided by attempts for your %;
27 divided by 42 = 64%
Did u attend Columbia
No sht about red zone, Got to come up with something creative. D knows they’re not running.
October 26th, 2023 at 6:55 pm
Devin White spy’s J Allen that’s funny ,,,, midget White is slower than Allen and isn’t big or F Ball strong enough to even tackle him ……… Oh boyeee can’t wait for a couple non physical Bucs to be highlight reel Josh Allen moments tonight .Prediction The Bills HC and OC will let him run over the very Un physical Bucs D , he / they will show no respect towards the cupcake physicality of this D . 🤫 Maybe they don’t know !!
The Ultimate embarrassment for a team / GM / coach is when the opposing team has ZERO fear of you injuring their QB . We Will See ? Man Check Time !!
October 26th, 2023 at 8:15 pm
It’s about time Devin White made his money. LVD has been carrying him and it’s about time he did his job!
October 26th, 2023 at 9:41 pm
Read earlier comment about “The Trask Mob”
Cant imagine there is enough ignorant people supporting ole Noodle are to make a trio, much less a mob!
Watching Ryan Neal bubble around out there is enough to piss off a true Buc fan.
He needs to be cut. Hes really bad.