The X-Factors Fans Are Overlooking
November 23rd, 2024
Todd Bowles
So the 4-6 Bucs sure have painted themselves into a corner by losing their last four games.
Many, many, many folks are pointing at the strong second half of the season last year as not just reason for hope, but as an expectation the Bucs can flip the switch and return to the playoffs.
As Lee Corso famously says, “Not so fast, my friend!”
One reason the Bucs went 5-2 to close the 2023 regular season was due to Chris Godwin having some of his best games of the season.
In December, Godwin, had 155, 78 and 81 receiving yards in three straight games, respectively, to help put the Bucs on the doorstep of the NFC South title in December.
As we all know, the Bucs gutted out a division-clinching victory on the road against the Stinking Panthers to end the regular season.
This year, there’s no Godwin. He trashed his ankle against Baltimore and has since had surgery. Todd Bowles weeks ago cautiously admitted there is a scant chance Godwin could return if the Bucs reached the postseason.
Sadly, the Bucs aren’t there yet. Also sadly, no Bucs receivers have stepped up to firmly secure Godwin’s WR2 status, forget WR3.
Another overlooked hill to climb for the Bucs if they hope to run the table, or go 6-1 the rest of the way, is how is the defense will magically improve.
The Bucs allow the sixth-most points per game at 26.6. Last year the Bucs’ defense was just the opposite: The Bucs in 2023 allowed the sixth-fewest points per game at 19.1. That’s a full touchdown difference. That’s big.
No Godwin and a big-time drop in the defense are two major obstacles the Bucs must overcome if they hope to play meaningful games in January.
November 23rd, 2024 at 9:37 am
@Joe
Enough with the excuses about receivers being hurt. There’s still enough with Otton and Shepard. The problem is we don’t throw deep passes enough to keep the defense honest.
And if we have such great RBs, then run the damn ball down their throats!!!
Play action passing gets set up when you run the ball effectively.
But in the Todd Bowels era, you don’t play to win, you find a way to lose.
November 23rd, 2024 at 9:51 am
You can’t be a defensive head coach and have all the losses be because of the defense. Nice guy, but in the words of The Big Dog (RIP) AMF Bowles. Any team success the Bucs have will be in spite of the head coach.
November 23rd, 2024 at 9:54 am
Unfortunately we won’t make the playoffs this year and bowles will have to go we need pass rushers and db’s to be a playoff team
November 23rd, 2024 at 10:01 am
Maybe, just maybe, the Glazers will realize Bucs aren’t going anywhere with Bowles as HC and maybe Licht will draft and also get as FA edge and LBs next year..
November 23rd, 2024 at 10:20 am
Excuses are what you have with a two-franchise loser who’s supposed to be a defensive masturmind and has the worst defense in the NFL. A random coach off the street would have this team 7-3 at least. Losing all four of those games at the end requires a very special brand of ineptitude. We hasznd that.
November 23rd, 2024 at 10:24 am
BallHawk75 I don’t often agree with you but I do agree “run the ball down their throats”. But what we need to see is the defense winning a game late for us. Might be tomorrow, maybe the next few weeks. That may be the confidence boost we need to get going. I still feel real good about these next 7 games because our team knows there are no easy games in this league. And I think the team knows the stakes each of these games. Need 7 of 7, no other way to look at it.
November 23rd, 2024 at 10:31 am
Is McMillan back and healthy? I’m really hoping the return of Evans can mean some more success for these younger guys, and JMac really needs to step up.
November 23rd, 2024 at 10:38 am
Joe, you said the magic words !! I havebeen saying over and over. How do you expect this defense to magically improve!!! Yes,I would love to see it and maybe magically!!! it will happen. However, I just don’t think so and as I have said, who wants to watch this defense play in the playoffs. If the offense was totally healthy, meaning yes both Godwin and Evans , then yes, the offense might be able to score enough points to over come the atrious defense.
Defenses with the numbers the Bucs have usually dont make playoff runs, more like draft runs.
The good news, I saw tis morning that their are some good and affordable corners in free agency avaiable next year. I sure hope the Bucs make a play for 1 of them. I think I am done with Dean. He is always hurt, plays to soft and can’t catch the ball. It is sad when the fans and team ae waiting for him to return .. However , yes compared to who they have behind him, he is an all pro. Sorry to be so sour on this defense, but , I just don’t see any magic over the next 7 games.
November 23rd, 2024 at 10:47 am
Even if Godwin could return for the post season no way his family, or agent let him. Godwin ain’t risking another injury with no contract for next season. Bowles even suggesting it shows how delusional he is.
November 23rd, 2024 at 11:57 am
Not a wide receiver, but I would argue that Otton has stepped up and certainly could be regarded as the #2 option currently (assuming Evans plays) – especially compared to his almost non-existent output last year (until the playoffs).
We definitely need a non-running back at #3, though, unless they go to their pony package far more often in coming games, sending White or Irving out as a slot receiver.
November 23rd, 2024 at 12:24 pm
They should keep Wirfs on the bench imo. No sense trying to force him back. Skule is getting a lot of reps this season at both left and right tackle. It’s worth keeping guys healthy and in shape when they’re as valuable as Tristan. We gonna be alright long term.
Not worth losing a future HOFer over. Not worth the headache and not worth fighting or losing sleep over. Let’s beat them Giants and take back the division! No need to force anything the rest of the year.
November 23rd, 2024 at 12:27 pm
This kind of mindset makes me wonder how low some peoples football I.Q. actually is….
Its NOT a good thing for a sucky team to bank on the sorriness of other teams to get them to the playoff to be nationally embarrassed by a good team in the 1st game…
NO one wants to watch a playoff game where a great team plays a pathetic team!
November 23rd, 2024 at 12:53 pm
We beat the Lions because they failed to score on 7 tries in the redzone. After the game Campbell blamed himself for some bonehead calls. Ever hear Todd blame himself for a loss? We beat a Philly team missing their 2 star receivers in the Fl heat. The Lions haven’t lost since, and Philly has pulled it together playing good enough to win their division. Anybody believe we could beat either of those teams again on the road in the playoffs? I don’t, and I’m thinking even if we do make the playoffs only to get embarrassed it won’t be enough to save Todd’s job. It didn’t save Dungys.
November 23rd, 2024 at 1:13 pm
Cousins. Mahomes. Jackson. Purdy. Aside from nix, these are top third qbs. They get paid, too. Each made some great throws against us. Now we face a struggling minschew, Bryce young, cutlets, back up in Dallas. Only Herbert left to face as a top shelf qb. If any of these gets more than 21 against us ( save Herbert) I’ll be shocked. Red zone defense will be good enough as we get healthy.
November 23rd, 2024 at 1:34 pm
If this team wants tio win, they better score 35 points every game.
November 23rd, 2024 at 1:40 pm
bowles will be fired or we lose liam.. we can’t stop anything with under 500 coach.. our offense has been so exciting to watch and our head coach can’t stop rookies mvp or any kind of game winning decision. Winfield is no where near his play from last year dean is just a paycheck and we all knw the Britt story all bark no bite..
November 23rd, 2024 at 2:17 pm
Different year, different team.
Can’t replace Chris but we have Coen and Carberry (coaching upgrades) and an improved O-line. We couldn’t really lean on the run game last year, this year we should be able to.
Rachaad, Bucky, and Tucker are all good to great pass catching. I expect Baker and Shep to improve their timing. If Cade can continue his strong play and we can get a little more from our other WR’s we should actually be in better shape, offensively at least, than last year.
November 23rd, 2024 at 2:20 pm
The “trap game” talk continues to be a bit comical. While the starting talent on the rosters favors Tampa at most positions, this 4-6 team has not proven to be consistent enough on a week to week basis to be able to offer an educated prediction on the result of any given game day. Bucs have only won 2 more games, the disparity between both of these poorly coached teams isn’t as great as most seem to think. That applies to the rest of the games on the schedule as well. Can def see at least 1 or 2 L’s coming in these final 7, if not more.
November 23rd, 2024 at 2:29 pm
Bowles need to get to .500
November 23rd, 2024 at 2:54 pm
The issue is the mentality and philosophy of the Coach and the team.
We are not playing aggressive, we are not playing to win.
We are playing passive and soft to stay in the game and win it in the end.
How many times we hear the Defense needs to close the game.
How about the Defense play a little aggressive in the first 3 quarters and not give up points and yards all the time. You can win the game earlier it is allowed.
But we play conservative and not to lose. Clearly that not works.
Go Bucs
November 23rd, 2024 at 3:02 pm
Not this time unfortunately.
November 23rd, 2024 at 3:46 pm
Bowels wont change and thats fact! Refuses man coverage…always soft zone coverage….might as well play prevent and allow the team to casually walk down on you….and keep dropping those pass rushers into coverage…even when they’re at our 20 yard line, everyone better play 15 yards back!!!!
No man to man and no pass rush please….stay consistent Todd!!!!!!!!
November 23rd, 2024 at 3:54 pm
Oh and heres a tip Todd, if we’re lucky and up by 20 points by the 4th, pull Evans and let him rest plus any other major starter who might be playing through an injury.
November 23rd, 2024 at 4:08 pm
GoneGator that’s good reasoned thinking. We are a better offense than last year even without our top2 wideouts. For all those reasons you mentioned especially those 2 coaches. Remember last year with Canales we never scored an opening drive TD?
November 23rd, 2024 at 4:10 pm
I feel like we’re gonna score a TD every opening drive this year.
November 23rd, 2024 at 6:42 pm
Skules will play. We’re in trouble. So all short passes and plays to cover up the weakness. We’ll be lucky if Mayfield doesn’t get hurt. Everything will have to go to the right and be done quick. No time in the pocket. 5 sacks for the Giants.