Concern
January 7th, 2025
Bucs coach Todd Bowles.
Joe doesn’t know at this point if anyone can point to the Bucs’ 2024 schedule and say, “The Bucs beat/lost to that team, therefore in the playoffs the Bucs will… “
In a playoff preview article typed by the ESPN team of NFL beat writers, Jenna Laine offered a reason for concern for the Bucs.
Reason for concern: The defense has struggled with health and consistency. It has rarely had a healthy squad this season, especially in the secondary. While the Buccaneers have given up only 17.0 points per game since their Week 11 bye — second best in the league — only one of those opponents had a winning record. Over the course of the season, Tampa Bay has allowed 249.3 passing yards per game, the fourth most in the league.
Joe is right there with Laine about the team’s inconsistency. Have a really good game and/or beat a good team one week, shat the bed the next. That began with Detroit and continued through last Sunday’s game when the Bucs had to fight like mad to beat the slimy Saints.
(Yes, the Bucs beat the Commandos in Week 1 and then beat the Lions the following week. Did anyone, in mid-September, believe the Commandos were a “good” team? No. They molded into one as the season progressed, sure.)
Joe can’t point to the “only played one team with a winning record since the bye” angle. Why? That one team with a winning record is also a playoff team. And the Bucs stomped out the Chargers in their own crib.
The Bucs have proven they can beat good teams (Detroit, Philadelphia, Los Angeles) and hang with good teams (lost in overtime to the Chiefs). The problem is, the following week, the Bucs vomit on their feet.
In Joe’s mind, next week’s division round game is the one to sweat about.
January 7th, 2025 at 4:40 pm
Buccaneers will win this game Joe! Bank on it!
January 7th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
This team has to learn how to win close games. Clearly, we’re good enough to hang around with anybody, but we to be able to finish.
January 7th, 2025 at 4:45 pm
Todd Blows has the uncanny ability to make any game a win for either team. He’s the Jameis of coaches, he keeps both teams in every game either with his charmin soft pass defense or his game mismanagement
As a fan and viewer I have no idea which version of the bucs will show up from week to week
January 7th, 2025 at 4:55 pm
All we need is 1 point more than the Football Team.
January 7th, 2025 at 4:56 pm
A really tough first round draw. Last year Daniels wins the Heismann and this year he’ll win rookie of the year. I think he is the next great NFL QB. He’s a good leader and he is tough. So right off the bat we are going to be in a tough battle. It’ll take a complementary approach, we need to win the time of possession and set the tone physically or we will lose quick. If we get Winfield back he may just make the game winning play. Should be a great game from a fans standpoint.
January 7th, 2025 at 4:58 pm
also, repeating, whatever talking head, you are quoting, is just, dumb
January 7th, 2025 at 5:01 pm
So, I will repeat, without, “the joes bad takes” comment. lol
January 7th, 2025 at 5:02 pm
Joe, take one game at a time, please! If the D can figure out a way to consistently get off the field on 3rd and 4th downs and the O can extend drives and score THIS WEEK, than all is good. If not there won’t be a next week.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
Lack of discipline, motivation and spirit falls on poor coaching….
Yes, its the players talent that shows they can win against anyone….
Replace the defense coaching staff with quality coaches and this team could be steam rollers next year…
January 7th, 2025 at 5:06 pm
We won the division. again. decimated def/off. still won. Why? Baker. Mike 1k. MY GOD. as good as every1
January 7th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Joe, deletes comments, opposed to their “take”. Fairly certain violates a LOT of laws, That they rely on. see if THIS makes the cut.
Yes, Joe dumps 100+ comments per day. Not because they oppose a take but certainly if they misrepresent Joe’s take. Yours was dumped because it was a comment that had a malcious take about Joe’s business. Thankfully, there’s no law that says anonymous NFL comments on the website of a private business are not permitted to be moderated and must be published in their entirety. Since the 1800s, newspapers have been accepting and publishing letters to the editor with the understanding they will be edited at the discretion of the publication and the majority will never be published. Thankfully, there’s social media where fans can have their own free-flowing voice or, of course, you can start your own Bucs podcast or website.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
Get ready Bucs fans. The guy that can’t get his guys focused and dialed-in from one week to the next will be back because “he led them to the playoffs” But the guy who led his unit to record setting heights-could be allowed to walk out the door. Why? Because you can’t fire the guy that “led them to the playoffs”. Enjoy the delusion!
January 7th, 2025 at 5:16 pm
Hmmm, at last look, this is a private site. The Joes can do what they want with anyone’s take.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
FirstNameGreatest
“Todd Blows” 3rd grade humor is always so amusing. LMAO
That’s almost as “clever” as the guys who like to point out Bowles is Bowels with one letter change.
AGAIN laughing my arse off!
So if people really want to laugh at all this crap about Coach Dangerfield lets go to the original. These lines on lack of respect still make me spit coffee 50 years later.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:17 pm
Bucs are a Helter Skelter team. Have been all yr long. Up and down. Washington is a much improved team from when we played them 3 months ago. We shall see. No hiding now. Put up or go home baby.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:18 pm
Joe practically never deletes comments. It is Joe’s cheap Kmart software that does that LOL
Anyhow, as far as the up down thing goes, in my opinion last week was a down game, so I expect us to kick butt this week
January 7th, 2025 at 5:27 pm
I’m still amazed that with all the injuries on Detroit’s defense, they still look like a number 1 defense. That was clearly evident against the Viqueens this past Sunday.
So what is up with our defense? Is it coaching or complex scheme that it takes even vets a year to learn? Here is a thought. DUMB IT DOWN.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:30 pm
Rattler missed a bunch of easy throws in the second half, I think that had more to do with their ineffectiveness than anything the Bucs did
January 7th, 2025 at 5:40 pm
We need to just out with a good early lead against the commandos & then a super heavy dose of buck n tuck with RW getting 8-10 touches . That’s how to beat these guys
January 7th, 2025 at 5:43 pm
We’re winning, coach ain’t going NOWHERE!!
January 7th, 2025 at 5:52 pm
One of, if not the most division in football. Bowles is riding this wave of “success” being bailed out by Baker and Liam. Kirk cousins destroyed us twice before getting benched. Cooper Rush…yeah! That doesn’t happen under a strong head coach.
January 7th, 2025 at 5:54 pm
Poor coaching, Tye? When did you get on board the Bucs bandwagon, moron? Let’s see: Bucs finished 10-7, won their Division with a decimated defense and a lousy punter. They host a playoff game Sunday Nite. Get your facts straight, loser.
January 7th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
Grrr. Crappy coach can’t coach *&%@*
Most wins since 2020, including playoffs (NFC teams): Buccaneers (57)
January 7th, 2025 at 6:11 pm
I hear some ungrateful people complaining that their rants aren’t printed word for word.
Be thankful for this site.
January 7th, 2025 at 6:17 pm
No, it’s not. They just played a crappy game after playing a good game. Keeping with the status quo. This is the week that we shouldn’t be worried.
January 7th, 2025 at 6:25 pm
We are all fans of the Bucs (I hope), can we end the loser and troll talk. We gotta put the Bowles stuff aside for a couple weeks.
I would also say last week was a down week. Same as week 18 last year but tough to say how good we were in wild card last season cause the Eagles were in turmoil.
I have no idea what to expect this week. Daniels has been great vs the blitz this season apparently and our secondary is decimated.
I think we roll if we stick to rushing 4 .. 5 at times and keep Daniels in front of you, gap integrity. Let 6-7 guys patrol the passing lanes and keep someone over Terry. Our offense will take care of business, can’t let Daniels beat us single handedly. We need to make him and Kingsbury work for it every down by being patient and disciplined.
January 7th, 2025 at 6:30 pm
The Bucs are on a winning streak or, at least, won their most recent game against every team in the NFC playoff field. Every NFC playoff team lost the last time they played the Bucs.
Doesn’t really mean anything, but it’s true.
As for censorship on this board, it’s fascism at its finest but it’s automated. It targets words that make no sense. I’m not wanting to have to copy and paste to do this post again, but I’m always prepared.
The last stupid word that would not post that I tried to use was: r e a d s
Take the spaces out and try to post with that word if you want to see for yourself.
January 7th, 2025 at 6:36 pm
When the bucs were healthy they looked like a monster then the injuries started to pile up and they have crawled their way to the playoffs where anything can happen once you get in the dance let’s go bucs.
January 7th, 2025 at 6:55 pm
Like I said before the prize you’ve been hoping to get a real chance to get at is so close!! Baker can taste it, and Mike has one along with a few others on the offense. And the defense has a few to. So those that don’t have a ring are in good company. They kept the best team in football on the ropes and then should’ve gone for two at the end, another Oops on someone’s behalf, same thing with the niners . Got a few standing in our way we beat, so we gotta do it again a few more times baby. Oh what’s with that douche in New Orleans talking about Mike might need a drug test or something ??
January 7th, 2025 at 7:25 pm
Win or lose Sunday, this year’s Bucs gave us what fans need. A competitive team. Sure, I would prefer a dominant team, a favorite to make the Super Bowl. We started football life as a national joke. We’ve had more bad years than good ones. I still laugh a little when I think about the year we lost every home game, and never considering giving up my season tickets. Our “reward” for that terrible season was getting to choose between Winston and Mariota. Having The Goat briefly was great. After that, picking up a QB off the scrap heap, and not regressing into embarrassment territory the way the experts predicted. Let’s win Sunday night. But win or lose, I’ll be proud of them.
January 7th, 2025 at 7:35 pm
BakerTillIDie Says:
January 7th, 2025 at 5:09 pm
Joe, deletes comments, opposed to their “take”. Fairly certain violates a LOT of laws, That they rely on. see if THIS makes the cut.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PFT did away with it’s comments section because of guys like you. It’s only (Rock n Roll) Football so chill have fun and be respectful before Joe does the same.
January 7th, 2025 at 7:52 pm
@Jack Burton Mercer
This game will be a 100-99 win. Since we need the offense to help the D as much as possible. The highest scoring game ever.
January 7th, 2025 at 8:14 pm
Not saying Bucs win Sunday but Washington beat 1 team with a winning record in their 5 game win streak and they were down big until Hurts got knocked out. Their wins Titans, Saints by 1, Eagles Falcons Cowboys. All of those teams finished with a losing record except Philly. So their wins are very impressive either.
January 7th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
Reason for concern: The defense has struggled with health and consistency. It has rarely had a healthy squad this season, especially in the secondary. While the Buccaneers have given up only 17.0 points per game since their Week 11 bye — second best in the league — only one of those opponents had a winning record.
———-
The bigger issue than the record is that the Bucs have constantly been facing backup QBs, although they did do very well against Herbert – but he was also injured. Give Bowles credit for doing what he could with an extremely banged up secondary, but man, he had better pull out all the stops vs the Redskins and not just sit back in his trash super soft zone defense like he’s facing the 3rd string QB for the Saints.
January 7th, 2025 at 8:27 pm
@ orlbucfan
This defense sucks I’m not sure who you’re trying to convince otherwise unless stats lie if do they have lied since he got hired. Bucs will beat the commanders so Bowles gets to eat another W
January 7th, 2025 at 8:48 pm
My biggest concern is that the game will be nationally televised
January 7th, 2025 at 9:05 pm
“Bowles is riding this wave of “success” being bailed out by Baker and Liam.”
Dangerfield is the ONLY coach in the past 15 years to have a winning season with the Jets. The ONLY one since Rex Ryan.
I can’t help but wonder who bailed Bowles out that season with the Jets?
January 7th, 2025 at 9:23 pm
What the free speech clause of the first amendment really guarantees is, “It protects you from the government punishing or censoring or oppressing your speech. It doesn’t apply to private organizations.” Unless “Representative” Joe or “Senator” Joe are infringing on your right to publicly redress grievances and not acting on behalf of their private entity then you may have a constitutional case, otherwise you don’t know what free speech really means as it was never intended to be speech without any limitations as some of you choose to believe or mischaracterize. Moving on…comparing defensive performances of our Bucs vs everyone’s darlings from Motown.
Pre-Bye, the Bucs defense was very uneven giving up 26.6 points per game and surrendering on average 264.1 pass yards and 125.2 yards rushing (or 389.3 total yards per game). During that same period the Lions were giving up paltry 17.7 points per game and 130.7 pass yards and 133.2 rush yard averages (256.2 total yards per game). Since the bye the Bucs D has yielded 17.0 points per game and allowing a more respectable 215.1 passing yards while improving against the run by allowing only 58.7 rush yards per game (or 273.9 total yards per game). The Lions on the other hand since the Bucs Bye week has given up 23.6 points per game, while allowing 260.1 passing yards and 103.4 rush yards per game (or 363.6 total yards per game).
To say the Lions maintained a top tier defense despite injuries isn’t reality as the numbers say otherwise. Both teams improved their run defense, but the Bucs have improved more in both points and pass yards allowed since their bye. Yes, the back end of the schedule has been more forgiving to the Bucs, but you play whoever is next and a 6-1 record. I’m not saying the Bucs have a stouter defense than Detroit, but whatever you think, their defensive numbers bely injuries were a factor as their pass defense gave up 362, 323 and 400 yards to the Bills, Bears and Niners in successive weeks (15-17). If the Bucs are resilient enough to meet the Lions in the NFC finals, I believe Baker has a great opportunity to improve his week 2 numbers (70 pass yards) on a Lions D without Hutchinson and key members in their secondary. Hopefully the Bucs rushing offense makes us less reliant to mount another double-digit comeback.
January 7th, 2025 at 9:28 pm
Joe, thank you again for making this point . It’s a point the unicorn and pink pony brigade does t accept because any nuance that can be construed as a criticism of the head coach is met with wrath and the brand of a hater.
At least the Bucs laid a stinker out there on Sunday. It’s not like there is a great game to fall flat on the heels of here.
January 7th, 2025 at 9:54 pm
Does Seaworld in Orlando have manatees now, also? Just curious.
January 7th, 2025 at 10:19 pm
My 22 year old son loves Bake as much as I did Marino. Last year the Bucs couldn’t get a TD in the first quarter which drove us nuts. Now, after they get a big win, they either lose or squeak by a lesser team. It’s so frustrating!!! Man, I hope they can put everything together during the playoffs. (And, for my son’s sake, I hope Baker defies all odds.) Go Bucs!!!!!!
January 7th, 2025 at 10:20 pm
Pewter Power, sometimes you sound like you’re off your rocker. You tell me the Bucs Defense blows, then you say the team will beat Washington. Which is it?
January 7th, 2025 at 10:21 pm
Commanders are like 30th against the run on a per carry average basis.
We should be able to control the game with Bucky.
January 7th, 2025 at 10:38 pm
@orlbucfan
We have the #4 offense in the NFL isn’t this how we’ve been winning games the majority of the year? Give Coen credit for saving Bowles job. I am a Bucs fan why wouldn’t i think we were better than the commanders? All i ask Bowles to do is embarrass Daniels for getting the pro bowl nod over Baker
January 7th, 2025 at 11:05 pm
Well the BUCS beat the commodes, the commodes barely beat atl in ot, atl lost to Carolina when it mattered in ot, we beat Carolina twice, so that means BUCS win. Math. Go BUCS
January 7th, 2025 at 11:09 pm
Baker saved Coen against the Saints. Coen is getting way too much love on this site. His game plan sucked. He is bright and creative but has trouble playing from behind. Those two scramble runs by Baker followed by a dime to 15 saved the day. Coen needs to show he can coach from behind before he is given the keys to the franchise.
January 7th, 2025 at 11:35 pm
If not for Coen this team would not be in the playoffs. Coen and his offense has more than likely saved Bowles from getting fired. And the payoff for the fans? Coen is likely to walk out that door if something is not done soon. Coen gets the job done and Bowles gets to come back next year and deliver the same inconsistent garbage that has been his calling card throughout his entire career.
Wait for it….Wait for it….”But Bowles led them to then playoffs!”
Ugh.
January 7th, 2025 at 11:40 pm
“Coen is getting way too much love on this site.”
——
I got news for you, sunshine. The “love” he gets on this site pales in comparison to the amount of “love” he’s receiving right now from across the league.
January 8th, 2025 at 12:51 am
Pewter and Durango – it is useless to attempt to have an objective discussion with certain fans of the pink manatee and whale brigade.
“My team is great! Criticism forbidden! Especially any criticism about the head coach, defensive coordinator or defense!”
Criticism about Coen is ok, even though he’s carried his boss the whole year and is the only reason his boss isn’t getting ready to teach at Temple in the Spring.
Oh but injuries! Dan Campbell has more and went 15-2. But, whatever.
January 8th, 2025 at 9:22 am
This is a Jekyll and Hyde team. A yo-yo… at times looks super and at times looks listless. Now listless primarily applies to the defense. Look below through schedule and you certainly see the pattern that the Joes allude too. It happened last year as well. Its beyond troubling. Dont want to hear the “injury” excuse. This is about focus, leadership, accountablility and coaching.
1 WASHINGTON – solid win by Bucs against a rookie QB making debut. Round 2 is Sunday and I am VERY concerned about the defense and getting off the field on Sunday night. Hopefully TB gets opening kick, pounds the rock and controls the clock.
2 Detroit – great win. Bend but didnt break defense for Bucs.
3 DENVER – listless and beaten badly at home by a rookie QB in 3rd start? Turns out Denver was pretty good behind a great coach. But come on.
4 PHILADELPHIA – very good win but Philly didnt play with Devonta and AJ
5 Atlanta – great on offense – horrid on defense. How do Bucs NOT blitz an aging QB coming off an achilles? KC throws for 500? Are you kidding me?
6 New Orleans – once again, terrible first half – mistakes, penalties and playing the rookie Rattler. Came alive in 2nd half.
7 BALTIMORE – just seems like always a bad match up vs Lamar and Ravens. Bucs blitz the heck out of Lamar? It works for a series and then it doesnt. LOL. Question – how and why do we blitz the most elusive QB in the NFL and Bucs play coverage against Cousins? This is where I question Bowles and game planning on defense. King Henry ran wild in 2nd half.
8 ATLANTA – fumble on first series of game and play catch up the rest of the way. Didnt see much of any defensive adjustment against ATL and Cousins. Unreal.
9 Kansas City – Bucs played KC tough on road on a Monday night. How do you not go for 2?
10 SAN FRANCISCO – fall behind the 49ers and can quite catch’em. Slow start and dont convert late in red-zone.
12 New York Giants – Bucs played well start to finish coming off bye but it was against the Giants and Tommy Cutlets
13 Carolina – kudos to Canales and turning around Young and Panthers. Bucs should have lost this game but Chubba coughed up the rock.
14 LAS VEGAS – looked like blowout city in first QTR but the Bucs took their foot off gas pedal and played horrible football in quarters 2 and 3.
15 Los Angeles Chargers – great TEAM win on road.
16 Dallas – lost on national tv to Cooper Rush. No pressure on QB. This was a Dallas team that was more ready to play than Bucs.
17 CAROLINA – Baker on fire and defense made plays after 1st QTR
18 NEW ORLEANS – with entire season on the line Bucs dont show up in first half. That was disgusting for 30 min.
The Bucs need to look at the themes of season. Take a hard look at why we play the way we do… I am not suggesting Bucs have to be lights out in all three phases for four quarters for 17 games. What I am saying is there are games and periods of time during games after wins, where Bucs look like they want to be somewhere else, especially on defense. It is very ODD to say the least. Then there is scheme on defense… that’s a another story.
One other item… I am not concerned about Baker, Bucky and the offense. They will be ready and do their part. Its all about this defense and making timely plays and getting OFF THE FIELD. I know we only allowed 17 pts per game over the last 7 but who exactly did we play? One playoff team. Now if the Bucs keep that defensive average in playoffs (17 pts allowed), they will win the Super Bowl. Like I said, Bucs D needs to make timely plays and get off field – steal possessions.
January 8th, 2025 at 10:24 am
Beat the Redskins! Let’s go Bucs ! ! !
January 8th, 2025 at 2:26 pm
Joe this just makes total football sense; If you are a good team and you play a large number of great teams, and consistently play well against all of the good/ great teams on your schedule, it makes your team stronger, and more competitive during challenging times such as the playoffs.
Therefore I’m sure this Sunday evening the Buccaneers will play very competitively against the Commanders, utilizing all the tools at our disposal ie Explosive Offense!! Three headed running attack !! Excellent wide receivers and tight ends, led by our fighting quarterback Baker Mayfield!!
I also believe the Bucs much improved defense will hold the Commanders to 23 points or less !!
All that being said !!
Go Bucs !! Beat the Commanders!!
January 8th, 2025 at 10:35 pm
If love to know Joe’s (or Joe’s’) true take on whether he’d (they) would prefer to see Coen as head coach if not promoting him means he’s gone. Please go on record. Seems like there is a lot of valid criticism of Bowles up until “the call.” It gets exhausting.