“Overtime Sucks”
February 21st, 2025
NFL teams love to point to their records in one-score games as a way of spinning a positive projection.
It doesn’t matter whether they won few or lots of those games.
Losing many one-score games means you’re “this close” to greatness. Winning lots of them shows you know how to win and are mentally tough.
Which is accurate?
Joe can’t answer that. It’s an ultimate spin job.
Last season, the Bucs had a 3-6 record in one-score games, including the playoff loss and a 1-2 record in overtime. Still, Tampa Bay won 10 games. That overall reality has given Bucs players an internal confidence, a feeling of being within reach of greatness.
Joe has a similar feeling and thinks the Bucs are an edge rusher, a punter and better defensive depth from being special.
In 2023, Tampa Bay was 3-4 in one-score games after going 6-4 with Tom Brady in one-score affairs in 2022. (Remember, the Bucs had a legit defense in 2022).
One-score games always have been a fun side note in Bucs history. Former head coach Dirk Koetter used to focus on them. Oh, the Bucs were getting close, Koetter said. Then Koetter’s 2018 season featured a 4-7 record in tight games, and that paved the way for the Bucco Bruce Arians regime.
Joe once heard a Bucs official have the audacity to reference being competitive while losing 9 of 10 one-score games during the 2-14 season of 2014. Sorry, no team is competitive while it goes winless at home like those 2014 Bucs did.
Tristan Wirfs was talking close games on Media Row at the Super Bowl this month and noted to SportsGrid how “overtime sucks.”
Joe heard that and immediately remembered how Wirfs was injured in overtime of the Bucs’ mind-numbing loss to a bad Browns team in 2022. Todd Bowles actually played for overtime that rotten day in Cleveland, citing a fear of a Tom Brady interception. Wirfs and Antoine Winfield were injured in the extra period.
Close games have consequences.
And Wirfs is right. Overtime sucks. It’s a breeding ground for injuries and does a great job draining your team for the next game.
February 21st, 2025 at 2:44 pm
The Bucs performance in 2024 in such games proves we are lacking the necessary skill at situational coaching and tight game management. It also shows a lack of courage. BA is sorely missed for that, as well as he could direct his DC.
Now the fox guards the geniuses and it is a cowardly fox.
February 21st, 2025 at 3:09 pm
I agree. Overtime and close games suck big time.
Go out there, start fast, punch the other team in the mouth hard and often and take their will to fight away.
That is how I want our Bucs to play every game.
Go Bucs!
February 21st, 2025 at 3:11 pm
should have gone for two at kc
February 21st, 2025 at 3:29 pm
.25 prcent. Bowles keep it close scheme….it will be same old next year. It is the Bowles way.
February 21st, 2025 at 4:18 pm
I agree Joe, the team is just a few players away from special. Offensively if we can keep it all together and add 2-3 depth pieces we will be very good. Defensively we need 1-2 high impact guys and depth. I feel like our starters are mostly solid but once we get into the second level guys the talent drops off hard.
February 21st, 2025 at 5:15 pm
Playing not to lose often leads to OT games. Unfortunately, when one has a defense that utilizes a soft zone with a pseudo bend but not break mantra, this often leads to a loss in OT which Bowles has been a part of too many times. Heck the Bucs were a Nelson forced fumble from being 0-3 in OT last season. It is way below average to have to pray for winning a coin toss to have a decent shot at winning in OT.
February 21st, 2025 at 6:00 pm
What mj said! SMH
February 21st, 2025 at 6:22 pm
Until the NFL gets rid of the stupid sudden death overtime, it will always suck. Each team should get at least one chance.
February 21st, 2025 at 7:22 pm
Losing that many 1 score games is coaching fault. He coached his way out of wins
February 21st, 2025 at 7:41 pm
So the Bucs were 7-1 in multiple score games during the regular season? That’s bloody fantastic. Outstanding coaching and playing, right?
Here’s to my half full glass of Buffalo Trace on a Friday night.
The only thing I care about regarding one score games is that the Bucs have very few of them. Pound the NFC South next year and beat the socks off everyone else….by multiple scores.
February 21st, 2025 at 7:56 pm
The 2014 coach of the Bucs will not go nameless – it was lousy Lovie.
February 22nd, 2025 at 12:35 am
We should not have been in as many “close games” as we have been Joe.
We have put up more than enough points to be outside of close but our defense has not been able to seal the deal. That is infuriating to this fan.
Go Bucs!
February 22nd, 2025 at 12:35 am
Joe,
They also need an ILB. The lady time the Bucs took an ILB in the first round, they one a Super Bowl. Granted, White is no longer on the team.
But, prior to White, the Bucs took another ILB in the first round. Maybe you remember him? Pro Bowls? Super Bowl? Ring of Honor? Hall of Fame? Seems like his NS was Derrick something? Brooks, maybe.
Yes, the Bucs need help at the positions Joe pointed out. But, the player in the draft most likely to put the Bucs over the top is ILB Jihaad Campbell – playing beside Lavonte David.
February 22nd, 2025 at 1:38 am
Let’s face it. 50% from one dude at two positions of critical magnitude = epic failure. 10-8 is the ceiling under this model. Proof in results. Documented.
Excuse spin for 5379 words per post incoming. Not going to change reality.
February 22nd, 2025 at 2:44 am
It should read, “The last time took an IL …”
February 22nd, 2025 at 4:53 am
Dread overtime every single time. The coin toss… Also, starting to dread night games too.
Scott Sharkey Says: “Until the NFL gets rid of the stupid sudden death overtime, it will always suck. Each team should get at least one chance.” Agree!
February 22nd, 2025 at 9:00 am
That decision to play for OT in Cleveland really STICKS IN MY CRAW [insert Lee’s voice here!]