Todd Bowles: Offense Played Too Dumb
January 13th, 2025
Mistakes piled up.
In a playoff game, in a one-score situation, the smallest of mistakes blow up into game-changing nut-kicks.
That’s what happened to the Bucs last night.
Bucs coach Todd Bowles said (in not so many words) the offense played with its head up its rear end too often.
Penalties on first downs. Snapping the ball on the wrong count near the goal line. Botched handoff on a jet sweep late. They all contributed to the Bucs being unable to put the game away against the Commandos when they had the chance.
“We were shooting ourselves in the foot on first down with a lot of penalties in the first half, whether it was holding or offsides, whatever the case may be,” Bowles said. “Wasn’t giving ourselves a chance.
“We feel like we never got in a good rhythm.”
That’s what Bucs tight end Cade Otton thought. He told Joe after the game the Bucs didn’t have the ball enough to get into a flow, specifically the run game.
The Commandos held a 35:26-24:34 time of possession advantage.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:42 am
L O L
January 13th, 2025 at 12:43 am
Liam Coen got his azz kicked to sheit by Cliff Kingsburry
January 13th, 2025 at 12:43 am
smokes and mirrors
January 13th, 2025 at 12:43 am
Offensive struggles for sure, but when the defense can’t force a punt, allowing something like 4 out 5 4th down attempts, there’s plenty of blame on that side of the ball as well, and I’d even say more so.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:43 am
Defense didnt make them punt once. mic drop
January 13th, 2025 at 12:44 am
I smell “he tryna save his job for dear life” LMAO
January 13th, 2025 at 12:45 am
Can’t get in a rhythm when your offense is riding pine for 75% of the game because the damn Defense can’t make a stop.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:46 am
Bowles doesn’t want to lose his job to Liam. He is sooooo weak.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:46 am
The offense played dumb. Unlike the genius defense. When you have a dummy for a head coach, you have a dumb team. Fire this clown already.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:48 am
Defense could not get off the field.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:48 am
1. Penalties and other mistakes (J-Mac’s drop on the opening drive; the botched exchange; Barton’s early snap)
2. Couldn’t get off the field on 3rd down.
Change those two things and we win this running away. This was the second straight week the opposing defense had our running game figured out. Coen’s offense–should he come back–needs to evolve more. All those counters weren’t working.
We had a great season, but it’s going to be a few days until I’m no longer pissed about this game.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:49 am
BOLWES NEVER TAKES RESPONSIBILITY.
Constantly points fingers at everything but himself.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:49 am
Way to take responsibility ReTodd! The offense didn’t have a chance to get in a rhythm because the defense couldn’t get off the field! Fire this guy already
January 13th, 2025 at 12:49 am
His defense played like dog’s ass ALL NIGHT and most of the season. That offense is the only reason they even made the playoffs.
This clueless buffoon has to go.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:50 am
You can’t do much with 24 minutes in time of possession, Todd
January 13th, 2025 at 12:51 am
If the O was dumb, I suppose the D was incompetent? Lackluster? Incapable? Maybe none of those. Maybe it was just some communication issues. I mean, sure the penalties were bad, but just as many game altering PIs, D holdings and the like doomed us today. I love how Todd demands accountability everywhere but his D and his mirror.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:51 am
“Jason this is Joel …. Listen man ..”
January 13th, 2025 at 12:52 am
If Bowles is here next year, there needs to be a complete housecleaning on the defensive side of the ball.
Kacy Rodgers, Foote and Edwards need to go. The defense has been hot garbage all year long.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:52 am
That’s the playoffs and it’s why you need a good defense. Can’t always expect Coen to come out and give you 30. How many turnovers did your defense create this year?
January 13th, 2025 at 12:53 am
Not having them punt once was a master plan i think so they go for it on 4th down everytime except they got two touchdowns LMAO
January 13th, 2025 at 12:53 am
As always, deflect blame Todd. The soft D, the mismanagement of the clock, the terrible use of TOs, nothing is ever your fault. Always the players’ execution or the O’s mistakes. I can’t wait for this team to have a new leader.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:54 am
The Commanders never got off the field, who’s fault is that? Todd Bowles is a buffoon!
January 13th, 2025 at 12:54 am
Ask yourself an honest question: If the Bucs fired Todd Bowles, is there another team in the NFL that would hire him right now to be their head coach?
Yea, I don’t think so either.
January 13th, 2025 at 12:55 am
The defensive scheme is figured out. We need a new head coach and DC. I would go for pete carroll or even steve spagnuolo and keep coen
January 13th, 2025 at 12:58 am
And your defense completely sucked.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:00 am
I have a story to tell…
Bye Todd…
..the end
January 13th, 2025 at 1:00 am
We suck. Coen stopped using our two backs and stopped doing the things that got us here. This is on both coaches. Also we are soft
January 13th, 2025 at 1:01 am
@MadMax
Todd gonna stick around for dear life he need that money he gonna throw coen and the offense under the bus ohhh thats wat hes doinggg
January 13th, 2025 at 1:02 am
And the defense played too normal!!
January 13th, 2025 at 1:02 am
“Todd ain’t it. Truth hurts but we gotta make a change and fast. Sorry Jason. I’ll get Darcie and Bryan over to One Buc early. Time for a meeting. Our D is ducksheet.”
January 13th, 2025 at 1:02 am
Justin,I disagree. Players love playing for Bowles. He’s a culture builder. Every former player speaks highly of Todd. Hegotthemost out of a strained defensive roster. Can play tight man coverage with back ups.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:02 am
It’s always somebody else’s fault, not the HEAD COACH
January 13th, 2025 at 1:05 am
Raiders players loved playing for AP, players loving to play for a coach doesnt translate to wins all the time
January 13th, 2025 at 1:09 am
Its stupid close games like these…and stupid decisions and stupid indecisions …
i know, weve got to take a step back and maybe sleep on this a while….but the consensus has been out there the whole time!!!!! LOOK AT THE POLLS!!!!
I thought it was me at one point….something is wrong with me but then others were in agreement.
It wont end until hes gone….and i mean this respectfully. Great guy, but horrible HC.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:09 am
And how about your DC Mr Bowels, how bright has he been
January 13th, 2025 at 1:10 am
Round 1 of the playoffs is the ceiling for the Bucs with Todd Bowles as coach. Glazers: we can and should do better.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:14 am
Tonight you witnessed the best that Todd Bowles has to offer. With him at the helm it is all down hill from here. This is as good as it is ever going to get. Bank on it.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:15 am
Hard for a offense to get into a good rhythm when you have 7 possessions the whole game
January 13th, 2025 at 1:19 am
Bowles doing the LA CA fire responsibility dance…he’ll promise to do an deep introspection of himself and tell us later he wasn’t at any fault
January 13th, 2025 at 1:21 am
Hard for the Bucs offense to make up for it’s mistakes when the Bucs defense can’t get off the field.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:22 am
This team just won enough games to for Todd Bowles to keep his job.
Starting to get the feeling you’ve just been ripped -off ?
January 13th, 2025 at 1:24 am
AND BTW, those refs had washington jerseys under them stripes….just saying
all good, we’re moving forward
January 13th, 2025 at 1:26 am
If we get a legit coach and a couple more pieces i think we can be a contender dont waste mike evans last years todd
January 13th, 2025 at 1:35 am
Hayden Daniels is just the 4th rookie qb to win a road play off game in nfl history. Todd Bowls can hang that on his resume.
January 13th, 2025 at 1:36 am
Jayden*
January 13th, 2025 at 2:16 am
Joes, has Todd Bowles ever taken accountability or responsibility for a loss? I’ve never seen it, I know Reid takes the blame, whether deserved or not. It’s just rich seeing so many missed tackles game after game, hearing excuses like communication or fundamentals, yet Todd himself is innocent of everything.
January 13th, 2025 at 4:31 am
The great pretenders strike again. 7 interceptions in 18 games. A home record that was embarrassing. A winning culture my ass. We played 1 more game than the dregs of the league. This team is exactly what most of us recognized by mid season. The great pretenders.
January 13th, 2025 at 4:34 am
Todd is correct. It isn’t all on him. And possibly the team especially offense have Coen being interviewed by a another FL team on their minds. Another reason why there should be no interviews and changes when teams are still in their play-offs and Super Bowl.
January 13th, 2025 at 5:26 am
Yes they did but its not like the Defense was playing like Einsteins.
Both sides get the blame, Offense and Defense. Coaches and players.
Joe you are right, in a one-score situation, the smallest of mistakes blow up into game-changing nut-kicks.
But in these one-score situations we were 3-6 this season. That says something. We dont find ways to win, we find ways to lose. And honestly that is a reflection of how a team is coached.
Go Bucs
January 13th, 2025 at 5:43 am
Bowles getting tired of Liam getting all of the shine…….the D couldn’t get off of the field but let’s blame the O…..SMFH
January 13th, 2025 at 5:50 am
Ted – I doubt that Todd is even worried about Coen getting publicity. Todd has done a good job and has kept the team together in and out of the locker room. Coen wasn’t exactly all sunshine and rainbows in some games, including last night’s game. I like and respect him. However, he isn’t perfect either.
January 13th, 2025 at 5:51 am
Too often this season our offense has had to play the superhero and be the reason why we’re competitive in these games. And in this game we looked like average joes. We needed the defense to step up a little tonight and maybe be the reason we win. And Bowles’ unit wasn’t up to the task, as has become the norm. Bowles is a defensive minded guy, and yet his schemes constantly get picked apart and his player development is very questionable at this point. Bowles can get you to the dance, but you’re going to arrive late without mints!
January 13th, 2025 at 6:06 am
Heyjude,
Agreed about Coen,but in my humble opinion it shoes terrible leadership to publicly point fingers…..have that discussion today with Coen and offensive staff. Bowles will absolutely get an extension and finish his career as head coach of the Bucs but he is not above criticism for the play of his D that he coordinates and calls the plays. Before anyone talks about injuries, more than a few teams in the playoffs have had alot of injuries, Detroit and Minnesota come to mind.
January 13th, 2025 at 6:10 am
Shows not shoes
January 13th, 2025 at 6:44 am
How can he try to put it on anyone but our defense? Highly paid safety had no impact. Highly paid DL had little impact. Baker is the Bell Cow as he said in another interview but our defense could not stop anything all night.
January 13th, 2025 at 6:50 am
Come on Bowles supporters! He is the “head coach” so when he points out the blame, he is simply condemning himself as everything is under his jurisdiction. He is in charge so he is the only one that is most responsible for the results – period. He was hired for this gig and the team’s performance is his show! The slow starts, the undisciplined penalties, the poor executions – all of it! He might be a swell guy to work for but he apparently lacks the ability to get it done. Like most other fans, very frustrated right now – just have to wait and see where it all goes from here.
January 13th, 2025 at 7:24 am
Ted – Respectfully understand. Both offense and defense didn’t play poorly. Actually played pretty well, however with some glitches. Yes, can’t see Todd getting fired. That would be a shock. He is a winning coach with a record better than some others in the league.
January 13th, 2025 at 7:34 am
Let me tell you why Toilet Bowl needs to be fired. First off it’s like this guy gets blessed every year with the easiest schedule in the NFL and he still almost blows it but somehow sneaks into the playoffs. He may be one of the worst in game coaches in the league. I will give him credit they do make some decent halftime adjustments sometimes. He’s a coward and whenever we lose I never feel like oh the other team has way more talent than us. It’s usually because of stupid scheme that he’s too stubborn to admit is not working and unwilling to pivot. He has no emotion on the sideline and quite honestly the results he got this year is probably where he maxes out. I would say 85% of the time that we lose it’s because we’re out coached.
January 13th, 2025 at 7:45 am
Attention Joel and family. My wife and I have been season ticket holders since 1976. 49 years! We have seen it all but this is the end we will no longer be sending our savings your way. Game after game, year after year we watched Bowles mismanage the team. His game management is beyond incompetent. Why would you kick a tying field goal with4:14 left in the game , when Washington had controlled the clock the entire game. This poor decision is just the icing on the cake of a career of mismanagement. Your defensive genius is not a recipe for a deep playoff run. Is the long list of Dbs hitting the IR each week a reflection of a fault in the training regimen? Technique issues? Too often you scheme blitzes that don’t get home, resulting in easy completions. How many interceptions did we achieve this year coach? While there is no guarantee that your replacement will be the answer, it is certain that YOU Todd Bowles are not the leader this team needs to improve in the regular season and in the playoffs!
January 13th, 2025 at 8:03 am
Bowles job AT NO TIME this season is or ever was in jeopardy!! The NFL is rigged and the script was for the Bucs to LOSE at home this season and allow Washington’s fan base to bask in the sunlight by moving on to the next round taking the majority of the public’s money this season!! Same with Houston ALL COACHING STAFFS WORK TOGETHER FOR THE OUTCOME THE LEAGUE WANTS! The goal is entertainment and making money THE WHOLE LEAGUE!!! Once you realize this is a FACT it’s easier to find the upsets DWIGHT SMITH blew the whistle and told the public this many years ago and people are ignoring this fact cause YOU CANT HANDLE THE TRUTH!!!!
January 13th, 2025 at 8:42 am
Really Toilet Bowl? Your suck defense only gave the offense 7 possessions in the entire game. So of course every play and mistake is magnified.
January 13th, 2025 at 8:45 am
The offense is the reason we even made the playoffs so for them to have a bad game, that’s football. Maybe if Jamel Dean didn’t have grandpa knees and Zyon could stop playing like a 3rd string CB, or if we had Chris Godwin who was our best chain mover we would’ve won the game
January 13th, 2025 at 8:52 am
Everyone knows it’s rigged nothing about the redskins offense looked impressive to me whatsoever. I mean, maybe the fact JD5 plays QB and RB running up the middle 10 times for 5 yards or whatever and the Bucs just letting it happen. I genuinely think the Bucs have the better team so this loss feels like a coaching diff
January 13th, 2025 at 9:02 am
Other team doesn’t punt all night but it was the offense that played dumb. Got it.
Get this bum and his 1990s defense outta here.
January 13th, 2025 at 9:48 am
Offense playing Dumb? Give us a break Todd. I give your Defense this season a grade of D. I cannot even give your defense a C. FIX THE GD DEFENSE next season Bowles.
January 13th, 2025 at 9:55 am
Given all the injuries and lack of depth in the secondary, time to congratulate Todd Bowles and company for another successful season and another NFC South title in the wraps. We’re not gonna fire Todd Bowles. Quit being retarded. Remember when we fired Lovie Smith to keep Dirk Koetter? If you’re a real Bucs fan you’ve put up with so much worse. Until there’s a serious sign of regression like a losing season or fractured locker room you don’t fire your coach.
January 13th, 2025 at 10:23 am
Didn’t we have Yaya covering Ekeler downfield on that last drive?
January 13th, 2025 at 10:42 am
How long is Bowles going to ignore his own complicity in the Bucs losses, including last night? Penalties, especially at the worst possible times, are a COACHING issue. I have addressed this repeatedly to no avail. Two touchdowns were thrown into the end zone and the Washington receivers were WIDE open when they caught them. Not a Buc anywhere near then. Not getting a hand on the quarterback or even really getting any pressure on them has cost us over and over. Easy tackles missed constantly. My 9 year old grandson is a better tackler than most of the Bucs. I have never called for Bowless to be fired, but if he believes that the offense is the reason we are no longer in the playoffs, he is delusional as hell, and need to go do some serious soul searching about his own abilities.
January 13th, 2025 at 11:42 am
Defense held the Commies to 23 points. If our offense plays up to par, that is a win. With that being said if the defense cannot get off the field on third and fourth down, the offense cannot get the ball to make the plays. In short that is what happened. Defense made a few game changing stands and the offense played well enough to be in the game. Time was condensed therefore the mistake free team wins. Daniels was mistake free
January 13th, 2025 at 12:06 pm
The execution on offense was particularly sloppy.
Bowles should man-up and admit the obvious: the responsibility for this loss lies with preparing the team. That’s on him, not the shooter behind the grassy knoll.
January 13th, 2025 at 2:08 pm
TB can shut his pie hole about the offense, the Commanders punted once last night. The offense is the reason we were even in the playoffs. How many times did Commanders go for it on 4th down, it was a middle finger to our defense. TB is supposed to be a defensive guru yet no one hires from his defensive staff and there’s a good reason why, him and his staff suck. His defense of JTS is a prime example of how out of touch he is as a coach. Not firing him is a big middle finger to the fans!
January 13th, 2025 at 2:35 pm
For all the Bowles haters out there..
I don’t know what game you were watching, but the defense started the game out strong for a change and for the most part played pretty darn well. They were getting pressure, on almost every single play. They made huge stops when it mattered and held the Commanders to 20 points. The difference was Jaden Daniels playing like he was superman. The one time they finally got his butt they called a penalty(bad call IMO). The Bucs had plenty of third down stops but the Commanders never punt! The Bucs have been the walking wounded since week three. Yes, the offense made 3 costly mistakes, but they also made some incredible plays. I do agree that the refs seemed like they were on Washington’s payroll, but the Commanders went 12 and 5 after their first game lost to us, riding a 5 game win streak. It is easy to forget, but we also have one of the youngest teams in the league. As a Bucs fan since 1976, I’ll take a SB win and 4 Division Titles in a row.
January 13th, 2025 at 2:36 pm
On Washington’s first drive, the Bucs defense won a victory when they forced a turnover on downs at the Washington 20.
What spoils did the Coen seize from that victory? 2 yards running Bucky up the middle on 2nd & 10, Baker pinned in the pocket and scrambling for a yard on 3rd & 8, and a punt on 4th and 7 from the Washington 49.
The next drive was killed by a 15 yard personal foul penalty for a chop bloc when Bucky made a useless dive at the defender’s lower legs. Punt again.
The fumble.
Last drive by the Bucs, trailing 20-17, 2nd & 1 from the Washington 12, Baker pinned in the pocket and scrambling for no gain. 3rd & 1 from the Washington 12, Bucky stuffed for a 2 yard loss. Field Goal on 4th & 3 with 4:41 left. Tie game when they should have had a touchdown and a four point lead.
In hindsight, I had rather Bowles went down in a blaze of glory trying for the first down and touchdown with sending Evans to the end zone with Baker rolling out left with the option to keep it and run. But, in that moment, we’re you feeling much confidence in the offense?
January 13th, 2025 at 5:04 pm
What is gonna change next year? Bowles is incompetent.8 years between 2 clubs. Sub .500%. His hideous defensive philosophy is so predictable. Blaming the offense? They never had the ball, Washington had double digit play drives. Like all year, last year forget division titles ,worst division in football…Bowles fell asleep before Falcons game last week? He is a stubborn ignorant man/pretend coach.
January 13th, 2025 at 9:53 pm
Shooting themselves in the foot is a reoccurring theme with this coach.same last year !
January 13th, 2025 at 10:33 pm
Freakin’ Offense was on the field for only 24 minutes, so why not blame the OC. Yah…blame it on the Coen for not knowing that the defense stinks & probably won’t be getting the ball that much…and also blame it on Baker for only being 15-18…blame it Evans for catching only 7 catches…blame Bucky for only getting 5 yds/carry…blame it on the offense for not getting into a groove. We got slammed because the defense is just terrible…but Bowles thinks its the offense when we lose & the defense when we win.
January 13th, 2025 at 11:45 pm
Some luv though. That is to Chancey, great disruption sir, love to see the interior d come alive. Look forward to seeing the duo of Via and Chancey next season. Other than David’s run down of Daniels to the sideline and Diaby disruption here and there, not much from the LB’s. However, losing Dean really exposed the secondary, not even Whitfield can cover multiple routes if the corners lack. Blaming the offense isnt no where to place this. This was Bowles all over this loss. Personally, demote Bowles at least, draft and FA more to the defense, particularly LB position or corner. However, Im really excited for next season on offense with a great trio of receivers, now a more complete backfield, and a more coheivse oline gets me smiling. But that head coach needs addressing first. Something.