BY IRA KAUFMAN

The Todd Bowles haters have been silenced — for now.

In replacing Byron Leftwich as the poster child for Tampa Bay’s struggles, Bowles has taken a lot of heat this season from disgruntled fans. But even the most fervent Bowles skeptics have to acknowledge the Bucs are playing winning football in December.

Sunday’s 34-20 triumph at Lambeau Field was a complete victory led by Baker Mayfield, Chris Godwin and a defense that made just enough plays to even the Bucs at 7-7, keeping them in control of their own playoff destiny.

It wasn’t like the Packers didn’t need the game, either. Green Bay’s postseason chances took a massive hit because the Bucs made big plays, winning plays, when it counted.

Every time Green Bay appeared to grab momentum, Mayfield answered with a long scoring drive that sapped the life out of Packer Nation. Tampa Bay overcame a costly early turnover and played mistake-free football for most of the final three quarters.

A third consecutive NFC South crown is within their grasp and the Bucs also have a legitimate shot at an NFC wild-card spot. The NFL standings suggest a 9-8 finish would be good enough for Tampa Bay to advance to the postseason.

And guess what? That scenario would also keep Bowles at One Buc Place for at least one more year. (more…)

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

He’s not going to win the award, but Baker Mayfield remains a compelling candidate as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year.

Although quarterbacks have won the honor in each of the past five seasons, there’s a safety in Buffalo who is the overwhelming favorite to end that streak. Damar Hamlin, who suffered cardiac arrest on the field in January and was hospitalized for nine days after being resuscitated, has played three games for the Bills this season.

Hamlin figures to win the award going away and Mayfield’s odds are currently listed at 30-1. Other names in the mix include Tua Tagovailoa and Joe Flacco, but Mayfield has his own convincing story to tell through 13 games. (more…)

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What a surprising week in Bucs annals. Ira is all over it with Joe. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. Stunning holiday season offers and GM Sean Sullivan will help you personally and give you an Ira Kaufman discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on all new vehicles.

In “Magnum Force,” Clint Eastwood stares into the camera and utters one of modern cinema’s most memorable lines: “A Man’s Got to Know His Limitations.”

So does a football team. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Sage Ira is fired up as the Bucs march toward their biggest game of the year and franchise-changing decisions.

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

Click on through to shop at BillCurrieFord.com. Stunning holiday season offers and GM Sean Sullivan will help you personally and give you an Ira Kaufman discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on all new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Who says Simeon Rice was unblockable? Surely not the Pro Football Hall of Fame panel of selectors.

Once again, one of the most formidable pass rushers of his era has failed to make the list of 25 semifinalists. Four edge rushers — Jared Allen, Robert Mathis, Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers — were chosen to advance out of a long list of candidates, with Peppers expected to be elected to Canton in his first year of eligibility. (more…)

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Take a good, hard look at your Tampa Bay Buccaneers. You won’t recognize ’em next season.

In tumbling to 4-7, the fumbling Bucs now must win at least five of their final six games to avoid another losing year. Does this team look capable of a run like that?

Hardly.

It’s time to face the music at One Buc Place, a funeral march toward major changes. Even another division title seems unlikely in the wretched NFC South as the Falcons and Saints are now each a game up with six weeks remaining.

Sunday’s 27-20 setback at Indianapolis followed a typical pattern: Tampa Bay fell behind early, made a fourth-quarter push and ultimately came up short.

The culprits this time around — poor run defense, a couple of key penalties and subpar pass protection. It’s hard to believe this club was once 3-1 and seemingly on its way to a third consecutive division crown.

Todd Bowles, now 12-17 since replacing Bruce Arians, contends the mistakes are correctable. What else can he say? (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

A must-listen for your long Thanksgiving weekend!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

BILL CURRIE FORD IS OPEN DAILY! Shop now online and don’t forget to request the Ira Kaufman Discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Buc fans are hoping their misery is just a passing fancy.

During a 1-5 tailspin, the Bucs have apparently forgotten how to play pass defense. At times, it’s been downright embarrassing to see the gaps between opposing targets and the nearest Tampa Bay defender.

Now comes word that cornerbacks Carlton Davis and Jamel Dean might not be available for Sunday’s matchup at Indianapolis.

Can the backups do any worse?

Position coach Kevin Ross, who registered 26 interceptions in his first seven seasons as a Chiefs defensive back, has been preaching for years that Dean and Davis aren’t posting enough takeaways to be considered elite. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Put the earbuds or AirPods in and soak up a fast-moving edition of The Sage and Joe. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

BILL CURRIE FORD IS OPEN DAILY! Shop now online and don’t forget to request the Ira Kaufman Discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

Let’s not overthink this. The other team’s better. (more…)

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Dave Canales may have just stumbled onto a plan to deep-6 the 49ers.

Without much expected help from a plodding ground game, Canales is looking for plays that can rattle the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Grab a cold Big Storm beer and soak in everything Bucs with The Sage of Tampa Bay Sports and Joe.

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

Podcast (ira-kaufman-podcast): Play in new window | Download | Embed

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

A rare Monday morning edition of the Sage with Joe. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

BILL CURRIE FORD IS OPEN DAILY! Shop now online and don’t forget to request the Ira Kaufman Discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

You either succumb to pressure or you embrace the challenge.

On Sunday, the Bucs gave pressure a big old bear hug en route to a 20-6 victory against punchless Tennessee. What pressure? Glad you asked.

Had the Titans prevailed, the Bucs would have been heading to California trying to avoid their first 6-game losing streak since the 2-14 debacle of 2014.

That’s pressure.

A defense that was ravaged by C.J. Stroud at Houston needed to rebound in a big way against another rookie quarterback, especially since Todd Bowles called on his unit to display professional pride.

That’s pressure.

And speaking of pressure, that’s what spelled the difference against Will Levis, who rarely had an opportunity to feel comfortable in the pocket. Bowles dialed up an ultra-aggressive blitzing scheme that shook, rattled and rolled Levis into a QB rating of 53.3. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Another can’t-miss sitdown with the Sage of Tampa Bay Sports with Joe. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

BILL CURRIE FORD IS OPEN DAILY! Shop now online and don’t forget to request the Ira Kaufman Discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

A 3-5 start is troubling enough for Buc Nation, yet there’s more to the story.

Whenever an NFL team struggles midway through the season, you look for the usual suspects.

Two factors naturally spring to mind in explaining a rough getaway. (more…)

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Rock gives you inside info after spending all week inside One Buc to get you set for Bucs vs Titans. Rock has the Titans’ game plan, too. Catch Rock’s prediction and the exclusive behind the scenes Under the Rock segment and a new feature, Sad Stats!

Listen or download above, or at Google Podcasts, Podcast Addict, iHeart media, and more. Follow Rock @RealRockRiley on X.

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

The art of unnerving quarterbacks used to be a Todd Bowles staple. Now, it’s a lost art.

A solid defense that had been propping up the Buccaneers was just shredded by a rookie quarterback Sunday as C.J. Stroud had enough time to order a slab of ribs and some Texas toast from DoorDash. (more…)

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Click above to shop now at Tampa’s first family of Ford, BillCurrieFord.com. Reach out to Ira’s friend and GM Sean Sullivan for a hearty JoeBucsFan discount, and remember their nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles at Bill Currie Ford.

Sunday’s stunning Bucs loss requires Sage perspective from iconic Ira Kaufman, who chops up the state of the Buccaneers with Joe. Enjoy!

All the wisdom and fun of Ira and Joe is presented by Bill Currie Ford! Click play above or listen at Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Podbean.com, Stitcher, too, and more.

Bill Currie Ford is one mile north of Raymond James Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, and Bill Currie Ford GM Sean Sullivan is Ira’s great friend. He’s ready to help you personally — and to give you the Ira Kaufman discount on top of all their amazing deals. E-mail, call or visit Sean at the Bill Currie showroom.

Big Storm beer from Big Storm Brewing Co. is the official beer of the podcast. Try Florida’s best craft beer, especially Bromosa, their amazing tangerine IPA. Listening to Ira is fun, free and easy!

BILL CURRIE FORD IS OPEN DAILY! Shop now online and don’t forget to request the Ira Kaufman Discount. Nationwide lifetime warranty on new vehicles.

BY IRA KAUFMAN

There’s a pretty good chance the 2023 Buc season ended Sunday at 4:27 p.m. EST.

That’s when the clock ran out on the visitors in a surreal 39-37 setback that had to be seen to be believed. Buc fans still don’t believe it — and who can blame them?

The NFC South standings say the Bucs are only a game behind the first-place Saints in the loss column, but this was no ordinary loss at Houston. All you had to do was listen to Todd Bowles at the post-game podium. (more…)