Joe counts on Baker Mayfield to make smart decisions. It doesn’t always happen.

One bad one tonight proved crushing in a two-point loss. [read more]

Bucs inside linebacker J.J. Russell.

With about 6:25 remaining in the game tonight and the Bucs trailing 26-17, backup linebacker J.J. Russell dropped what looked like a sure interception deep in Dallas territory.

That came after Sterling Shepard dropped two would be first downs in the first quarter. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

Joe would love to find out what analytics specialist and numbers guru Jackie Davidson (her official title is vice president of football information) and Bucs coach Todd Bowles discuss on the coach’s headsets. [read more]

Bucs are scared of the dark.

Joe never expected to type the following: [read more]

Too soft.

Joe has a saying, “Rookies play like rookies because they are rookies” because they often make (or don’t make) plays … because they are still learning they no longer have East Cornfield State on the schedule. [read more]

Strange stat continues.

Joe doesn’t know if the Bucs need to hire a hypnotist over this or what. [read more]

Full-blown gag.

Joe doesn’t want to hear about injuries. All teams have injuries in December. [read more]

So the Bucs weren’t ready for prime time and simply were not the better team tonight.

Depressing!

No fluke plays. Just the Bucs defense having not enough answers for almighty Cooper Rush and the Bucs offense sputtering just enough with bad snaps, bad penalties, bad drops, fumbles and some bad quarterback decisions. [read more]

Sunday Night Football!

Comment all night long right here. Play nice!! And stick around for Joe’s award-winning Bucs coverage after the game.

Time to step up.

Yes, Joe suffered through the Giants-Falcons game this afternoon.

Thankfully, the football gods invented beer, whiskey and chocolate chip cookies. [read more]

For more than a year, Joe has heard folks at One Buc Palace say No. 2 tight end Payne Durham is a real weapon in need of more opportunities.

However, Durham has just two targets this season. [read more]

“Hey Mike McCarthy, Lutz will freeze over before you outsmart Todd Bowles with a backup quarterback. Jiminy Christmas!”

So Chucky was back at it this weekend. [read more]

Optimism was flowing this week on the Ira Kaufman Podcast.

Before the bye week, Sage of Tampa Bay Sports Kaufman was adamant that the Bucs could win at least six of seven and make the playoffs with 10 wins. [read more]

So Joe’s dialed in on the Bucs winning tonight in Dallas, especially if the Falcons find a way to beat the tanking Giants at 1 p.m.

If the Falcons lose, well, then the Bucs can afford a loss.

[read more]

Flash poll posted at 10:53 a.m. Poll closed at 1:50 p.m.

Fighting rat poison.

There are very specific times when Joe and the local pen and mic club are granted access to the Bucs’ locker room on select weekdays. [read more]

Will Gholston (and Shelton Quarles) already know Mike Evans is gone on his 57-yard catch-and-run from Baker Mayfield. Gholston details to Joe why he was so confident.(Photo courtesy Buccaneers.com.)

The above photo that the Bucs published last week from the Chargers game spoke to Joe.

Now, Joe hears the story behind it. [read more]

Doesn’t want any credit.

Bucs right guard Cody Mauch seems to have less arrogance than front teeth. [read more]

Game 15

Bucs (8-6) at Cowboys (6-8)

Kickoff: 8:20 p.m.

TV: NBC (WFLA-TV Channel 8, locally) with Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Melissa Stark and Carrie Underwood.

[read more]

Don’t tell anyone, but the Bucs have lost their last five night games in the regular season. [read more]