Defense rocked.

When something happens that rarely occurs, is it better to call the event an accident? [read more]

Calls himself out.

Immediately after the game yesterday when the Bucs defense stonewalled the Lions for the full fourth quarter, one Bucs player refused to take any credit. [read more]

Gives Bucs props for win.

So, Dan Campbell explained yesterday why he thought his Lions lost to the Bucs. He had two theories. [read more]

Back to his old self.

If you walk into a bar and say Chris Godwin is a top-five receiver, here is some intel that will back you up. [read more]

Leader.

You want to know why Baker Mayfield’s teammates like him so much? Well, he hustles and he wins, that helps. [read more]

Bucs coach Todd Bowles.

Was Todd Bowles happy with how the Bucs won yesterday? You’re dang right he was. But he wasn’t bawling over it. [read more]

Linebacker Lavonte David celebrates a stop late in the Bucs’ 20-16 win over the Lions. Photo courtesy of Buccaneers.com.

Welcome to Victory Monday! No sense beating around the bush. Grab your coffee and let’s roll!

[read more]

Balling in 2024.

Joe remembers well the weekend of the 2024 draft when the Bucs selected Georgia safety Tykee Smith in Round 2 and right away the Bucs strongly implied he would be their starting nickel cornerback. [read more]

It’s great to hear nice things about your team’s franchise quarterback, but who delivers that message can be extremely meaniningful. [read more]

When Joe read this, the only thing Joe could think of was how the great voice of Chicago sports radio, Mike North would react. [read more]

The first pass by Jared Goff on Sunday became Zyon McCollum’s first career interception. [read more]

“We’ll figure it out, Cade.”

So the Bucs got their thrilling road win against a big-time Detroit team today with no sacks, no running game and a pile of injuries. [read more]

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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Stats don’t lie, they swear.

By the sheer numbers, the Lions mauled the Bucs Sunday at Ford Field, owning a whopping 463-216 advantage in total yards and a distinct lead in time of possession.

Ask any Buc fan if they care and you know the answer: hell no.

Tampa Bay won this game 20-16 because the Bucs matched Detroit’s physicality and played superb defense, despite being undermanned. Young players stepped up, especially in the red zone, as the Bucs opened at 2-0 for the fourth consecutive season.

The offense, hampered by a dismal ground game, did just enough and Todd Bowles’ group did the rest. The Bucs overcame Aidan Hutchinson, who lived up to his reputation as a game-wrecker with 4 1-2 sacks, primarily against a backup right tackle.

In the end, the Bucs made more plays when it counted. Even the national media has to finally notice what’s going on in Tampa, where a gritty franchise has quietly won 8 of its last 10 games.

“That’s a good team there,” said Lions coach Dan Campbell, who tried to throw himself under the team bus, suggesting the setback was decided on a late first-half miscue that cost Detroit three points. Although Campbell blamed himself for the loss, there’s a lot more to the story. [read more]

Injury info.

There is “hope” the Bucs may have dodged a major bullet.

NFL.com reporter Ian Rapoport reports this evening that the initial diagnosis of Vita Vea’s injury is that he suffered an MCL sprain and there is hope it won’t be an “extended absence.”

Vita will undergo an MRI test tomorrow, per Rapoport, but Bucs types are crossing their fingers Vea’s injury is not major.

Vea suffered the injury under friendly fire early in the third quarter of today’s win over the Lions. YaYa Diaby fell into Vea’s leg and he buckled.

Joe issued a warning on Friday’s Ira Kaufman Podcast. [read more]

The numbers don’t lie. [read more]

Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht continues to see the fruit of his magic touch and prove that he’s worthy of having his name added alongside Bucs greats inside the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway, aka The Licht House. [read more]

Clutch second quarter defense.

The game of football, maybe more so than hoops, is a lot about momentum and emotion. And all of that was evident in the second quarter in what Joe feels was the Bucs defensive stand of the game. [read more]

“Mike, I’m not texting Rich Eisen back.”

So the slimy Saints and the Buccaneers have become the undefeated bad boys of the NFC — with the 49ers getting upset today by Sam Darnold and the Vikings, along with the Bucs leading with defense in their takedown of the Lions in Detroit. [read more]

Yeah, Joe is thinking Super Bowl. Why not the Bucs after today’s thrilling theft of a victory in Detroit?

A depleted Bucs defense proved it’s not only physical, but it’s ready to grind through major adversity. [read more]

Huge game off the bench.

Let’s see that bingo card you had with the names of “Christian Izien” and “SirVocea Dennis” as fourth quarter heroes of the biggest Bucs regular season win in a while (maybe since the Bucs beat the Seahawks in Munich or Green Bay last year?), certainly the biggest in the Todd Bowles reign. [read more]