Bucs Made Another Defense Look Exceptional
October 27th, 2025
Joe has serious concerns about the Bucs offense, especially the run game.
For two consecutive games, the Bucs made an opponent’s defense look far better than it really is.
Consider the following facts:
The Bucs had 212 yards of total offense yesterday in New Orleans. The last time the Saints defense had allowed less than 300 yards was 276 yards in Week 1 when hosting Arizona. In the six games prior to facing the Bucs, the Saints allowed an average of 345 yards per game.
Why couldn’t the Bucs move the ball?
Tampa Bay had two good drives out of 10 yesterday. Eight poor drives combined to total 38 yards.
Currently, the Bucs rank 28th in the NFL in yards per carry. Despite Tristan Wirfs returning healthy and the left side of the line normalizing, the Bucs’ run game has gone cold.
As is often said, a good running games can get a yard when it needs one — when everyone knows a run is coming. The Bucs failed at that five times yesterday at the 1 yard line.
A week earlier at the Lions, Detroit had its second-best defensive game of the season against Tampa Bay.
Entering October, the Bucs had a 12-game streak rushing for 100 yards or more. That was unmatched in the NFL. Now, over the past four games, the Bucs have averaged about 73 yards rushing per game. That coincides with losing Bucky Irving, who has missed the past four games.
Joe gets that the Bucs have injuries. But their offense’s struggles against the slimy Saints yesterday hit Joe’s level of disturbing.
Even mighty left tackle Tristan Wirfs looked mortal, getting beat by Chase Young and committing penalties.
As Todd Bowles said today, and Buccaneers Ring of Honor general manager Jason Licht did yesterday, the bye comes at a perfect and necessary time.
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