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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Sometimes, the simplest explanation is the best explanation. In that spirit, let’s stipulate the Bucs are not a good football team. In fact, they haven’t been good in quite a while.

Their record speaks for itself and that voice is a low growl. Eleven losses in the past 13 games tells the story — and it’s a grim one. This league began play more than a century ago and only the 1992 Chargers advanced to the postseason after an 0-4 start.

Do you have any reason to believe the 2026 Bucs will join them as outliers?

Sunday’s 17-14 setback against a Green Bay club that scares absolutely no one typifies Tampa Bay’s plight. The Bucs are rarely blown out, but they can’t win the close ones in a league that does everything in its power to ensure these games close.

The defense played good football for the second consecutive week as the Packers went 2-for-10 on third down and averaged only 4.5 yards per snap.

As expected, Bucs quarterback Jalon Daniels did most of his damage with his legs in his NFL debut. But the rookie was never given the opportunity to test Green Bay’s secondary downfield as a drab attack sputtered once again.

Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson

And here’s to you, Mr. Robinson … show us something, anything.

Only two Tampa Bay snaps gained more than 15 yards, and one of them was a 21-yard scramble by Daniels. Bucky Irving, who was very productive through two weeks, suffered through another pedestrian game. His longest run in 16 carries was a mere seven yards.

While the Buc defense limited Green Bay to 17 points and forced two turnovers, there were issues on that side of the ball as well. Jordan Love, who entered the game with an atrocious 52 percent completion rate, hit on 22-of-30 passes and was not sacked. Even more troubling, he was hit only twice.

More tight end success against Todd Bowles’ defense.

Chris Brooks ripped off a 27-yard run to set up the game’s first score as Love capped a 16-play drive with a 2-yard flip to Matthew Golden. Once again, the Bucs struggled against opposing tight ends as Tucker Kraft caught six passes, including a TD that put Green Bay ahead 17-7 after three quarters.

Here’s how the Packers extended Tampa Bay’s misery, despite playing without perhaps their two best players, Josh Jacobs and Micah Parsons:

* Yes, the stadium was packed with Packer fans. Many were able to walk down the stairs to better seats on the east side once Buc fans began filing out well before the final whistle.

* On Green Bay’s second offensive snap, Josiah Trotter and Zyon McCollum both missed tackles as Kraft took a short pass and went 17 yards. Yes, those tackling issues remain unresolved.

* Daniels was intercepted just before halftime on the play immediately after he suffered a big hit by 305-pound Javon Hargrave. Tampa Bay was already in field goal position, so the right call would have been a run on second-and-10. Instead, Green Bay turned the giveaway into their own FG and a 10-7 advantage. That’s not smart football.

* The Packers looked like they would open a 10-point lead on the ensuing possession before Tykee Smith forced a fumble on first down from Tampa Bay’s 3-yard line. McCollum pounced on the turnover but the Bucs couldn’t capitalize.

*Daniels used his athleticism and field awareness early in the fourth quarter when he rolled left away from pressure and found Kenny Gainwell alone next to the left sideline for a 10-yard TD connection that pulled the Bucs within three points.

* Jacob Parrish’s interception gave the Bucs one more chance in the final minutes, but the drive bogged down at the Green Bay 47. Facing fourth-and-11, Todd Bowles bypassed a 64-yard FG attempt by Chase McLaughlin toward the south end zone and instead, Daniels threw incomplete. McLaughlin converted from 65 yards out against the Eagles last year, but there was a southeast wind to consider.

* For the season, Bucs QBs have been sacked 16 times, compared to six for opposing passers. For the season, Buc QBs have thrown three TD passes and five interceptions.

* The Bucs are the only winless team in the NFC after four weeks.

* The Bucs have gone eight consecutive quarters without playing with a lead.

* I ran into Graham Barton in the locker room and asked if he was shocked by the 0-4 start. “No, I’m pissed,” he said, speaking for Buc Nation.