Panthers 23, Buccaneers 20
December 21st, 2025
What a game!
Man, the Bucs continue to torture their fans.
Being a Tampa Bay fan has become painful.
Despite having their stunning stable of receivers healthy, the Bucs had just 60 yards passing through three quarters today against the Stinking Panthers. Shouldn’t that be a fireable offense for someone?
The Panthers entered the game with a poor pass defense overall, and they were ranked 29th in sacks per game before kickoff. And the Bucs couldn’t throw the ball?
The Bucs played keepaway by pounding the running game, but it didn’t help them handle the Carolina offense. The defense struggled to tackle and made Bryce Young look better than he is. Young completed 21 of 31 passes with 2 touchdown throws and 191 yards passing.
As for all the running, Joe can’t blame Bowles for wanting his sad defense off the field, but this was almost ridiculous.
Ugly penalties and red zone ineptitude on offense helped doom the Bucs today. Luke Goedeke was a prime offender.
Panthers receiver Tetairoa McMillan broke out of the rookie wall that had knocked him down for the past few games and their first-round draft pick finished with 6 receptions for 73 yards.
The Bucs lived and died with their rookie outside cornerbacks. It mostly was good, but Benjamin Morrison got beat late — and was called for pass interference on the play.
Joe simply cannot understand how the Bucs could not/did not make the most of their $20 million receivers (plural) and the rest of their talented receiving corps.
Joe tips a cap to Lavonte David, who isn’t close to what he used to be, but he did lead the Bucs with 10 tackles and what looked like an important sack late in the game.
Baker Mayfield? His late-game magic has left the building.
The Fire Todd Bowles woofing sure was loud in the bar where Joe watched the game.
How bout on your couch?
Again, the Bucs walked off the field looking like the less hungry and focused team.