Bucs Can’t Get Over The Hump
May 22nd, 2026
National prediction.
It will be the same ol’ same ol’ for the Bucs this fall.
And that’s a problem, typed Gilberto Manzano of SI.com.
In a rundown of each team’s schedule, Manzano said the Bucs will be the Bucs this fall, partly because this may be their least talented team this decade.
Manzano sees the Bucs doing what they have done in the past four seasons: finishing right around .500. But this time, even with a 9-8 record, Manzano sees the Bucs getting squeezed out of the playoffs again.
The Buccaneers have hit a wall that I don’t think they can overcome. …they constantly play down to their mediocre competition in the NFC South, and now their division rivals have improved this offseason.
Being average and winning more than eight games won’t be enough this season. Also, Tampa Bay took a hit with Mike Evans, Jamel Dean and Lavonte David no longer with the team. But maybe I’ll regret this prediction because the schedule-makers did the Buccaneers a favor by balancing out the slate.
Manzano hit one nail on the head. Way, way too many times the Bucs play down to their opponents.
Manzano has the Bucs missing out on the playoffs thanks to the slimy Saints, who Manzano believes will go 10-7. Joe doesn’t get the slimy Saints love. At all.
If Joe is worried about any team in the NFC South, it’s the Stinking Panthers. They’re the division champs. And Joe thinks they got better in the draft.
Panthers receivers Tet Offensive McMillan and Chris Brazzell facing Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum is a bad matchup for the Bucs. But, that’s what happens when you let your best cornerback walk out the door.
As Raheem Morris famously said, “I will tolerate you until I can replace you.” Joe doesn’t yet see Jamel Dean’s replacement on the roster — unless you are going to tell Joe that’s Jacob Parrish, who KitKat-eating Bucs coach Todd Bowles still refers to as a nickel.