Judging The Bucs’ Defense
December 16th, 2025
Mostly ugly numbers.
Joe is still triggered by Thursday night’s loss to the Dixie Chicks. It was galling the way the Bucs crapped all over themselves in the fourth quarter to give a win away.
You know the drill: The Bucs coughed up a two-score lead in the fourth. Shameful.
Is the Bucs defense really that bad or was it just a blip? Well, decent teams of late have trashed the Bucs defense. Josh Allen, Matt Stafford, and that ol’ Todd Bowles killer Kirk Cousins did numbers on the Bucs’ defense.
When it comes total defensive yards allowed, the Bucs aren’t great (at all), but there’s worse.
When it comes to average yards a game allowed, the Bucs are No. 25. Only one team that has allowed a worse yards-per-game average is a credible playoff contender and that’s the Steelers at No. 28.
When it comes to average passing yards a game, it’s gross. The Bucs are No. 30, allowing an average of 246.9 yards through the air per game.
Believe it or not, the Colts are even worse!
When it comes to the run defense, the Bucs are good, but clearly not good enough to compensate for the rest of the defense. The Bucs’ run defense is No. 10, allowing an average of 101 yards a game on the ground.
Being one of the worst passing teams in the league in a passing league isn’t going to win you too many playoff games, if you make the playoffs.
Good thing the Bucs have a defensive-minded coach so it will be repaired.