So the Bucs are 1-6 under Todd Bowles in short-week games during regular-season play, and 1-5 in night games.
Some fans think that’s a coincidence. Joe does not.
Bowles largely has a veteran staff and Bucco Bruce Arians is a phone call away. [So is Bill Parcells](https://www.joebucsfan.com/2025/04/bill-parcells-points-out-todd-bowles-mistakes-aaron-glenn/). Fix it, Coach!
Find a way. Take a boat ride with your captains and don’t get off until there’s a fresh plan.
The Bucs’ last short-week loss (less than seven days between games) came last season at home to San Francisco following a crushing Monday night overtime loss to the Chiefs.
The most recent night game? Well, in the regular season it was a loss at the hands of a bad Dallas team on the road.
Joe is not counting playoff games during the 1-5 run at night, but the Bucs lost their last game — a home playoff game — at night.
That brings Joe to the Buccaneers’ glorious 2025 schedule. Joe likes it. Nice balance. Decent bye week. Getting the Falcons in Week 1 on the road.
But Joe also likes how the Bucs got only four night games in prime time with three on the road (Texans, Lions, Rams). Hey, if you’re not good at night and can’t find a fix, then you’re best off playing those games on the road. The fourth night game is home late in the season against the Falcons on a Thursday night.
Thursday night road teams struggle, so Joe likes the fit. The Bucs lost on a Thursday in Atlanta last year.
As of now, the Bucs have only three short-week games on the 2025 schedule — home for the Jets, at New Orleans and that Falcons home matchup. Those should not be rough opponents for a scenario that gives Bowles and friends fits.
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