Still Believing In The Bucs
November 13th, 2025
Get healthy.
Injuries have caught up to the Bucs.
Joe doesn’t think there is a Bucs fan walking the face of the earth who expected back in July that Emeka Egbuka would be the Bucs’ No. 1 receiver in early November, with Sterling Shepard and Tez Johnson as the Nos. 2 and 3 receivers.
And few could have expected Bucky Irving to miss so many games.
Yet despite that, the Bucs are 6-3. But the past month the offense has sputtered and in the past three games has really been in need of a tune-up.
Yes, with Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield admitting yesterday he’s banged up too, this offense finally is playing like half the offense is hurt — which it is.
But one person at NFL.com still believes in the Bucs. And that is Ali Bhanpuri. He still has the Bucs winning the division, despite all the injuries. And no, he doesn’t believe the Bucs are on the cusp of a major crassh.
Second-half double down
In August, I wrote, Tampa has the pieces to make a real run in the NFC. I still believe this. Just need them to get — and stay — healthy when the new year hits.
Final projection
Record: 11-6 (previous projection: 9-8)
Division finish: 1st (previous: same)
Will the Buccaneers make the playoffs? Yes, as the No. 4 seed.
Yes, the Bucs still could be a dangerous team in the playoffs, but a lot of things have to go just right for that to happen.
Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Calijah Kancey and Jalen McMillan all have to come back not just healthy, but quickly get in game shape.
Also, the Bucs can’t get any other players hurt, or at least with a major injury. Good luck walking through that mindfield with eight regular-season games left.