That is a stark warning from a head coach who has seen enough. Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans are feeling a familiar dread. The vibe is simply off. And the Bucs’ 44-32 loss to the Buffalo Bills was a wild ride. But it’s always the aftermath where the real story begins.
Think about the legendary special teams units of the past. Remember Steve Tasker for the Bills? That guy was a human cannonball. He defined effort. But that level of pure, want-to hustle mentality is exactly what Tampa Bay is missing right now. It’s a glaring problem that has Head Coach Todd Bowles drawing a very clear line in the sand.
Special Teams: A Failing Grade
Let’s get straight to the meat of the issue. The Buccaneers‘ kick coverage unit was… abysmal. The numbers tell a really sorry story. Buffalo’s average starting field position was its own 37-yard line. Good grief! The Bills started four drives in Tampa Bay territory. They scored 17 points off those short fields. It was a complete and utter failure. All eyes were on Todd Bowles.
And the HC did not mince words on Monday. His message was crystal clear. “You got to be able to tackle and want to tackle and give maximum effort to tackle,” Bowles stated before the press. He specifically called out the core of the problem. “You got to make the plays when you’re not a starter on this team and you’re here because of special teams. You got to play better than that. That’s better off kicking it out of bounds and in the end zone than what we did yesterday.” You heard that right! This wasn’t about the scheme, per Bowles.
This was about pure desire. This warning is clear, and it is a direct challenge to every player on Thomas McGaughey’s unit. Meanwhile, the solution Bowles suggested was downright shocking.
He said the team would have been “better off kicking it out of bounds or in the end zone than what we did yesterday.” Imagine that! A coach would rather take a penalty than watch his coverage team play. That says everything you need to know. This problem is now front and center. But wait, it gets worse.
Defensive Lapses Compound the Chaos
Josh Allen
Nov 16, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen (17) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half of the game at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
Of course, the defense shares a massive part of the blame. And sadly it is becoming a broken record. The Bucs allowed five more explosive plays. Three of them went for touchdowns. Yes, 60% of those plays went for TDs. Much like watching a horror movie sequel you’ve already seen. The script is the same, just that the victims are different. Josh Allen is a superstar. Of course, he is. But the Bucs made him look like an invincible video game character powered by cheat codes. And one of the plays perfectly encapsulated the issues.
The Bills had a matchup nightmare late in the third quarter. Anthony Nelson, a 270-pound DE, was trying to cover running back James Cook in the open field. It was a total mismatch. Allen instantly exploited it for a 25-yard touchdown. That was a schematic failure. And it surely was a decision that left everyone scratching their heads. Now, all of this leads to a critical juncture for the team.
Todd Bowles faces a huge test. He must focus his effort on special teams and the consistency on defense. And he has to do it fast. Because the schedule does not get easier. The Los Angeles Rams are coming to town for Sunday Night Football. This is a gut-check moment for the entire organization. The tape doesn’t lie. The stats don’t either. November 16, 2025, might be the day that saved Tampa Bay’s season. Or the day that doomed it.
Main Image: Mark Konezny – Imagn Images