Points > takeaways.
One of the reasons Joe isn’t all that fond of defensive coaches being head coaches in the NFL is that too many of them are absolutely obsessed with turnovers, and seem to think the offense is little more than an annoyance.
These defensive coordinators are convinced that turnovers win games. Fully convinced. Yet, there is all kinds of evidence to the contrary. They just choose to ignore it.
Here is what wins games: Points. Victories are not handed to teams because they forced more turnovers. But every team that finishes a game with more points than its opponent is victorious.
The Bucs were tied for third (31) in takeaways in 2013. The Bucs finished that season 4-12.
Bucs quarterback Tom Brady threw three picks on the road in the 2020 NFC title game. The Bucs won 31-26.
Also, take this season. The Bucs lead the NFL in takeaways with 21. The Bucs are currently 3-6.
It’s not even close to an absolute that turnovers = wins. They may *help* a team win but that same team has to take advantage of those turnovers and turn them into points. Otherwise, you’re pissing in the wind.
And that’s just what the Bucs offense did Sunday night in the Windy City. The Bucs offense had their piss blown back in their faces.
The Bucs defense had one of its greatest games Joe has ever seen. It forced five turnovers on the road against maybe the game’s best offense. FIVE! When is the last time the Bucs did that?
And what did the Bucs’ offense do? You guessed it. Their white jerseys turned yellow (and the seat of their pants turned dark brown).
That was the most shameful performance by a Bucs offense since the 1999 NFC title loss to the Rams when the Bucs’ defense played a near-perfect game, and the Bucs couldn’t even score one friggin’ touchdown. (And whattya know, the Bucs picked off Kurt Warner three times in that game. The Bucs won, right? Oh, right.)
Points win football games, people. Points! Always have. Always will. The Bucs, yet again, proved this on Sunday night.
Joe has no clue how failed Bucs offensive coordinator Zac Robinson can look a Bucs defensive starter straight in the face after Sunday night.