The dust has settled. After a very hot start, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are once again nearing the .500 mark. This is more of the usual

Head coach Todd Bowles has now amassed a 33-27 record as the Bucs’ head coach, and he has done it in a notoriously weak NFC South division. With this being arguably the strongest roster Bowles has ever had, this is a make-or-break season for his career with the Bucs.

Today’s Hottest Take: A Disappointing Season Should End Bowles’ Tampa Tenure

Last Sunday, the Bucs made the trek to Buffalo to play a hungry Bills team. Before the season, the game was likely a penciled-in loss for most Tampa fans, but that does not excuse the way the game went.

After 60 painful minutes of watching the Bucs’ defense operate, Bills quarterback Josh Allen found himself in the history books. He finished with three passing touchdowns—and three rushing touchdowns. Though he had done it before, it’s a rare feat; he is one of only two NFL quarterbacks to finish with that stat line. And he did it against Bowles—a man who has historically prided himself on being a defensive mind.

The Bucs have built a great culture—one that brings them to the playoffs year after year. But for the past few seasons, Bowles’ defense has been the major problem with the squad. They have now gone through two consecutive offensive coordinators who have earned themselves jobs as head coaches on other teams. Dave Canales, now with the Carolina Panthers, finds himself just a half-game back from Tampa in the race for the NFC South. Liam Coen, with the Jaguars, also has a fighting chance for the playoffs.

With those coordinators, Bowles has won just one playoff game. Now, he has Josh Grizzard, and although he hasn’t had the electric play calling of the previous two OCs, he has built a formidable offense. Sunday, the defense was the problem.

If the defense continues to be unimpressive, questions that have already arisen will resurface. Is Bowles a head coach who can bring a deep playoff run? He needs to answer those questions—and fast.

What You Need To Know: For These Bucs, A Playoff Win Is the Floor

It was not long ago that the Bucs were at the top of the entire NFC. Quarterback Baker Mayfield was putting together an MVP campaign, and the defense was doing just enough to keep putting notches in the win column. The narrative has changed, and it began with the fact that the Bucs have lost three of their last four. Fans are growing restless, and it is not helped by the Bucs ranking 22nd in total defense thus far.

Admittedly, the team has faced a gauntlet in recent weeks, and that can make even a competent defensive mind look pedestrian. Their three losses have come at the hands of the Detroit Lions, the New England Patriots and the Bills. However, Bowles has something to prove in the coming weeks.

After their game against the Rams this Sunday, the Bucs will find themselves with one of the easiest schedules in the league—a barrage of divisional games against inferior opponents with the Cardinals and Dolphins mixed in. Bowles needs to use this stretch to get the team prepared for the playoffs because a one-and-done run likely will not do.

As the Bucs’ head coach, Bowles is 1-3 in playoff games. But this year is a bit different—there are expectations. Mayfield is still playing at a high level, they have tons of offensive weapons and they have put a solid defensive roster on paper.

With an NFC South title, which has come to be the norm for the group, Bowles’ team will have home-field advantage. It is imperative for his career that they win that game.

Before You Go: Should Bucs Fans Believe In Bowles?

You just can’t pride yourself on being a defensive coach and march out a shoddy product, year after year.

The team’s front office has put in the work to draft and develop players: Tykee Smith, Jacob Parrish, Benjamin Morrison, are a few recent standouts. And what has Bowles done with them? He has found himself at the bottom half of the league in yardage allowed, yet again.

If the defense is the first unit to break, and the Bucs make their way out of the playoffs in the first round, that same front office should hit the panic button.