Still early and tough stretch ahead, but a few interesting stats from SR (and the comparison to 2024)
TOTAL DEFENSE
2025 -"Bucs rank fourth in total defense, allowing just 272.8 yards per game."
2024 - Bucs rank 19th in total defense, allowing 342 yards per game.
Up 15 places because of nearly 70 yards per game improvement
PASSING DEFENSE
2025 - "Tighter coverage this year in the secondary has produced a Top 10 passing defense, as the Bucs rank ninth, allowing 187.8 yards per game.
2024 - 30th passing defense . . allowing 245 yds per game
THIRD DOWN CONVERSION RATE ALLOWED
2025 - "Tampa Bay ranks second in third down defense too, allowing just a 32.65% conversion rate."
2024 - Bucs ranked 15th with a 39.4% conversion rate
SCORING DEFENSE (aka "only stats that matters" (sometimes lol))
2025 - Bucs rank 20th at 24.3 ppg
2024 - Bucs defense ranked 17th at 22.7 ppg
But if you adjust out 14 (or 17) Special Teams points the Bucs are close to top 10 (maybe 11 or 12) in scoring at 20-22