Can Buccaneers really win NFC South?

Alex Hoegler
Updated
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter talks with quarterback Jameis Winston (3) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter talks with quarterback Jameis Winston (3) in the fourth quarter of their game against the Atlanta Falcons at the Georgia Dome. The Buccaneers won 31-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

There is some good news and some bad news for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The bad news is that they’re 1-2. Their defense has looked awful through three weeks. All signs point to another rebuilding year under Dirk Koetter. It appears more time is needed until they’re contenders.

AROUND COVER32

QB Rankings: Wentz & Prescott climb into top five

Mailbag Head coach hot seats, undefeated teams

NFL Draft: Ranking the top ten RBs for 2017

NFL: Five winners and losers from Week 3

The good news is that they play in the NFC South. The New Orleans Saints will once again be a disappointment, the Carolina Panthers are at 1-2 and have a handful of tough games left, and everyone knows the Atlanta Falcons are hot starters and cold finishers. As a result, the Buccaneers play in arguably the NFL’s worst division.

So with this 1-2 record, and the fact they’ve disappointed through three weeks, can we really take the Buccaneers seriously as a potential NFC South champion?

Right now, the division could go to anyone. However, the NFC South has a daunting schedule. The Bucs still have to play Denver, Seattle, Kansas City and Carolina twice. Realistically, the Buccaneers can’t expect to hang in there with the tough guys.

Don’t get me wrong, it may only take seven wins (like it did in 2014,) to win the NFC South. But the Buccaneers defense is not ideal, considering the firepower in their division. Jameis Winston is no Aaron Rodgers or Andrew Luck, so he can’t carry his team with an average or mediocre defense.

Anything is possible. But expect the Panthers to get hot down the stretch and win the division. The Buccaneers haven’t gotten through the tough part of their schedule, so an NFC South championship is unlikely in 2016.

 

The post Can Buccaneers really win NFC South? appeared first on Cover32.