Predictions for the Buccaneers season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers made a couple of improvements last year when compared to the 2014 season. In his first year as the Buccaneers head coach, Dirk Koetter is expecting even more progresss in 2016. While some NFL fans are still skeptical, I have personally been impressed with what Tampa Bay has done during the offseason and throughout training camp. Predictions are nothing more than expectations of a single individual. Keep that in mind as you continue reading.
In the past, I haven’t exactly been a Buccaneers fan, this is more of me taking advantage of an opportunity that was available. That being said, I guess you could say the team has grown on me as I’ve invested time doing research and following the Bucs through camp. Because I do not have too much of an emotional attachment to the team yet, maybe that will make my predictions more realistic than those of someone who has been following the team for several years. Here are a couple things that I am expecting to happen during the regular season and look forward to writing about.
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At least on paper, the NFC South doesn’t appear to be as competitive as it has been in years past. Carolina will make a lot of noise and in my opinion, are the favorites to win the division. The Atlanta Falcons have talent, but they also have a lot they need to prove. They aren’t as threatening on offense as everyone thought they would be as Matt Ryan has put a couple years under his belt. I think they are going to be in several games that are decided by fewer than seven points, but I will be surprised if their record is better than 8-8 at the end of the season.
The Buccaneers will give the Panthers a run through the first half of the season, but if they are going to reach the playoffs this season, it will more than likely come in the form of a wild card game. I don’t see this happening unless they are able to be at least 4-2 against the other teams in the NFC South.
I can remember several doubters throughout the league when the Bucs picked Jameis Winston in regards to his ability to play in the NFL. I had my doubts myself, but as the season went along, I began hearing his name more and more and was impressed with some of his overall numbers for his rookie season.
I will not be surprised at all if he finishes the 2016 season as one of the top seven or eight quarterbacks in the league. The faster pace of the hurry-up, no-huddle offense seems to be a good fit for Winston and should increase both the production and success of his receivers. I look for Mike Evans to have the best season of his young career and because of the attention he will receive from opposing defenses, Winston will be able to take advantage of some of his other targets.
The success of the passing game will also be determined by how threatening of a ground game the Buccaneers have and Doug Martin has a lot to show after signing a new contract last March. He was able to finish the 2015 season as one of the NFL’s top running backs, so the Bucs are now paying him as one.
I look for Martin to be closer to the 2,000 yard mark than the 1,400 yards he racked up on the ground last season. If there is any weakness on the Buccaneers team, it is the offensive line which could slow Martin down a little. However, the line isn’t any worse than what it was in 2015 and I think Martin will find a way to be a threat carrying the ball. With both a running and passing game operating wide open, the Bucs should have no problem going touchdown for touchdown with some of the best offenses in the NFC.
WIth the additions and improvement made to the defense over the offseason, I expect Winston to be more comfortable knowing he has some help when the offense is on the sideline. Rookie Vernon Hargreaves has been able to climb up the roster during camp and the preseason and should have no problem making tackles and creating turnovers, regardless if he is playing at the nickel position or on the outside. The defensive line also looks stronger than last year and the Buccaneers should be able to put a lot of pressure on opposing quarterbacks this season.
Overall, I look for the Bucs to finish the season with at least nine wins. After glancing over the schedule, that isn’t going to be easy. Winston will need to show some maturity early and continue to develop as the season progresses. I’m not sure if 9-7 makes the postseason this year, but I think they will be in the running and it will come down to week 16 or 17.
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