Predictions For Buccaneers’ 2016 Road Record

Winning games on the road can separate the good teams from the average teams and the great teams from the good teams. As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers look to change their status within their division and the league as a whole, they will need to be able to hold their own away from Raymond James Stadium. What’s a reasonable expectation to have for the Bucs’ 2016 road record?

As discussed here, the Buccaneers will need to win games in front of their home fans if they want to get back in the playoff mix. However, winning at home isn’t the only task at hand for Tampa Bay. Winning big games on the road can make a monumental difference as far as where the team ends up in the standings at the end of the season. The Bucs’ road record since 2014 is surprisingly better than their home record. Since the start of 2014, Tampa Bay is 5-11 away from home as opposed to its 3-13 mark in Tampa.

Road victories can give a team momentum and a higher place among the league’s elite. In 2015, 11 of the 12 playoff teams had road records of .500 or better. As important as home-field advantage is to playoff teams, having success on the road is what can separate a playoff team from a non-playoff team. The Los Angeles Rams are a good example. The Rams went 6-2 at home a year ago, but a 2-6 road record kept them out of the postseason.

What can fans expect from the Bucs away from the Bay Area this year? Looking at the eight away games, a reasonable goal for the team would be 4-4. It’s only a one-game improvement from their 3-5 mark last year, but the road schedule is tough. Having to go to the West Coast three times, along with trips to Kansas City and Dallas, is a harsh draw to go with Tampa Bay’s road games within the division. Here’s a game-by-game prediction of the team’s 2016 road schedule:

Week 1: Sunday, September 11 at Atlanta Falcons

Opening up the season at home against Tennessee in 2015, the Bucs weren’t ready. The opposite will be the case this year, heading to the Georgia Dome for a matchup with a division foe that they swept a year ago. Head coach Dirk Koetter and defensive coordinator Mike Smith both spent time on the Falcons’ coaching staff, so that adds to the motivation for Tampa Bay. The Bucs will get off on the right foot. (1-0 on the road)

Week 2: Sunday, September 18 at Arizona Cardinals

Tampa Bay heads to Arizona in week two to face a solid Cardinals team that is tough to beat on any field. But, Arizona is 13-3 at home since 2014, so the task gets tougher for the Bucs. Facing a tough defense that is led by Patrick Peterson and an underrated offense led by Carson Palmer and Larry Fitzgerald, it’s hard to give Tampa Bay the edge. (1-1 on the road)

Week 5: Monday, October 10 at Carolina Panthers

The Bucs return to ESPN’s Monday Night Football in week five, but it’s not going to be an easy return. Just a week after hosting the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay hits the road to take on the defending NFC champion Panthers. Jameis Winston struggled heavily when the two teams met at Bank of America Stadium in 2015 and the defense gave up more than 30 points both times the two teams met a year ago. The Bucs have improved this offseason, but not enough to beat Carolina on the road. (1-2 on the road)

Week 7: Sunday, October 23 at San Francisco 49ers

Winning on the West Coast is never easy, but the Bucs have a winnable matchup with the 49ers in week seven. Even with the addition of new head coach Chip Kelly, San Francisco’s quarterback situation is a mess. Colin Kaepernick, Blaine Gabbert and Thad Lewis are in the mix to start for the ‘Niners, and no matter who the starter is, it appears they will be without veteran receiver Anquan Boldin, who is still a free agent. Tampa Bay is the more talented team and it should show when the two teams meet. (2-2 on the road)

Week 11: Sunday, November 20 at Kansas City Chiefs

The Chiefs are another tough team to beat on the road, as they own a 12-4 record at Arrowhead Stadium since 2014. Kansas City fielded a top-10 defense a year ago, which helped them win their final 10 games of the season to finish 11-5 and make the playoffs. The Bucs just aren’t quite at the Chiefs’ level and it won’t be an easy day for Jameis Winston and the Tampa Bay offense. (2-3 on the road)

Week 13: Sunday, December 4 at San Diego Chargers

Heading west again in week 13, the Bucs will have a big task at hand as they face Philip Rivers. But, aside from Rivers, running back Melvin Gordon and veteran tight end Antonio Gates, there aren’t too many weapons for Tampa Bay to worry a lot about. If the Bucs can get past the idea of being all the way across the country, San Diego is beatable. (3-3 on the road)

Week 15: Sunday, December 18 at Dallas Cowboys

The Bucs slid past the Cowboys at Raymond James Stadium last year, but needed a last-minute touchdown to do it. Not to mention, Dallas was without quarterback Tony Romo and star receiver Dez Bryant wasn’t effective without him. It gets tougher for Tampa Bay if both are healthy by week 15, especially having to play in “Jerry World.” (3-4 on the road)

Week 16: Saturday, December 24 at New Orleans Saints

Tampa Bay came away with a surprising road win at the Superdome in week two of the 2015 season, and there’s no reason they shouldn’t be able to do it again. Drew Brees is never easy to beat, but the Saints were 31st in total defense last year. By week 16, the Bucs’ offense will likely be clicking behind Winston and running back Doug Martin, leading to a good holiday gift for Tampa Bay fans. (4-4 on the road)

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How do you think the Bucs will fare on the road in 2016? Let us know in the comments or on Twitter @ThePewterPlank.