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Buccaneers’ Final Record: A Pewter Plank Roundtable

By Alan Schechter

Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 24, 2016; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht speaks to the media during the 2016 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Bailey Adams

I’ve gone on the record with my prediction before, so I’ll stick with it.  I have the Bucs finishing 9-7 this year, going 5-3 at home and 4-4 on the road.  The 2016 schedule is significantly tougher than last year’s, but there are a lot of reasons to believe that Tampa Bay will be a better team this year. Jameis Winston will continue to mature in year two, the offense should continue to gel and the defense has a chance to be much better.

There are some tough stretches for the Bucs this year, but they have the talent to get through them.  The first five games of the season will be a huge test, but the stretch after the bye week is manageable.  San Francisco, Oakland, Atlanta and Chicago are beatable opponents that Tampa Bay will see in weeks seven through 10.  There are some winnable games on the schedule and a few that the Bucs could steal, so I have them at 9-7 with an outside shot at a wild card spot.

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