Buccaneers: Five biggest games of the 2017 season

Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
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Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 11, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter watches the scoreboard during a review late in the second half against the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints 16-11. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

What are the five biggest games on the Buccaneers 2017 schedule?

The Buccaneers enter 2017 with great expectations. Coming off of a 9-7 season that brought playoff dreams with it, the Bucs have gotten better. The defense is maturing as a group, and the offense has added weapons to an already potent group of players. The talk of a playoff run, and a deep one, is already in full swing before training camp has even started.

But before we can get there, we have to make it through the regular season. You know, those pesky 16 games before we get to the “tournament”. The Bucs do catch a bit of a break in 2017, facing the AFC East as opponents outside the conference. Other than those always tough Super Bowl champions from New England, the division doesn’t offer much.

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However, every schedule has big games in it. There are always those games that you say, “If we can get through this one, we’ll be fine”. It’s simply the nature of a 16 game season. There are always going to be big ones.

So which are the biggest for the Bucs in 2017? What are those earmarked games that they must get through? Everyone will have their own opinions about this, but I present you with mine.

So without further adieu, here are the five biggest games on the upcoming Bucs schedule, presented in the order of appearance on the schedule.

We it started right at the beginning.

Schedule