2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Adjusted first quarter prediction
Earlier this week, I put on my future goggles and predicted a 3-1 start for the 2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
My, how things have changed in less than a week, as the Buccaneers will no longer play the Miami Dolphins this coming Sunday.
So, with this development, the team’s first three games consist of a home visit by the Chicago Bears in Week 2, a road trip to Minnesota, and back at home against the New York Giants.
With this slate of games intact, my prediction has the Bucs entering their fourth contest at 2-1 with a loss coming in Minnesota.
The end of Tampa Bay’s first quarter now comes at home against the defending Super Bowl Champs.
When Tom Brady brings the Patriots into town, it’ll be the second-straight home game for the Bucs and would certainly be an opportunity for the team to make some national noise.
Newly signed safety T.J. Ward should be ready to go full-speed in this one, and Doug Martin will make his return to live play.
More from The Pewter Plank
- Devin White posts cryptic message to Lavonte David on Twitter
- ESPN predicts surprising outcome to Devin White trade saga
- Updated Buccaneers depth chart after signing two players from rookie minicamp
- Todd Bowles sends clear message about Baker Mayfield’s role with Bucs
- The Athletic is wrong about Bucs one ‘must-watch’ game in 2023
So, how will this one go? Well, it isn’t going to be easy.
Even without wide receiver Julian Edelman, the New England offense has plenty of weapons. Of course, the Buccaneers are very familiar with Brandin Cooks, so this will help the defense a bit.
Rob Gronkowski, Chris Hogan, Danny Amendola, James White, Deion Lewis, and Mike Gillislee however, present a different set of issues.
Then there’s New England’s defense, which got better than their 2016 version with the addition of cornerback Stephon Gilmore.
There’s enough offense on the field for Tampa to make this a better contest than most will expect. Even with the playoff hopes surrounding the Bucs, most will assume this is a ‘W’ for the Pats.
The defense is going to be the question here. If the pass rush for the home team doesn’t show up, then Brady is going to carve out a 300-yard game with at least two touchdowns.
The linebackers are going to be limited in pass coverage as they’ll have to account for the trio of running backs at coach Belichick’s disposal.
Finally, the secondary will find themselves stretched thin, and the smallest mistakes could be very costly.
In the end, it feels like a loss unfortunately, and ends the first quarter of the 2017 season at 2-2 for the 2017 Buccaneers.
.500 with three quarters to go isn’t bad considering the very winnable Dolphins contest has been moved into a later slot.
Next: Walking The Plank Podcast With Trevor Sikkema
I want your thoughts on this new addition to the first quarter of the Buccaneers schedule though. Find me on Twitter, Facebook or email at walkingtheplankpodcast@gmail.com to let me know what you think!