Tampa Bay Buccaneers
September 17 – vs. Chicago Bears – W 34-13
September 24 – @ Minnesota Vikings – W 24-20
October 1 – vs. New York Giants – W 31-30
October 5 (Thursday Night Football) – vs. New England Patriots – L 27-21
October 15 – @ Arizona Cardinals – W 26-24
October 22 – @ Buffalo Bills – W 38-17
October 29 – vs. Carolina Panthers – W 24-17
November 5 – @ New Orleans Saints – L 34-27
November 12 – vs. New York Jets – W 38-7
November 19 – @ Miami Dolphins – W 27-24
November 26 – @ Atlanta Falcons – L 30-21
December 3 – @ Green Bay Packers – L 34-20
December 10 – vs. Detroit Lions – W 27-26
December 18 (Monday Night Football) – vs. Atlanta Falcons – W 30-24
December 24 – @ Carolina Panthers – L 21-17
December 31 – vs. New Orleans Saints – W 38-30
Final Record – 11-5 and the Division Title
For once in the last ten or so years, it’s not being a homer to predict the Buccaneers are going to win the division. Despite the loss of the bye week – which the Bucs have the leadership to overcome – this team has finally appeared to turn the corner. Jameis Winston is Jameis Winston. He will be the leader that other players – or even the fans – are willing to run through a wall for.
With Dirk Koetter and Mike Smith manning the play calling of their schemes on both sides of the ball, there is confidence that not only does this team now have the talent at every level to execute the game plans perfectly, but they have surpassed their division rivals in talent at a lot of positions. That wasn’t the case very often for the last decade or so, with a few exceptions.