TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS
2023 Record - 9-8
Head Coach - Todd Bowles
Key Additions - Jordan Whitehead (DB), Bryce Hall (DB), Ben Bredeson (OL), Randy Gregory (LB)
Key Losses - Carlton Davis III (DB), Shaq Barrett (LB), Ryan Neal (DB), Devin White (LB), Matt Feiler (OL)
2023 STATS LINE
PASSING - Baker Mayfield (4,044 yards, 28 TD, 10 INT)
RUSHING - Rachaad White (990 yards, 3.6 ypc, 6 TD)
RECEIVING - Mike Evans (79 receptions, 1,255 yards, 13 TD); Chris Godwin (83 receptions, 1,024 yards, 2 TD)
SACKS - Yaya Diaby (7 1/2)
INTERCEPTIONS - Antoine Winfield, Jr. (3)
OUTLOOK FOR 2024 - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will looking to get to the playoffs for the fifth consecutive season as they have been dominant in the NFC South in recent years. Head Coach Todd Bowles knows what the defense can do, so he will look for quarterback Baker Mayfield to continue where he left off last year.
Mayfield had a career season in 2023 and the Bucs averaged 20.5 points per game while finishing 23rd in the NFL in total offense, averaging 313 YPG. The running game has to step it up (89 YPG) as Tampa Bay was 31st in the league in that area. Rachaad White is the primary back and he also caught 64 passes out of the backfield a year ago with three scores. The wideouts are two of the best in the NFL with Mike Evans and Chris Godwin continuing to do their thing. Tight end Cade Otton gives them another target and he is a good red zone presence.
The defense seemed to be a bend but don't break type last season as the Buccaneers ranked 23rd overall (344 YPG allowed) but rated sixth in the NFL in scoring defense, giving up 19.1 points per game. The run defense was strong, allowing 95 yards per game, but opponents threw the ball all over the field against Tampa Bay, averaging 249 yards per game. The Bucs did get 48 sacks and picked off 13 passes as well. Nose tackle Vita Vea (5 1/2 sacks) and defensive end William Gholston form quite a run stuffing combo and linebacker Yaya Diaby led the team in sacks. In the secondary, Antoine Winfield, Jr. leads the way with ball hawking skills and he had 122 tackles while linebacker Lavonte David led the team with 134 tackles. In addition, Cornerback Bryce Hall and safety Jerome Whitehead (four INT with NY Jets last year) are on board to improve the pass defense.
If the Buccaneers are to win another NFC South title, they will have to hold off the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints as they split the two games with both of them in 2023. The Falcons have really loaded up on both sides of the football and the Bucs will definitely have to equal the (2023 season) 4-2 mark in divisional play. The key for this team will be balance on offense as Mayfield would do well to repeat the tremendous effort he showed last season after emerging from the scrap heap pile he came from after playing on three different teams in the 2022 season. With consistent offense and steady play from their defense, the Buccaneers will likely be right there in the division race and could once again make some noise in the playoffs. The Super Bowl is a reach, but in today's NFL, one never knows.
TEAM SCHEDULE
Week One - vs. Washington
Week Two - at Detroit
Week Three - vs. Denver
Week Four - vs. Philadelphia
Week Five - at Atlanta
Week Six - at New Orleans
Week Seven - vs. Baltimore
Week Eight - vs. Atlanta
Week Nine - at Kansas City
Week Ten - vs. San Francisco
Week Eleven - BYE
Week Twelve - at N.Y. Giants
Week Thirteen - at Carolina
Week Fourteen - vs. Las Vegas
Week Fifteen - at L.A. Chargers
Week Sixteen - at Dallas
Week Seventeen - vs. Carolina
Week Eighteen - vs. New Orleans
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