2017 Record - 5-11-0
Head Coach - Dirk Koetter
2017 Offensive Ranking - 9th (364 ypg, 20.9 points per game)
2017 Defensive Ranking - 32nd (378 ypg, 23.9 points allowed per game)
OFFENSE - Jameis Winston is back for his fourth season the Buccaneers' quarterback. Last season, he passed for 3,504 yards with 19 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Ryan Fitzpatrick (1,103 yards passing, seven TD, three INT) will likely be the backup again this year.
The running game will feature Jacquizz Rodgers (244 yards in 2017), Peyton Barber (423 yards, three TD) and rookie Ronald Jones (USC). The Bucs averaged just 91 yards rushing per game last season.
Mike Evans (71 receptions, 1,001 yards, five TD) and DeSean Jackson (50, 688, three TD), along with Adam Humphries (61, 631, one TD) are the wide receivers. Tight ends Cameron Brate (48, 591, six TD) and O.J. Howard (26, 432, six TD) form a nice tandem and are huge red zone targets.
DEFENSE - Gerald McCoy (six QB sacks), Jason Pierre-Paul (8 1/2 sacks with NY Giants), Vinny Curry (three sacks with Philadelphia) and rookie defensive tackle Vita Vea (first round pick from Washington) will form the defensive front.
The linebacking corps has Kendell Beckwith, Kwon Alexander (three interceptions) and Lavonte David along with Cameron Lynch.
In the secondary is cornerback Brent Grimes (three INT) and safety Justin Evans (three picks). Ryan Smith and Keith Tandy round out the defensive backfield. Three rookie draft picks include corner men M.J. Stewart (North Carolina) and Carlton Davis (Auburn) and safety Jordan Whitehead (Pittsburgh)
OUTLOOK - The Buccaneers can score points and their offense ranked among the top ten in the NFL a year ago, so Head Coach Dirk Koetter would like to see the defense improve to get the team back into the fold in the rugged NFC South division, which had three playoff teams last season.
The Bucs' secondary was the worst in the NFL last season, giving up 261 pass yards per game and the team chose three defensive backs with the first six picks in the draft. The run defense wan't much better, ranking 23rd while giving up 117 yards per game.
With some agile veterans and perhaps the infusion of young talent via the draft, the hope is the defense will be better in the 2018 season. That will be the key to a successful season -- improvement on defense.
The likelihood is a 5-11 finish once again as the schedule is one of the tougher ones in the league this season. Can Tampa Bay prove they are up to the challenge?
If everything comes together, this team can contend in the division battle. But if the offense falters or the defense again allows opponents to have it easy, it will be another losing season for the Bucs.
2018 TEAM SCHEDULE
Week 1 - at New Orleans
Week 2 - vs. Philadelphia
Week 3 - vs. Pittsburgh
Week 4 - at Chicago
Week 5 - Bye
Week 6 - at Atlanta
Week 7 - vs. Cleveland
Week 8 - at Cincinnati
Week 9 - at Carolina
Week 10 - vs. Washington
Week 11 - at NY Giants
Week 12 - vs. San Francisco
Week 13 - vs. Carolina
Week 14 - vs. New Orleans
Week 15 - at Baltimore
Week 16 - at Dallas
Week 17 - vs. Atlanta
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