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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not made the playoffs since 2007, but oddsmakers think the Bucs have a decent chance this season, as Tampa is +180 to make the playoffs. The Bucs nearly made the playoffs last season, as they went 9-7 and it is possible Tampa could be just as good in 2017. The Bucs went out and added some weapons for Jameis Winston, as they signed DeSean Jackson and drafted tight end O.J. Howard and Chris Godwin. The one warning sign for the Bucs just might be the fact that they will be on HBO’s “Hard Knocks” this season. Being on “Hard Knocks” didn’t work out so well for the Los Angeles Rams last season, as they went 4-12.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl Odds
Super Bowl Odds: +3450
NFC Championship Odds: +1500
NFC South Odds: +340
Odds Buccaneers Make Playoffs: +180
Buccaneers Regular Season Win Total: 8
The Bucs are getting some respect from the oddsmakers, as they are not a huge longshot to win the Super Bowl or the NFC. Tampa is given a reasonable chance to win the NFC South at odds of +340. It is a little concerning if you like the Bucs that their win total is only eight, considering the team won nine games last season. Oddsmakers usually know what they are doing when setting win totals, and they expect a little regression from Tampa in 2017.
2017 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Schedule
Week 1: Buccaneers at Dolphins – Sunday, September 10, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 2: Buccaneers vs. Bears – Sunday, September 17, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 3: Buccaneers at Vikings – Sunday, September 24, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 4: Buccaneers vs. Giants – Sunday, October 1, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 5: Buccaneers vs. Patriots – Thursday, October 5, 8:25 p.m. ET
Week 6: Buccaneers at Cardinals – Sunday, October 15, 4:05 p.m. ET
Week 7: Buccaneers at Bills – Sunday, October 22, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 8: Buccaneers vs. Panthers – Sunday, October 29, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 9: Buccaneers at Saints – Sunday, November 5, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 10: Buccaneers vs. Jets – Sunday, November 12, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 11: Bye
Week 12: Buccaneers at Falcons – Sunday, November 26, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 13: Buccaneers at Packers – Sunday, December 3, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 14: Buccaneers vs. Lions – Sunday, December 10, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 15: Buccaneers vs. Falcons – Monday, December 18, 8:30 p.m. ET
Week 16: Buccaneers at Panthers – Sunday, December 24, 1:00 p.m. ET
Week 17: Buccaneers vs. Saints – Sunday, December 31, 1:00 p.m. ET
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Be a Success If…
They stop turning the ball over. Winston has proven to be an exciting young quarterback but he still turns the ball over too often. Winston had turned the ball over 42 times in two seasons, as he has 33 interceptions and nine lost fumbles. Part of the problem is that Winston has not had a lot of time to throw the ball. The Bucs went out and signed J.R. Sweezy to upgrade the line and they are moving Ali Marpet from guard to center.
Tampa went out and got Winston more weapons in the off-season as they signed Jackson, Howard and Godwin to go along with Mike Evans and Cameron Brate. Evans was targeted more than any player in the NFL last season (175 times).
The concern on offense is the running game, as Doug Martin will miss the first three games of the season due to suspension. The Bucs were just 24th in the league in rushing a year ago and they need to be better in 2017 to take some of the pressure off of Winston.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Will Be a Failure If…
The defense continues to regress. Tampa was 23rd in the league in yards allowed last season and there is no reason to think they are going to be improved this season. The Bucs face a number of marquee quarterbacks this season as they have to face Rodgers, Brady, Ryan, Manning and Newton. Defensive coordinator Mike Smith has his work cut out for him in 2017.
The Bucs did virtually nothing in the off-season to upgrade the defense. They brought in Chris Baker for some size inside but they need more from Noah Spence. The Bucs have major problems in the secondary, as Brent Grimes is 34 years old and Vernon Hargreaves had just one interception. Tampa is hoping that Justin Evans can come in and contribute right away.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2017 Predictions
The NFC South is a very tough division with no easy games. The Falcons are Super Bowl contenders, the Panthers are a former Super Bowl team and the Saints have Drew Brees and Adrian Peterson. The Bucs excited a lot of people with their nine win season a year ago but duplicating that success won’t be easy, as the Bucs face the 14th-most difficult schedule in 2017.
Did the Bucs come too far, too fast in 2017 or are they right on schedule? Oddsmakers seem to think the Bucs will fall a little bit, as the win total was set at eight. Tampa’s defense is still not good enough to lead this team to a title and although Winston is exciting, he makes a lot of mistakes. A 7-9 season could be in the cards for the Buccaneers in 2017.
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