Your 2017 Bucs Schedule … If They Hold Second Place
December 25th, 2016
Heading south
Hooray! The Bucs officially broke their streak of five consecutive last-place finishes yesterday. Merry Christmas!
And if Tampa Bay can hold on to second place, they will have a very ownership-friendly schedule next season.
Right now, the Bucs (8-7) own a one-game lead over third-place New Orleans (7-8). However, if the Bucs lose to Carolina to close the season, and the Saints somehow knock off Atlanta, then the Saints win the division tiebreaker for second place.
If the Bucs finish second, then here are their home games next year:
Jets
Patriots
Giants
Lions
Bears
Saints
Panthers
Falcons
Those non-division games are all against teams with huge fan bases that like to travel and/or already have too many fans living across the Tampa Bay area.
For the second-place finish, add road games at Arizona, Green Bay, Minnesota, Buffalo and Miami, and against the division foes.
If the Bucs finish third, then substitute the Redskins for the Giants above, and the Rams for the Cardinals.
Regardless, Team Glazer gets a hell of an attractive home slate next year.
December 25th, 2016 at 1:20 am
And I’ll be right there screaming my head of on defense!!! Let’s go Bucs!!!
December 25th, 2016 at 1:39 am
8-5 felt so good for awhile. These chokers just aren’t clutch at all especially #3
December 25th, 2016 at 2:23 am
Joe, too soon
December 25th, 2016 at 5:32 am
I hear ya Tony.
I was on cloud 9, than the typical Tampa CHOKE showed up
December 25th, 2016 at 7:30 am
This is what sets Joe apart from the rest of the local media. He is thinking ahead, putting the issues out there basically late at night while others won’t even consider it until Tuesday the 26th or maybe not even until it is off season and they need a story to fill the quota. No, it’s not too early. With the Bucs eliminated, this actually gives meaning and conversation for those of us who still be a the game next Sunday, he11 or highwater. For those of you running around talking about how this team sucks, this player sucks, that coach sucks, etc, when it’s clear they have done some great things this year to go with the bad, you all should look in the mirror and ask “Why do I suck?” Go Bucs!
December 25th, 2016 at 7:33 am
8-9 wins if we make the right moves off season and draft a WR, O line, DE/DT….according to how many will be healthy and playing too (including “Coach K” decisions).
December 25th, 2016 at 7:39 am
We need a kick returner too and could use another CB. He would probably be there in the late first (if we decide to move back into the 1st after taking a WR) or early 2nd…..Adoree Jackson USC. He can also play WR,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ROTgXqxyzq4
December 25th, 2016 at 8:08 am
I’m kinda glad we lost I don’t want jameis in the playoffs it would be more heartbreaking to see us get in and bounced the first round I mean injuries lack of run game and just weapons Me then nothing next year it is time to make that push
December 25th, 2016 at 8:28 am
Let’s just be brutally honest here. This team is not a playoff-caliber team, it’s as simple as that. Sure, they could end up with 9 wins, and that’s an improvement – but that’s all it is. It’s not playoff quality football. When they needed the big wins, they choked. The season was in their hands, and they let it slip away. New England, Dallas, Oakland…..those are teams that deserve to be in the playoffs. They find ways to win despite injuries, despite not playing their best on a given day….they find ways to win when they need them. Are the Bucs moving in the right direction? I think so, but much work remains. The OL is a notch better – maybe – than a D1 college team, and those that think concentrating on building a quality OL through the draft is a waste, you need only look at Dallas, NE, etc.
I hate to say it, but the Bucs defense reminds me so much of the “bend but don’t break” D of Lovie Smith. Why are they so content to give up large chunks of yardage by our corners playing 15 yards off the line? Ever heard of press coverage and taking away the slant passes, Mike?
Maybe next year will be a continuation of some of the good things that happened, and they can build on that. But until then, don’t blame bad luck, injuries, bad calls – whatever the excuse de jour is. They didn’t make the playoffs because they don’t deserve to be there. To argue anything else is just smoke-filled, coffee house conversation.
December 25th, 2016 at 8:48 am
Draft O-line and WR so Winston has more time to miss open recievers. No Draft defence so Winston can learn how to be a game manager. After all it was the defence that stepped up and changed the season. Grab the reins people. The only way we can win with Winston is by keeping it on the ground mixed with some dink and dunk. He thinks he’s a gunslinger….aaahhhhahahahah. The guy is turnover machine in that scenario. Next year will be a mess Koeter trying to shackle down #3. While #3 changing the plays and getting picked. In the end it will all work out. #3 will be totally be exposed as a fraud and we’ll draft another QB.
December 25th, 2016 at 10:12 am
Please, God, not the Rams again! Please! What would that be? 4 or 5 years in a row?
December 25th, 2016 at 10:13 am
What why do we have to travel to the NFC west team. Like last year. Playing ARZ at home and @NYG would not only be more practical but last year when playing the “place” teams from the NFC west and North we also had to travel out west while playing the north opponent at home. Do they just determine those two games randomly? Do the owners get a say? I just fail to see a rhyme or reason behind what determines which of those two games is at home and on the road.
December 25th, 2016 at 10:15 am
Glennon, no, so Winston will have more time to set his feet to throw accurately to WR that can gain separation. Gotta give him every chance to succeed. Defense later or in FA.
December 25th, 2016 at 11:51 am
Largo, we must have to alternate home and away with the place teams from the division we don’t play. I’d bet that the last time we played the place NFC west team, it was at home and the NFC east it was on the road.
December 25th, 2016 at 12:01 pm
Largo, the last NFC east place team game was at Washington, and the last NFC west team was also at St Louis. The second part doesn’t make scene. Maybe I read something wrong? I don’t have the will to keep looking. Lol
December 25th, 2016 at 12:12 pm
Largo, I looked at the future schedule and it has us playing the NFC North “place team” on the road in 2018 and 2019. It must rotate somehow, but in the few seasons they project, I can’t see how. Sorry I couldn’t help.
December 25th, 2016 at 3:54 pm
I’d predict an 11-5 record for next year if they finish in 2nd place
YEAR BEFORE JAMEIS: 2-14
JAMEIS’ ROOKIE YEAR: 6-10 (+4 wins)
JAMEIS’ 2nd YEAR: 9-7 (+3 wins)
JAMEIS 3rd YEAR: 11-5 (+2 wins and a playoff appearance)
JAMEIS 4th YEAR and ONWARD: 12+ wins and perennial SB contender
You Bucs fans are blessed to have Jameis and you have the brightest future in the ENTIRE NFL unless Tom Brady has found the fountain of youth and stays young forever …
P.S. I’ve only read about 4-5 articles on this site and the comments with each … and it’s obvious there are some serious TROLLS on here who just love to bash Jameis for amusement … I suggest just completely ignoring them, especially “PoorGlennon”
December 25th, 2016 at 4:59 pm
You tell them NFLnut! I’m right their with you! It amazes me on here on what some folks say, but hey I guess you take their comments like a grain of salt. Joe you should add filters to your site so we login under our credentials and can filter certain people out. Just food for thought! Go Bucs!
December 26th, 2016 at 9:28 am
PoorGlennon you sound like a gay