Top Seed
September 2nd, 2021
Prediction.
The cool thing about the NFL is that you have no way of predicting what will happen (aside from the past decade or so when you just knew the Belicheats would be in the AFC title game).
And now, the guy who quarterbacked the Belicheats is trying to lead the Bucs to a second-straight Super Bowl win. Just that last sentence drips with drama.
Sheil Kapadia of The Athletic is trying to make 32 bold predictions for the upcoming season, which begins a week from tonight (!) at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway.
So this season is something different; the first 17-game regular season enters. Kapadia thinks the Bucs rattle off 13 wins this year and lock up the No. 1 seed in the NFC playoffs.
How cool would that be? It’s been way too long since there was a Bucs home playoff game (not counting the Super Bowl, of course).
This might be another one that’s not that bold. But the point is the Bucs didn’t really find themselves until the second half of last season. All 31 players who logged at least 200 snaps for Tampa are back on the roster. Head coach Bruce Arians, offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and defensive coordinator Todd Bowles are all back as well. Their depth could be tested more than it was a year ago when the Bucs had the NFL’s healthiest team. But Tampa has the league’s second-easiest schedule, according to BetMGM’s projected win totals. Not a bad setup for a team coming off of a Super Bowl. They’re going to roll to 13 wins.
Health is the key for this to happen. Brady must stay upright (the most important element) and the offensive line has to be healthy.
With all the weapons and now Brady is comfortable in Super Bowl-winning coach Bucco Bruce Arians’ offense, this could be a season for the ages.
September 2nd, 2021 at 9:14 am
Health is indeed the most unpredictable element, as well as the greatest predictor for success in general. All things being equal we should be right there. Now let’s hope all things remain relatively equal.
September 2nd, 2021 at 9:16 am
Lets look at the Buc improvements over last year.
A healthier Tom Brady with playing experience with the offense.
A stronger, more fit Gronk.
A full season with AB
A healthy OJ Howard
Gio Bernard
JTS
A more experienced young secondary
Healthier JPP
September 2nd, 2021 at 9:19 am
Just curious Joe, why you’re back to the “Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway?” Thought we’d moved on to the Licht House. More importantly, it kind of irks me that everyone keeps saying we have the easiest schedule based on last years’ records and then project a 13-4 2021 record. We’re going to lose to every one of the “good” teams on this year’s schedule? After winning the SB last year? No way! I’d love to see a perfect season, but I can’t imagine we lose more than one or two games this year en route to a first round bye in the playoffs.
September 2nd, 2021 at 9:31 am
The only good teams on the schedule are the Rams and Bills.
My only real concern is bad game plans, like single high safety with single coverage on Tyreek–a sure recipe for disaster. And enough with deep shots on third and 2. Let Tom cook.
September 2nd, 2021 at 9:31 am
Notice that Armstrong wasn’t listed as a coaching asset. Yeah I know we won the Super Bowl last year with subpar Special Teams, specifically the kick coverage units but this is a concern. The Bears game comes to mind, and that return guy is now on Atlanta. In the playoff game v the Ain’ts their return guy had three big returns on us before he got hurt. Armstrong is terrible and should be replaced. He’s had 3 years and there’s been 0 improvement. It’s the only phase of the team that hasn’t gotten any better under this coaching staff. The coverage teams will cost at least a game this season, hopefully it won’t be in the playoffs.
September 2nd, 2021 at 11:05 am
It seems odd to me that Armstrong has been an NFL Special Teams coach for 25 freaking years–you would think he would know all there is to know about how to get it done in the return game.
September 2nd, 2021 at 12:32 pm
Bills and Rams are the hardest ones. But you always lose a game you should win. Either bad calls, bad luck, wrong game plan, or the ball just doesn’t bounce your way. Brady could have an off game and throw 4 picks. It can happen. He threw 3 picks in 2nd half of the Green Bay that could have blown the whole thing.
These opponents also won’t underestimate us this year. We aren’t sneaking up on anyone. They all want to beat the champs.
September 2nd, 2021 at 12:55 pm
The Bucs depth is solid. OL, DL, DB, LB, WR, RB … plug and play starters everywhere.
The only major issue is QB. If TB12 goes down the season is over.
September 2nd, 2021 at 4:10 pm
Anybody got a boat for sale?
What? Too soon?
September 2nd, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Keep TB12 vertical. Run the ball with RoJo, Lenny, and Gio off play action.
Get the lead.
Unleash the defense.
Smoke a victory cigar after every win.