As we wrap up our Buccaneers season predictions, I see the team really start to gel going into the bye week in Week 13. Going into the last quarter of the season, I fully expect the offense to have put up a lot of points and the defense to improve on last year’s finish.
Week 14: VS Minnesota Vikings
Coming off the bye week, the Buccaneers will try to start the final push towards the playoffs with a win. Danielle Hunter and Yannick Ngakoue combined is one of the best duos in the league. The Vikings offense will also present some issues with a solid run and pass game. Dalvin Cook and Adam Thielen will both be the focus of the Buccaneers defense. At the end of the day, the Buccaneers come out of the bye week and get a win.
Final Score Prediction: Buccaneers 35, Vikings 24… Record 9-4
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons
After a good return from the bye week, the Bucs hit the road for a divisional game in Atlanta. Last year Tampa and Atlanta split the series with both teams winning on the road. The Bucs drop the final game of the season at home to Atlanta in 2019. Their defense should be improved this season with the addition of Dante Fowler Jr. and getting some of their players back from injury. With Tom Brady at quarterback, turnovers should not be an issue and Tampa improves to 2-0 in the last quarter of the season.
Final Score Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Falcons 21… Record 10-4
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions
Coming into the final two weeks of the season, the Buccaneers will look to finish strong and make the playoffs for the first time since 2007. Tampa will travel to Detroit again this year hoping to duplicate the results from last year’s 38-17 win. Last season the Bucs did not have to deal with Matthew Stafford as he was injured for the game. This year’s game may be a chess match between Detroit head coach Matt Patricia and Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich. Patricia is one of the coaches in the league that knows Tom Brady well from their time together in New England. I think Brady will be looking forward to facing Coach Patricia and will lead the Buccaneers to its third win in a row.
Final Score Prediction: Buccaneers 35, Lions 14… Record 11-4
Week 17: Atlanta Falcons
In the final week of the regular season, the Buccaneers will face the Falcons for the second time in three weeks. I think the Bucs will already have a playoff berth locked up. The division title may still be up for grabs and the Bucs will look to ride their momentum into the playoffs. The Falcons may be trying to play spoiler and end their season on a high note. The starters will not be in this game if the division title is locked up. The Bucs will find a way to pull it out and finish the regular season on a high note and look forward to the playoffs.
Final Score prediction: Buccaneers 31, Falcons 27… Record 12-4
The Buccaneers close out the last quarter of the season 4-0 and start to prepare for what should be a deep run into the playoffs. If the Bucs can put together four winning quarters to the season, I feel that they will win the NFC South and may have a home playoff game. Only time will tell, but I will enjoy every minute of it.
