Last time I wrote this article, I did it more in a tongue and cheek way. I recognized that the Buccaneers at the time was deeply flawed and figured there was little chance they could make it. Hell, at that time, I didn’t know if it would be Baker Mayfield or Kyle Trask starting. But now, they do have a legitimate chance of going all the way. Todd Bowles took a flawed, even if talented Bucs team, and made it to the divisional round. We are not that far from a serious playoff run. But there are a few things the team need to get right.
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The Bucs need to start hot. Last year, the offense took a while to warm up. Now, it can be argued that the Bucs in 2020 were the same way as it took Brady a minute to figure out Bruce Arians’ offense. But it did still look better out of the gate and they also had a defense holding teams down so the offense could find its footing. In 2023, there were a lot of games where the Bucs couldn’t score more than 20 points, especially at the beginning.
The defense also wasn’t as good as 2020, so the offense needed to do some of the heavy lifting. It is imperative the Bucs start hot early because before the bye is easily the hardest part of the season. They face the Lions, Chiefs, 49ers, and Ravens early in the season. If they don’t come out of the gate screaming, they will dig themselves a hole.
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Now, speaking of the defense, it was mostly fine. But it had one glaring weakness. That secondary was horrendous. You can’t expect to play teams like the 49ers and Lions with Swiss cheese protecting your back-end. It will be harder with Carlton Davis back there, but if the Bucs pass rush can be elite again, it may not have to do as much. Yaya Diaby is firmly the starter, which is the right choice after last season. And maybe Chris Braswell can develop faster than I expect him to. Would it be nice to have an elite secondary? Yes, but I still have my doubts that it can happen. Just too many unknowns as of right now. So, if the secondary can at least be in the top-15, that will be a marked improvement and should be enough.
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To turn to the offensive side of the ball, this IOL needs to do its job for the Buccaneers. Last year, it was bad. I think we forget how bad because both Baker and Rachaad White were good at breaking that initial contact. To turn to the offensive side of the ball, this IOL needs to do its job for the Bucs. Last year, it was bad. I think we forget how bad because both Baker and Rachaad White were good at breaking that initial contact. During that 2020 season, that IOL was god-like. Hopefully, Graham Barton can be that encore in the center. White needs Barton to be that guy. Despite White’s production, the Bucs’ rushing attack was still terrible in terms of ypc. By terrible, I mean 31st in the league.
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If the Bucs do all of this, they can make it all the way and stop the Chiefs from three-peating. Despite the media sleeping on us (again), there is a good team here. I don’t care that the Falcons added the Kohl’s Cash merchant, they haven’t done shit with a talented roster for years. The Buccaneers should be able to hang with the best teams in this conference.
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