National Football League

Buccaneers' Final Record: A Pewter Plank Roundtable

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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How will the Buccaneers’ fare in 2016? We discuss right here.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter and general manager Jason Licht prior to the game against the Washington Redskins during the Tropical Storm Hermine at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Jason Licht did a great deal of work putting the 2016 Buccaneers together. He rebuilt the secondary and put together a potentially fearsome pass rush. On offense, he kept the core together and added a veteran wide receiver in Cecil Shorts. There may be a first-year coach, but there are a lot of pieces in place for a successful 2016.

But how successful can it be?

More from The Pewter Plank

For anyone who hasn’t been following along, we have been doing a weekly roundtable discussion among the staff. This week, we predicted the team’s 2016 record. Here is what we came up with, each slide will be dedicated to a staff member. Read on for our thoughts!

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) reacts on the sidelines during the first half against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Bailey Adams

I’ve gone on the record with my prediction before, so I’ll stick with it. I have the Bucs finishing 9-7 this year, going 5-3 at home and 4-4 on the road. The 2016 schedule is significantly tougher than last year’s, but there are a lot of reasons to believe that Tampa Bay will be a better team this year. Jameis Winston will continue to mature in year two, the offense should continue to gel and the defense has a chance to be much better.

There are some tough stretches for the Bucs this year, but they have the talent to get through them. The first five games of the season will be a huge test, but the stretch after the bye week is manageable. San Francisco, Oakland, Atlanta and Chicago are beatable opponents that Tampa Bay will see in weeks seven through 10. There are some winnable games on the schedule and a few that the Bucs could steal, so I have them at 9-7 with an outside shot at a wild card spot.

Aug 31, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Dirk Koetter looks on during the first half against the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

David Harrison

My prediction for the Buccaneers’ 2016 record is 9-7.

With the Falcons seemingly breaking even this off-season an improved Bucs’ defense should be able to contain Matt Ryan, Julio Jones and Devonta Freeman enough to pull out two wins this year for back-to-back sweep seasons against Atlanta.

Following tough match-ups against the Seahawks and Chiefs, the Chargers contest in Week 13 could be a trap game where the team almost lets out a sigh of relief just to be run up on by a team who looks more inferior on paper.

If my predictions ring true then our favorite NFC South upstarts will be 6-6 entering the final four games of the year and Dirk Koetter will be looking to earn the promotion he got this year.

Two wins against a Saints defense who will be as beat up as they are undermanned should be attainable, and going up against a Dallas team featuring Ezekiel Elliott who figures to be nearing or hitting his rookie wall looks like a winnable situation.

An upset win or two gives this team a shot at the playoffs, but a 9-7 record against a far tougher 2016 schedule is a victory in coach Koetter’s rookie season.

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Robert Ayers (91) and middle linebacker Kwon Alexander (58) get signals from the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Buccaneers, 17-9. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

Michael Horan

Predicting the Bucs’ record is tough any year, but this year in particular they’re hard to figure out. On one hand they’re massively improved from last season in which they showed signs of a team on the rise. Winston has a year of experience, the defense has added Mike Smith, Robert Ayers, Noah Spence, Vernon Hargreaves and Daryl Smith. But on the other hand, the schedule is significantly more daunting, with matchups versus some of the NFL’s elite teams like Arizona, Denver and Seattle. The offensive line is something of a question mark as well, and they’re going to need to perform against the best of the best.I think that the Bucs are overall a pretty good team that can contend for a wild card if all goes according to plan. If they remain healthy at the key positions then I think that ten wins is within reach. They have proven they can play with Atlanta and New Orleans, but must prove they can at least split with Carolina to reach ten wins. They also must manage to escape their opening five games before the bye with at least a 3-2 record.Next: Zach Sauers

Aug 11, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) hands off to running back Doug Martin (22) during the first quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Zach Sauers

In my personal opinion I believe the Bucs will have a 9-7 season and there are a few reasons why I believe this. The Bucs have been struggling to get out of the cellar in the NFC South, and I believe this is finally the year that it happens.

Although they currently have one of the most difficult schedules in the NFL, which should not be ignored, iron sharpens iron. A revamped defensive scheme along with two years in Coach Koetter’s offense should do the team well. If the newly acquired players flourish in their new environment, based upon the pre season, it should be a good year.

Look to see an extraordinary jump from our quarterback Jameis Winston. This will be the year he sets his name in the same ranks as Cam Newton, Andrew Luck, and Russell Wilson. The young guns across the NFL will soon be taking over.

Aug 16, 2013; Foxborough, MA, USA; An NFL Heads Up logo is affixed to the helmet of a Tampa Bay Buccaneers players prior to a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stew Milne-USA TODAY Sports

Brian DeFeo

For my Bucs’ record prediction I predict 8-8. I feel that the Bucs’ can win the same amount of games in one season than they did with Lovie Smith in two years. I feel that Vegas toys with me by putting them at 7.5 wins for the season. They do have a tough schedule to start the season, with games at Arizona and Carolina, and a tough one at home against defending Super Bowl Champs, Denver Broncos. The Bucs can easily start 1-4 and fans could turn on them early.

The Denver game isn’t impossible because they have no quarterback so they could win and the Carolina game is on Monday Night Football where anything is possible. At best they can be 4-1 but 2-3 is much more likely. There’s a lot of back and forth traveling for the Bucs this season traveling to San Francisco and San Diego. Both are winnable but the cross-country travel never helps any team. They will be improved across the board but I really think that next season is where they contend for not only the playoffs but the division as well.

Jun 14, 2016; Tampa Bay, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive coordinator Mike Smith (right) talks with cornerback Alterraun Verner (21) works out during mini camp at One Buccaneer Place. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

James Yarcho

My prediction – albeit optimistic – is 10-6. The schedule isn’t nearly as scary as we all thought when it was released, and it appears the Bucs may catch some teams at opportune times.

As I said in my NFC South predictions piece, the big measuring sticks for the Bucs will be games at home against Seattle and Denver, as well as on the road against Arizona and Carolina. I don’t think the Bucs are quite at the level of the Seahawks or Cardinals yet, but I do believe they can beat Denver at home as well as the Panthers.

Facing the Falcons twice, a Dallas team that will likely be without Romo, the Chargers, 49ers, and Rams all present favorable matchups for the Bucs as they take their next step towards contention.

It all starts at Atlanta, where a fast start is crucial. The Falcons have won eight straight home openers, but the Bucs are going to try and take it to another level for the return of defensive coordinator Mike Smith.

Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers guard Logan Mankins (70) against the Chicago Bears during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Alan Schechter

Last but not least, I am going to agree with the 8-8 prediction. Those first five games are a bear. Facing both conference champions is not easy for any team, even without their quarterback from last season. That defense of the Broncos isn’t any different. Even the Rams, led by Todd Gurley, are dangerous, and the Falcons won’t be a walk in the park. Starting 1-4 is unfortunately very realistic and that will be tough to recover from.

The other concern of mine is the offensive line. They are not dealing with life after Logan Mankins very well. The running game did not look good in the preseason. It takes time for a line to get the necessary cohesion, and I believe that the problems are going to move into the season. I just don’t think they will get to their best in time for a record better than 8-8.

You have heard what we think, what do you think? What will the Bucs’ record be? Sound off in the comments below.

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