In spite of being a mere average team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have topped the NFC South division for the past two years, which is a testament to the sad state of the division. As a matter of fact, the Buccaneers won the division on the back of 8 wins in 2022 and 9 in 2023.
However, things change in the NFL very quickly and the highlight of last season was the return to form of Baker Mayfield whose stellar play earned him a contract extension in the offseason.
As we now get ready for the start of the 2024 season, here are 5 bold predictions for the Buccaneers in 2024.
Baker Mayfield throws for 35 touchdowns and less than 10 interceptions
To start off, we have to address the leader of the offense and that is none other than quarterback Baker Mayfield. The struggles of Mayfield have been well documented across the internet from his No. 1 overall pick in 2018 to almost getting relegated to the bench, Mayfield struck a chord with the Buccaneers’ players, coaches, and fans in 2023.
Last season was a season of redemption for the former Oklahoma Sooners’ quarterback and he grabbed his opportunity with both hands. He achieved a career-best in both passing yards with 4,044 and touchdowns with 28.
This year, the Buccaneers will be with a new offensive coordinator in Liam Coen, but that should not hamper the chemistry Mayfield has created with his receivers. Mayfield will once again set career-best numbers in 2024 with more than 4,000 passing yards and will throw 35 touchdowns.
Antoine Winfield Jr. will finish top three in Defensive Player of the Year voting
Four-year veteran Antoine Winfield Jr. is getting ready for another season with the Buccaneers.
The former second-round safety had a career year last season as he made 122 tackles, six sacks, 12 pass deflections, three interceptions, and four fumble recoveries. Moreover, his six forced fumbles led the league. Not only did he earn First-team All-Pro honors, but he also finished sixth in the Defensive Player of the year voting.
Now that Winfield Jr. has had his break-out year, this year there is every chance he will perform similarly if not better. With a little more effort, the Ohio native will stand on the brink of the top three in voting for the DPOY.
Calijah Kancey has a breakout year
Calijah Kancey, the 19th pick of the 2023 draft, showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie year. This year, as he gets set for his second season in the professional league, Kancey will be a huge difference-maker for Tampa Bay as he becomes a leading pass rusher.
Kancey finished the year with four sacks and nine tackles for loss. However, with a full training camp and preseason under his belt, Kancey will double his sack production, increase his overall tackles from 19 to 30, and have double-digit tackles for loss.
Buccaneers finish with a 12-5 record
Tampa Bay has finished atop the NFC South for the past three seasons but the last two seasons were nothing great despite making it to the divisional round of the playoffs in 2023-24.
This time around, the Bucs should face stiffer competition for the top spot from the Atlanta Falcons, but Tampa Bay will dominate the division and end the year with a 12-5 record.
Buccaneers will make it to the NFC Championship Game
The Buccaneers just don’t look like a Super Bowl contending team at the moment. But, that is not to say that they can’t go far in the playoffs. Playing in the NFC, Tampa Bay’s chances of going one better than last season’s divisional round look quite good.
Last season’s impressive run saw the Buccaneers take care of the Philadelphia Eagles comfortably amidst an end-of-the-season collapse from the NFC East team. However, Tampa Bay went toe-to-toe against the Detroit Lions who had one of the franchises’ finest seasons ever.
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