Tampa Bay Buccaneers will begin the new regime under head coach Bruce Arians when the 2019 NFL season finally gets underway. He has brought along his Arizona Cardinals coaching staff, including defensive coordinator Todd Bowles to help with the job that he has in front of him at Tampa Bay – and it is a big challenge as the Bucs finished 5-11 in consecutive years.

There is little doubt that things are going to be very different regarding what will be allowed and what won’t be going forward. It’s a big year for quarterback Jameis Winston, who is entering his fifth-year option and will need to put off-field issues in the rear view mirror.

Tampa has struggled over recent years when it comes to success, and has only achieved two seasons above .500 since 2009. Furthermore, they haven’t been able to reach the playoff since the Jon Gruden era in 2007.

It feels like a lifetime ago since fans have seen their Buccaneers play football in January. What are the fundamental changes that could mean the coming season with Arians could bring success?

The quarterback position
Throughout last season there was a rotation policy involving Winston and Ryan Fitzpatrick as each quarterback was benched once and regained the starting job with Winston as the last man standing in 2018. That will change under this new regime as Winston enters the 2019 season as the unquestioned starter.

With Winston sidelined for the first three games of 2018 due to a suspension, Fitzpatrick started the season and wound up 2-5 in seven starts, going 0-5 after a hot 2-0 start. Meanwhile, Winston started nine games and went 3-6. Despite the constant QB switches, the Bucs led the league in passing.

Fitzpatrick has now departed Tampa Bay for Miami, meaning that Winston will get the chance to start all 16 games once again. Winston should be full of confidence for the season, as he knows nobody is waiting to takeover his position.

Improvements on defense
Arians made the right call to address Tampa Bay’s defensive problems with the addition of Bowles, who was fired after a four-year stint as the head coach of the New York Jets. Last season the Bucs defense ranked 27th overall; while it was 24th and 26th against the run and pass, respectively. The hiring of Bowles and his aggressive, one-gap, attacking-style approach resolves this – in theory.

Bucs DC Todd Bowles – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Bowles is an experienced coach and Bucs fans will be full of hope that he and his blitz-happy 3-4 scheme could turn the disappointing performances of last season around. Bowles was part of the Cardinals team that led the rankings in points allowed and yards from 2013-14.

The NFC South
There isn’t one team in the NFC South that looks to have all the answers. Granted there are problems and weaknesses in Tampa Bay, but the fact that other teams also have problems should give fans hope.

The New Orleans Saints fell short in the NFC Championship Game and with an aging Drew Brees and no Mark Ingram, there will be some questions as to whether they are still a team that can compete for the NFC South title. Also, the Falcons haven’t recovered from their fateful self-implosion against the Patriots, and there are still lingering questions regarding Cam Newton’s right shoulder for the Panthers. Any chance that Carolina has will be resting on a fully fit Newton.

For all the best NFL predictions for the coming season, fans should follow the best tipsters online. If all the stars align and Arians can develop Winston with Bowles improving the defense, then possibly the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could achieve the seemingly impossible and make a long-awaited playoff berth