we do it every year, so let’s guess our record
our division is still bad, but definitely getting better and our schedule is heavy
I'll be optimistic for once and say we win the division with 10-7 record
11-6
0-4 in prime time games
5-1 in division
6-5 through the season, very similar to prior seasons until we go on a 5-1 run to end the year.
Not sure the Falcons got better in the off-season. Both 1st round picks are projects and Walker is a classic tweener. Decent at both positions but not great at either. Take his Texas tape away from last season and he was just above good. His tape against Texas is special though. Pearce needs to gain some weight and mature in his approach. They aren't better at QB either. Kirk Cousins coming in last season was a much better QB than Penix is today. Penix may become great but, I don't think he's sorta good before the end of the season. Because it's week one on the road, Tampa may indeed lose (week ones are a complete crap shoot) but Tampa should get to 13-4 on the season. Our roster is just that much better than everyone elses. There will be some slip up though.
Not sure the Falcons got better in the off-season. Both 1st round picks are projects and Walker is a classic tweener. Decent at both positions but not great at either. Take his Texas tape away from last season and he was just above good. His tape against Texas is special though. Pearce needs to gain some weight and mature in his approach. They aren't better at QB either. Kirk Cousins coming in last season was a much better QB than Penix is today. Penix may become great but, I don't think he's sorta good before the end of the season. Because it's week one on the road, Tampa may indeed lose (week ones are a complete crap shoot) but Tampa should get to 13-4 on the season. Our roster is just that much better than everyone elses. There will be some slip up though.
make no mistake about it, the Bucs should win this division
BUT....being a Bucs Fan for as long as i have, i will tell you one thing and at least as it pertains to the Bowles/Mayfield Bucs; we tend to trip over our own dicks when it comes to getting "flowers" from the Media and being favorites
in 2023, we start out 3-1, the media is talking us up and a Baker resurgence, we then proceed to lose 6 out of next 7 games with the likes of Atlanta, Houston, and Indianapolis as part of that skid.
Also in 2023, we rally to win 4 games in a row with a couple impressive wins against Green Bay and Jacksonville. Again, Media is talking us up, all we need to do is beat the Saints at home and we clinch division. We lay a dud and lose 23-13
In the final week, we just need to beat the 2 win Panthers to get in and we muster up 3 field goals in a 9-0 game to clinch the division. If i recall, i think it also required a freak of nature play by AWJ to save a touchdown. Despite our best efforts, we won the game and clinched a playoff spot.
The only caveat to this "being the favorite funk" is that we DID beat the floundering Eagles in the playoff game; our only prime time game win in Bowles/Mayfield history. Mind you the Eagles have lost 5 out of their last 6 games with losses to double digit loss teams Arizona and Giants to end the year. BUT...alot of pundits did pick us to win and we infact won.
then in 2024, We start out 2-0, impressive win over the Lions. We are getting talked up, somehow get smoked by the Broncos with a 7 point offensive performance in week 3
Then at 4-2, can we compete with the likes of Baltimore on Monday night? Clearly not.
After 4 wins in a row, and impressive Chargers blow out, all we need to do is beat Dallas with their back-up QB to maintain our Destiny. We are talked about as a scary team that no one wants to face in playoffs and alas, we lay a dud.
And finally, we get into the playoffs favored against a team that we beat by 17 points earlier in the year and go full retard on offense in the 4th quarter.
so i am just saying, while it's clear we are the most talented team in this division, i somehow feel that the Falcons winning it is not out of the question or in typical Bucs fashion, we are not clinching until week 18.
11-6
0-4 in prime time games
5-1 in division
6-5 through the season, very similar to prior seasons until we go on a 5-1 run to end the year.
im close to this give me 1-3 in prime time 4-2 in the division
10-7
Squeak out the NFCS
Wild Card win
Loss in the Divisional
12 win ceiling
8 win floor
11 win prediction
Right there with you on these guesses.
Gonna go 12-5
10-7, division title, win the wild card game, one and done.
11-6.
The division is improved but I also think the Bucs improved so they haven't closed the gap.
Bucs defense showing improvement from last year and better field position due to a better punter helps big time. And the offense can drive on shorter fields or feast from more turnovers which I anticipate.
If the Bucs defense doubles their INT total from last year punch their ticket for divisional title again. Win wild card game and divisional game.
11-6.
The division is improved but I also think the Bucs improved so they haven't closed the gap.
Bucs defense showing improvement from last year and better field position due to a better punter helps big time. And the offense can drive on shorter fields or feast from more turnovers which I anticipate.
If the Bucs defense doubles their INT total from last year punch their ticket for divisional title again. Win wild card game and divisional game.
The Bucs should be able to make a run but they need to put it together
the NFC is up for grabs as it has been the last few years. It's not like we have the top 4 QBs in the league sitting there (Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, Burrow)
To enter the year, i'd probably rank the tiers like this which would have us right in that win a wild card, lose a game scenario or maybe make a Commanders type run and make the NFC Champ game. As we've shown, we can beat the best of the best in the NFC (Detroit, Eagles), but we also have shown we can lose to teams lower than us (Cowboys without Dak, Atlanta).
Tier 1 - Eagles, Detroit
Tier 2 - Commanders, 49ers, Packers, Bucs
Tier 3 - Rams, Seahawks, Cowboys, Vikings
Tier 4 - Arizona, Chicago, Atlanta
Tier Shit - Giants, Panthers, and Saints
This year is going to be predicated on reading too much hype in the social media column. I love Baker Mayfield and our running backs. Bucky is the man. Too much is unknown on the defense in the field of battle and again with a 32 year old back up QB....No thank you. Something just doesn't smell right about the QB situation.
Bucs defense showing improvement from last year and better field position due to a better punter helps big time.
This is a good point. A whole bunch of "football savants" overlook the value of a good punter.