It can often be hard to objectively evaluate the Bucs because of all the variables in playing football. FootballOutsiders is nice because it uses objective stats to measure a teams ability. Importantly, it also factors in game situations. It's definitely imperfect, but a useful tool. Here are the rankings:
Overall Efficiency: 26
Bucs O: 22 (18 pass 24 rush)
Bucs D: 20 (19 pass 16 rush)
ST: 28 (mostly FG/XP, as well as KR & PR)
QB: 21 (Winston)
RB: 13 (just Rodgers, sample size to small with other backs)
TE: 17 (Brate)
WR: 22/64/72 (Evans/Humphries/Jackson, sample size too small with everyone else)
OL: 18 run 15 pass
DL: 16 run 14 pass
Offensive Yds/Drive: 22
Offensive Pts/Drive: 21
Offensive INT/Drive: 28
Offensive TO/Drive: 25
Offensive ToP/Drive: 27
Defensive Yds/Drive: 15
Defensive Pts/Drive: 20
Defensive INT/Drive: 26
Defensive TO/Drive: 18
Defensive ToP/Drive: 8
*Note: Because RB and WR are all ranked individually, difficult to assess as a group.
Observations:
1) The Bucs defence is bad, but not as bad as suggested. If FO's stats are correct, means a bad Bucs D is being placed in bad situations.
2) The Bucs are NFL average in the yards/drive but below average in points/drive. This means they're often in a bad field position (due to the offense).
3) Bucs DL is doing a better job (on average) of rushing the passer than assumed (slightly above NFL average). Means that flaws are from bad scheme and/or just incorrect fan expectation.
4) FO doesn't do position rankings on LBs or DBs. But looking at stats suggests LBs and/or DBs are more of a problem than DL.
5) The Bucs D is 26th in INTs but 18th in turnovers. INTs are a better indicator of turnovers than fumbles because recovering fumbles is purely luck. So Bucs are doing a bad job of turnovers. But they're 8th in defensive time of possession. That seems great, but it's likely because the Bucs defense is frequently in bad field position and lets teams score quickly. For reference, the Bucs D ranks 29th in points/game.
6) Every phase of the Bucs team is playing poorly. Reflects very badly on Licht & Koetter. For comparison, Bucs ended with a 2015 Overall Team Efficiency rank of 21. To be clear, far too soon to give up on Koetter as it takes time to change a team. Every great rookie NFL coach started with a bad year his first year (and often their 2nd).
7) Returner situation isn't talked about, but has been bad as well.
8) The Bucs offensive is turning the ball over at a high rate (28th in INTs and 25th in overall turnovers). It's also not possessing the ball very long, ranking 27th in the league with 2:32.
