Which Game Do You Think Will Be The Toughest/Easiest, on the 2015 Schedule?

Buccaneers: Breaking Down 5 Toughest, 5 Easiest Games on 2015 Schedule By Jason Kanno Apr 22, 2015 Phelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press With the Buccaneers' 2015 schedule now set, a road to redemption lies ahead for Tampa Bay. Like any other year, this season promises plenty of ups and downs for the Bucs.Last year, the Bucs were beset by their inferiority. Not only did they finish with the league's worst record, but they were the worst team in the NFL's worst division. The NFC South was historically bad, making the Bucs' final fate that much more ignominious.This year, in addition to facing the rest of the NFC South, the Bucs play the NFC East and the AFC South, along with the Chicago Bears and the St. Louis Rams.According to CBS Sports' John Breech, the Bucs own the fourth-easiest 2015 schedule, based on last year's standings. This was inevitable since the Bucs play in a division that did not have a single team with a winning record last year.While their divisional rivals can't be overlooked, most of the Bucs' biggest challenges will come from outside the division. The Colts, Cowboys and Panthers are coming off postseason berths and will be dangerous again in 2015.The Bucs' biggest opportunities also come from other divisions. The AFC South boasts some mediocre teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Tennessee Titans, and the Bucs may be able to exorcize some demons from within the NFC South.Here are the Bucs' five toughest and five easiest games on the 2015 schedule.Easiest No. 5: Week 16 at Home vs. ChicagoNam Y. Huh/Associated Press Lovie Smith's second reunion with his old team should go differently than his first. This time, the Bucs might actually bring an offense.The Bears didn't play particularly well in the last meeting. The Chicago offense managed only 204 net yards of offense, but that is indicative of how inept the Bucs offense was in turn.Despite throwing for 341 yards, Josh McCown turned the ball over three times and completed only 52 percent of his passes. The Bucs' run game was non-existent.This year, the Bucs play Chicago at home with new offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter and likely a new rookie quarterback in FSU quarterback Jameis Winston. If the new Bucs offense can hit the ground running, this could be a righteous win for Smith.Toughest No. 5: Week 8 at AtlantaBrian Blanco/Associated Press It's unlikely the Buccaneers forgot the trouncing they endured the last time they were in Atlanta. No doubt the Falcons are looking to reprise last year's 56-14 performance.Nothing went right for the Bucs in their first road game last year. Josh McCown was a turnover machine, and the defense couldn't stop a nosebleed.A repeat blowout is highly unlikely, especially now that the Falcons are no longer pumping crowd noise into the Georgia Dome. Nevertheless, any trip to Atlanta promises to be a tough game, especially with former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn now head coach of the Falcons.The Bucs could win this game if the Falcons don't adapt to Quinn's system quickly. It should be assumed that quarterback Matt Ryan and wide receiver Julio Jones will give the Bucs defense everything it can handle and then some.Easiest No. 4: Week 14 at Home vs. New OrleansPhelan M. Ebenhack/Associated Press It seems like an eternity or so since the Bucs last defeated the Saints. After New Orleans' fire sale this offseason, the Bucs may have their best opportunity in years to break the losing streak.New Orleans lost numerous key pieces of its arsenal thanks to years of poor cap management. Tight end Jimmy Graham, guard Ben Grubbs, wide receiver Kenny Stills and running back Pierre Thomas are all gone.The Saints inexplicably kept defensive coordinator Rob Ryan, who coached one of the NFL's worst defensive units by allowing 26.5 points 384 yards per game. Without the ability to add much veteran talent on defense, the Saints defense isn't likely to be much better in 2015.It may also be near the end of the line for Drew Brees, who is 36 years old. While he's still one of the better quarterbacks in the league, he looked old in the season finale against the Bucs, where he threw three interceptions.This looks to be a transitional year for the Saints. If the changes made by Lovie Smith and Jason Licht start to catch on, this could be the year the Bucs finally beat the Saints.Toughest No. 4: Week 11 at PhiladelphiaTim Sharp/Associated Press The Bucs face the ghosts of 2012 this year when they travel to Philadelphia to face Chip Kelly and the Eagles.Before hiring Greg Schiano as head coach, the Bucs were left at the altar by Chip Kelly, who chose to return to Oregon. A year later, Kelly filled the Eagles' head coaching vacancy and lit the NFL on fire with his lightning-quick offense.The Bucs' chances of beating Kelly's Eagles are low unless his drastic roster changes this offseason backfire. The Eagles parted ways with stud running back LeSean McCoy, linebacker Trent Cole, guard Todd Herremans and quarterback Nick Foles.While Kelly replaced each of these players in one manner or another, they were all major contributors to the Eagles' recent success. There is no guarantee he will get the same results with his new acquisitions.At this point, that is what the Bucs must hope for. Barring a much bigger turnaround by the Bucs than expected or much lower returns on the Eagles' roster changes, the Bucs will enter Philadelphia as a substantial underdog.Easiest No. 3: Week 7 at WashingtonAlex Brandon/Associated Press The Bucs earned their last win of the 2014 season on Robert Griffin III's back. Rather, they won it by putting him on his back.Last year's contest with Washington became Jacquies Smith's breakout performance. He led the Bucs with two of their six sacks on Griffin.With the Bucs adding defensive end George Johnson, their pass rush might again feast upon Washington's mediocre offensive line.Washington is a team in flux. Head coach Jay Gruden pulls no punches when pointing out Griffin's shortcomings as a passer, but his team might have too many other roster holes to replace him with a rookie like Marcus Mariota.The wild card for this game is the effect of Washington's new offensive coordinator Sean McVay and offensive line coach Bill Callahan. McVay is a rising star, and Callahan worked wonders for the Cowboys last season. If they continue to work miracles, they could turn the tide against the Bucs.Toughest No. 3: Week 10 at Home vs. DallasLM Otero/Associated Press Facing last year's NFC East champions, the Bucs can only take solace that they play the Cowboys at home.The Bucs will have their hands full against what will likely again be a potent Dallas offense. Dallas lost DeMarco Murray to Philadelphia, but with their elite offensive line, any Cowboys running back can be successful.Lovie Smith will face his protege, Cowboys defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli. He runs a similar Tampa-2 defense in Dallas but doesn't boast the overall talent of Tampa Bay's defensive roster.The Cowboys will come to Tampa Bay without their recently acquired pass-rush specialist Greg Hardy. Per Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio, the former Panther is suspended for the first 10 games of the season, including this match with the Bucs.This game will come down to which team can better exploit the Tampa-2's weaknesses. Given Dallas' offensive talent, they have the clear edge.Easiest No. 2: Week 5 at Home vs. JacksonvilleDavid J. Phillip/Associated Press Tampa Bay's northern neighbor can empathize with the Bucs' struggles to return to relevancy. The question will be whether the Bucs can capitalize on the Jaguars' persistent misfortune.Signs are pointing up for Jacksonville. It has a potential franchise quarterback in Blake Bortles, and he has some decent weapons, including tight end Julius Thomas, running back Denard Robinson and wide receiver Allen Robinson.Like the Bucs, the Jaguars haven't been able to galvanize their talent into a winning formula. Bortles played very much like a rookie last year, throwing just 11 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.The Bucs could have their own rookie quarterback growing pains if they take Jameis Winston. While he is the most pro-ready passer in the 2015 draft, that doesn't mean he won't struggle adjusting to the NFL.This matchup comes down to whichever team is able to get its act together first. Jacksonville's talent level is by no means insurmountable, but Lovie Smith needs to be better prepared this season if the Bucs are to win this kind of winnable game.Toughest No. 2: Week 17 at CarolinaMike McCarn/Associated Press The NFC South was atrocious last year, but respect must still be paid to the reigning division champions.The Bucs lost their first meeting of 2014 even though Cam Newton was sidelined with broken ribs. It was the game that set the Bucs on the path toward their league-worst record.This year the Bucs conclude the regular season with a trip to Carolina. Their most difficult task will be scoring on the Panthers' stout defense, led by Luke Kuechly.The Panthers have every intention of continuing their unprecedented streak as NFC South champions. That might provide them with the momentum and incentive to finish the season strong against the Bucs.Easiest No. 1: Week 1 at Home vs. TennesseeSanford Myers/Associated Press Only one team finished the 2014 season with a record as bad as the Bucs'. The Tennessee Titans are Tampa Bay's AFC South mirror image and likely their easiest 2015 foe.Both teams struggled on defense and couldn't run the ball in 2014. Both are coached by men with Super Bowl pedigree but are now a year into their second head coaching gigs.Their greatest similarity is their greatest flaw: Neither has a franchise quarterback. Combined, the two teams fielded five quarterbacks in 2014, which is why the Titans may end up taking a quarterback right after the Bucs.The Bucs play the Titans at home in their season opener. There is heavy incentive for the Bucs to start the season hot in front of the home crowd.Given their similarities, the Bucs should focus everything they have into winning their first game. It might mean the difference between righting the ship and continuing down the same path of futility they started on in 2014.Toughest No. 1: Week 12 at IndianapolisJulio Cortez/Associated Press In Week 12, the Bucs will play the smart pick for the AFC's representatives to Super Bowl 50, the Indianapolis Colts. Without question, this will be their toughest game of 2015.Yes, the Patriots destroyed the Colts in the AFC Championship Game last year, but the Colts did their fair share of trouncing to get to that game in the first place.Andrew Luck is close to fulfilling his potential and becoming the NFL's best quarterback. He has a host of weapons to catch the ball, including ascendant receivers T.Y. Hilton and Donte Moncrief. The defense boasts some of the NFL's best playmakers and play-stoppers in linebacker Robert Mathis and cornerback Vontae Davis.The Colts should only be better in 2015, especially after loading up on veteran talent this offseason. Indianapolis signed linebacker Trent Cole, running back Frank Gore, wideout Andre Johnson, and guard Todd Herremans, drastically upgrading its pass rush and offense.The Bucs would have had to overpay each of those players to acquire them this offseason. Why? They wanted to play for a contender. The Bucs aren't there yet, and it's unlikely they leave Indianapolis with a win.link