FAB 2. Revised Bucs’ 2018 Game-By-Game Predictions

I realize I just came out with my predictions for Tampa Bay’s 2018 season just three weeks ago in the September 7 edition of SR’s Fab 5, but I feel the need to revise my prediction based on what I’ve seen in the Bucs’ 2-0 start.

It’s a 2-0 start that I predicted, by the way.

The problem is that I forecasted an 8-8 record in Tampa Bay this year despite predicting a 2-0 start, and from what I’ve witnessed with Dirk Koetter and Todd Monken’s offense I think the Bucs can put points up with anyone in the league. I think 10 wins is attainable as long as the offense continues to fire on all cylinders for eight more games and the defense continues to improve.

After my previous prediction of a 2-0 start I have the Bucs losing the next three games, and I don’t see a 2-3 start happening now. Let’s revise Tampa Bay’s record, shall we?

Week 1: Tampa Bay at New Orleans
What I said: I know that Las Vegas has the Bucs at 10-point underdogs in their season opener on the road at New Orleans. This game is a complete toss-up for me as conventional wisdom tells me the Saints could very well romp the Ryan Fitzpatrick-led Bucs in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, but my gut tells me that Tampa Bay has something in store for Drew Brees and Co. I just feel like the Bucs have more to prove and that the Saints will overlook them even though they shouldn’t after a less-talented Tampa Bay team beat them in last year’s season finale. A Chandler Catanzaro game-winning field goal gets the season started off right for the red-and-pewter-clad pirates.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 1-0 – Nailed it.

Week 2: Tampa Bay vs. Philadelphia
What I said: If you haven’t thought I was crazy yet for picking the Bucs to upset the Saints in Week 1 on the road, you’ll probably believe it after I tell you Tampa Bay will start the season 2-0 after beating the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in Tampa Bay’s home opener. Will Nick Foles be at quarterback or will Carson Wentz be cleared to play in this game? It doesn’t matter. The Bucs, who are riding high after a 1-0 start, have momentum and overtake a depleted Eagles team that might be having a Super Bowl hangover. Not having Alshon Jeffery helps the Tampa Bay defense hold Philadelphia under 24 points in the win.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 2-0 – Again, nailed it.

Week 3: Tampa Bay vs. Pittsburgh
What I said: Are the 2-0 Bucs this year’s surprise team? That will be the storyline heading into this big Monday Night Football game match-up against a veteran Steelers team. Expect a shootout as Pittsburgh’s offense will be hard to handle, but its defense has holes in the secondary and can be exploited. Tampa Bay believes the hype and comes out overconfident, only to fall short in a high-scoring affair as Ben Roethlisberger and Antonio Brown have their way with the Bucs secondary.

What I think happens now: It will be a shootout in Tampa Bay on Monday Night Football, but the Bucs prevail 34-31 by winning the turnover battle.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s NEW Record: 3-0

So the Bucs are 3-0 instead of 2-1. Let’s continue to revise the wins and losses and see where Tampa Bay ends up at the end of the 2018 campaign.

Week 4: Tampa Bay at Chicago
I predicted the Bucs to lose this game before the season started because of Chicago’s improved defense and I think that could very well be the case, especially with the addition of pass rusher Khalil Mack. Tampa Bay enters the bye week with an improbable 3-1 record that NOBODY – not even I – predicted.
Bucs Lose – Tampa Bay’s Record: 3-1

Week 5: BYE WEEK

Bucs MLB Kwon Alexander – Photo by: Getty Images

Week 6: Tampa Bay at Atlanta
I still see this as a loss. I had this game as the Bucs’ third loss in a row with Jameis Winston back in the starting lineup by now at quarterback, but it’s still Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm. I could see this game going either way because I think the Bucs have the firepower to match the Falcons. Give Atlanta the edge since it’s a home game, and Tampa Bay loses two games in a row.
Bucs Lose – Tampa Bay’s Record: 3-2

Week 7: Tampa Bay vs. Cleveland
I still see this as a win. This week will be a big test for head coach Dirk Koetter. Does he re-insert Winston as the team’s starting quarterback now that the Bucs have lost two straight games under Fitzpatrick, or does he still believe in FitzMagic? Because the Bucs are above .500 I think he sticks with Fitz and is rewarded with a close home win against a much-improved Browns team.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 4-2

Week 8: Tampa Bay at Cincinnati
I now see this as a loss. Before the start of the season I had this as a Bucs win because I didn’t think the Bengals were going to be this good. With a 2-0 start, Cincinnati is proving me wrong as wide receiver A.J. Green is playing at a high level and the Bengals defense looks formidable. This is a road game and that gives Cincy the home-field advantage.
Bucs Lose – Tampa Bay’s Record: 4-3

Week 9: Tampa Bay at Carolina
I now see this as a win. Carolina is a tough place to win, but I think the Bucs are way better than the Panthers this year. I don’t think Cam Newton and the Panthers offense can keep up with Tampa Bay’s offense. I also see the Bucs defense really getting after Newton and taking advantage of the Panthers’ banged up offensive line.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 5-3

Week 10: Tampa Bay vs. Washington
This is still a Bucs win, as the team moves three games above .500 for the first time since Tampa Bay was 8-5 in 2016, which was Koetter’s first year as head coach. Will the Bucs struggle at the end of the year again and wind up 9-7 as they did that season? Stay tuned.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 6-3

Bucs RT Demar Dotson and DE Jason Pierre-Paul – Photo by: Mark Lomoglio/PR

Week 11: Tampa Bay at New York Giants
I now see this as a win. Jason Pierre-Paul has a big day against his former team, which can’t protect Eli Manning and give him time to throw. Tampa Bay has now won three games in a row and four of the last five games as the Bucs catch fire.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 7-3

Week 12: Tampa Bay vs. San Francisco
I still see this as a win. Instead of being 6-5, the Bucs are red-hot and now 8-3 on the season after beating an overmatched 49ers team at home. I had predicted an 8-8 record for Tampa Bay and the team is already at eight wins through the first 12 weeks of the season – with the playoffs in sight.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 8-3

Week 13: Tampa Bay vs. Carolina
This is still a win – and a big one as the Bucs have bounced back from last year’s 5-11 mark to post a winning record. Will Tampa Bay match the 9-7 record in 2016, or will the Bucs go further in Koetter’s third year? Tampa Bay sweeps Carolina to keep the momentum going. Let’s see how December plays out.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 9-3

Week 14: Tampa Bay vs. New Orleans
This is still a loss. The Bucs come out flat and the Saints are out to avenge their Week 1 loss at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. It’s going to come down to the wire for the NFC South crown between Tampa Bay, New Orleans and Atlanta.
Bucs Lose – Tampa Bay’s Record: 9-4

Week 15: Tampa Bay at Baltimore
This is still a loss. It’s a road game against an improved Ravens team in the cold conditions in Baltimore. The FitzMagic is fading, as the 35-year old quarterback’s arm is getting weary. Instead of being 7-7 as I predicted before the season started, the Bucs are 9-5 – but with back-to-back losses down the stretch.
Bucs Lose – Tampa Bay’s Record: 9-5

Bucs LT Donovan Smith – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

Week 16: Tampa Bay at Dallas
This is still a loss. It’s a shame the Bucs couldn’t have caught the Cowboys earlier in the season. This game is flexed to Sunday night as it was back in 2016 as both Dallas and Tampa Bay were in playoff contention. Unfortunately, it’s the same outcome as the Cowboys edge the Bucs to punt a dent in their playoff run. Koetter makes a controversial decision by benching Fitzpatrick and inserting Winston at quarterback after a third straight loss.
Bucs Lose – Tampa Bay’s Record: 9-6

Week 17: Tampa Bay vs. Atlanta
This is still a win. Winston has played here and there during this season since his return from a three-game suspension to start the season, but he gets his first start of the season in a game the Bucs desperately need to win to make the playoffs. Winston’s return to the starting lineup is a triumphant one and he leads Tampa Bay to a key win to beat Atlanta to help the Bucs win the rough-and-tumble NFC South.
Bucs Win – Tampa Bay’s Record: 10-6

So there you have it. Thanks to a high-octane offense and a hot start, I believe the Bucs will be a 10-6 playoff team – even winning the NFC South division – instead of the 8-8 squad I had predicted just three weeks ago. After predicting too many wins for the Bucs over the last couple of years I wanted them to show me they could beat quality opponents before I bought into the hype.

With impressive wins at New Orleans and at home against Philadelphia, the defending Super Bowl champions, Tampa Bay has shown me. I’m convinced this is a good football team and I’m buying into the Bucs’ hype.