Why are the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Favorites to win the NFC this Season?
They may have fallen short at the divisional playoffs last season, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to improve on that return this time around. As the new NFL campaign gets underway, the Bucs are favorites to win the NFC Championship and to earn a shot at the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Can Head Coach Todd Bowles’ team justify that faith or will fans face a frustrating postseason once again?
Positive Start
It had all looked so positive for Tampa Bay at the end of the regular season in 2021. Playing in the NFC South, the Buccaneers won the division by a clear margin from closest challengers the New Orleans Saints.
(Buccaneers Season Highlights 2021/22)
The Bucs won the division with a 13-4 record which equalled the best return of anyone in the NFL. Only the Green Bay Packers in the NFL North managed to match that tally last term. It seemed to have laid a platform for Tampa Bay to progress to the Super Bowl, but things quickly went wrong.
The Buccaneers’ postseason was destined to be brief, after defeating the Philadelphia Eagles 31-15 in the Wild Card round, the team subsequently lost the divisional playoff to the LA Rams.
Bucs fans can take some solace from the fact that the Rams would eventually win that Super Bowl, but the aim is to take their place this term.
Aiming Higher
Even before a ball was kicked, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers started the new NFL season as favorites to win the NFC Championship. According to Betway football odds, the Bucs were clear of closest challengers Green Bay Packers, LA Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.
One factor that could well be in Tampa Bay’s favor lies in the theory that they are in the weaker Conference. Those that look deeper into the markets to find the betting for the overall Super Bowl winner will find a predominance of AFC teams.
At the top of the tree are the Buffalo Bills who are favorites to lift the Vince Lombardi trophy next February. The Buccaneers are second favorites, but AFC teams tend to dominate the top of this market.
Key Figure
Tom Brady’s infamous U-Turn in the offseason would have pleased many Tampa Bay supporters. The veteran Quarterback eventually chose not to retire, but can he keep producing top level performances for the Buccaneers as he reaches his mid-40s?
That’s the big question but remember that Brady has won everything in the game. In his possession, he has seven Super Bowl rings which have been earned through two different teams. In five of those games, he’s finished as the MVP.
Passing and scoring records have tumbled and Tom Brady has also set milestones for NFL games. There may be questions about the advancing years but, if the winningest player in history can stay on top form, the Bucs can go deep once again.
The Supporting Cast
Much of the roster that won the NFC South division are back for another season. There was, however, a mixed reaction to some of the departures from the Raymond James Stadium.
Alex Cappa and Ali Martlet have gone and that could have left holes in one of the best offensive lines from 2022. The loss of Safety Jordan Whitehead to the New York Jets may also have raised a concern.
Tampa Bay moved to plug a gap by bringing in Offensive Guard Shaq Mason from the New England Patriots. He’s a two-time Super Bowl winner and the deal has been described as a ‘perfect trade’ in places.
Other, established Buccaneers returned solid stats from 2021 but they will feel that there is room for improvement. Leonard Fournette returned most rushing yards at 812 while Chris Godwin’s 1,103 receiving yards was the team’s best.
New Arrivals
The general consensus among Bucs fans is that their franchise enjoyed a positive draft in the offseason. Coach Todd Bowles and general manager Jason Licht entered for the first time together and they made their move in round two.
Defensive Tackle Logan Hall and Offensive Tackle Luke Goedeke were picked up at that stage and their acquisitions were met with general approval by the media. Others expressed surprise that Cornerback Zyon McCollom was left until the fifth round.
All draft players are picked with an eye on the future but there is quality here and some will have an important role to play in the new season.
The Verdict on Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The defense will clearly have a role to play but it’s that offensive unit that drove Tampa Bay through the previous season. While there have been some departures, the arrival of Shaq Mason should make the Bucs a potent attacking force once again.
Tom Brady needs to pull the strings effectively. He threw 5,316 passing yards last season and will need to match that at the very least.
The new season has started positive enough with a 19-3 win over the Dallas Cowboys. It was a solid, if unspectacular performance and all key members of the roster played a part.
After the game, Tom Brady revealed the incredible toll that his body has encountered. It was a bruising outing for the veteran and Tampa Bay needs to ensure that they have effective back up if it is needed.
Irrespective of whether Brady needs nursing through another season, there is enough depth of quality to this Buccaneers’ squad to justify their position as NFC favorites.
