Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2016 Season Preview

(photo credit:buccaneers.com)

The Buccaneers are coming off a 6-10 season featuring 2015, first overall pick Jameis Winston’s rookie season. Now entering his second season, Winston and the Bucs look to build on successes from last season, and have attempted to sure up some holes.

The addition of Robert Ayers, Brent Grimes, and rookie Vernon Hargreaves III should help to stabilize a defense that gave up over 26 points per game last season, which was the seventh most in the league.

A resurgent Doug Martin hopes to continue to stay healthy and lead the young offense. Playing a full season for the first time since his rookie season, Martin finished with over 1400 rushing yards, second to only Adrian Peterson.

Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson continue to be Winston’s primary targets, however Tight End Austin Seferian-Jenkins showed flashes of brilliance in his limited time during the 2015 season. New head coach Kirk Koetter is looking for Seferian-Jenkins to take the next step, and use his athleticism to become an elite target for Winston.

Tampa opens the year with only two home games in their first seven contests, including trips to Arizona and Carolina. However, a three game home stand mid-season against Oakland, Atlanta and Chicago could prove to be a pivotal stretch for the Bucs to have a successful season.

Tampa then ends the season with three of their final four games against division rivals, with a trip to the Superdome in New Orleans week 16, and a game in Raymond James against the Panthers in their final game.