Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview 2021

NFLNFL Preview 2021NFC Preview 2021NFC South Preview 2021NFCNFC SouthTampa Bay Buccaneers

Sep 3

In creating our Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview 2021, we found that until last year this team had won one Super Bowl. That was in 2002. Since that victory, through 2019, the Bucs have been to the postseason just two times. Their last playoff appearance was in 2007 when they lost in the Wild Card Round 24-14 to the Giants. Last season, Tom Brady arrived with his six Super Bowl rings and guided the Saints to their second NFL title. That was despite the fact that the Buccaneers were a major underdog to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Buccaneers Offense

The Buc offense starts and stops with Brady (610 ATT, 401 COMP, 4,633 YDs, 40 TDs, 12 INTs). Last season, the former New England Patriot quarterback adapted, led, and excelled. This season, expect more of the same from the GOAT. Last season, the Tampa Bay frontline provided premium protection for Brady and generous lanes for the ground attack.

The four top receivers from 2020 return. Mike Evans (70 REC, 1,006 YDs, 14.4 AVG, 13 TDs) led all Tampa Bay receivers, while wideout Chris Goodwin (65 REC, 840 YDs, 12.9 AVG, 7 TDs) and tight end Rob Gronkowski (45 REC, 623 YDs, 13.8, AVG, 7 TDs) were second and third. Scott Miller and Antonio Brown round out this prime unit. The ground attack offers a fine duo comprised of Ronald Jones II (192ATT, 978 YDs, 5.1 AVG, 7 TDs) and Leonard Fournette (97 ATT, 367 YDs, 3.8 AVG, 6 TDs).

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Preview – Defense

While the Tampa Bay offense was averaging a hefty 30.8 PPG (3rd), the defense was limiting teams to 22.2 PPG (8th). Our Tampa Bay Buccaneers preview 2021 notes that the D was first versus the run, limiting teams to 80.1 YPG. However, they were 21st against the pass, allowing 289.1 YPG. Their 15 picks tied for seventh in the league. Plus, the Bucs were tied for fourth in sacks with 48 and sixth in turnover differential at plus-eight.

Now in his 12th season, defensive end Ndamukong Suh has been hearty, dependable, and untiring. He anchors a line that was responsible for producing the top run defense in the NFL. The linebacking unit is solid. It includes ILBs Lavonte David (117 TKLs) and Devin White (140 TKLs, 9 SCKs) and OLB Jason Pierre-Paul (9.5 SCKs). Shaquil Barrett led the NFL sacks in 2019, but his production dropped off in 2020. Still, in the postseason, he upgraded his game. Barrett could have a big 2021.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Special Teams

Long snapper Zach Triner is young and ultra-reliable. Placekicker Ryan Succop (52/57 XPs, 28/31 FGs) resurrected his career via his 2020 performance. Last year, punter Bradley Pinion averaged 43.5 yards per punt. He also kicked off, putting 85 percent of his kicks into the end zone or beyond for touchbacks. The return game is problematic and needs to be fixed.