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NFL playoffs: How your team can make it

By Matt Verderame

Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blake Bortles (5) throws during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 16, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball as Washington Redskins cornerback Tracy Porter (22) defends in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 16, 2014; Landover, MD, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) catches the ball as Washington Redskins cornerback Tracy Porter (22) defends in the second quarter at FedEx Field. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports /

48. . NFC. South. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 4. player

The formula for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers getting to the postseason is simple: Jameis Winston has to be a stud. Winston is walking into a very solid situation despite Tampa Bay coming off a 2-14 season under new head coach Lovie Smith. The national champion and Heisman Trophy winner at Florida State has a cavalcade of weapons around him including receivers Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.

Evans was the Buccaneers’ first-round pick in 2014 and immediately produced with 68 receptions and 1,051 yards to lead the team. Jackson was no slouch in his own right with 70 catches and 1,002 yards, with the tandem combining for 14 touchdowns (12 coming from Evans). Considering those numbers were amassed with Mike Glennon and Josh McCown throwing the ball, it stands to reason improvements will be made with Winston.

This would not be the first time in recent history that a team coming off a 2-14 campaign makes the playoffs the following season. In 2012, the Indianapolis Colts drafted Andrew Luck and immediately went to the postseason as a wild card team. The next year, the Kansas City Chiefs went from 2-14 to 11-5 after trading a pair of second-round picks for Alex Smith.

If Winston can play like a top-tier quarterback right out of the gate, the Buccaneers can and will compete in the NFC South. Winston has the ultimate leg up on most rookie quarterbacks, coming into the league having already played in a pro-style system when he was at Florida State. Winston has the confidence and arm to become an instant star, so don’t sleep on Tampa Bay.

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