5 toughest NFL schedules in 2016
By John Buhler
48. . NFC. South. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 5. player
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 6-10 and finished in fourth place in the NFC South in the 2015 season, the last of the Lovie Smith era. Former offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter was promoted to head coach and former Atlanta Falcons head coach Mike Smith became Tampa Bay’s new defensive coordinator, so the Buccaneers have a great staff in place. But is it enough to overcome a tough 2016 NFL schedule?
As part of the NFC South, the Buccaneers will play six games in its ultra-competitive division (Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints). The NFC South will also play the entire NFC West (Arizona Cardinals, Los Angeles Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks) and the entire AFC West (Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers). Tampa Bay also face two other fourth place teams from the NFC in 2015 — the Dallas Cowboys of the NFC East and the Chicago Bears of the NFC North.
Overall, Tampa Bay’s 2016 opponents combined to go 139-117 for a .543 winning percentage, tied for fifth in the NFL with the Seahawks. Tampa Bay will play six games against 2015 NFL Playoff teams, including both Super Bowl teams in the Panthers and the Broncos.
The Buccaneers haven’t made the NFC Playoffs since 2007, and this schedule won’t help them buck the trend. However, great offensive continuity between Koetter and franchise quarterback Jameis Winton should help give the Buccaneers enough firepower offensively to compete despite their tough 2016 schedule. It’ll be tough for the Buccaneers to sniff at .500 in 2016, but games against Chicago, Dallas, San Diego and San Francisco could certainly help Tampa Bay’s cause.
Next: 4. New Orleans Saints