Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ 2016 NFL schedule released
By John Buhler
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved in 2015 with Jameis Winston as their quarterback, but will face a daunting NFL schedule in 2016 for this up-and-coming team.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers tripled their win total in 2015 from their disastrous 2014 NFL campaign. However, Tampa Bay only went 6-10 and yet again finished in last place in the competitive NFC South.
While Tampa Bay has a bright future with Jameis Winston at quarterback and former offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter now as the team’s head coach, the Buccaneers will face another tough slate of games in the 2016 NFL season.
Tampa Bay will again have to play its annual six NFC South games against the Atlanta Falcons, the Carolina Panthers, and the New Orleans Saints, all three opponents home and away.
In the NFC divisional rotation, the Buccaneers will have to play the NFC West in its entirety. Tampa Bay will host the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks this fall, but will have to go on the road to meet the Arizona Cardinals and the San Francisco 49ers.
Out of the AFC, the Buccaneers will have to play the AFC West in its entirety. Tampa Bay will host the Denver Broncos and the Oakland Raiders this season, but will have to travel westward to play the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Diego Chargers.
For competitive balance in 2016, the Buccaneers’ two other opponents also finished in fourth-place in their NFC division in 2015. Tampa Bay will host the Chicago Bears of the NFC North, but will have to go on the road to play the NFC East’s Dallas Cowboys.
Overall, Tampa Bay will have the fifth toughest strength of schedule entering the 2016 NFL season. The Buccaneers’ 2016 opponents went a combined 137-117 for a .543 winning percentage.
While Tampa Bay is on the rise as a franchise, the Buccaneers will have to hold their own in the NFC South, win both games against Dallas and Chicago, and have a streak out luck in both Western Divisions to have a shot at making the NFC Playoffs.
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