NFL 2016: Regular season grades for every team

By John Buhler | Jan 3, 2017

Jan 1, 2017; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (3) walks off the field after a NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Cardinals defeated the Rams 44-6. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports /

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Oct 2, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks with head coach Dirk Koetter against the Denver Broncos during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

On the whole, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had the best season of any NFL team that didn’t qualify for the playoffs. The Buccaneers finished 9-7 and look to be a potential playoff team next season with Dirk Koetter at head coach and Jameis Winston at quarterback.

Tampa Bay got hot in the middle of the season thanks to great schematic design from defensive coordinator Mike Smith. His scheme is highly nuanced, but he got the most out of his personnel his first year back in football. Smith is likely going to be an NFL head coach again in 2017.

Tampa Bay has talent all over its football team, but frankly choosing to lean on a rookie kicker in Roberto Aguayo might have cost them a shot at the playoffs. Aguayo might have been the best kicking prospect to come out of college since Sebastian Janikowski, but his inconsistency best surmised why the Buccaneers missed the NFC Playoffs for the ninth straight season.

This team is so close and should break through in 2017. The Buccaneers were a fun team to watch grow. While we all probably knew that this team was a year away from breaking through, it still kind of stings to not see what this on-the-rise NFC team could do in the playoffs. A great season nevertheless.

Grade: B+

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