NFC South: 5 things to look for in 2018

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NASHVILLE, TN – AUGUST 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) scrambles during a game between the Tennessee Titans and Tampa Bay Buccaneers on August 18, 2018, at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, TN. (Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Buccaneers hoping to finally break through

The NFC South has had a nice run of success since 2009. The Saints won the Super Bowl that year. The Panthers reached the Super Bowl in 2015. The Falcons reached the Super Bowl in 2016. It’s the most quarterback-rich division in the league with Ryan, Newton, Drew Brees, and up-and-coming youngster Jameis Winston in Tampa Bay.

But while the other three teams have all enjoyed success over the past decade, Buccaneers fans are getting hungrier and hungrier for their team to make it back to the playoffs. They haven’t reached the postseason since 2008. They last won the Super Bowl in 2002, under head coach Jon Gruden. But at that time, their quarterback Winston had just turned nine years old. It’s safe to say Bucs fans are tired of the Panthers, Saints, and Falcons getting all the headlines.

Tampa Bay came close to breaking out in 2016, finishing 9-7 (their first winning season in six years), and Winston broke the franchise record in passing yards and passing touchdowns. He also made history by becoming the first quarterback to surpass 4,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. But the Buccaneers were edged out by the Detroit Lions via tie breaker and just missed the playoffs.

Last year, the Bucs stumbled to an underachieving 5-11 record, Winston missed some time with injury, and his overall record in the NFL dropped to 18-27. Now, the big question is: can Winston and the Bucs bounce back and make it a four-team race for the NFC South title? More importantly, can the Bucs FINALLY get back to the playoffs?

2018 will be another big test for Winston and Co.