How the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can win the NFC South

TAMPA, FL - APRIL 26: Bucs Head Coach Bruce Arians speaks to the gathered media during the introductory press conference for 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1st round pick Devin White on April 26, 2019 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa,FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – APRIL 23: Buccaneers defensive coordinator Todd Bowles walks off the field smiling after the Buccaneers Mini Camp on April 23, 2019 at One Buccaneer Place in Tampa,FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

2. Master Todd Bowles’ 3-4 defense

Back in 2007, the last time the Buccaneers reached the playoffs, only the Pittsburgh Steelers allowed fewer total yards in the league. The then-NFC South champions also finished first in the NFL in fewest passing yards allowed.

In the 11 seasons since that postseason appearance, the club has finished in the bottom-third of the league in total defense seven times. In 2018, coordinator Mike Smith did not make it through the entire season. Only five clubs in the NFL allowed more total yards per game and only the Oakland Raiders (467) surrendered more points (464), while the Bucs gave up an NFL-high 53 offensive touchdowns (both rushing and passing).

With the hiring of head coach Bruce Arians also comes the addition of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, who spent the previous four seasons as head coach of the New York Jets. But he also worked for Arians while the pair were with the Arizona Cardinals, and in 2014 was the first-ever NFL Assistant Coach of the Year. He brings his 3-4 scheme to a club associated with the 3-4 in recent years.

The club lost linebacker Kwon Alexander to the San Francisco 49ers during free agency. But general manager Jason Licht used the fifth-overall pick in April on LSU inside linebacker Devin White. Former Cardinals’ standout Deone Bucannon — who played for Arians and Bowles in Arizona — also joined the Bucs this offseason.

It’s been far too long since the Buccaneers’ defense has made a difference. And Bowles will have to turn this unit around if the team is to be a serious threat to win a division title.

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