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Falcons, Broncos and 3 other teams poised to bounce back in 2020

By Russell S. Baxter

Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley, Atlanta Falcons. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA – DECEMBER 29: Head coach Bruce Arians of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers looks on prior to the game against the Atlanta Falcons at Raymond James Stadium on December 29, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9 in 2019)

It would be easy to suggest that the arrival of veteran quarterback Tom Brady means that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ready to end the second-longest current playoff drought in the NFL. What it likely means, at least to start, is that this club is about to do a better job of hanging onto the football. The team has led the league in turnovers each of the past two years, something that had not happened since the then-St. Louis Rams turned such a trick from 2000-02.

With Brady at the helm and Blaine Gabbert re-signed to be his backup, head coach Bruce Arians has the most accomplished signal-caller in league annals at his disposal and a reserve who knows his system. Gone is talented but mistake-prone Jameis Winston and his astonishing 111 turnovers in 72 appearances. Brady has played 172 regular-season games since 2009 and totaled 112 such miscues. Quite the contrast.

The team still has some work to do in terms of shoring up the offensive line (see tackle Joe Haeg) and adding some depth at running back and in the secondary. The team brought back Ndamukong Suh and didn’t let Jason Pierre-Paul test free agency. And 2019 NFL sack leader Shaquil Barrett is under the franchise tag.

Even with Winston’s mistakes, this was a 7-7 team a year ago with two weeks to play. It obviously didn’t work out but some better ball security could add up to a few more wins.

Next: No. 1

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