Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ 2015 schedule was released on Tuesday night, and it’s not looking good for the NFL‘s worst team heading into the upcoming season. Although there were no big surprises considering the Buccaneers already knew who they’d be playing, the fact that their schedule is now solidified parts a grim picture for a team hoping to dig its way out of the NFL’s cellar.
Week 1: Titans @ Buccaneers – Sunday, September 13, 4:25pm ET
Week 2: Buccaneers @ Saints – Sunday, September 20, 1pm ET
Week 3: Buccaneers @ Texans – Sunday, September 27, 1pm ET
Week 4: Panthers @ Buccaneers – Sunday, October 4, 1pm ET
Week 5: Jaguars @ Buccaneers – Sunday, October 11, 1pm ET
Week 6: BYE
Week 7: Buccaneers @ Redskins – Sunday, October 25, 1pm ET
Week 8: Buccaneers @ Falcons – Sunday, November 1, 1pm ET
Week 9: Giants @ Buccaneers – Sunday, November 8, 4:05pm ET
Week 10: Cowboys @ Buccaneers – Sunday, November 15, 1pm ET
Week 11: Buccaneers @ Eagles – Sunday, November 22, 1pm ET
Week 12: Buccaneers @ Colts – Sunday, November 29, 1pm ET
Week 13: Falcons @ Buccaneers – Sunday, December 6, 1pm ET
Week 14: Saints @ Buccaneers – Sunday, December 13, 1pm ET
Week 15: Buccaneers @ Rams – Thursday, December 17, 8:25pm ET
Week 16: Bears @ Buccaneers – Sunday, December 27, 1pm ET
Week 17: Buccaneers @ Panthers – Sunday, January 3, 1pm ET
Even while assuming the Buccaneers spend the first overall pick on Jameis Winston, it’s still not going to be a good year. They face a number of tough opponents, particularly on the road. And with the NFC South expected to see significant improvement this upcoming season, it’s not looking great for a Buccaneers team that managed only two wins in 2014.
Can we expect improvement from the Buccaneers? Maybe, especially since they were so pitiful in 2014. Adding a quality quarterback like Winston would certainly help, there are still a number of big gaps in the roster. Maybe trading for Adrian Peterson would allow them to win more than three games, which is my prediction.
