TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were still alive in the NFC playoff picture last season after an early-December victory over Atlanta, but they faltered down the stretch and lost four in a row to close out the season. The NFL didn’t do them any favors to start 2016, however, giving them three playoff teams in the first five games – including a Monday night game at Carolina. It may be a little rough at the beginning but the growth of Jameis Winston, additions on defense in free agency and the draft, and the addition of defensive coordinator Mike Smith will have the Bucs back in the playoff hunt.
2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers game-by-game predictions
