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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished last season with a 9-8 record and won the NFC South Division.
They weren’t expected to win the championship, but a stellar defense and solid leadership from quarterback Baker Mayfield gave the team just what it needed to win the division on the season’s final day.
Entering the playoffs, the Buccaneers proved to be a formidable team, beating the Philadelphia Eagles at home in the wild-card round before losing to the Detroit Lions.
Will that momentum continue this season even if the Buccaneers don’t make many changes or additions to their roster?
With just over a week until the start of the regular season, here are some odds on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Buccaneers Board of Directors Overview
Odds of winning
Opening odds to current odds
– Super Bowl 60-1 (+6000) 80-1 (+8000)
– Conference 30-1 (+3000) 35-1 (+3500)
– Division +290 3-1 (+300)
– Regular season wins 7½ (o-140, u+115) 7½ (o-140, u+140)
– Playoff Qualifiers: Yes +140, No – 170 Yes +140, No -170
Buccaneers are underrated again
Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles said the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are being underrated because of the negative press surrounding quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Mayfield is holding onto all the negative talk. The articles written about him serve as fuel on the field.
The former Oklahoma standout began his career with the Cleveland Browns after being the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2018, and had decent, if unspectacular, seasons with the Lakers.
By 2022, Mayfield was with the Carolina Panthers. Playing in seven games, Mayfield was break-even (six touchdowns, six interceptions).
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
A year later, he was traded to the Los Angeles Rams and got another chance to start in place of an injured Matthew Stafford, and while the sample size was small, Mayfield’s reputation as a quarterback improved in Southern California.
Joining the Buccaneers, who were desperately looking for a relief pitcher to replace Tom Brady, Mayfield had the best season of his career (4,044 passing yards, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions).
As a reward he Three-year, $100 million contract with the Buccaneers After leading them to the playoffs.
If this is the definition of underrated, Tampa Bay and its fans can live with it.
Win it all?
As seen above, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are rated 80-1 (+8000) odds to win the title in New Orleans. According to the Super Bowl LIX odds:The NFC South remains a relatively weak division, but the Atlanta Falcons have improved and the woeful Carolina Panthers (in theory) can’t be significantly worse than they were last season.
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
It cannot be ruled out that the New Orleans Saints also have a shot at winning.
With a goal of 10 wins required to win the NFC South, let’s look at how the Bucs can get to that number.
The Buccaneers have a shot at making the playoffs again, but in 2024 they are scheduled to face the Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers and Dallas Cowboys, as well as a home playoff rematch against the Philadelphia Eagles.
The Buccaneers are expected to be significantly underdogs in these away games, so they have a tough task ahead.
I don’t want to discourage anyone who wants to place a bet, but with odds set at +8000, Tampa Bay’s chances of winning are slim.
The season opener will be the visit of the Washington Commanders, with the Bucks projected to be favored by 3.5 points. NFL Odds.
Winning the conference?
They need one less win to make this bet pay off, but that won’t be easy. The Buccaneers will be able to hold their own against the best teams in the NFC with games against the Cowboys, Lions and 49ers during the aforementioned season. If you want to accept this bet, don’t invest now. Watch how the team performs against the best teams during the season. Of course, the odds reflect good/bad results, but past performance is never bad.
Securing the South?
There are high expectations surrounding the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South, and for good reason: Atlanta has a new coach in former Buccaneers manager Raheem Morris and a new quarterback in Kirk Cousins.
Atlanta didn’t give Cousins a new friend to play catch with, instead selecting former Washington Huskies quarterback Michael Pennis Jr. to replace Cousins. Atlanta is still waiting on Drake London and Kyle Pitts to provide consistent play.
We think the Buccaneers will be a more cohesive team heading into this season.
Wins and playoffs?
Buccaneers wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin – Photo: Cliff Welch/PR
If Tampa Bay can survive a first-half onslaught from the league’s leading teams, six of the remaining seven games will be won by the New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Chargers, the Panthers again and the New Orleans Saints. Bet on 7½ wins or more (-140) as an investment.
Second season?
The Buccaneers won nine games last season and won the NFC South title. Mayfield and veteran wide receiver Mike Evans each signed new contracts, while Antoine Winfield Jr. and Lavonte David have been key pieces of the defense.
Last season was no fluke. The confidence in this team at the start of the season was
Going into 2023, I project the Buccaneers to go 7-5 (+140) and make the playoffs.
