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2016 NFL Season: Final Record Predictions For All 32 Teams

By Erik Lambert

Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (7) and Blaine Gabbert (2) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (7) and Blaine Gabbert (2) on the field before playing the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field. The Steelers won 43-18. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) takes a handoff from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Bears won 26-12. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 27, 2015; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Doug Martin (22) takes a handoff from Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston during the second half of a football game at Raymond James Stadium. The Bears won 26-12. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8)

Biggest Strength:  Running Backs

Through a consistent investment and solid scouting by the Buccaneers front office, the team has stockpiled a rather underrated group of running backs.  Of course Pro Bowler Doug Martin headlined the depth chart, but Charles Sims, Mike James, Storm Johnson and new fullback Dan Vitale all bring something to the table that can help the offense perform better and ease the pressure on Jameis Winston.

Biggest Weakness:  Dirk Koetter

Rumor is the Tampa Bay brass were afraid they might lose offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to a head coaching job elsewhere.  Rather than risk breaking his connection with Winston, they decided to fire Lovie Smith and promote him to head coach.  It was a puzzling decision.  Koetter has only been a head coach in college and that was 10 years ago.  It feels like the Buccaneers panicked at the idea of losing him and ironically took him out of the position where he’d be most effective to prevent the perceived loss.

Final Record Reason

The natural progression of Winston at quarterback along with a couple of solid additions to the defense via the draft will push the Buccaneers to improve by two games from their 6-10 mark in 2015.  However, the overall question around the coaching staff make it difficult to believe they are ready to take down Carolina in the NFC South.

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