2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Odds to win the Super Bowl with Expert Betting Predictions

The last four head coaches of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have failed to make the playoffs. The last one who did, in case you feel like it wasn't that long ago, was Jon Gruden in 2007. In the 11 seasons since they have had just three winning seasons. This is a franchise that is adrift. Lost. Confused. Perhaps even hopeless. But they have their fifth coach of this slump now, and when stacked beside Raheem Morris, Lovie Smith, Greg Schiano and Dirk Koetter, you could make a solid argument that Bruce Arians is the best of the group. But is he going to be able to make enough of a difference with a franchise that is so mediocre that it's almost sad?

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coaching

Arians, who turns 67 early this season, had a retirement that would make a boxer proud. He retired after the 2017 season following five years in Arizona that featured a very solid 49-30-1 record. But one year off was enough, and now he's back. Arians' coaching staff is entirely new - to the team, that is, but not to Arians. The assistant head coach is Harold Goodwin, who was the offensive coordinator for Arians' time in Arizona and was previously with Arians in Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. Offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich played for the Steelers when Arians was the offensive coordinator. He was the offensive coordinator for the Cardinals last year. And defensive coordinator Todd Bowles was Arians' defensive coordinator in Arizona before he became the head coach of the Jets. Chemistry and experience aren't a concern with this staff.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Quarterback Situation

Jameis Winston is back and hoping for a healthy year after two straight years of issues. This staff has done some rehabilitation on quarterbacks in the past and will need Winston to have a strong season again this year. The team lost a bit of a safety net with the departure of Ryan Fitzpatrick for the Dolphins. Ryan Griffin is still around, though. He has been on the roster since 2015 and remains there now - even though he has never taken a snap in a game. The Fitzpatrick role is being filled this year by Blaine Gabbert, who has started at least three games in each of the last four seasons. Gabbert is capable as a backup but not exciting. Any success this team has this year, though, will come from what Winston does and not Gabbert.

How The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Improved

The team had a strong draft when it comes to improving their defense. LB Devin White was the fifth choice overall, and corner Sean Murphy-Bunting was strong value in the second round. Third-rounders Jamel Dean, a corner, and safety Mike Edwards, will also contribute this year. It was a deep and solid draft overall. Opposing offenses could complete passes basically at will the last few years, so any improvements here are going to have a significant impact. Giving Bowles more to work with is a positive.

How The Tampa Bay Buccaneers Got Worse

Jason Pierre-Paul was by far the biggest disruptor on the defense last year, but he has fractured his neck and could easily miss the whole season. That's a problem, and it's hard to see where they are going to make up for that lost pressure. Shaquil Barrett was added in free agency from the Broncos to fill part of the gap, but he has averaged just 3.5 sacks per year the last four years, so he doesn't make up for things entirely. Not having a pass rush will not help the improvement of that secondary at all.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Schedule Analysis

The first three games are reasonably manageable, but then they travel to the Rams and Saints in consecutive weeks in what is pretty much the toughest road trip combo there is in the NFC right now. Ouch. And they follow up what are very likely to be those two losses with a trip to London to play Carolina. They cross over against the AFC South this year, which is a tough assignment.

2019-20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Betting Odds and Trends

The Bucs are at +6600 to win the Super Bowl, which puts them ahead of just four teams - and those obviously aren't great teams. At +3300 to win the NFC, they are ahead of only Arizona and Washington. They are by far the longest shot to win the NFC South at +1200. The season win total is set at 6.5, with the "under" favored at -120. The team is a massive +600 to make the playoffs and -800 to miss them. At +25000, they are the second longest shots on the board to have the best record in the league and in a group as the second choice at +800 to have the worst record. Winston is a longer shot to win the MVP at +5000. White is favored to be defensive rookie of the year at +600. Arians is +2000 be named coach of the year and +5000 to be the first coach fired. Winston is the sixth choice to lead the league in passing yards at +1000. He's at +2500 to lead in touchdowns and one of six co-favorites to lead in interceptions thrown at +900. Peyton Barber is a long shot to lead the league in rushing yards at +6600 and even longer to lead in yards at +10000. Mike Evans is at +2200 to lead the league in receptions, and he's at +1200 to lead in both receiving yards and touchdowns. Chris Godwin is at +7500 to lead in receiving yards but isn't listed in the other two categories.

2019-20 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Predictions and NFL Picks

This is the best coaching staff that they have had in a long time, and they will get better play from Winston if he can stay healthy. But there are still plenty of issues with the team, and this is going to be a drawn-out process. The schedule is tough enough that the season win total isn't playable, but this team should be tougher and more positive than they have been in a long while.

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