During July, the Last Word On Sports NFL department will be analyzing the schedules of every team in the NFL and ranking each game in order of difficulty (with one being the most difficult). This series will be split up into the eight most difficult games (ranked 1-8) and the eight easiest games (ranked 9-16) for each team. In this article, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers most difficult games are the focus.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Most Difficult Games in 2016
1. Week 5 at Carolina Panthers
Coming off a 15-1 season in which the Panthers dominated their competition, Tampa Bay will have their hands full on the road in a tough divisional matchup. The Buccaneers have not won in Carolina since an overtime victory in 2012. The toughest test on paper all season for the Bucs will come right before their bye week. So they should be laying it all on the line to try and knock off the defending NFC champions.
2. Week 17 vs Carolina Panthers
The second game against the Panthers will come on the last week of the regular season, potentially setting up for a playoff atmosphere in Raymond James Stadium. If both teams are in contention for the postseason it should be a stellar game. However, there is a chance that Carolina has home field advantage clinched for the playoffs before week 17. If that’s the case, Tampa Bay could sneak away with a win to close out their season.
3. Week 4 vs Denver Broncos
The Buccaneers will play the two Super Bowl teams from a year ago in back-to-back weeks. Starting with the Lombardi hoisting Broncos. This game will be a huge litmus test early on in the season. Denver may have lost some of its luster on offense, but that defensive unit is still one of the best in football. If the Super Bowl proved anything, it’s that Denver can get to opposing quarterbacks quick, fast, and in a hurry. Jameis Winston will be scrambling all afternoon, but if he has improved his ability to throw on the run then the Bucs stand a fighting chance.
4. Week 12 vs Seattle Seahawks
The always formidable Seahawks defense will travel to Tampa in week 12. The last time these two teams met was in 2013 when Tampa Bay lost a heartbreaking overtime thriller in Seattle. Heading down the final stretch of the season both these teams should be in the thick of playoff contention. Which sets this game up as a highly competitive slugfest, with both coaches holding their cards close to the vest. Seattle should win in a low scoring squeaker of a game.
5. Week 2 at Arizona Cardinals
Heading into the season, the Arizona Cardinals are one of the scariest teams in the league. Doug Martin might have trouble getting going in the running game. Overall, facing the Cardinals early on in September could spell disaster for a young Buccaneers squad. However, if Tampa Bay is able to play well or even win this game, it could provide a boost to the team’s morale and should unify them for the long grinding season ahead.
6. Week 15 at Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are an enigma. No one knows how good they’ll be in 2016. By week 15, the Buccaneers should have a better idea about which team they will be battling in Dallas. Look for wide receiver Mike Evans to have a huge day as the Dallas secondary is widely considered suspect at best. But if the Cowboys get back into 2014 form then the Buccaneers could have their hands full. If Dallas continues to struggle with injuries like they did last season, the Bucs could find it a lot easier to compete with the Cowboys late in the year.
7. Week 11 at Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs always seem to be competitive and they have one of the best home crowds in all of football. Tampa Bay will have to have silent counts, and gestured audibles readily available for this matchup. The Chiefs defense could be a top five unit again in 2016, so protecting the football becomes even more key, especially in a hostile environment.
8. Week 3 vs Los Angeles Rams
After playing in Arizona for the second week of the NFL season, the Bucs will come back home to face another NFC West opponent. The Rams have a solid foundation of young athletic players on defense and their rookie quarterback could prove to be ahead of his years. This won’t be the toughest game of the season, but the Rams are not to be taken lightly by any means.
Be sure to check out the Buccaneers easiest games.
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