Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFL Betting Odds

2010 Season

When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished last in the NFC South division on 3-13 in the 2009-10 NFL season, few NFL fans expected them to bounce back the way the did last season (third in the NFC on 10-6). But bounce back they did, just missing the playoffs. Which is why there is little doubt that many eyes will be on the young Bucs this season.

2011 Off Season

Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Raheem Morris must be doing something right considering how much the team improved last season. However, he was the cause of a raised eyebrow or two when instead of adding some 'battle-experienced' veterans to the noticeably youthful team in the off season, he opted instead to resign many players. He is clearly of the opinion that 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it,' but only time will tell if that strategy works out or comes back to bite him on the derriere. He did, however, use the 2011 NFL Draft to sign up even more young guns in the form of talented DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers, who should certainly pull their weight.

2011 Preview

Perhaps coach Morris' decision to keep the Tampa Bay Buccaneers pretty much the same as last season was not a bad one, considering how many players stepped up last season. Offensively, for instance, QB Josh Freeman proved his worth by throwing for 3,451 yards and 25 TDs against six interceptions, along with a none-too-shabby 364 rushing yards. Similarly, RB LeGarrette Blount excelled, racking up 1,007 yards from just 13 games, seven of those as a starter. If these players, and their teammates, continue to play as well this season, the Bucs could be in a great position. Defensively, Tampa Bay can look forward to the services of more than able players including DTs Gerald McCoy and Roy Miller, newbie DEs Adrian Clayborn and Da'Quan Bowers, LBs Quincy Black and Mason Foster, CBs Ronde Barber and Aqib Talib, S Sean Jones and Cody Grimm, and many others. All in all, offensively and defensively the Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be in a good position to kick off the new season.

2011 Prediction

There are many NFL betting fans out there who are wondering whether the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will come out even stronger this season, or whether their youth and lack of experience will finally take its toll. No doubt the team's detractors wondered the same thing last season, and were very surprised by the outcome. As unlikely as it is that the Bucs will dominate the NFC South this season, perhaps they'll finish higher than they did last season.

**Our Pick

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers seem to be one of those NFL franchises that will either fly high or crash and burn this season. No two NFL seasons are alike, and despite being a team that did well last year, a different and perhaps harder schedule could put paid to even the best laid plans. That said, for our NFL betting buck, we see the Bucs going even further this year, perhaps finishing third in the NFC South division on 11-5.