With the NFL Draft in the rearview mirror, it’s time to take a step back and analyze how good this Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense will be in 2025. Also, did the Buccaneers do enough on defense to get the team back to championship form?
First, let’s look at the offense. The Buccaneers finished third last season in total offense averaging 399.5 yards per game. With the additions of wide receivers Emeka Ebuka from Ohio State and Tez Johnson from Oregon, Tampa Bay’s offense could soar to greater heights this season.
The entire Buccaneers offense returns intact led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, future Hall of Fame WR Mike Evans and WR Chris Godwin. Let’s also not forget about the running attack led by Bucky Irving, who led all rookies in scrimmage yards with 1.514 yards last season. Along with his mate in the backfield Raachad White, the Bucs duo was one of only two teams in the NFL to have two running backs run for over 1,000 yards. Irving ran for 1,514 yards and White totaled 1,006 yards.
The Buccaneers finished third in the NFL in passing last season averaging 250 yards per game. With the added weapons, it would not be a surprise if the Buccaneers had the best passing attack in the NFL this coming season.
The Buccaneers also focused heavily on defense in this year’s NFL Draft by selecting cornerback Benjamin Morrison from Notre Dame and Jacob Parrish from Kansas State to shore up the defense. They also added two edge rushers in hopes of getting more pressure on the opposing quarterback. David Walker from Central Arkansas and Elijah Roberts from SMU will be wearing the pewter and white this fall.
The Bucs defense finished 15th in total defense last season giving up 342 yards a game. The run defense was excellent, finishing fourth in the league giving up 97.8 yards a game. The problem with the Buccaneers defense was the pass defense. Tampa Bay finished 29th last season allowing 341.8 yards per game. This was also the primary factor in the Buccaneers’ 23-20 loss to the Washington Commanders in the wild-card round.
Despite Tampa Bay’s success the past few seasons of finishing first in the NFC South, that has not translated to the sports books having a lot of confidence in a Super Bowl run in the 2025 season.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook odds, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers odds are +110 to once again win the NFC South.
The complete NFC South odds for winning the division are as follows:
- Tampa Bay +110
- Atlanta +230
- New Orleans +420
- Carolina +700
When it comes to winning the NFC Championship Game, the folks at FanDuel Sportsbook are not so kind to the Buccaneers as Tampa Bay is +1800 to play in the NFC Championship Game. When it comes to the Super Bowl, the Buccaneers are +3100 to make it to the promised land.
According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the top five teams to play in the Super Bowl are:
- Philadelphia +650
- Baltimore +700
- Buffalo +750
- Kansas City +750
- Detroit +900
Whatever happens, it will be a fun season of Buccaneers football this fall at Raymond James Stadium.
*These odds are subject to change as the season progresses and team performance fluctuates.