Bucs looking to make it 5 in a row

The Bucs stand alone in the division goal.

Can the Bucs win their 5th consecutive division title? There is only one team in the NFL looking to make 2025 their fifth division title in a row. That would be our very own Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Since 1960, a dozen teams have won 5 or more division titles in a row. So while it isn’t rare, it is still impressive when you look at the teams that have done it. We’re talking about the Steelers, Cowboys, Chiefs, Vikings, San Francisco, Raiders, and Bills’ dynasties. There have been some very good franchises that have never accomplished the feat. Some, like the Vikings and Bills, never won a Super Bowl during their divisional runs. The Bucs’ continued success in this area can be credited to GM Jason Licht. He has pulled more of the right strings than any GM in the NFL during this time, when comparing divisional titles.

Staying on top in 2025

This season is much like last season. Baker Mayfield and the offense will pilot the ship into the season, and like last year, they added a talented wide receiver via the draft.  Emeka Egbuka, out of the National Champion OSU Buckeyes, was the choice, and he will be looked at to further enable Baker Mayfield to attack the defense. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and now that Jalen McMillan is out for the season, rookie Emeka Egbuka should get more of an opportunity to show why he was the Bucs’ first-round pick.

The group should form one of the most talented wide receiver rooms in the league.

The main challenger to take the South Division away from the Bucs, as they did last season, will be our neighbors to the north, the Atlanta Falcons. The Saints still appear to be in turmoil and basically have no QB worth mentioning. The improving Panthers, led by former Bucs’ OC Dave Canales, appear to be on their way to respectability, but are probably a season or two away from contending for the division. So, once again, both games against the Falcons are pivotal as long as the Bucs take care of business regarding the Saints and Panthers. Tampa opens up with the Falcons in Atlanta and needs to make a statement in this early-season game.

Playoffs anyone?

Making it to the postseason the last 4 seasons is beginning to become old hat. They get the bid via winning the division, but then make a fairly quick exit to get over the hump of early exits. They must learn to control games and seize the moment. Baker Mayfield’s inexcusable flubbing of the handoff to McMillan last season against the Commanders must be put behind them, and they must execute like professionals who have a right to be in the postseason. To achieve this level of play, they must win the games during the regular season against upper-level teams.

The Bucs were in almost every game they played last season, but seemed to fall just short (I.E., Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, Dallas, and both Atlanta games). While no one expects them to win all the close games, they have to start winning the majority of them. The games that are won handily or lost by a good margin are not the ones in question. It’s the ones that are within reach, but are lost by mistakes or poor execution. To take the next step, the Bucs must take control and will themselves to victory. They must become the team that seizes their opportunities when they arise, and they must capitalize on the moment. The name of the game is execution!

(Speaking of execution, it reminds me of the time Bucs Head Coach John McKay was in a post-game interview. He was asked what he thought about the execution of the offense. McKay replied that he was “all for it.”) Got to love him.

My two cents

I’m looking for the Bucs to take that step forward this season. Finishing the regular season 12-5 or better, falling short in the NFC Championship game. Go Bucs!!