The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ranked No. 25 in ESPN's preseason Football Power Index. Here's everything you need to know about the Bucs heading into the 2019 NFL season:
The big question: Can the O-line protect Jameis Winston?
Winston enters Year 5 -- the most pivotal season of his career -- with a well-assembled cast of receiving targets: Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard and Cameron Brate. But he won't be able to do much if an offensive line that surrendered a league-high 15 sacks through three preseason games doesn't protect him. -- Jenna Laine
Offseason in a nutshell
General manager Jason Licht lured coach Bruce Arians out of retirement to instill a winning culture in a team with the NFL's second-longest postseason drought at 11 seasons. Under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, they have transitioned from a soft, 4-3 defense -- something they employed for nearly three decades -- to an aggressive 3-4 scheme. They cut Gerald McCoy -- a fixture on the defense for nine seasons -- and brought in new faces in fifth-overall draft pick Devin White and Ndamukong Suh. -- Laine
Inside the Bucs' schedule
Most important game: The Bucs' Week 2 Thursday night contest at the Carolina Panthers -- their first divisional game of the season -- has the potential to be a real tone-setter for the season. They surrendered a combined 59 points to the Panthers last year and, considering the road stretch that follows, a victory could create some much-needed momentum.
Toughest stretch: The Bucs will go seven consecutive weeks without a home game, with two West Coast trips and a trip to London during that span. They'll face the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, New Orleans Saints in Week 5 and Carolina Panthers in Week 6 (in London). After a bye week, they'll play at the Tennessee Titans in Week 8 and at the Seattle Seahawks in Week 9. "Am I happy about it? Hell no," Arians said.
Over or under 6.4 wins? Over. A Week 2 Thursday night game at Carolina is tough, and the seven-week road stretch is brutal, but Arians has been a winner everywhere he's coached, including starting three quarterbacks in 2017 with the Cardinals and still finishing 8-8. One of those quarterbacks, Drew Stanton, said of Arians: "He just instills confidence in players, the way he carries himself, the way he just kind of exudes that -- and I think it's infectious." -- Laine
Schedule ranking: No. 1
The Bucs are only fourth in terms of average DVOA of opponent, but they move to No. 1 in adjusted schedule strength primarily because they have only seven home games, losing their home division tilt against Carolina (Week 6) to London. They're also stuck in one of the NFL's stronger divisions, the NFC South, and they have to play against the underrated AFC South this season. If the Bucs do manage to turn things around, at least they could have a strong ending, with three of their final four games at home. -- Football Outsiders | See the full 1-32 ranking
Breakout fantasy star: TE O.J. Howard
Last season, one tight end set the position's all-time single season receiving yardage record, another set the reception record and a third paced the position in fantasy points. None of them were Howard, and yet it was the Buccaneers' tight end who led the position in both yards per reception and yards per target for the second season in a row. Howard has already missed eight games because of injury in his career, but he has been productive when active. He's well positioned for a larger role in his third season and has elite upside. -- Mike Clay | More fantasy coverage
The view from Vegas
Super Bowl odds: 100-1 (opened 75-1)
Over/under: 6.5 (O -115/U -105)
Playoff odds: Yes +450, No -600
Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook as of Sept. 2.
Most interesting player prop
Over/under 26 touchdown passes for Jameis Winston:
Laine: Over. Winston eclipsed this mark once, throwing 28 touchdowns in 2016. He could match or better that in a system that features a lot more variety in the red zone, but only if he gets sufficient protection (the offensive line struggled in the preseason) and stays healthy.
Bold prediction: Devin White wins ROY
Winning Defensive Rookie of the Year doesn't seem like a stretch for the fifth-overall draft pick, but it's a rare feat for anyone who plays in Tampa Bay to garner national awards. Bowles' defense caters to inside linebackers. White is heavily involved with Bowles' blitzes, which should result in a solid number of sacks, quarterback hits and tackles for losses, and he's a sure tackler in the short passing game. -- Laine
Where the Buccaneers landed in NFLRank
No. 37: WR Mike Evans
Speed reads before the opener
Laine: Where does the Buccaneers' competition at running back stand?
NFL Nation: NFL Preseason Power Rankings: Who's on the hot seat entering 2019?
Laine: Bucs' short-handed defense finding ways to cope with loss of Vita Vea
Laine: Jameis Winston's progress measured in 'money' decisions, not 'money' throws