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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 season preview: How quickly can Tom Brady mesh with new offense?

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Tom Brady earns rave reviews in first scrimmage with Bucs (0:55)

Jenna Laine breaks down Tom Brady's first scrimmage as a member of the Buccaneers, detailing all three scoring drives and the positive reviews from coach Bruce Arians. (0:55)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are ranked No. 8 in ESPN's Football Power Index ahead of the 2020 NFL season. With no preseason games this year amid the coronavirus pandemic, Week 1 is the first time we'll see new acquisitions and rookies for every team. Week 1 will also give us the first NFL games since Super Bowl LIV in February.

Here's everything you need to know about the Buccaneers heading into the season, from the big question to answer and the toughest stretch on their schedule to a bold prediction and potential breakout fantasy football stars.

Full schedule | Roster | Depth chart

The big question: Will the defense keep improving, particularly the league's youngest secondary?

Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting said, "We're not going to act like we're going to allow our offense to carry us, because at the end of the day we have to hold our own." Defensive coordinator Todd Bowles added, "I love having Tom [Brady] here, but I can't focus on that. If we don't stop anybody, we won't win any games." Both are right. In Weeks 1-11 last year, the Bucs' defense gave up 371.8 yards per game and 31.3 points per game -- the most in the NFL. But in Weeks 12-17, they gave up an average of 297.5 yards per game -- fifth fewest in the league -- and they gave up just 22.67 points per game. Keep in mind, when Tom Brady was with the New England Patriots, he had the benefit of playing with a defense that surrendered an average of just 18.44 points per game from 2001 to '19 -- the fewest of any team in the league. The Bucs will see one of their biggest tests in Week 1 against a New Orleans Saints team that put up a combined 65 points and 785 yards of total offense against them last year. -- Jenna Laine


How the pandemic has most affected the Buccaneers

The Bucs have had less time to jell with Brady, Rob Gronkowski, Leonard Fournette and LeSean McCoy -- new pieces but vital ones at that. Coach Bruce Arians also estimates that rookies lost over 400 reps with no offseason program. The player most impacted by lost reps and no preseason is first-round draft pick Tristan Wirfs, who will step in as the starting right tackle in Week 1. They haven't been taking it easy on him in practice, with Shaq Barrett getting a significant number of reps against him. -- Laine

Football Power Index projections for the Buccaneers

Overall ranking: 8
Offensive ranking: 13
Defensive ranking: 4
Special teams ranking: 30

Total wins: 9.1
NFC South title chances: 29.9%
Chances to make playoffs: 63.4%
Super Bowl chances: 8.3%
2021 draft pick: No. 26


Inside the Buccaneers' schedule

FPI's strength of schedule rank: 8

Toughest stretch: The Bucs have a three-game stretch of nationally televised games, starting with a Sunday night game at the Las Vegas Raiders at 8:20 p.m. ET in Week 7. The following week, they're at MetLife Stadium for a Monday night game against the New York Giants in Week 8. Then they play the New Orleans Saints at home on a shortened week on Sunday in Week 9. Plus, the lead-up to that stretch is a Week 6 game against Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers.

Over or under 9.1 wins? Over. Brady hasn't had a cast of receiving talent like this in a long time -- possibly ever. If the defense can step up and carry the momentum built at the end of last season, and they can get stability at the kicking position, they'll be a legitimate threat to win the NFC South and more. -- Laine


Bold prediction for 2020: The Bucs will reach the postseason for the first time since 2007

The Bucs seem more dialed in with Brady, who will throw for 4,800 regular-season passing yards, which he hasn't done since 2012. -- Laine


Breakout fantasy star: Scotty Miller, WR

A relatively unheralded 2019 sixth-round pick, Miller was limited to a 13-200-1 receiving line on 146 snaps during his rookie campaign. Miller was utilized as a situational deep threat (17.7 average depth of target) and that's expected to be his role in 2020 after he locked down No. 3 duties during offseason activities. Miller is unlikely to provide consistent fantasy value behind Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, but his 4.3 wheels combined with Arians' vertical offense figure to lead to a few big weeks. He'll also be one injury away from a sizable role in what is likely to be one of the league's top pass offenses. -- Mike Clay

ADP for the top players:

  • Chris Godwin: 23

  • Mike Evans: 23.2

  • Leonard Fournette: 70.9

  • Tom Brady: 74.2

  • Rob Gronkowski: 74.7


The view from Vegas

Super Bowl odds: 11-1 (opened 17-1)
Over/under: 9.5
Playoff odds: Yes -230, No +190

At 11-1 to win the title, it's the shortest the Buccaneers have been before the season since 2004, when they opened 10-1. With Brady on board, the Bucs opened 17-1 and now have the third-shortest odds, only behind the Chiefs, Ravens and 49ers. Brady joins a team that was 5-10-1 against the spread last year, the fourth-worst record in the league. -- ESPN Chalk staff

Odds courtesy of Caesars Sportsbook by William Hill as of Sept. 1.


Where the Buccaneers landed in NFL Rank

  • No. 22: Mike Evans

  • No. 32: Tom Brady

  • No. 57: Chris Godwin

  • No. 84: Shaq Barrett

  • No. 99: Rob Gronkowski


Speed reads before Week 1