By: Jake Rajala

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t ruled with an iron fist by Tom Brady in their victory against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. The Bucs pass rush was the key reason why they defeated their old pal, Jameis Winston, and a Saints team that had a 4-0 record against TB12 in a Buccaneers uniform in the regular season. The Bucs were able to register an unearhtly six sacks against the Saints QB Jameis Winston.

The Buccaneers pass rush was led by none other than Shaquil Barrett in Week 2. Shaq Attack, who once had 19.5 sacks in a single season, had two sacks against Winston. Devin White, Vita Vea, Joe Tryon, Lavonte David, and Antoine Winfield also contributed sacks on the former Bucs QB.

It’s important to note that the Bucs pass rush was the second biggest reason why they were able to win Super Bowl LV. In their mighty show-down against Patrick Mahomes, the Bucs were able to unleash three sacks & an incredible nine QB hits on Patrick Mahomes. They have a slightly different front seven from their Super Bowl-winning squad — as they moved on from Ndamukong Suh and brought in Akiem Hicks.

Of course, Todd Bowles will anticipate magic and a potential MVP season from Brady, but the Bucs absolutely need their front seven to unleash hell against opposing QBs if they want to win another Lombardi trophy with the GOAT. Hopefully, they can also have a healthy Akiem Hicks (who didn’t return against the Saints) back in the line-up soon.

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By: Jake Rajala

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers weren’t able to unveil a miraculous comeback against the LA Rams in the recent post-season, but they were still able to witness the second coming of Tom Brady this off-season. Brady was mostly able to get the band back together, as Playoff Lenny and Chris Godwin reunited with TB12. With that said, I’m going to fuel optimism for Bucs nation and untwine three reasons why the Brady bunch can return to the big dance.

Pass rush

The Bucs pass rush was paramount to their Super Bowl LV success and I honestly believe the Bucs did a fantastic job of maintaining a potent front seven this off-season. Joe Tryon will properly replace JPP at the very least. Meanwhile, the Bucs inked Akiem Hicks (3.5 sacks, 9 QB hits in 9 games last season). Of course, Shaq Barrett (10 sacks last season) will be leading the Bucs pass-rushing hunters.

WR talent

Russell Gage is truly one of the most underrated NFL WRs entering 2022. The former Falcons WR recorded 770 yards in each of the past two seasons. AB was a roller coaster, but Gage can be a consistent asset to the Bucs offense in 17+ weeks next season. Scotty Miller might have outgrown Kay Adam’s interest, but he is an excellent WR4, as well.

NFC South

The Bucs have a brutal schedule (fourth most difficult schedule) in 2022, but they should feel quite optimistic about playing opponents in their division, excluding the Saints. The Matt Ryan-less Falcons and Sam Darnold-led Panthers aren’t exactly tenacious foes. Meanwhile, the reigning Super Bowl Champions LA Rams face an incredibly difficult NFC West division.

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