Predict the Buccaneers points scored in 2013

The 2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers gave scored an average of 24.3 points per game, PPG. That is an unadjusted amount because it includes the defense’s pick six. The Buccaneers’ offense ranked 9^th in total yards with 5,820 yards, 10^th in yards passing with 3,983 yards, 15^th in rushing with 1,837 yards, and 13^th in overall average scoring. QB Josh Freeman, WR’s Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams as well RB Doug Martin set career highs last season.

Here are the players no longer with the Buccaneers’ offense: TE Dallas Clark, WR Arrelious Benn, RB Legarrette Blount, and RB DJ Ware.

The additions to the Buccaneers’ 2013 offense are (as of pre-season): Rookies QB Mike Glennon and RB Mike James, RB Brian Leonard, RB Peyton Hillis, WR Kevin Ogletree, WR Derek Hagan, TE Tom Crabtree, OG Gabe Carimi, PK Lawrence Tynes, and PK Derek Dimke

Season ending injurjy: PK Connor Barth

Coming back from season ending injury: OG Carl Nicks, OG Davin Joseph

As you can see, the Buccaneers’ offense is quite inconsistent. In 2013, we are hoping to see which offense will rise up as this will be the second season for mostly of the players on offense. Even though the team will be getting two Pro Bowl guards back this season, the Bucs will lose their long range weapon in PK Connor Barth, he who has made a 57 yard field goal during a game. Also, the loss of TE Clark needs to be replaced with one of the many receivers to become that third target for this season. Now, let us have a look at the opponents we will see again this year, shall we?

Oh crap. I did not realize how terribly we performed offensively against the NFC South as well as the two other teams we will face again. Of course, getting shutout really hurt that average, but the average continued to dive when I added Philadelphia and St. Louis to that average. On a positive note, though, Philly and St. Louis were part of the last six game debacle for the offense.

But a peek into this year’s opponents has us going against the NFC West and AFC East. The West has defensive teams in the San Francisco, Seattle, and those St. Louis Rams who knew our offense. The AFC East has the Dolphins as defensive stalwarts and yet Brady probably would not let our offense get onto the ground as often as we would like them to be.

Here are a few more odd stats to know before I let you loose:

• · Tied for 19^th overall in first downs with Buffalo. (You cannot be serious?!)
• · 23^rd overall in third down percentages with 35.8%.
• · 24^th overall in fourth down percent efficiency with 41.2%.
• · Highest PPG average is 34.8 by the Patriots.
• · Lowest PPG average is 13.2 by the Chiefs (who we did see in 2012).
• · The NFL PPG average is 22.7. (We are above that average, but there are 12 teams who score better than the Bucs on average as well.)

You know the drill. Read the plethora of information above, make your best guess, and give a reason why you chose what you chose in the comments below. Did the you think the Bucs improved, stayed static, or followed the trend of the last six games of 2012?