The 2016 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League and the first under head coachDirk Koetter. In week 13, the club won their seventh game, eclipsing their win total from 2015.
After winning on opening day, Tampa Bay sputtered through the rest of September. Starting running back Doug Martin was sidelined for eight weeks with a hamstring injury, necessitating back-up running backs taking his place in the lineup. After receiving adequate performances from Charles Sims and Antone Smith, both subsequently ended up on injured reserve, along with wide receivers Vincent Jackson and Cecil Shorts. A victory on Monday night against division rival Carolina saw Tampa Bay begin a streak in which they won seven out of their next nine games. Between weeks 10 and 14, the Buccaneers achieved their first five-game winning streak since their Super Bowl championship season.
Losses to the Dallas Cowboys and the New Orleans Saints late in the season hampered the Buccaneers' playoff hopes; heading into week 17, the team was still mathematically alive for a wild card berth, but despite defeating the Carolina Panthers, the team missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season, tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Buccaneers finished tied with the Detroit Lions for the last NFC playoff spot, but lost the tiebreaker based on respective records against the same opponents the Lions won and lost. Nevertheless, the Buccaneers achieved their first winning season since the 2010 campaign.
On April 3, 2015, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers traded safety Dashon Goldson to the Washington Redskins, along with a seventh round pick (#232), for a sixth round pick (#197) in the 2016 NFL Draft.[1]
Quarterback Jameis Winston threw for 281 yards and four touchdown passes, as Tampa Bay defeated Atlanta 31–24. The Buccaneers jumped out to a 31–13 lead late in the third quarter, then held off a rally by the Falcons. Atlanta got the ball back trailing by 7 with just under two minutes to go, but managed only one first down, and turned the ball over on downs to end the game.
Week 2: at Arizona Cardinals[]
Week Two: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Buccaneers
0
0
7
0
7
Cardinals
0
24
9
7
40
at University of Phoenix Stadium, Glendale, Arizona
Arizona routed Tampa Bay 40–7. Quarterback Jameis Winston threw four interceptions and lost one fumble. Running back Doug Martin left the game in the second quarter with a hamstring injury.
Week 3: vs. Los Angeles Rams[]
Week Three: Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Rams
10
7
7
13
37
Buccaneers
6
14
0
12
32
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Date: September 25
Game time: 4:05 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 91 °F (33 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 55,009
Referee: Ed Hochuli
TV announcers (Fox): Dick Stockton, Chris Spielman and Kristina Pink
LA – Tavon Austin 43-yard pass from Case Keenum (run failed), 3:39. Rams 37–26. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards, 4:17.
TB – Mike Evans 7-yard pass from Jameis Winston (pass failed), 2:24. Rams 37–32. Drive 11 plays, 75 yards, 2:23.
Top passers
LA – Case Keenum – 14/26, 190 yards, 2 TD, INT
TB – Jameis Winston – 36/58, 405 yards, 3 TD, INT
Top rushers
LA – Todd Gurley – 27 rushes, 87 yards, TD
TB – Charles Sims – 13 rushes, 55 yards, TD
Top receivers
LA – Tavon Austin – 5 receptions, 82 yards, TD
TB – Mike Evans – 10 receptions, 132 yards, TD
With Los Angeles leading 37–32 at two minute warning, the game was suspended for an hour and ten minutes due to lightning in the area. When the game resumed, the Rams faced 3rd & 11 at their own 5 yard line. Case Keenum threw an incompletion, and the Rams punted to Tampa Bay. Jameis Winston drove the Buccaneers to the Rams 15 yard line in the final minute. With 4 seconds left in regulation, Winston rolled out to his left, but with no receivers open, scrambled 10 yards downfield, and was tackled at the 5 yard line to end the game.
Week 4: vs. Denver Broncos[]
Week Four: Denver Broncos at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
For the second consecutive week, Tampa Bay endured a weather delay. Midway through the fourth quarter, the game was suspended for 90 minutes due to lightning. Denver defeated Tampa Bay 27–7. Jameis Winston ran for a touchdown, but threw two interceptions in the loss.
Week 5: at Carolina Panthers[]
Week Five: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Buccaneers
3
3
8
3
17
Panthers
0
0
14
0
14
at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Tampa Bay snapped Carolina's six game winning streak in the series, as the two clubs met on Monday Night Football. With Cam Newton sidelined due to concussion protocol, Derek Anderson started for Carolina. Anderson threw two interceptions and lost one fumble. With the game tied 14-14, Tampa Bay drove to the Panthers 20 yard line in the final minute. After missing two attempts earlier in the game, Roberto Aguayo kicked a 38-yard game-winning field goal as time expired.
Week 7: at San Francisco 49ers[]
Week Seven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Jameis Winston threw for 269 yards and three touchdown passes, while Jacquizz Rodgers rushed for 154 yards. After falling behind 14–0, Tampa Bay scored 27 unanswered points, and pulled away for a 34–17 victory.
Week 8: vs. Oakland Raiders[]
Week Eight: Oakland Raiders at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
In this Super Bowl XXXVIII rematch, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr threw for 513 yards and four touchdown passes as the Raiders won in overtime. With 1:55 remaining in the overtime period, on a 4th down & 3, Carr threw a game-winning 41-yard touchdown pass to Seth Roberts.
Week 9: vs. Atlanta Falcons[]
Week Nine: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
10
10
13
10
43
Buccaneers
7
7
0
14
28
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Date: November 3
Game time: 8:25 p.m. EDT
Game weather: 76 °F (24 °C), clear
Game attendance: 57,797
Referee: Ronald Torbert
TV announcers (NFLN): Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth and Heather Cox
Tampa Bay's only highlight came in the fourth quarter when Mike Evans made a spectacular one-handed sideline catch. However, he was hit and left the game with a concussion. He did finish on a solid note with 11 receptions along with 150 yards and two scores.
Week 10: vs. Chicago Bears[]
Week Ten: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Bears
3
7
0
0
10
Buccaneers
7
10
12
7
36
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Date: November 13
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 62,898
Referee: Walt Coleman
TV announcers (Fox): Dan Hellie, David Diehl and Holly Sonders
Tampa Bay beat Chicago in dominating fashion for their first home victory of the season. Chris Conte intercepted a Jay Cutler pass and returned the ball 20 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter to start the scoring. Jameis Winston threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, including a busted play and scramble to his own endzone which resulted in a remarkable 39-yard completion to Mike Evans. Doug Martin returned to the lineup, and scored a rushing touchdown.
Week 11: at Kansas City Chiefs[]
Week Eleven: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Kansas City Chiefs – Game summary
Tampa Bay won their second straight game, this one against a team that was highly favored to win. Jameis Winston threw for over 300 yards while Mike Evans received for over 100 yards. The offense was efficient, especially on third down where they went 11 of 15. The defense came up big as well, with safety Chris Conte getting an interception in the end zone, his second straight game with a pick. Rookie kicker Roberto Aguyao, who has struggled throughout the season, went 5/5 on kicks, making 4 field goals and 1 extra point. With this win, the Bucs got back to .500, took sole possession of second place in the NFC South, and improved their road record to 4-1.
Week 12: vs. Seattle Seahawks[]
Week Twelve: Seattle Seahawks at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Coming into a game where Seattle was highly favored to win, Tampa Bay earned their third straight win in impressive fashion. After scoring two Winston to Evans touchdowns in the first quarter, the defense held up and didn't allow any offensive touchdowns. The only points scored against them were a safety after a holding call in the endzone and a Seattle field goal. The defense also held Seattle to just one 3rd down conversion on 11 attempts, with the sole conversion coming in the 4th quarter. Seattle QB Russell Wilson was sacked six times and two of his passes were intercepted, one of those interceptions coming from CB Alterraun Verner. With this upset win, the Bucs moved over .500 for the first time through 11 games since 2012, and sits a half a game behind the final wildcard spot.
Week 13: at San Diego Chargers[]
Week Thirteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Diego Chargers – Game summary
SD – Philip Rivers – 15/26, 225 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Top rushers
TB – Melvin Gordon – 17 rushes, 84 yards, TD
SD – Doug Martin – 17 rushes, 45 yards, TD
Top receivers
TB – Cameron Brate – 6 receptions, 84 yards, TD
SD – Melvin Gordon – 4 receptions, 54 yards
The Bucs won their fourth consecutive game. After being down at the half 14–7, the Bucs outscored the Chargers 21–7 in the second half. The win gives the Bucs a 7–5 record (5–1 on the road) and since the Redskins (6–4–1) lost, the Bucs took over the final wildcard spot. Also since the Falcons (7–5) lost, they are now tied with them atop the NFC South. After the game, the Week 15 matchup against the Dallas Cowboys was flexed from a normal 1 p.m. kickoff to Sunday Night Football.
Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints[]
Week Fourteen: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Saints
0
8
3
0
11
Buccaneers
3
10
0
3
16
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Date: December 11
Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST
Game weather: 79 °F (26 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 62,140
Referee: Walt Anderson
TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman and Peter Schrager
The Buccaneers won their fifth consecutive game after another impressive showing from the defense. The defense picked off Drew Brees three times, including one to seal the win. They also held the Saints offense to zero offensive touchdowns. The win puts the Buccaneers at 8–5, and they now have a chance to finish the season with a record over .500, the first since the 2010 season.
Week 15: at Dallas Cowboys[]
Week Fifteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
The Buccaneers five-game winning streak came to an end with this loss. After being down 17–6 at the half, the Bucs came out hot in the second half scoring two touchdowns on throws to receiver Adam Humphries and tight end Cameron Brate, taking a 20–17 lead going into the fourth quarter. After three Dallas field goals in the fourth, the Bucs had a chance to drive down the field for a last second touchdown. On 4th down with around 30 seconds remaining, Winston threw an interception to seal the game. With the loss, the Buccaneers move to 8–6 on the season.
Week 16: at New Orleans Saints[]
Week Sixteen: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Buccaneers
0
7
14
3
24
Saints
7
6
15
3
31
at Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana
Date: December 24
Game time: 4:25 p.m. EST/3:25 p.m. CST
Game weather: Played indoors (dome stadium)
Game attendance: 73,177
Referee: Jerome Boger
TV announcers (Fox): Kenny Albert, Daryl Johnston and Laura Okmin
The Bucs' playoff hopes took hits after a second loss in a row, this time to the New Orleans Saints. Their defense was shaky, as they allowed 13 points in the first half of the game, and 18 points in the second half. This put the Bucs outside the playoff picture, and left them requiring victory in week 17 as well as hoping for the Washington Redskins and the Green Bay Packers to both lose. Mark Ingram scored two touchdowns, during the game, and Jameis Winston was picked off twice during the game, unlike the previous meeting of the two teams a couple weeks ago.[3]
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers[]
Week Seventeen: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Panthers
7
0
3
6
16
Buccaneers
3
0
7
7
17
at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
Date: January 1, 2017
Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
Game weather: 81 °F (27 °C), cloudy
Game attendance: 62,037
Referee: Carl Cheffers
TV announcers (Fox): Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Chris Spielman and Peter Schager
CAR – Kelvin Benjamin – 6 receptions, 93 yards, TD
TB – Adam Humphries – 10 receptions, 94 yards
The Bucs closed out the season sweeping the season series against Carolina. The game came down to the wire, with Carolina coming within one after scoring a touchdown with 17 seconds left to play. Instead of tying it up with an extra point, Carolina failed on an attempted two-point conversion. In addition to this win, the Buccaneers' playoff hopes required six other Week 17 results (including a tie between the New York Giants and Washington Redskins) to fall their way in order to secure a strength-of-victory tiebreaker over the Green Bay Packers for the final wild-card berth. They were officially eliminated from playoff contention after the New York Giants defeated the Washington Redskins. However, they finished 9–7, their first winning record since finishing 10–6 in the 2010 season, and will pick 19th overall in the upcoming NFL Draft.
^ abDetroit finished ahead of Tampa Bay for the No. 6 seed and qualified for the last playoff spot based on record vs. common opponents — Detroit's cumulative record against Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New Orleans was 3–2, while Tampa Bay's cumulative record against the same four teams was 2–3.
^ abNew Orleans finished ahead of Philadelphia based on better record vs. conference opponents.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest ranked remaining team from each division.
Awards[]
Week 1: NFC Offensive Player of the Week — Jameis Winston
Week 1: FedEx Air Player of the Week — Jameis Winston
Week 5: Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week — Roberto Aguayo
Week 11: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week — Roberto Aguayo
Week 12: Pepsi Next Rookie of the Week — Noah Spence
November: Defensive Rookie of the Month — Noah Spence
Week 14: Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week — Keith Tandy
Week 17: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week — Bryan Anger
Week 17: Castrol Edge Clutch Performer of the Week — Mike Evans
^The Week 4 preseason game vs. the Washington Redskins at Raymond James Stadium, originally scheduled for September 1, was moved forward to Wednesday, August 31, in an effort to avoid anticipated severe weather from Tropical Depression Nine.[2]