Looking Back At JC Allen's Buccaneers Predictions For The 2023 Season
Before the season, I published a series of articles of my predictions for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season. They included the team's final record, superlatives, and my 10 bold predictions. I was pretty spot on with most of my superlatives, got close to some of my predictions, and even fell one game short of accurately guessing the Bus record. Let's take a look back and see what I was right about and what I missed the mark on.
Buccaneers Season Record
There were plenty of naysayers and nonbelievers in the Buccaneers prior to the season, though I wasn't one of them. There was too much talent on this Bucs roster for them to be a bottom-tier team. While there was a rough stretch in the season and some close losses, the team still finished with a winning record. Just not the one I predicted.
The Bucs fell one win short of my 10-7 prediction, (ahem Atlanta, Houston). They ultimately finished with a 9-8 record and won the NFC South clinching their fourth straight playoff appearance. While I was way off on the teams they would win and lose to, I'll take being one game off.
Ten Bold Predictions
1. Rachaad White Will Have Over 1,000 Yards Rushing
White finished the season with 990 yards rushing, leaving him just 10 yards shy of the 1,000-yard mark. Although as a dual threat out of the backfield he had 549 yards receiving giving him 1,539 all-purpose yards in 2023. Still, 990 isn't 1,000 so this was a close miss for me.
2. Devin White Will Earn His Pay Day
Boy did I miss the mark on this one. After a tumultuous offseason. White flashed early on before regressing to the play we've come to know over the years. An injury sidelined him for several games and while he did have a redeeming game against the Jaguars it was much of the same following that. Big L for me here.
3. Baker Mayfield Will Start Every Game
Through grit and sheer determination, Mayfield was able to start every game for the Bucs this season. Playing through ankle, rib, and shoulder injuries Mayfield toughed it out for his teammates. My first win on the board,
4. The Buccaneers Will Finish With A Winning Record
As highlighted above it wasn't the record I predicted but I'll take the win nonetheless. The Bucs finished with a 9-8 record on the season, giving me my second right prediction on the year.
5. Buccaneers Will Finish Top 5 In Sacks
The Bucs were close here finishing with 48 sacks and finding themselves in a four-way tie for seventh. with three more sacks, the Bucs would've tied the Colts for fifth in the league. Could've, would've, should've, and another one wrong for me.
6. Jamel Dean Makes The Pro Bowl
Dean was snubbed last year as one of the best cornerbacks in football and was poised for a breakout season after landing a four-year $52 million deal. Though Dean regressed and suffered. series of injuries during the season and didn't look like the player he was in 2022. If you're keeping count that's four wrong to just two right.
7. Antoine Winfield Jr. Is An All-Pro
If this doesn't happen we riot. Winfield Jr. has been snubbed repetitively this season. His latest snub missing out on the NFLPA All-Pro team. If he doesn't make the AP All-Pro team voters need to have their privileges stripped. Pending announcement.
8. Cade Otton Has Over 50 Receptions
Otton finished with 47 receptions on the year, just three short of my predicted mark. He was still a big part of the offense as expected but 47 isn't 50.
9. Calijah Kancey Records 5 Sacks
Another close one but Kancey finished the season with four sacks. That's more than Vita Vea, Gerland McCoy, and Warren Sapp had in their first season with the Bucs. Kancey displayed elite athleticism and power that made him worthy of the 19th overall selection but still fell short of my predicted mark.
10. Bucs Will Have Two 1,000-Yard Receivers
Finishing the list on a high note, Mike Evans and Chris Godwin both finished the year with over 1,000 yards receiving. It's the third straight year the duo has eclipsed the mark making one of the most productive pairs of receivers in the league.
To sum it up I was correct on only four of my predictions, but close on four others. Still, it's a losing record for me going 4-6 on my ten bold predictions.
https://www.si.com/nfl/buccaneers/news/10-predictions-for-the-tampa-bay-buccaneers-in-2023
PreSeason Superlatives
Offensive MVP: RB Rachaad White
White had a heck of a season finishing with 1,539 all-purpose yards but the impact Mike Evans had on this team can't be understated. Heading into a contract year Evans lit it up this season finishing with 1,255 yards on 79 receptions and tied for the lead league with 13 touchdowns.
New Offensive MVP: WR Mike Evans
Defensive MVP: FS Antoine Winfield Jr.
Wouldn't change a thing here Winfield Jr. was an absolute monster on the year finishing with 122 tackles, six sacks, six forced fumbles, four recoveries, and three interceptions. A free agent after the season there's no way the Bucs let him leave the building.
Special Teams MVP: P Jake Camarda
While Camarda had a heck of a season finishing with a 50-yard average on punts, this has to go to Chase McLaughlin. The Bucs struck gold with the veteran kicker this offseason. He finished 29 of 31, including seven from beyond 50 yards, and made all of his extra points.
New Special Teams MVP: K Chase McLaughlin
Rookie offense: RG Cody Mauch
Trey Palmer made some explosive plays as he filled in as the team's number three wideout but Mauch started every game and showed steady progression throughout the season. Making the switch from college left tackle to right guard came with its set of struggles but there was promising play from the rookie.
Rookie defense: DT Calijah Kancey
Kancey's impact was felt in the 14 games he started, but Yaya Diaby came on like a force once given the chance to start. Diaby finished as the rookie leader in sacks and tackle for loss and should be in the running for the defensive rookie of the year.
New Rookie defense: OLB Yaya Diaby
Most improved offense: RT Luke Goedeke
Another one that I wouldn't change. Goedeke put the naysayers to sleep with his play in 2023. The aggressor and tone-setter on the line Goedeke finished as a top 20 tackle in the NFL and was easily the most improved player on offense.
Most improved defense: OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka
Whoof boy did I get this one wrong. Not only did Tryon-Shoyinka not break out, he got benched. The production just never came for the third-year pass rusher who lost his starting spot to rookie Yaya Diaby. Instead, let's go with cornerback Zyon McCollum. The second-year corner dramatically improved in coverage and tackling and started nine games for the Bucs in 2023.
New Most improved defense: CB Zyon McCollum
Best Free Agent Pick Up: QB Baker Mayfield
Mayfield most definitely was the Bucs' best free agent pickup leading the team to a 9-8 record and having a career year in Tampa Bay. He finished the season with 4,044 yards passing, 28 touchdowns, 10 interceptions.
Comeback Player: OLB Shaq Barrett
Depending on how you view this award it could be given to someone who has come back from a serious injury or adversity. While Barret came back from an Achilles tear his level of play just wasn't the same and he's clearly lost a step. So instead of giving this award to Barrett, I'm going to double down and give it to Luke Goedeke. Fans were ready to write him off as a bust last season and instead, he battled back and solidified the right tackle spot for the Bucs.
New Comeback Player: Luke Goedeke
You can follow JC Allen on Twitter(X) @JCAllenNFL.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage, news, and analysis throughout the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2023 season.
