BUCCANEERS 101

In part one of our season prediction, Buccaneers101.com sees the Bucs overcoming an 0-3 start to go 4-4 in the first half of the 2012 season.

How will they fare in the second half of the year? Can the Bucs win enough games to get back to the playoffs?

Find out as Buccaneers101.com predicts the rest of the Bucs' 2012 season.

Week 10: San Diego vs. Tampa Bay
The Bucs start the second half of the 2012 campaign against the up-and-down Chargers. Last year, like Tampa Bay, San Diego started the season off hot with a 4-1 start. Then, they lost six straight games before ending up with a .500 record. This season, quarterback Phillip Rivers doesn't have Vincent Jackson, who is now in Tampa Bay, so expect more struggles from the San Diego signal caller. Jackson will have a big game against his former team as the Bucs improve to 5-4 on the year.

Result: WIN

Week 11: Tampa Bay at Carolina
The second time doesn't figure to be much different for the Bucs against the physical Panthers. Newton and the running game will continue to be too much for Tampa Bay's defense to handle. Will it be close? Probably. But close losses don't count for anything in the NFL. The Bucs get swept by the Panthers for the second year in a row.

Result: LOSS

Week 12: Atlanta vs. Tampa Bay
The Bucs face the Falcons first within the friendly confines of Raymond James Stadium as they try to focus on an unlikely playoff run. Atlanta figures to be more of a passing team this year with the emergence of Julio Jones and Pro Bowler Roddy White dominating the outside. Expect a shootout as the Bucs try to keep up with the Falcons, but in the end they will fall short to their division foes.

Result: LOSS

Week 13: Tampa Bay at Denver
They didn't face Peyton Manning last year when they hosted the Colts on Monday Night Football, but the Bucs will get a close look at the future Hall of Famer this year. The weather will be a major factor in this game and historically the Bucs don't play well in cold weather games. The offense will struggle in this one as the Bucs fall to 5-7 on the season.

Result: LOSS

Week 14: Philadelphia vs. Tampa Bay
The Bucs will honor their 2002 Super Bowl squad during this game so the team will be fired up, especially after losing three in a row. The defense will get after quarterback Michael Vick and force him into some turnovers. That will be enough for the Bucs to pull the upset off at home against the Eagles in this one.

Result: WIN

Week 15: Tampa Bay at New Orleans
With a 6-7 record at this point, the Bucs would have to win out for a small chance at earning a wildcard spot. Unfortunately for the them, the Saints are also gunning for a playoff spot, too. New Orleans and their explosive offense will be too much for the Bucs defense. Tampa Bay will throw everything they have at the Saints, but it won't be enough for a victory.

Result: LOSS

Week 16: St. Louis vs. Tampa Bay
The Bucs finish their home schedule against a Rams team the figures to be much improved this season under new head coach Jeff Fisher. St. Louis will try to give Tampa Bay a heavy dose of running back Steven Jackson, but they will be ready to shut him down. The Bucs will win pretty easily in their final home game of the season and move to 7-8 on the season.

Result: WIN

Week 17: Tampa Bay at Atlanta
At this point, the Bucs are already out of playoff contention but they will be trying to finish the year off on a high note by knocking off the Falcons on the road. However, Atlanta will be fighting for a first round bye in the final week of the season and will therefore give it their all against the Bucs in order to secure a win. The Bucs will fall short, but a 7-9 record gives the fans hope that bigger and better things are on the horizon.

Result: LOSS

Tags: Football, NFL, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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