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NFL 2017 preview: Looking at strengths, weaknesses and X-factors for all 32 teams

By Peter Panacy

Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK
Jan 22, 2017; Atlanta, GA, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) greet each other following the 2017 NFC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers/Appleton Post Crescent via USA TODAY NETWORK /
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Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) calls a play against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) calls a play against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

2016 Record: 9-7, Second Place in the NFC South

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers may very well be one of the NFL’s risers in 2017.

This unit surprised many last season, thanks largely to the outstanding performances of quarterback Jameis Winston and wide receiver Mike Evans. Now, the Bucs can add veteran receiver DeSean Jackson to the mix. Rookie tight end O.J. Howard too, taken No. 19 overall in the NFL Draft.

Running back Doug Martin will miss the first four games of the 2017 season while serving a mandated suspension, which means rookie tailback Jeremy McNichols might see a lot of action early.

And the defense? Let’s see how rookie safety Justin Evans performs, along with first-year pro linebacker Kendall Beckwith.

Tampa Bay will be a team to watch this season.

Strengths

The Buccaneers may wind up having one of the more explosive receiving groups in the NFL in 2017.

Evans, Jackson and now Howard is a scary mix for anyone facing Tampa Bay this year. And Winston’s maturation process has been fun to watch.

The defense is solid enough too, especially on the back end. So don’t be too surprised if the Buccaneers make a run at the NFC South title by year’s end.

Weaknesses

It would have been nice to see Tampa Bay make a few more additions to help the pass rush, so this lack could wind up being a bit of a liability over the course of the season. It’s not bad, just not terrific.

Yet a more pressing issue could be the running game. With Martin out, and possibly losing steam as well, relying on McNichols and a crop of backups isn’t the ideal scenario here.

X-Factors

Tampa Bay has a fairly rough schedule to start 2017, so it’s possible the Buccaneers are unable to get off to a hot start. Matchups versus the Giants and Patriots in Weeks 4 and 5, respectively, could ultimately determine just how far the Bucs go this season.

So this puts pressure on guys like Winston to perform at a high level. He’s earned praises already, but is he ready for the next step?