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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 5 X-factors for making the leap in 2017

By Danny Jaillet

Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks to wide receiver Mike Evans (13) before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 18, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) talks to wide receiver Mike Evans (13) before the game against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) defend during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Tampa, FL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) throws the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive end Noah Spence (57) and defensive tackle Gerald McCoy (93) defend during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Sustaining the defensive pressure

If Tampa Bay wants to get to the postseason in 2017, they need to do a better job of sacking the quarterback. They ranked No. 23 in the NFL last season in sacks with 38, tying them with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Leading the way for them in that department was defensive tackle Gerald McCoy who had seven.

If they want to make the leap next year, then this is an area they need to improve on, especially with the elite contingent of quarterbacks in the NFC South.

The Bucs should be able to do so. They have a loaded defensive line that includes McCoy, middle linebacker Kwon Alexander, and weak-side linebacker Lavonte David. There is no doubt that those three in addition to the rest of the defense can make an impact. If they can rank inside the top 15 in sacks by the end of the season, I would consider that successful.

In what is becoming a quarterback league, doing this is paramount if they want to make the postseason. The Buccaneers offense should have the right amount of firepower. However, their defense could be the determining factor regarding if they can get over the hump or not.

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