As the NFL Season 8 approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the action and drama that will unfold on the football field. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Cincinnati Bengals are among the teams that are expected to make significant strides this season. Here’s a look at what to expect from these teams and their chances of making it to the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are coming off a Super Bowl win and have managed to retain all their starters from last season, a feat that has not been achieved in the salary cap era. With Tom Brady at the helm, the Buccaneers are expected to be a formidable force in the upcoming season.
Brady, who will be 44 when the season starts, shows no signs of slowing down. He threw for 4,633 yards and 40 touchdowns last season, leading the Buccaneers to their first Super Bowl win since 2002. With weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Rob Gronkowski, Brady has plenty of options in the passing game.
The Buccaneers’ defense, led by Devin White and Lavonte David, is also one of the best in the league. The team’s pass rush, which includes Shaquil Barrett and Jason Pierre-Paul, is expected to cause problems for opposing quarterbacks.
The Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles are in a rebuilding phase after a disappointing 4-11-1 season. However, they have a new head coach in Nick Sirianni and a promising young quarterback in Jalen Hurts, which gives fans hope for a turnaround.
Hurts showed flashes of brilliance in his rookie season, throwing for 1,061 yards and six touchdowns in four starts. If he can improve his accuracy and decision-making, he could be a breakout star this season.
The Eagles’ defense, led by Fletcher Cox and Darius Slay, is also expected to be a strength. However, the team’s success will likely hinge on the performance of their offensive line, which was plagued by injuries last season.
The Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals are another team in a rebuilding phase, but they have a lot of young talent that could make them a surprise contender. Joe Burrow, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, showed a lot of promise before his season was cut short by a knee injury. If he can return to form, the Bengals’ offense could be one of the most exciting in the league.
The team also added wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase in the draft, reuniting him with Burrow, his former college teammate. Chase and Burrow were a dynamic duo at LSU, and they could replicate that success in the NFL.
The Bengals’ defense is a question mark, but they made some key additions in free agency, including defensive end Trey Hendrickson and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie. If these new additions can make an impact, the Bengals could be a dark horse in the AFC North.
In conclusion, while the Buccaneers are expected to be a powerhouse this season, the Eagles and Bengals are teams to watch. They may be in a rebuilding phase, but they have young talent that could surprise many. As always, the NFL season is sure to bring plenty of surprises and excitement.