Can a year where the Bucs tripled their win total from 2014 be seen as a disappointment? Quite possibly yes after missing out on victory opportunities at Houston and Washington and then losing their final four games having gotten back to the .500 mark at 6-6. But there were many positives from the season including the arrival of a franchise QB on the stage in the form of Jameis Winston who showed the necessary leadership on and off the field. The Bucs also hit on their two second round pick offensive linemen and 4th rounder Kwon Alexander was another draft success. But it was not enough to save Lovie Smith’s job and he was fired as head coach three days after the end of the season.

NFC EAST Washington 9-7 Philadelphia 7-9 NY Giants 6-10 Dallas 4-12 NFC NORTH Minnesota 11-5 Green Bay 10-6 Detroit 7-9 Chicago 6-10 NFC SOUTH Carolina 14-2 Atlanta 8-8 New Orleans 7-9 Tampa Bay 6-10 NFC WEST Arizona 13-3 Seattle 10-6 St.Louis 7-9 San Francisco 5-11 WILD CARD GAMES Seattle 10 Minnesota 9 Green Bay 35 Washington 18 DIVISIONAL GAMES Carolina 31 Seattle 24 Arizona 26 Green Bay 20 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Carolina 49 Arizona 15

AFC EAST New England 12-4 NY Jets 10-6 Buffalo 8-8 Miami 6-10 AFC NORTH Cincinnati 12-4 Pittsburgh 10-6 Baltimore 5-11 Cleveland 3-13 AFC SOUTH Houston 9-7 Indianapolis 8-8 Jacksonville 5-11 Tennessee 3-13 AFC WEST Denver 12-4 Kansas City 11-5 Oakland 7-9 San Diego 4-12 WILD CARD GAMES Kansas City 30 Houston 0 Pittsburgh 18 Cincinnati 16 DIVISIONAL GAMES New England 27 Kansas City 20 Denver 23 Pittsburgh 16 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME Denver 20 New England 18

SUPER BOWL 50 at Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara Denver Broncos 24 Carolina Panthers 10