TAMPA, Fla. -- In April, it looked like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were poised for another 9-7 finish. Now that training camp is wrapping up, things are looking up for the Bucs, who could wind up finishing 11-5 due to what appears to be some real progress on defense, and an offense capable of faster starts. More consideration also has been given to opponent scheduling and injuries, including those at the quarterback position.

Quarterback play didn't necessarily change the outcome of these games. But facing, at minimum, four below-average quarterbacks, plus one who suddenly is without a major weapon, does evoke some confidence. What may trip the Bucs up, however, is their struggles in the red zone and the loss of Doug Martin for the first three games.

Here are game-by-game predictions:

Week 1: Sunday, Sept. 10, at Miami Dolphins, 1 p.m. ET

With no Ryan Tannehill, and Brent Grimes coming off a spectacular training camp with some vengeance on his mind, the Bucs cruise to victory. Last season, when Miami QB Jay Cutler was with the Chicago Bears, the Bucs picked him off twice and held him to one touchdown and a 53 percent completion rate. He's got a better supporting cast in Miami, but the Bucs pull this off. Record: 1-0

Week 2: Sunday, Sept. 17, vs. Chicago Bears, 1 p.m. ET

Mike Glennon looked dreadful in Chicago’s preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, which doesn’t evoke much confidence that he’ll beat his former team. The Bucs' defense gets two takeaways off him. Record 2-0

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Week 3: Sunday, Sept. 24, at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m. ET

If Teddy Bridgewater were playing, this would be a different story. But guess what? The Vikings still gut it out. Dalvin Cook runs for more than 100 yards against one of the teams he really hoped would draft him. Even with no real threat of a passing game with Sam Bradford at QB, the Bucs struggle against a defense that surrendered the third-fewest yards per game last year (314). Record: 2-1

Week 4: Sunday, Oct. 1, vs. New York Giants, 4:05 p.m. ET

Martin returns from a three-game suspension to face a Giants defense that gave up the third-fewest rushing yards in the league last year. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr. provide a huge test for a Bucs secondary that started last season giving up 281 passing yards per game, 27th in the league. This one isn't pretty, but they manage to get by. Record: 3-1

Week 5: Thursday, Oct. 5 vs. New England Patriots, 8:25 p.m. ET

The Bucs might have the luxury of staying at home on a short week, but the Pats are too smart and too good. The Bucs may give them a scare, but the Patriots' mix of 3-4 and 4-3 defensive fronts has Jameis Winston unsteady and off-balance much of the night, while Tom Brady carves the Bucs up underneath in surgical fashion. Record: 3-2

Week 6: Sunday, Oct. 15, at Arizona Cardinals, 4:05 p.m. ET

There’s no way Winston and the Bucs are humiliated 40-7 like they were by the Cardinals last season, let alone lose. Winston faces one of the toughest secondaries he’ll see all season, but thanks to a more balanced attack, including a ground game he didn’t have last year against Arizona, he won’t have to take nearly as many chances downfield. Record: 4-2

Week 7: Sunday, Oct. 22, at Buffalo Bills, 1 p.m., ET

A brand-new coaching staff and front office, plus stunning trades of Sammy Watkins and Ronald Darby in August sent the Bills into a complete tailspin. Tyrod Taylor will struggle, even with LeSean McCoy and the league's best rushing attack last year (5.4 yards per rush). Their move from a 3-4 to a 4-3 defense under new head coach Sean McDermott and former Bucs defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier is not without a few hiccups. Record: 5-2

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Week 8: Sunday, Oct. 29 vs. Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET

Panthers quarterback Cam Newton struggles in a new offense in which he’s relying less on his legs. The Panthers’ secondary still is feeling the effects of life without Josh Norman and is exposed even more by an aging group of pass-rushers including Charles Johnson and Julius Peppers. Improved safety play from the Bucs helps contain Greg Olsen. Record: 6-2

Week 9: Sunday, Nov. 5 at New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET

While Adrian Peterson and Mark Ingram make for a tough combo against a Bucs defense that gave up nearly 4.4 yards per carry last year (11th-most in the league), it's the Saints' defense, particularly Cameron Jordan (yes, the same group that finished 27th in sacks last year), along with a few explosive plays from Drew Brees and missed tackles by the Bucs that make all the difference. Record: 6-3

Week 10: Sunday, Nov. 12 vs. New York Jets, 1 p.m. ET

Whether it’s Bryce Petty or Josh McCown lining up at starting quarterback, the Bucs won't be challenged much through the air. Defensively, Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye give a boost to a unit that allowed 30 touchdowns and had only eight interceptions last season, a 3.75 touchdown-to-interception ratio that was the worst in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info. It won't be enough, though. Record: 7-3

Week 11: Bye

Week 12: Sunday, Nov. 26 at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET

In April's predictions, this was written off as a Bucs loss. However, the Falcons face a tough Dallas Cowboys team two weeks prior. They then travel across the country to Seattle on Monday night to face the Seahawks, significantly cutting their prep time for the Bucs. Meanwhile, the Bucs are coming off a bye week. This is one of those games where logistics play a big role and work in Tampa's favor. Record: 8-3

Week 13: Sunday, Dec. 3 at Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET

Since Mike McCarthy became the head coach in 2006, the Packers are 21-3 (.875) at Lambeau Field in the month of December, tied with the Patriots for the best December home record during that span. Aaron Rodgers also is exceptionally good in December. His 68-17 touchdown-to-interception ratio (4.00) in December is better than any other quarterback in the league since 2005. His 103.5 passing rater in December since 2005 is second only to Peyton Manning. Record: 8-4

Week 14: Sunday, Dec. 10, vs. Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET

The Lions allowed the worst completion percentage in NFL history last season (72.7 percent). They also generated pressure on just 21 percent of opponent dropbacks -- the worst in the NFL, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Jim Bob Cooter's offense is rolling coming into this one, but the Bucs are able to ground Matthew Stafford's aerial attack. Record: 9-4

Week 15: Monday, Dec. 18, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 8:30 p.m. ET

This Monday Night Football showdown marks Jon Gruden’s induction into the Buccaneers' Ring of Honor. The Falcons spoiled John Lynch’s induction last year on Thursday night. That won’t happen this time around, in what’s arguably the Bucs’ most important game of the season. The atmosphere at Raymond James Stadium should be electric. Record: 10-4

Week 16: Sunday, Dec. 24, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET.

In April, this was predicted as a trap game, and it still appears that way. The emotional high of beating Atlanta on Monday Night Football to get to 10 wins takes a toll. The Panthers' offense has found its stride with young stars Christian McCaffrey and Curtis Samuel. This puts a dent in the Bucs’ hopes for a division title. Record: 10-5

Week 17: Sunday, Dec. 31, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET

Last season, a Christmas Eve loss at New Orleans kept the Bucs out of the playoffs. They ring in the New Year in Tampa with the franchise’s first playoff berth in 10 years. Record: 11-5