Behind-the-scenes photos of the Buccaneers vs. Bears game at the Raymond James Stadium on December 27th.
On Tuesday night, ESPN Senior Writer Mike Sando took on the tall task of rating the NFL's top five head coaches, offensive coordinators, defensive coordinators and position coaches. Among those listed was Buccaneers OC, Dirk Koetter.
Koetter was listed as the league's fifth-best offensive coordinator, though he was tied with New York Jets OC Chan Gailey. Sando's top four, in descending order, were Chicago's Adam Gase, New England's Josh McDaniels, Cincinnati's Hue Jackson and Carolina's Mike Shula.
"The Buccaneers have jumped from 29th to 12th in offensive EPA (expected points added) per game while breaking in a rookie quarterback," Sando wrote. "A resurgent running game has helped take pressure off Jameis Winston."
The numbers support Sando's claim. In his first year as the Bucs' offensive play-caller, Koetter is poised to lead the Buccaneers to their best offensive season in team history. Tampa Bay is currently ranked No. 7 in the NFL on total yards, which would be their highest-ever finish. The Bucs have finished inside the top 10 just once before, back in 2012.
The feat is even more impressive given the unit that Koetter inherited. The Bucs finished No. 30 in yards a year ago and have jumped from No. 29 to No. 19 in points scored.
None of these numbers are set in stone, though. The Buccaneers have one more game before the page is turned on the 2015 season and that game is against the Carolina Panthers, who own the best record in the NFL.
