The Bucs have all the makings of a true contender this season, but they will need the defense to step up and match the offense’s production after having a couple of down years. Tampa Bay has the players to be able to improve on the defensive side of the ball this year, but they will hope to remain a bit healthier since injuries played such a large role in their demise a season ago. Annually, the popular NFL video game, Madden, releases its player position ratings, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have three players inside the top seven of their respective roles in the NFL. The Madden ratings have Lavonte David as the fifth-highest rated off-ball linebacker in the league as an 88 overall, Vita Vea as the fifth-highest rated defensive lineman as a 93, and Antoine Winfield Jr. as the sixth-highest rated safety in the NFL with a 91 overall rating.