By The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off one of their most disappointing seasons in recent memory.
Tampa finished 7-9, missing the playoffs for the first time in five seasons.
The Buccaneers re-tooled their defense, focusing on the linebackers and edge rushers in free agency and the draft, while adding support pieces on the defensive line and in the defensive backfield.
The offense returns with a couple of new pieces in RB Kenneth Gainwell and rookie wide receiver Ted Hurst. The big loss is wide receiver Mike Evans, who left via free agency for San Francisco.
The Buccaneers won’t have to wait long to find out whether their defense has improved, as they open the season on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Week 1 At Cincinnati:
The Buccaneers will get tested right away with their season opener on the road at Cincinnati. Joe Burrow, coming off his worst season in the NFL due to injury, will have something to prove, and the new-look defense led by Dexter Lawrence will test Tampa’s offense.
The Bengals are notoriously slow starters, so why should this season be any different? Bucs win
Week 2 Home Cleveland:
The following week, the Bucs will host the Cleveland Browns in their home opener. This will be the first of three straight home games for the Buccaneers, and Tampa needs to take advantage of that scheduling quirk.
This will be a revenge game for quarterback Baker Mayfield against his old teammates. One matchup I’m looking forward to will be in the trenches.
Tristan Wirfs, the best tackle in the game, vs. Myles Garrett, the best edge rusher in the game.
The Bucs should win big.
Week 3 Home Minnesota.
The Vikings have some dangerous weapons on offense in wide receiver Justin Jefferson, the newly acquired receiver Jauan Jennings, and new quarterback Kyler Murray.
A good test early for the Buccaneers, which they should handle.
Week 4 Home Green Bay.
The Bucs catch a break as the Packers’ best defensive player, Micah Parsons, may not be available, as he is still recovering from a torn ACL.
If that is the case, the Bucs win this one easily.
Week 5, Thursday Night in Dallas.
The Cowboys have one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL. Tampa never plays well in National games, or on Thursday Night. They are 1-9 in prime time since Baker Mayfield became their quarterback.
This game has the potential to get ugly early.
Week 6 Home Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have been an average team over the last few years.
Just good enough to make the playoffs, but then lose in the first round.
Mediocrity and Mike Tomlin are out in the Iron City, replaced by Mike McCarthy.
This is a winnable game for the Bucs.
Week 7 At Carolina
This has all the makings of a new rivalry in the NFC South. The Buccaneers gave the NFC South title to Carolina last season, and this year these two teams should once again challenge each other for supremacy in the NFC South.
Carolina had one of the best free-agent classes and a very good draft class. This will be a tough one for the Buccaneers.
Week 8 Home Atlanta
The Falcons have been a thorn in the Buccaneers’ side over the last few seasons. Will that change now that Zac Robinson is the Buccaneers’ OC?
Former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski is now the head coach in Atlanta.
Tua Tagovailoa is the new quarterback in Atlanta, but the improved Bucs defense should keep them in check.
Week 9 in Chicago
Sunday Night in Chicago is the second primetime game of the year for the Buccaneers.
Ben Johnson enters his second year as head coach in Chicago and has Caleb Williams playing at a high level.
As stated previously, the Buccaneers do not play well in prime time. This will be a hard game for the Bucs to win.
Week 10 BYE
The Bucs will be 5-4 heading into the bye, and will need a strong second half to make the postseason.
Week 11 At Detroit
The Bucs did not fare well against Detroit last season. It was the beginning of the end for Mike Evans’ tenure in Tampa.
Although they missed the playoffs last season, the Lions are still loaded offensively with Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Jahmyr Gibbs.
Another tough road game for Tampa.
Week 12 Home Carolina.
After dropping the first game in Carolina, the Bucs should get revenge at home against their division rivals.
Week 13 Home LA Chargers
The Chargers have a new OC this season in Mike McDaniels, an upgrade over Greg Roman.
The Chargers are always a tough out, and even though this game is at home, it won’t matter. Chargers win.
Week 14 At Baltimore
The Buccaneers have not beaten the Ravens since 2002.
Baltimore still has one of the best quarterbacks in the game in Lamar Jackson, and added the top defensive player in free agency in Trey Hendrickson.
Another tough loss for the Buccaneers.
Week 15 at New Orleans
This will be the first of two meetings between the Saints and Buccaneers.
Positioning for the playoffs will be on the line in this contest. Saints quarterback Tyler Shough should continue to improve this season.
The Bucs still have the better team and should handle the Saints.
Week 16 at Atlanta
It always seems to come down to the Buccaneers and Falcons playing to determine which team will get into the playoffs.
This game will be no different, with the Falcons winning in a close game.
Week 17 at LA Rams
The Rams have had their way against the Buccaneers recently, and this year will be no different.
The Rams are again one of the best teams in the NFC and should handle the Bucs on the road.
Week 18 at New Orleans
The Bucs end the 2026 season with a loss, adding an exclamation point to another disappointing season.
Final Analysis:
If the season plays out the way we think it will, Todd Bowles could be looking for a new job by the end of the season.
With all the talent the Buccaneers have assembled on offense and defense, there is no acceptable excuse for missing the playoffs.
This is a tough schedule for the Bucs.
Anything can happen over the course of the season, but I’m not that confident the Bucs will finish above .500 and earn a playoff spot.
