The first bit of schedule information is now available as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers know what their preseason slate is.
The NFL’s preseason match-ups were announced Wednesday and with it the nationally televised preseason games. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face off with a familiar in-state rival for the first time in a few years. Here is how the Bucs’ preseason slate shakes out;
Game One – @ Miami Dolphins – Aug 9-13
Game Two – @ Tennessee Titans – Aug 16-20
Game Three – vs. Detroit Lions – Aug 24, 8:00 p.m. EST – CBS
Game Four – vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – Aug 30-31
The only date set in stone as of now is the match-up with the Detroit Lions – the first between the two teams in preseason – because it’s a nationally televised game. The other dates will be decided at a later date.
It also renews the in-state preseason rivalry between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Miami Dolphins who haven’t faced one another in preseason in three years after having played one another sixteen consecutive seasons.
It won’t be long before the regular season schedule is announced, allowing fans to see when their team is playing in prime time or who the home kickoff opponent will be. The Thursday night games are still intact, but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your stance) the color rush jerseys are no more.
Per Greg Auman of the Tampa Bay Times, the Buccaneers will also take part in joint practices with the Tennessee Titans the week of their preseason game, meaning the top two picks in the 2015 NFL Draft will be practicing with one another for a week – a must see stop for fans of either team in the area.
Next: Buccaneers Draft Profile - DT Vita Vea
Training camp and preseason is always when the hype and excitement for the season reach their peak, so it’s nice to see the opponents and locations so fans can plan on checking out the Bucs if they are fans in Miami or the Nashville area, where the Bucs don’t play very often.