Bucs after Dark: Buccaneers release schedule, open at home

Justin Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Justin Evans, Tampa Bay Buccaneers,(Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ schedule has been released, and they are set to take on the San Francisco 49ers and a familiar face week-one at home.

As the Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule has been leaked throughout the day, confirming their international game, which robs them of a divisional home game, against the Carolina Panthers in week six, it has been confirmed that they will open their season at home against the San Francisco 49ers. The rest of the schedule can be found here.

While it is likely that former Buccaneers linebacker Kwon Alexander will be unable to play in this game, he seems rather excited about the opportunity to return to Tampa Bay to face the Buccaneers to open his season. The feeling is most certainly mutual between his former teammates on the Buccaneers as well.

In a crucial 2019 season, the Buccaneers have a chance to gain some much-needed momentum under new head coach Bruce Arians when taking on the Niners, who finished with the second-worst record in the NFL last season. A win in the opener could go a long way to boost the team’s confidence and catapult them into the season.

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With a retooled offense, the Buccaneers will look to light up the scoreboard against the revamped 49ers defense. With the additions of Alexander, Jason Verrett, Dee Ford, and potentially Ohio State pass rusher Nick Bosa, the 49ers defense infuses some much needed talent into a wounded defense from a year ago.

On the other side of the ball, the Buccaneers defense hopes to limit quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo, returning from his devastating ACL injury from a year ago, and a San Francisco offense that has added running back Tevin Coleman to a group consisting of George Kittle, Dante Pettis, and Marquise Goodwin. Tampa Bay is hoping that the speed and versatility that Deone Bucannon and the pass rushing ability of Shaq Barrett can mesh with the fifth overall pick to help the Buccaneer defense take massive strides from one year ago.

Buckle up, it is going to be a bumpy ride in 2019, but getting off to a great start and rubbing it in the familiar face of Alexander could be an ideal situation to start the season for the Buccaneers. Taking the schedule week-by-week, Arians has transformed a team in one season before, and he could do it again in Tampa Bay.

Schedule