5 hardest games on the 2020 NFL schedule for the Buccaneers
By Rob Leeds
With the 2020 NFL schedule finally released, here is a look at the five toughest opponents for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in their upcoming season.
The Buccaneers have one of their most important seasons in decades approaching in 2020, and the stakes have never been higher.
Tampa Bay has gone all-in in almost every way. From free agency to trades, the Bucs have constructed a team with the sole purpose of making the playoffs and going beyond in Bruce Arians’ second season.
With a playoff or bust mentality present in full force, the season will likely be defined by a handful of games. Mediocre teams beat the bad teams, but great teams, playoff teams, are able to compete in their toughest matchups.
The Buccaneers have struggled with mediocrity for years now as their ceiling, but the tides are starting to turn, and the outlook for the future is as optimistic as it can be for a team that has missed out on the playoffs since 2007.
In an effort for the Bucs to live up to their expectations, staying competitive with their most formidable competition will be pivotal. Tampa Bay was able to play some of their better opponents close in 2019, but that goal becomes much more critical in 2020.
While there are rarely ever easy opponents in the NFL, Tampa Bay is usually not blessed with an easy schedule. 2019 was known for the longest streak without a proper home game in the NFL for the Bucs, and 2020 won’t be a walk in the park either.
With opponents in the AFC West and the NFC North, the Buccaneers have numerous playoff-ready opponents to play several times.
Here is the official schedule that was released on the Buccaneers Twitter page:
Week 1: Away vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 2: Home vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 3: Away vs. Denver Broncos
Week 4: Home vs. LA Chargers
Week 5: Away vs. Chicago Bears
Week 6: Home vs. Green Bay Packers
Week 7: Away vs. Las Vegas Raiders
Week 8: Away vs. New York Giants
Week 9: Home vs. New Orleans Saints
Week 10: Away vs. Carolina Panthers
Week 11: Home vs. LA Rams
Week 12: Home vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: Home vs. Minnesota Vikings
Week 15: Away vs. Atlanta Falcons
Week 16: Away vs. Detroit Lions
Week 17: Home vs. Atlanta Falcons
At first glance, this schedule looks much better than the one for last season, but there are still several difficult matchups. Here are the five hardest matchups for the Bucs in 2020.