The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will play an exciting slate of games during the 2020 season. Here’s our way-too-early game-by-game predictions for the schedule.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their 2020 schedule Thursday night and it is certainly an intriguing slate for the fanbase.
The Buccaneers made several moves this offseason, including adding QB Tom Brady and TE Rob Gronkowski to the roster. They also brought back several key players in the defensive front-seven from last year including Shaquil Barrett, Ndamukong Suh and Jason Pierre-Paul.
To top all of that off, the Buccaneers were one of the big winners from the 2020 NFL Draft and selected OT Tristan Wirfs with their first-round pick.
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As we get ready for the 2020 season, here’s a look at our way-too-early game-by-game predictions for the Buccaneers’ schedule, beginning with a NFC South divisional match-up in Week 1.
Week 1: @ New Orleans Saints (L)
There’s no question that this will be one of the most anticipated Week 1 games in the league this season.
The Saints and Buccaneers are considered the favorites in the NFC South division and we’ll get to see Tom Brady take on Drew Brees- for just the sixth-time ever- to begin the season.
This game is in New Orleans and the Saints will likely have more chemistry than Tampa Bay with a shortened offseason. Though I think it will be close, I’m giving the edge to the Saints in this one.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 0-1 (0-1)
Week 2: vs. Carolina Panthers (W)
The Panthers will have a new quarterback at the helm and plenty of question marks on their roster.
This isn’t the Panthers team of old. This one has questions and is the favorite to finish last in the division.
The Buccaneers may start their season off with a loss, but they’ll get into the win column fairly quickly in the Brady era.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 1-1, (1-1)
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos (W)
A trip to Denver is never something to scoff at and nothing is ever given, but I really like Tampa Bay’s chances in this one.
Though it’s a road tilt, the Broncos have shown far too much confidence in Drew Lock and he’s not going to be ready to go up against that Tampa Bay front-seven.
Tom Brady knows how to win on the road and he gets the job done here.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 2-1, (1-1)
Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Chargers (W)
There is certainly hope for the Los Angeles Chargers organization as they enter the 2020 season.
The Chargers drafted QB Justin Herbert to replace Philip Rivers and they have several talented options around him, including WR Mike Williams- who is poised for a breakout season.
That explosive offense could poise a threat to the Bucs, especially in the secondary, but I still like Tampa Bay at home.
This one will be a little closer than many think coming in, but the Buccaneers will find a way to get the win.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 3-1, (1-1)
Week 5: @ Chicago Bears (W)
Who will be the starter for the Chicago Bears by Week 5 of the season? Will it be Mitchell Trubisky or will it be Nick Foles.
My bet is on Foles, honestly.
The Bears are still suffering from making an absolutely horrible decision in the NFL Draft and that’s going to continue to haunt them as they finish with one of the worst records in the league this season.
The Bucs should win, even if the game is at Soldier Field.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 4-1, (1-1)
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers (W)
This is going to feel like a playoff game early on in the season.
After going on the road to Chicago, the Bucs will come back home to host the Green Bay Packers who are hungry to get back to the playoffs and potentially compete for a Super Bowl berth.
The big storyline coming into the game will be Tom Brady vs. Aaron Rodgers and by this point in the season, I expect that Tampa Bay offense to be clicking on all cylinders.
The Packers score late, but leave just enough time on the clock for Brady to lead the Bucs on a game-winning drive and improve to 5-1 on the season.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 5-1, (1-1)
Week 7: @ Las Vegas Raiders (L)
The Las Vegas Raiders come into this season looking to take major steps forward from last year when they finished 7-9 overall.
Though Derek Carr has his question marks, he does have some talent around him and it’s clear that the Raiders will be looking for a big win against a surging Bucs team.
Going on the road to Las Vegas coming off a big win won’t be an easy task for a team that is still relatively young and I think this could be a spot where we see things fall off the handle a little bit and the Bucs drop a game they should win.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 5-2, (1-1)
Week 8: @ New York Giants (W)
The New York Giants in prime-time? Sounds wonderful.
The Buccaneers will travel up to New York for a big-time game against a Giants team that is trying to surge back to the top.
Unfortunately for them, they’re not quite there yet and Tom Brady thrives in the cold weather.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 6-2, (1-1)
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints (W)
The Saints might get Tom Brady and the Bucs early on in the Superdome, but they won’t do it twice.
Coming off a two-game road trip, the Buccaneers come back and take care of business.
The Saints will be heavily favored, but I expect Tampa to find a way to win on their home field and prove to the rest of the league that they’re legitimate postseason contenders.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 7-2, (2-1)
Week 10: @ Carolina Panthers (W)
After an exciting win in Raymond-Jame Stadium, the Bucs will have to travel up to Charlotte for another trap game, right?
Nope.
The Panthers just don’t have the talent to compete and the Buccaneers will continue their winning ways.
This one might be close for a while, but I’d expect Tampa to pull away in the second half.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 8-2, (3-1)
Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams (W)
This game against the Rams is an interesting one, in my opinion.
By this point in the season, we’ll know what each team has and what their questions are. The Rams have talent enough to be a postseason contender and could find a way to steal one in Tampa Bay, but I don’t think that’s the case.
The Buccaneers win this one- even if it’s in ugly fashion- and improve to 9-2 on the season.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 9-2, (3-1)
Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (L)
Patrick Mahomes and the Super Bowl-winning Kansas City Chiefs will be coming to town during Week 12.
At this point, the Buccaneers will have played 12-straight weeks without a bye and that will likely show up against Kansas City.
The Chiefs won’t blow Tampa out, but I’d expect the reigning Super Bowl winners to come away with the victory, even if this one is played in Raymond-James Stadium.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 9-3, (3-1)
Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings (W)
Coming off a much-needed bye week, the Bucs will stay at home to take on the Minnesota Vikings before another two-week road trip.
The Vikings are a team who are expected to compete with the Packers for the NFC North division and I think this could be a game where a wild-card berth is squarely on the line.
The Bucs are at home, so I give them the advantage. There’s no doubt this will be a hard-fought football game as we head down the stretch of the season, though.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 10-3, (3-1)
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons (L)
We have to wait until Week 15 of the 2020 NFL season to see the Buccaneers take on the Atlanta Falcons.
The Falcons are a team that has consistently been a thorn in the side of Tampa for quite some time and that will be the case here, as well.
I’d expect Atlanta to enter this game with something like a 8-6 record, but they’ll play a little spoiler here and find a way to win at home. Don’t worry, though, revenge will come soon.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 10-4, (3-2)
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions (W)
Week 16 will come at a time where the Bucs need to get a win to stay in the division race and continue to lock up their seed in the playoffs.
It’s the last road trip of the year and it’s against a Detroit Lions team that just isn’t very good. It’s not that the Lions are bad, they’re just middle-of-the-pack.
They’ll look to play spoiler and that will keep the game close for a while, but the Bucs come away with the win in the end.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 11-4, (3-2)
Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons (W)
We’re finishing on a high note.
The Buccaneers will return home for one final game before the postseason and they’ll pick up a win over their divisional rivals.
Tom Brady may not even play this week as he rests up for the playoffs, but this will still be a big win for the young core and a great way to close out the regular season.
Bucs’ Predicted Record: 12-4, (4-2)
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