The good and the bad of the Buccaneers schedule release
By Andrew Olson
Bad: The Opponents Themselves
It has to be said. The 2022 Buccaneers might face the most difficult schedule in the history of the franchise. It is rare to face so many teams that have so much quality talent before even making it to the playoffs.
The Buccaneers play five of the other six NFC playoff teams from last year, excluding only Philadelphia – who was clearly the worst playoff team last season. The Bucs also face three teams from the 2021 AFC playoffs, including both teams from the AFC Championship game.
Littered amongst these proven winners are a host of other teams that are tremendously challenging. The Saints, of course, make up two more games on the schedule with playoff-level pressure. And the Ravens, who only missed the postseason last year due to Lamar Jackson’s injury, also loom large.
That’s eleven games against the best of the best the NFL has to offer, a truly stunning amount. Sure, Tampa Bay has the experience and the talent to overcome this, but to secure a high seed in the 2022 postseason, these Bucs will have to be otherworldly. Here’s hoping that’s what we see as Tom Brady looks to leave a mark on the league in what should be his final season.
We wouldn’t bet against him after the season we saw last year.