The Tampa Bay Buccaneers come out of the Week 9 bye week at an impressive 6-2, tied for the best start through eight-games in franchise history.
We had the Bucs at 5-3 going into the bye in our initial season predictions, so the team has surpassed expectations so far, especially given all of the injuries they've had to overcome.
The Buccaneers have a relatively manageable schedule with nine games remaining and should be able to finish strong and cruise to a fifth-straight NFC South title and sixth consecutive playoff berth.
Game-by-game predictions for the Buccaneers in the second half of 2025 season
Week 10: vs. New England Patriots
Coming off the bye week, Tampa Bay kicks off a brutal three-game stretch starting with a showdown against the 7-2 New England Patriots.
New England has been one of the NFL's most impressive young teams, with second-year quarterback Drake Maye performing as one of the league's best signal-callers this season.
Tampa Bay's offense, which has struggled in each of the last two games, is facing a Patriots defense that ranks No. 9 in the NFL allowing under 300 total yards per game, and No. 6 in the NFL with only 18.8 points allowed per game
It will certainly be a tall task, but the Bucs should be able to handle business at home coming off of a bye.
Prediction: Win (7-2)
Week 11: at Buffalo Bills
The Bills are a difficult team to figure out, looking like world-beaters in some games while also looking very beatable at times.
The Bills were dominated by the Atlanta Falcons just a few weeks ago and were also upset at home by the Patriots, but also boast impressive wins over the Chiefs and Ravens.
This game is a toss-up that the Buccaneers could certainly win, but the nod goes to the reigning MVP Josh Allen at home.
Prediction: Loss (7-3)
Week 12: at Los Angeles Rams
The Buccaneers are 1-3 against the Rams since 2020, and 2-8 in their last ten meetings overall. The Rams under Sean McVay have scored at least 27 points in four out of five meetings against Tampa Bay since Bowles became the defensive coordinator in 2019.
With an explosive offense that has given the Bucs fits in recent years, one of the league's best defensive lines, and Tampa Bay's tendency to struggle in primetime games, it's frankly difficult to envision the Buccaneers winning this game.
Prediction: Loss (7-4)
Week 13: vs. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have been a disappointment this season at 3-5 through eight games, including a stretch of five straight losses. The quarterback situation is uncertain, with Kyler Murray recovering from an injury and seemingly benched, with Jacoby Brissett reportedly taking over as the starting quarterback for the time being.
Tampa Bay's offense should be able to move the ball successfully against an Arizona defense that currently ranks No. 21 in the league, allowing 335 yards per game. After a brutal three game stretch against three playoff teams off the bye week, returning to Raymond James Stadium to take on a beatable Cardinals team is a must-win for the Bucs and a perfect opportunity to get back on track.
Prediction: Win (8-4)
Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints
Tampa Bay didn't play close to their full potential in Week 8, but still dominated the Saints en route to a 23-3 victory in New Orleans.
This second matchup in Tampa Bay should be no different, with the Saints in the hunt for the No. 1 overall pick while Tampa Bay gears up for a playoff run. On paper, this should be the easiest game remaining on Tampa Bay's schedule, and one they should have no trouble winning.
Prediction: Win (9-4)
Week 15: vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons are a team that is nearly impossible to figure out. They can truly go head-to-head and beat any team in the NFL on their best day, but they are also capable of losing to anybody as one of the NFL's most inconsistent teams.
They looked dominant in a primetime win over the contending Bills in Buffalo, but got shutout 30-0 by the Carolina Panthers, and inexplicably got blown out 34-10 against a terrible Dolphins team.
Tampa Bay snuck past Atlanta in Week 1 with a nailbiter 23-20 victory, and the Falcons truly gave the Bucs all they could handle. Hopefully, the Buccaneers run into the bad version of Atlanta this time around, and complete the season sweep over the Falcons as they continue to run away with the NFC South title.
Prediction: Win (10-4)
Week 16: at Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers are the better team here, but Carolina has proven to be an extremely gritty team that is certainly capable of stealing a close game from a division rival if the Buccaneers aren't careful.
Tampa Bay will need to contain one of the league's most explosive rushing attacks and force Bryce Young to beat their opportunistic defense in the passing game, where Bowles should be able to dial up enough pressure to make him uncomfortable all day long.
It doesn't hurt that Baker Mayfield will have this trip to Carolina against his former team circled on his calendar and will enter the game with a massive chip on his shoulder. Carolina won't go down without a fight, but the Bucs escape with a big win.
Prediction: Win (11-4)
Week 17: at Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins currently boast a bottom-three rushing defense, and a scoring defense that ranks No. 25 in the NFL with 27 points allowed per game.
The Bucs should be able to control the clock and run all over the Dolphins and cruise to an easy win. The season-ending injury to Tyreek Hill, as well as trading away Jaelan Phillips at the trade deadline should make Miami even less of a threat in this game, with less playmakers for the Buccaneers to worry about.
Prediction: Win (12-4)
Week 18: vs. Carolina Panthers
The Buccaneers end the season with their second matchup against the Panthers in three weeks. The NFC's No. 1 seed could very much be in play for Tampa Bay entering this game, and so they'll have a lot on the line heading into the regular season finale.
Tampa Bay handles business against Carolina again, completing a 6-0 sweep against the NFC South for the first time in franchise history, and tying the best overall record in franchise history with a 13-4 finish.
Prediction: Win (13-4)