Buccaneers schedule leaks: Tampa Bay's Week 1 opponent revealed
The NFL will release its full regular season schedule at 8 p.m. ET tonight. However, many of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' games are already being leaked.
It happens every year. By the time the official announcement arrives, fans will likely have already booked hotel rooms and made plans, with full knowledge of the leaked schedule. You can follow along with the live updates of the Buccaneers' schedule leaks with our tracker.
Tampa Bay plays nine games at home and eight on the road this season. Based on the current schedule leaks, the Bucs won't be playing on Thanksgiving or Christmas.
We do know their reported Week 1 opponent.
Buccaneers will reportedly host Commanders in Week 1 of 2024 season
According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Buccaneers will open the season at home against the Washington Commanders.
It likely means second overall pick Jayden Daniels will be making his NFL debut against Tampa Bay.
It works out perfectly for the Bucs. The Commanders were among the "winners" of the offseason, having put together an impressive draft class, but this is a team with a rookie quarterback and a new head coach. They will need time to get things figured out, which makes Week 1 the ideal time to play against them.
The Bucs will go head-to-head with Dan Quinn, best remembered for coaching the Atlanta Falcons to the most embarrassing Super Bowl loss in history. Quinn left his role as the Dallas Cowboys' defensive coordinator to become Washington's head coach this offseason.
Tampa Bay gets an opportunity to kick off the season with a home victory, laying the foundations for another playoff push in the NFC South.
A Week 1 matchup with the Commanders is about as comfortable an opener as the Buccaneers could've hoped for.