The Tampa Bay Buccaneers don’t play on Sunday. They already played on Thursday Night Football this week, earning their first win of the season over the Dallas Cowboys.
But Bucs fans will still want to tune in on football Sunday. Whether it be helping Tampa Bay’s draft position or strengthening its slim chances in the NFC South race, several games could have major implications for the Buccaneers.
So, who should Buccaneers fans root for on Sunday?
Who should Tampa Bay Buccaneers fans root for in Week 5?
The Buccaneers are in an interesting spot. They find themselves toward the bottom of the NFL standings, yet still just a game out of first place in the NFC South.
Deciding who to root for on Sunday is a balancing act, but the goal is simple: root for outcomes that put Tampa Bay in the best position possible, whether they’re making a playoff push or looking toward the 2027 NFL Draft.
New York Giants (3-1) @ Washington Commanders (1-3)
With a loss to the Giants, the Commanders would fall to 1-4 which would tie them with the Buccaneers. To give Tampa Bay some breathing room atop the NFL Draft order, root for the Commanders to improve to 2-3.
Cleveland Browns (3-1) @ New York Jets (1-3)
For the same reasons Bucs fans should root for the Commanders, they should also root for the Jets. If the Bucs wind up being one of the NFL’s worst teams, New York is one of the teams likely to join them in the cellar, and that’s why we’re rooting for Todd Bowles’ former team to string together some wins.
Indianapolis Colts (2-2) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2)
The Steelers and Colts enter this game tied at 2-2, but I can’t shake the feeling that the Colts are a bigger threat to become an obstacle for Tampa Bay atop the draft order. Root for Indianapolis to get themselves in the win column, and also to knock the Steelers down a peg before they travel to Tampa Bay in Week 6.
Houston Texans (0-4) @ Tennessee Titans (0-4)
At 0-4, the Texans and Titans both appear poised for a top-five draft pick. But if I had to bet on one of these teams to turn things around and string together some wins, it would be the Texans. Tennessee is one the worst teams in the NFL, and for that reason, we’re rooting for the Titans to pull off a victory.
Minnesota Vikings (4-0) @ New Orleans Saints (1-3)
This one goes without saying, Bucs fans are behind the Vikings on Sunday. SKOL!
Las Vegas Raiders (3-1) @ New England Patriots (2-2)
These are teams on opposite trajectories. The Raiders are one of the NFL’s pleasant surprises after jumping out to a 3-1 start. The Patriots have been a major disappointment coming off a Super Bowl appearance. It’s a complete toss-up, as both teams are in the AFC with no impact on the Bucs’ playoff seeding, and both are too good to be a factor at the top of the draft order. We’ll be rooting for the Patriots since they have the worse record going in, and also as a thank you for Tom Brady.
Cincinnati Bengals (2-2) @ Miami Dolphins (0-4)
If there’s one team worse than the Titans, it’s the Dolphins. The two teams are the favorites to hold the first two picks in the draft. There’s still an outside shot that the Bucs’ win over the Cowboys was a flash in the pan and Tampa Bay will get back to their losing ways – and that’s exactly why they should root for the Dolphins to pull off the upset and play themselves out of position for the No. 1 pick.
Chicago Bears (3-1) @ Green Bay Packers (2-2)
The Bears look like one of the NFL’s best teams, and they’ve been finding ways to win even with star quarterback Caleb Williams out due to injury. The Packers have looked awful, but they’ll soon be getting back Micah Parsons, which could change the trajectory of their season. Root for the Packers, as they have a much better chance than the contending Bears at getting in the Bucs’ way on draft day.
Denver Broncos (2-2) @ Los Angeles Chargers (0-4)
The Chargers are one of the last remaining teams without a win, and the Bucs will root for Los Angeles to get in the win column for draft position purposes. Plus, who doesn’t love rooting against Sean Payton?
Detroit Lions (2-2) @ Arizona Cardinals (1-3)
The Cardinals are at just 1-3, and with a brutal schedule ahead, they’re likely to earn a premium draft pick. For that reason alone, root for the Cardinals to take down the Lions and surge past the Buccaneers in the win column.
San Francisco 49ers (4-0) @ Seattle Seahawks (3-1)
This game will have zero impact on the Buccaneers. Both of these teams are poised to win double-digit games and make a deep playoff run, and nothing that happens will impact the Buccaneers’ playoff seeding. It’s a true coin-flip, and the tie goes to Mike Evans and the 49ers.
Baltimore Ravens (3-1) @ Atlanta Falcons (2-2)
Not only would a Falcons loss be beneficial in the NFC South race, but it would also be funny to see their momentum come crashing down in a loss to Baltimore without Lamar Jackson. Bucs fans will be pulling for Tyler Huntley and the Ravens to pull off the upset.
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