The long NFL offseason is finally coming to an end, and there is light at the end of the tunnel as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are just a week away from kicking off the regular season.
It’s a pivotal season for Tampa Bay as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and return to the postseason. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is entering a contract year, and head coach Todd Bowles is on the hot seat, so this season could seriously impact the future of the franchise.
Here’s how the Buccaneers’ 2026 season is shaping up, with game-by-game predictions and team awards predictions.
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers game-by-game predictions
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff outlook
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers team awards predictions
Tampa Bay Buccaneers game-by-game predictions
Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals: L (0-1)
A week away from kickoff, the season opener remains a coin flip.
The Bucs have won five straight Week 1 games, and the Bengals notoriously struggle early in the season. But this is a tall task for Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers’ young defense, with three rookie starters, will be tasked with going on the road and slowing down one of the most explosive offenses in the league headlined by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. They might not be ready for that challenge just yet.
Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns: W (1-1)
The Buccaneers play their home opener against the Browns in a game that Baker Mayfield has circled on his calendar.
The Browns were already one of Tampa Bay’s easiest opponents of the season on paper, and that was before trading away Myles Garrett, who just broke the all-time single-season sack record.
The Bucs should have a field day against this Browns team, getting their first victory of the season in dominant fashion in front of the Raymond James Stadium crowd.
Week 3: vs. Minnesota Vikings: W (2-1)
The Vikings are a well-coached team with playmakers on both sides of the ball. If the Bucs don’t bring their “A” game, they could definitely be embarrassed here in front of the home crowd.
The Buccaneers will have to contain one of the NFL’s best wide receivers in Justin Jefferson, who will have Minnesota’s new quarterback, Kyler Murray throwing him the ball.
They’ll have to deal with exotic pressures from Brian Flores, but luckily, it’s nothing the offense hasn’t seen after practicing against Todd Bowles’ defense every day.
This is a true toss up, but if the Bucs play their best, they’ll come out with a victory.
Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers: W (3-1)
The Buccaneers caught quite a break here. The Packers are a formidable opponent and a playoff contender, but they’ll face Tampa Bay without Micah Parsons and Josh Jacobs.
Tampa Bay can’t afford to lose this game against a Packers team without two of their star players.
Factor in Green Bay having to adapt to the brutal September heat in Tampa, and the Bucs should be able to wear this team out.
Week 5: @ Dallas Cowboys: L (3-2)
The Cowboys are a bad matchup for the Bucs for the same reason the Bengals are. Dallas’ offense is so explosive and features a dominant wide receiver duo in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Containing the Cowboys’ passing game will be a major challenge.
The Buccaneers have struggled mightily on prime time in the Baker Mayfield era, and it’s hard to envision that changing here on the road in Jerry World.
Week 6: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: W (4-2)
Pittsburgh is a team similar to Tampa Bay, in that both teams have been stuck in a pattern of mediocrity, consistently hovering around .500. Both teams frequently make the playoffs, but fail to go on a deep run.
Due to the team’s similarities, this will be a close, hard-fought game. If the Bucs pass rush can generate pressure on the 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers, that should be enough to give Tampa Bay the edge.
Week 7: @ Carolina Panthers: L (4-3)
The Panthers are the reigning NFC South champions, even if the Bucs essentially handed them the crown with their late-season collapse in 2025.
Carolina only got better this offseason, thanks to their prize free agency additions, linebacker Devin Lloyd and edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.
Carolina sneaks out with a close win at home, but the Bucs will have a chance to even the score when they meet again in just a few weeks.
Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons: W (5-3)
The Falcons don’t appear to be nearly the threat the Panthers are entering this season. Sure, they still have one of the league’s best offensive trios in Bijan Robinson, Drake London, and Buc-killer Kyle Pitts.
But the quarterback position is an absolute mess. At the time of writing, exactly one week before kickoff, Atlanta hasn’t decided who will start between Tua Tagovailoa or Michael Penix Jr.
Poor quarterback play will doom an otherwise talented team. Not to mention, the Bucs have a bone to pick with Atlanta after last season’s nightmarish 29-28 loss in prime time. They won’t let that happen again this year.
Week 9: @ Chicago Bears: W (6-3)
The Bears are coming off an 11-6 season, and they boast one of the NFL’s most intriguing QB-head coach duos in Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson.
Going to Chicago to play in the cold, in primetime against a playoff contender should be enough to chalk up an L here for Tampa Bay.
But I just can’t bring myself to do it.
The Bears ranked No. 27 against the run last year, and did nothing to fix that weakness. Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell and Sean Tucker should be in for a field day, and a strong ground game will allow the Bucs to keep the ball away from an explosive Bears offense and head into the bye week with a rare primetime victory.
Week 10: Bye Week
The Buccaneers enter the bye week at 6-3, but their most difficult stretch is yet to come. Can they avoid their annual mid-season collapse and return to the postseason?
Week 11: @ Detroit Lions: L (6-4)
Going to Detroit is never easy, as they boast one of the NFL’s loudest stadiums.
Tampa Bay has lost two of their last three games in the Motor City, including a humiliating 24-9 loss last season. And that was the Lions without their entire starting secondary.
The Buccaneers will have to contend with Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta. There are just too many capable weapons for Tampa Bay to keep up with.
This could turn into a shootout, and one in which the Bucs come out just short against a legitimate contender in the NFC.
Week 12: vs. Carolina Panthers: W (7-4)
The Buccaneers bounce back with a primetime win at home to split the season series against the Panthers. Carolina hasn’t swept Tampa Bay since 2015, and that won’t change this year.
The Panthers improved a ton this offseason, but the Bucs are still the better team, and they won’t allow the NFC South race to slip away from them again.
Week 13: vs. Los Angeles Chargers: W (8-4)
The Chargers make for a difficult matchup on both sides of the ball. They were a top-10 defense last season, and they’ve brought in offensive guru Mike McDaniel to call plays for Justin Herbert.
This won’t be easy, but the Bucs have one clear advantage: Los Angeles’ offensive line, particularly the interior, is one of the NFL’s worst.
Tampa Bay’s new-and-improved defensive front could practically live in the backfield and give the Chargers a day to forget offensively. The Bucs jump out to four games above .500 as they close in on a playoff berth.
Week 14: @ Baltimore Ravens: L (8-5)
The Ravens have historically been a thorn in the Bucs’ side. Baltimore is 6-2 against Tampa Bay all time, and the Buccaneers haven’t defeated the Ravens since 2002.
The Ravens will have a fierce defense coached by Jesse Minter featuring dominant pass rusher Trey Hendrickson, who the Bucs tried to sign this offseason.
On offense, the Ravens have two-time MVP Lamar Jackson at the helm with Derrick Henry in the backfield and Zay Flowers as the WR1. This is a Super Bowl contender, and the Bucs aren’t ready to go head-to-head with them just yet.
Week 15: vs. New Orleans Saints: L (8-6)
New Orleans is an up-and-coming team that showed flashes of promise last season, going 5-4 in their final nine games after naming Tyler Shough the starter.
They went all-in to build the offense this offseason, drafting wide receiver Jordyn Tyson and signing running back Travis Etienne.
The Saints always play the Buccaneers tough, especially when they come to Raymond James Stadium. That trend continues here, but the Bucs will get another crack at the Saints to close out the season with a potential spot on the line.
Week 16: @ Atlanta Falcons: W (9-6)
The Bucs pull off the season sweep of Atlanta after back-to-back years of losing a heartbreaker to the rival Falcons.
Mayfield wants to stick it to Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski, who is the coach that threw him to the curb in Cleveland.
The best way to do that is by playing clean, mistake-free football and beating the Falcons in both matchups. Mayfield and the Bucs will do just that.
Week 17: vs. Los Angeles Rams: L (9-7)
This is the easiest game to pick on Tampa Bay’s entire schedule. The Rams are 9-2 in their last 11 games against the Buccaneers.
They’ve been absolutely dominant, including a 34-7 win against Tampa Bay last season.
The Rams went overboard on improving their roster this offseason, adding Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie while bringing Aaron Donald out of retirement. This is a super team, and they’re the heavy Super Bowl favorites.
There’s no reason to believe the Bucs will be able to compete with this team, and that’s not a dig at the Bucs, but it’s an acknowledgement of how special this Rams team is.
Week 18: @ New Orleans Saints: W (10-7)
Entering the final game of the season, the Bucs could very well be in position to stamp their postseason ticket with a victory, and they’ll do just that.
The Bucs won 23-3 in the Superdome last season, and they’ll close out this season with another strong showing.
The NFC South improved a lot this offseason, but it’s still one of the league’s weaker divisions. A tenth victory should be enough to get into the playoffs as division champions.
Final Record: 10-7
Home Record: 7-2
Road Record: 3-4
Record vs. NFC South: 4-2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff outlook
The Buccaneers are a playoff team, but they’re not quite Super Bowl contenders.
It’ll be difficult, if not unrealistic, for them to compete with teams like the Los Angeles Rams or Seattle Seahawks in the postseason. Even other playoff teams like the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers would likely be favored over Tampa Bay.
It’s hard to envision the Buccaneers going on much of a run and defeating teams that are simply more talented or better coached. Winning even one playoff game this year would be a success.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers team awards predictions
Team MVP: Tristan Wirfs
It would have been easy to give this honor to Baker Mayfield, but there is nothing more valuable to a team than having a Hall of Fame-caliber left tackle anchoring the offensive line.
Wirfs’ presence makes life easier for Mayfield and also opens up big plays in the running game. The whole offense is able to operate at a higher level due to Wirfs.
He’s the best player on the team, and he’ll live up to that this season.
Offensive Player of the Year: Baker Mayfield
Baker Mayfield is entering a contract year, and he’s going to make the Bucs look foolish for not committing to him earlier.
Expect a return to his 2024 form, where Mayfield threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns, leading the Bucs to a 10-7 record. His stats might not be as gaudy this time around, but Mayfield will play winning football and lead Tampa Bay back to the postseason.
Defensive Player of the Year: Antoine Winfield Jr.
Winfield is the team’s best player on defense; he just needs to be utilized in a way that allows him to take over games.
He’s hinted throughout the offseason that Bowles is making some changes to the scheme, and they involve Winfield.
If those changes include letting the star safety play closer to the line of scrimmage and attack the ball, Winfield will make a major impact and return to his 2023 First-Team All-Pro form.
Rookie of the Year: Rueben Bain Jr.
No player has generated more hype this offseason than Rueben Bain Jr.
The game-changing pass rusher inexplicably fell to Tampa Bay at No. 15 overall, and they sprinted to the podium to secure a future cornerstone for their defense.
He’s been dominant throughout training camp and showed flashes during his limited preseason snaps. He’s going to make an immediate impact as a rookie.
Not only will he be the Bucs’ best rookie, but he’ll make a serious case for the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year honor.
Most Improved Player: Calijah Kancey
Kancey is already a special player when healthy; he just needs to stay on the field. If he can play all 17 games, or at least the majority of the season, he’ll emerge as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.
His get-off is freakish and he’s a handful for opposing offensive linemen to deal with. Having him stay healthy and play alongside a defensive front that features Vita Vea, Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr. is nightmare fuel for offenses around the league.
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