The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been one of the steadiest teams in the league over the past three years. They've gone 8-9, 9-8, and 10-7, winning the division each time, and losing in the playoffs three straight years. In some ways, you could say they've been very predictable.
It would be easy to make a similar prediction for this year. But what if things get unpredictable? The Buccaneers could be on route for one of the weirdest seasons in NFL history. Here are five weird predictions for Tampa Bay.
Weird Prediction No. 1: Mike Evans breaks Jerry Rice's record.....with exactly 1,000 recieving yards
Evans is tied with Jerry Rice with 11 straight 1,000-yard seasons. If he can reach the milestone again in 2025, he'll be the first player in NFL history to go 12 years in a row with over 1,000 yards.
He's had some close calls before. In 2017, he finished with 1,001 yards in 15 games. In 2020, he finished with 1,006. Last year, in 14 games, he went for 1,004 yards.
It would only be fitting for Evans to break the record with exactly 1,000 yards in 2025. To get even more exciting, it's probably going to come down to the Buccaneers final drive of the regular season. With Tampa Bay needing a touchdown to defeat the Panthers, Baker Mayfield will drive the offense down the field. Evans, needing exactly 15 more yards to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark, will be on the field for every play. Tampa Bay will reach the 15-yard line, and on the next play, Evans will catch a 15-yard touchdown to not only win the game, but break an NFL record.
Weird Prediction No. 2: Buccaneers start 0-2...but still make the playoffs
Tampa Bay starts their season with road games in Atlanta and Houston, and it feels like it will be a difficult road trip. Atlanta will be looking to make an early statement with a big win in their division, and the Texans have been among the best teams in the league since drafting CJ Stroud.
After losing both of their first two games, the media buzz in the NFC South will turn to the Falcons. But Tampa Bay will turn things around, winning ten of their last 15 games and finishing with a 10-7 record, good enough to make the playoffs.
Weird Prediction No. 3: Emeka Egbuka does not catch his first touchdown until week 7....but still becomes a pro bowler
Egbuka might have a difficult time breaking into a crowded Buccaneers receiving room, so it's natural to expect a slow start from the rookie. However, after catching his first touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions in week 7, he will become one of Baker Mayfields favorite targets for the rest of the season. By the end of year, Egbuka will be a pro bowler, and will be the clear future WR1 in Tampa Bay.
Weird Prediction No. 4: Baker Mayfield will become the first QB to lead the league in TD's, passing yards and INT's
If you thought Jameis Winston's 2019 season was weird, you haven't seen anything yet. Mayfield, in 2025, will not only join Winston as the second QB to lead the league in passing yards and interceptions, he'll also become the first quarterback to lead the leauge in total touchdowns and interceptions.
It's not as far-fetched as you might think. Last season, Mayfield's 41 touchdown passes trailed only Joe Burrow. His 44 total touchdowns (including three rushing touchdowns) was nearly the most in football. Only Burrow and Lamar Jackson had more, and both finished with 45 total touchdowns.
He also finished third in passing yards with 4,500, and he led the league with 16 interceptions.
This season, the addition of Egbuka into the recieving corps will help Mayfield add to his touchdown and passing yards totals, and he will lead the league in both categories. He'll pass for 4,778 yards and throw 43 touchdowns while scoring three with his legs.
But he's still going to turn the ball over plenty of times. He's averaged 14 interceptions per season in his career, and he's going to lead the league in picks for a second-straight year, throwing 17 picks in 2025.
Weird Prediction No. 5: Baker Mayfield makes his return to Progressive commercials
The popular "at home with Baker Mayfield" commercials came to an end in 2022 after Mayfield was traded from the Browns to the Panthers. This year, Progressive will bring them back.
After all, Mayfield has a new home. He's reinvented himself in Tampa Bay, where he has made back-to-back Pro Bowls and received MVP votes in 2024. It makes sense for Progressive to bring Mayfield back, as he has a natural charm on camera.