The Tampa Bay Buccaneers began the 2025 season as Super Bowl contenders, but they fizzled to end the season, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
At 8-9, the Buccaneers needed just one win to make the playoffs, but instead they had to stay home and watch the Carolina Panthers represent the NFC South instead. This year, though, the Buccaneers still have high expectations to return to the postseason.
It will be a different look on offense for the Buccaneers, as veteran wide receiver Mike Evans signed with the 49ers in the offseason. However, Baker Mayfield is back in what will be a crucial year for the quarterback, while the coaching staff faces a make-or-break season as well.
Tampa Bay should still be considered the favorites in a weak NFC South, but the other three teams see the Buccaneers as on their way down. It's up to Tampa Bay to show the team is still a contender in the NFC.
Here is a complete breakdown of the Buccaneers' 2026 schedule, including dates, start times and analysis for all 17 games.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule 2026
Home opponents: Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Packers, Vikings, Steelers, Browns, Chargers, Rams
Away opponents: Falcons, Panthers, Saints, Bears, Lions, Ravens, Bengals, Cowboys
Every NFL team's 2026 opponents are predetermined. Buccaneers' full 2026 NFL schedule with dates, times and TV networks will be updated below when the NFL schedule is announced at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 14.
Week Date Opponent Kickoff time (ET) TV channel
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Buccaneers strength of schedule
The Buccaneers had a bunch of tough games in 2025, including matchups against each of the two Super Bowl participants, the Seahawks and Patriots. Tampa Bay had nine games overall against playoff teams, losing five of such matchups, but it was a 4-4 record against non-playoff teams that proved to be its undoing.
Based on 2025 results, the Buccaneers have the 21st-toughest schedule in the NFL this season. That number is mainly based on six divisional games against teams that finished under-.500 last year, but Tampa Bay has seven games overall against teams that made the playoffs. However, the Buccaneers do get some benefit of playing a second-place schedule in 2026.
Toughest tests: The Buccaneers face a few key matchups against championship contenders this year, but none stand out more than a home game against the Rams. Los Angeles has gotten the best of Tampa Bay in recent years, so this will be a measuring-stick game for the Buccaneers.
Additionally, the Buccaneers have to travel to play the Bears and Ravens on the road, which will be two of the team's toughest road tests.
Biggest breaks: The biggest break the Buccaneers get is their division, since the NFC South is the weakest division in the NFL. Tampa Bay's best chance to make the playoffs is to dominate divisional matchups and win the division outright.
Besides that, the Buccaneers host the Browns in what will likely be the easiest game on their schedule. Tampa Bay will likely need to beat Cleveland in order to rack up wins.
Buccaneers record prediction
Over/under win total: 8.5
Bottom line: Although the Buccaneers missed the playoffs in 2025, they should still be considered the favorite in the NFC South. Baker Mayfield is the best quarterback in the division and the roster is still quite good, even though it has taken some hits in recent years.
Tampa Bay could benefit by playing a second-place schedule in 2026, getting a lighter schedule than last year's division champion, the Panthers. Therefore, the Buccaneers should find themselves back at the top of the NFC South by season's end.
Record prediction: 10-7