The Tampa Buccaneers are solid playoff contenders this season, a solid favorite to win the NFC South. How will Tampa Bay fare each week this season, in a week-by-week view? The Bucs´ 2026 weekly predictions include the likely point spread and our predictions for the results. Letś get into the Buccaneers’ season and see what their record will look like.
Bucs 2026 Weekly Predictions: Up to the Bye Week
Game by Game Prediction: Win Probability, WAY too early point spreads, and won/loss record ( )
Week 1 Sunday, September 13, @ Cincinnati Bengals
Point Spread: CIN -3.5, CIN 58%
Prediction: TB 30-27 (1-0)
Analysis: The Bucs open the season on the road against Joe Burrow, a tough task. This Buccaneers defense should be stout and will hold up against Burrow, the mastermind of the passing game.
Aug 13, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs onto the field before the game against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Week 2 Sunday, September 20, HOME Cleveland Browns
Point Spread: TB -10 TB 85%
Prediction: TB 32-23 (2-0)
Analysis: The Browns’ talent cupboard has become a bit bare, and with Tampa at home in Week 2, look for Baker Mayfield to exact revenge on his former team.
Week 3 Sunday, September 27, HOME Minnesota Vikings
Point Spread: TB +3.5 TB 58%
Prediction: TB 36-20 (3-0)
Analysis: Tampa Bay handles Minnesota and moves to 3-0 on the season, one of the few teams that is off to a 3-0 start.
Week 4 Sunday, October 4, HOME Green Bay Packers
Point Spread: TB +2.5 TB 53%
Prediction: GB 34-33 (3-1)
Analysis: Green Bay ends the Buccaneers’ perfect start and humbles Tampa Bay. Work needs to be done.
Week 5 Thursday, October 8, @ Dallas Cowboys
Point Spread: DAL +7.5 DAL 81%
Prediction: DAL 39-27 (3-2)
Analysis: Tampa moves to 3-2 after the Cowboys prove they are superior. The short week proves to be just not enough time for Tampa Bay to prepare for the Cowboys’ offense. Tampa looks to right the ship in a hurry in Week 6.
Aug 28, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys offensive tackle Shiyazh Pete (75) blocks during the game between the Cowboys and the Saints at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Week 6 Sunday, October 18, HOME Pittsburgh Steelers
Point Spread: TB +4 TB 65%
Prediction: TB 25-22 (4-2)
Analysis: The Buccaneers capitalize with a home game win against the Steelers before a huge NFC South game at Carolina in Week 7.
Week 7 Sunday, October 25, @ Carolina Panthers
Point Spread: CAR +3 CAR 55%
Prediction: TB 30-19 (5-2)
Analysis: After a tough home win in Week 6, Tampa Bay comes up big on the road with the win.
Week 8 Sunday, November 1, Atlanta Falcons
Point Spread: TB +3.5 TB 63%
Prediction: TB 43-18 (6-2)
Analysis: Atlanta proves to be no match for Tampa Bay, and the Bucs gain a two-game lead in the NFC South**.**
Week 9 Sunday, November 8, @ Chicago Bears
Point Spread: CHI +7 CHI 77%
Prediction: CHI 30-24 (6-3)
Analysis: Tampa puts up a fight, but Caleb Williams leads the Bears down the stretch as Tampa enters the bye week at 6-3.
Week 10 BYE
Bucs 2026 Weekly Predictions: After the Bye
Week 11 Sunday, November 22, @ Detroit Lions
Point Spread: DET +8 DET 80%
Prediction: DET 35-22 (6-4)
Analysis: Tampa Bay is overmatched by Detroit.
Oct 20, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) makes a catch against Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Zyon McCollum (27) during the first half at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
Week 12 Monday, November 30, Carolina Panthers
Point Spread: TB +2 TB 55%
Prediction: TB 27-23 (7-4)
Analysis: Tampa stays perfect in the NFC South.
Week 13 Sunday, December 6, Los Angeles Chargers
Point Spread: LAC +6 LAC 71%
Prediction: LAC 30-22 (7-5)
Analysis: The Buccaneers struggle with their second game in a row on the road.
Week 14 Sunday, December 13, @ Ravens
Point Spread: BAL +6.5 BAL 75%
Prediction: BAL 33-31 (7-6)
Analysis: Tampa Bay falls short and falls to one game over .500
Week 15 Sunday, December 20, Saints
Point Spread: TB +6 TB 70%
Prediction: TB 42-17 (8-6)
Analysis: Tampa Bay rebounds from a two-game losing streak to remain unbeaten in the NFC South.
Week 16 Sunday, December 27, @ Atlanta Falcons
Point Spread: TB +2 TB 57%
Prediction: TB 37-30 (9-6)
Analysis: Tampa clinches the NFC South title.
Jacksonville Jaguars running back Deejay Dallas (20) rushes for yards before being tackled as Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Javin Wright (48) looks on during the third quarter of an NFL preseason football matchup at EverBank Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]
Week 17 Sunday, January 3, Los Angeles Rams
Point Spread: LAR +8.5 LAR 88%
Prediction: LAR 44-16 (9-7)
Analysis: Blowout loss, as the Bucs eye the playoffs with the NFC South clinched**.**
Week 18 Sunday, January 10 @ New Orleans Saints
Point Spread: TB +6 TB 78%
Prediction: TB 29-25 (10-7) NFC South Title
Analysis: The Buccaneers finish the season 10-7 and win the NFC South Title.
The Last Word
Tampa Bay has the makings of a fine season ahead, but the Bucs do have some schedule stretches that will impact their record, depriving the team of a chance at a home game past the first round of the playoffs. The likely finish is 10-7 and an NFC South Division title. At best, Tampa could finish 12-5, but at worst, the numbers show a 7-10 finish is not out of the question.
Head Coach Todd Bowles has much to gain with a division title and an ensuing contract extension. He also has much to lose if the Bucs miss out on the playoffs. Make no mistake about it, there will be turnover in the Tampa Bay organization if the team underperforms. There will also be some big paydays for many if the team achieves. Stay tuned, Bucs fans.
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