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The Buccaneers thought that their playoff berth in 2023 may be their final run before some unfortunate changes due to their best players entering free agency. However, Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, and Antoine Winfield Jr all returned for another crack at a Super Bowl after advancing to the divisional round last season. Let's preview the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 schedule and make predictions game-by-game for their record at the end of the season.
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Week 1 vs. Washington Commanders
The Buccaneers open their season by taking on Jayden Daniels in his NFL debut. Daniels could be a stud for the Commanders, but Tampa Bay gets the good fortune of facing him before he gets any experience, which could be a difficult task against the Bucs' defensive back talent.
WIN
Week 2 @ Detroit Lions
Week 2 won't be as favorable of a matchup, as the Buccaneers must go on the road to take on the NFC runner-ups from last season. The young Lions squad will have another season of experience under their belt and will be hungry to take the final step and make the Super Bowl. It's unlikely that the Buccaneers will be a team that gets in their way.
LOSS
Week 3 vs. Denver Broncos
The Buccaneers return home to take on Bo Nix (?) and the Denver Broncos. The Broncos' early selection of Nix turned some heads, and they could be regretting that decision already in Week 3. If Nix doesn't win the starting job out of camp, it'll be Zach Wilson or Jarrett Stidham under center, which scares no one on the Bucs' sideline.
WIN
Week 4 vs. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles struggled to end 2023, which helped the Buccaneers dominate them in the Wild Card Round with a 32-9 victory. The Eagles will have some things to figure out this season, mostly from holes left in their offensive line and defensive line with the retirements of Jason Kelce and Fletcher Cox. The Buccaneers have the blueprint to beat the Eagles, and if Philadelphia isn't any better than their form in last year's playoffs, the Bucs will grab another win here.
WIN
Week 5 @ Atlanta Falcons (Thursday Night Football)
The Buccaneers get a short week of rest before heading to Atlanta for a Thursday Night Football matchup. Every inter-division game will be important in the tight NFC South, so the Buccaneers must find a way to win here. The more likely scenario is a split for these teams, with a win each at home.
LOSS
Week 6 @ New Orleans Saints
The Bucs have another NFC South road game and one that the Buccaneers feel they must win. The Buccaneers and Saints split their series last season, but the Bucs had a five-game winning streak before that. We know that Mayfield is under center now and not the quarterback who owned that five-game winning streak, but the Saints aren't the team they used to be, either.
WIN
Week 7 vs. Baltimore Ravens (Monday Night Football)
The Buccaneers get a Monday Night Football game and have to play against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. It could be an ugly game for the Buccaneers after coming off two consecutive divisional games on the road.
LOSS
Week 8 vs. Atlanta Falcons
The Buccaneers play the Falcons for the second time in four weeks to get that portion of their divisional schedule out of the way. The Buccaneers need to at least split the series against the Falcons, making this a must-win game if they fall to the Falcons in Week 5.
WIN
Week 9 @ Kansas City Chiefs (Monday Night Football)
Oh, wait! The Buccaneers get a second Monday Night Football Game this season to avenge the Ravens loss. They thought it couldn't get much harder than the Ravens, but they were wrong, as they will go to Arrowhead to take on the defending Super Bowl Champions.
LOSS
Week 10 vs. San Francisco 49ers
The Buccaneers are good enough to win the NFC South again this season, but most of their losses will come from the contenders in the NFC and the gauntlet of AFC teams they face. Tampa Bay made the playoffs last season, but everyone knew they weren't legitimate contenders, and the 49ers will show that again in this game.
LOSS
Week 11 BYE
Week 12 @ New York Giants
The Buccaneers get another rebuilding team on their schedule after early season games with the Commanders, Broncos, and Saints. The Buccaneers will be handed some losses with the 49ers, Chiefs, and Ravens on their schedule, so these are the games they must win.
WIN
Week 13 @ Carolina Panthers
They stay on the road for another divisional game, taking on Bryce Young and the Panthers. Carolina fans hope Young will improve this season, but the Buccaneers still need to come out on top in this matchup.
WIN
Week 14 vs. Las Vegas Raiders
This could be a trap game for the Buccaneers after some easy games and a date with the Chargers approaching the following week. It could be a make-or-break game for the Buccaneers before two divisional games and two other difficult opponents.
WIN
Week 15 @ Los Angeles Chargers
The Buccaneers get their first look at Jim Harbaugh's second stint in the NFL. Weeks 15 and 16 may be a bad stretch for the Buccaneers if they are looking ahead to their divisional matchups to end the season.
LOSS
Week 16 @ Dallas Cowboys (Sunday Night Football)
Tampa Bay continues to be a punching bag for the league's best teams in primetime stand-alone games. Their fourth primetime game of the season will be in Dallas against the Cowboys, and there's a great chance their record in those games goes to 0-4. If the Buccaneers make the playoffs, their stock will be at an all-time low, as NFL fans will see them get beat up in primetime on four occasions.
LOSS
Week 17 vs. Carolina Panthers
A divisional game isn't easy, but after the Buccaneers schedule gauntlet, they may be happy to see their season end with two games at home against weaker teams. There's a good chance that their season comes down to winning these two games.
WIN
Week 18 vs. New Orleans Saints
A win here would get the Buccaneers to ten wins and a possible playoff berth. The Saints have played spoiler to the Buccaneers on many occasions. It'd be fitting if they did it again at Raymond James Stadium to end Tampa Bay's season.
LOSS
