The NFL season kicks off in just over three months.
So now seems a good time to get in some early predictions for the upcoming season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had many successful campaigns in the past, and won two Super Bowls. This season will be the 50th in their history.
Spirits are high in the Cigar City ahead of what I hope is an eventful and action-packed year.
Who the Bucs will face?
The Bucs’ schedule is not an easy one. They have a relatively tough first six to seven games, and a simpler home stretch for the final six games.
The Bucs will have to play some heavy hitters in 2025. Their slate includes the Super Bowl Champions Philadelphia Eagles (Week 4) and four divisional winners: the Houston Texans (Week 2), Detroit Lions (Week 7), Buffalo Bills (Week 11) and Los Angeles Rams (Week 12) .
The Buccaneers also have some interesting match-ups against teams that are either rebuilding or wildcards for this upcoming season. These teams include the Seattle Seahawks (Week 5), San Francisco 49ers (Week 6), New England Patriots (Week 10) and Arizona Cardinals (Week 13).
The Bucs will, of course, also play each of their divisional opponents twice, which should hopefully help build up some wins.
How might the team fare?
While a week-by-week breakdown would be tedious, we can try to get a general picture of the Bucs’ record.
As discussed on my recent appearance on the HuddleUK podcast, I believe it will be another 10-7 or 11-6 season for Tampa Bay.
The Bucs will have their bye in Week 9, in-between games against the Saints and Patriots.
At that point, the Bucs should be hovering around 5-3, with losses to the Lions, Eagles and Texans. I will add that it would not come as a surprise if that record is flipped and the Bucs start 3-5 or 4-4.
Post-bye, things get relatively easier for the Bucs. I predict them going around 6-3, with losses to the Atlanta Falcons, Rams and Bills.
Overall, this brings the Bucs’ predicted record to around 10-7 or 11-6, similar to 2024. I think Tampa Bay has a floor of around seven wins, but they could also go and win 12+ games if everything clicks.
Tampa will have four prime time games next season, with three Monday Night Football slots and one Thursday Night Football game.
The Bucs will be looking to improve their record in prime time, having gone 0-4 in 2024, including two overtime losses.
