A favorable path emerges for Tampa Bay as a healthy roster and a vulnerable NFC South provide the perfect opening to reclaim the division throne this season.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers missed the playoffs for the first time since 2023 as injuries derailed last season's 6-2 start and ended 2-7.
Their fate should change this season with a healthy roster and the 22nd-hardest strength of schedule. Tampa Bay's opponents this season combined for a 49.1 win percentage last year, and a weak NFC South division lowers the strength.
All four NFC South teams -- Tampa Bay, the Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons -- finished with an under .500 record. The Buccaneers, Panthers and Falcons ended 8-9 while the Saints were the worst at 6-11.
It is a wide-open division this season, and Tampa Bay looks to crown itself as king with one more division title, giving the team the most NFC South division titles.
Some competition isn't truly a .500 team, like the Cincinnati Bengals. Joe Burrow dealt with a grade three turf toe injury that sidelined him for most of the season, and Jake Browning, who the Buccaneers after preseason, stepped up in his absence.
Cincinnati also made a blockbuster move to trade for Dexter Lawrence, bolstering its interior pass rush. Lawrence had a down season, recording 0.5 sacks, but had nine in 2024.
He'll test Tampa Bay's offensive line come Week 1 next Sunday on the road. Weeks 1 through 5 are arguably the toughest stretch for the Buccaneers.
Tampa Bay will return for a three-game home stand against the Cleveland Browns, the Minnesota Vikings and the Green Bay Packers.
Cleveland did not make the playoffs last year, but the team upgraded its wide receiver core and offensive line throughout the draft. Deshaun Watson is the starting quarterback and is capable of making pinpoint, accurate throws, especially deep to fast receivers.
Minnesota arrives the following week, and the Buccaneers' secondary must prepare to contain Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. The Vikings added Kyler Murray in free agency on a one-year deal, and his addition brings dual-threat versatility that is not a strength in J.J. McCarthy's game.
Jordan Love, Micah Parsons and the Packers come to Tampa Bay to close out the Buccaneers' three-game home stand. Love has cemented himself as an MVP-caliber quarterback, but lost his leading receiver, Romeo Doubs, to the New England Patriots.
Tampa Bay closes out Week 5 on the road against the Dallas Cowboys.
The Cowboys strengthened their defensive depth in the first round of this year's draft with Ohio State's Caleb Downs and UCF's Malachi Lawrence. Their two selections bring a balance of pass-rushing and coverage help, improving two areas the team struggled in the most last season.
Having the 22nd-hardest strength of schedule doesn't mean the Buccaneers will have an easy time next season, as they'll still face tough competition en route to returning to the playoffs.
