Winless against the AFC North since 2019, Todd Bowles and the Buccaneers look to shatter a persistent hex as experts predict a breakthrough season against physical rivals.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled to defeat AFC North teams since Todd Bowles became the defensive coordinator in 2019, and ESPN predicts the team will overcome its struggles this season.
ESPN Buccaneers reporter Jenna Laine believes the team will finally defeat an AFC North team.
"Coach Todd Bowles will finally defeat an AFC North team in Tampa," Laine wrote on Thursday. "Wait, what? Yes, an odd quirk is that the Bucs are winless against the AFC North since 2019, when Bowles became the defensive coordinator. Against the (Cincinnati) Bengals, they are (0-1), the (Cleveland) Browns (0-2), the (Baltimore) Ravens (0-2) and the (Pittsburgh) Steelers (0-1). Those are the only teams Bowles and the Bucs have not beaten in that span."
Tampa Bay will face all four AFC North teams this season: Cincinnati and Cleveland in Weeks 1 and 2, Pittsburgh in Week 6 and Baltimore in Week 14.
The Buccaneers will have two early chances to prove Laine's bold prediction right with the Bengals and Browns matchups in back-to-back weeks.
Byron Terry of the BucsRoundtable recently predicted all 17 outcomes for the team, and has Tampa Bay sweeping the first two weeks of the season. Terry highlighted the former Bengals edge rusher, Trey Hendrickson, signing with the Ravens in free agency and the Browns' uncertainty at starting quarterback.
Although Cincinnati lost Hendrickson to the Ravens for a four-year $112 million contract, they replaced his production in the interior by trading for Dexter Lawrence. Joe Burrow should enter the 2026 season healthy and still have Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins as receiving targets.
Cleveland shored up some offensive depth in the draft, but the competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders is ongoing until a starter is named.
Terry also predicted Tampa Bay to defeat Pittsburgh in its Week 6 showdown. The Buccaneers would blow Laine's prediction out of the water with a 3-0 record against the AFC North throughout the season.
He highlighted that the Steelers' quarterback play -- Aaron Rodgers returned on a one-year contract several hours after Terry's predictions -- may not be enough to defeat the Buccaneers.
While Tampa Bay could go undefeated against AFC North opponents next season, Terry predicted the team would lose to the Ravens in Week 14.
Terry cited the addition of Hendrickson on the edge in free agency, paired with the dual-threat abilities of quarterback Lamar Jackson and the physicality of running back Derrick Henry.
Baltimore's offense could be too potent for Tampa Bay to handle when they meet at M&T Bank Stadium.
A 3-1 record against AFC North teams, predicted by Terry, would prove Laine's bold prediction right, and the Buccaneers will overcome their struggles against those teams.
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