One analyst believes the issues that have caused Tampa's 0-2 start can be fixed in time for the Bucs to still reach the postseason.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have not inspired much confidence with their 0-2 start to the season.
A frustrating, sloppy, turnover-filled opener on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals wasn't a great way to begin a new season. The Bucs followed that with a terrible home loss against the Cleveland Browns. Tampa was an 8.5-point favorite over Cleveland, who looked like one of the NFL's worst teams in Week 1.
The home game against the Browns looked like the easiest game on Tampa's schedule. What looked like a win turned into an embarrassing loss. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, who had the game circled on his calendar for months, was completely outplayed by Deshaun Watson, and the Bucs dropped a game they couldn't afford to lose.
Tampa's depressing start to the season has already had fans and analysts hitting the panic button. Calls for Todd Bowles to be replaced have become very loud. Whether or not Mayfield is worth his brand-new contract extension has also been questioned.
The Bucs have a tough game this Sunday against the 2-0 Minnesota Vikings. They must play much better to have a chance at avoiding an 0-3 start. Only seven teams since 1980 have reached the playoffs after starting a season 0-3.
With games against the Packers and Cowboys up after the Vikings, the Bucs could possibly see their season go down the drain very early.
As bad as Tampa has looked so far, perhaps there is still hope they can turn it around.
Kevin Patra of NFL.com believes the Bucs can still turn it around. He ranked all eight teams that are 0-2 by their chances of making the postseason. 10 teams began the 2025 season 0-2, and three ended up in the playoffs.
Patra has Tampa ranked second, behind only the Houston Texans.
Believes Tampa's Issues Are Correctable
Watching the Bucs' first two games has been depressing. Turnovers, sacks, and dropped passes have doomed the offense. On defense, missed tackles have led to explosive plays. There have been several bad penalties and a frightening lack of a pass rush despite the team spending a lot of money and draft picks on its front seven.
However, Patra believes these issues are correctable and still has faith that the Bucs can recover, especially in a weak NFC South division.
"Reason for optimism: The little things are correctable
"Baker Mayfield and the Bucs have gotten in their own way through two games.
"In Week 1, Mayfield played fumble-the-pigskin, turning it over three times against Cincinnati, which led to 21 Bengals points. In Week 2, he threw an INT versus Cleveland that led to another FG. Baker has been a tick off the mark to start the year, and his offensive linemen have made far too many mistakes given their pedigree. Bad penalties, missed blocks, passes just off the mark, flubbed balls by receivers, running backs missing the hole. The Bucs have looked like an offense that needed more preseason reps.
"It’s a similar story for Todd Bowles' defense, which has been a hair shy on many plays to open the season. Missed tackles leading to explosive plays, a pass rush that was just a half-step late, or a coverage that rotated just a pulse slow are all issues that have plagued the Tampa D.
"Sunday's home loss to Cleveland was bad, particularly given they held a 10-point second-half lead. Yet, watching the games, it’s more frustrating than depressing. The mistakes are correctable. Playing in the NFC South, where no team is likely to run away with the division, also provides a bit of reprieve for a 0-2 squad. They need Mayfield to start playing like a $55 million quarterback, though."
Final Thoughts
There's a big difference between things being correctable and actually being corrected.
Right now, it's hard to have confidence that all of these issues will be fixed in time for the Bucs to salvage their season. Through two games, Tampa isn't getting what it needs from either its players or its coaches.
Until the Bucs start winning, it's hard to have any faith that they will dig out of the early hole they have dug for themselves.
Patra is right that playing in the NFC South is a huge boost for Tampa's chances. Eight wins won the division a year ago, and that number may be good enough to win it this season as well.
The mistakes must be corrected now if the Bucs are to have any chance against the Vikings, especially their swarming defense.
