From Baker Mayfield’s revenge game against Cleveland to a high-stakes clash with Jordan Love, discover which matchups will define Tampa Bay’s quest for NFC dominance this season.
The 2026 NFL regular season schedule released for many fans, it is the first sign of an hopeful season.
From divisional rematches to newly started rivalries and playoff potential, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are set up for a potentially exciting season. The next step after the schedule dropping is predicting the week-by-week results and see what will make or break the 2026 Buccaneers.
Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals: Sunday, Sept. 13
The Buccaneers will be up against the Bengals in an evenly matched season opener. Both teams have really good offenses but both defenses have wide holes left by the departures of their stars. Tampa Bay linebacker Levonte David retired and edge rusher Trey Hendrickson left Cincinnati to sign with the Baltimore Ravens this offseason.
Prediction: Bucs win 27-20.
Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Cleveland Browns: Sunday, Sept. 20
It’s always an intriguing matchup when Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield faces his original team, the Cleveland Browns. Mayfield has been a stable franchise QB for Tampa Bay while Cleveland still need to decide who their starting quarterback will be in Week 1 as the Deshaun Watson era hasn’t worked out as the Browns originally planned.
Prediction: Bucs win 24-17.
Week 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Minnesota Vikings: Sunday, Sept. 27
The direction of the Minnesota Vikings season could depend on who wins the quarterback battle between JJ McCarthy and former Arizona QB Kyler Murray. If Murray starts, the offense will be upgraded, but it's more so about how Murray will mesh in their system. The Vikings have a great coach in Kevin O'Connell, and they also have a good defense.
Prediction: Bucs lose 22-18.
Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Green Bay Packers: Sunday, Oct. 4
The Green Bay Packers are one of the better and more complete teams in the NFL, with quarterback Jordan Love and edge rusher Micah Parsons. It's a home stretch for the Buccaneers though, and they'll use that to their advantage.
Prediction: Bucs win 34-20
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys: Thursday, Oct. 8
The Dallas Cowboys offense is one of the best in the NFL, especially their receiving core of CeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Their defense does lack a bit in pass rush but the Bucs will fall regardless.
Prediction: Bucs lose 29-26.
Week 6: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Sunday, Oct. 18
The Pittsburgh Steelers need an answer at quarterback, whether or not it’s Aaron Rodgers returning for one last ride. It may not be enough to defeat Tampa Bay anyway.
Prediction: Bucs win 26-18.
Week 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at. Carolina Panthers: Sunday, Oct. 25
Tampa is facing division rival Carolina Panthers for the first time of the season and it'll be a good contest. Despite reaching the playoffs, the Panthers aren't true contenders quite yet. Carolina has given Tampa Bay trouble before but not this time.
Prediction: Bucs win 34-17.
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Atlanta Falcons: Sunday, Nov. 1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will see his former head coach from Cleveland in Kevin Stefanski and the Atlanta Falcons. Stefanski was hired by the Falcons this offseason and this could be a get-back game for Mayfield, especially after his recent comments. Tampa Bay and Atlanta being division rivals adds to the story, but the Bucs will win in overtime on a field goal.
Prediction: Bucs win 31-28
Week 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Chicago Bears: Sunday, Nov. 8
Led by quarterback Caleb Williams, the Chicago Bears are a playoff contender in the NFC. Their offense is well structured and their defense is a higher tier in the NFL also. Soldier field is a tough place to be for teams, especially in the cold weather.
Prediction: Bucs win 14-7.
Week 10: BYE
Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions: Sunday, Nov. 22
The Detroit Lions have been one of the best teams in the NFL NFC overall in recent years. They are led by their defense with edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson but their offense has provided quarterback Jared Goff a lot of weapons to throw to. The Bucs’ offense is also of high quality but the defense will need to win the game for Tampa Bay.
Prediction: Bucs lose 37-34.
Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Carolina Panthers: Monday, Nov. 30
Tampa Bay will get another win vs. the Carlina Panthers, sweeping them in the division. Tampa will hit their stride around this point in the season and defeat the Panthers at home.
Prediction: Bucs win 27-17.
Week 13: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LA Chargers: Sunday, Dec. 6
The LA Chargers added to their roster this offseason but for a matchup like this, the Buccaneers may have the slight edge over them. Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert can throw the ball with the best of them. However, in crunch the time, the offense may not be able to hold strong toward the end of the game. Tampa Bay's defense will focus on getting after Herbert and be the deciding the factor.
Prediction: Bucs win 28-21
Week 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at. Baltimore Ravens: Sunday, Dec. 13
The Baltimore Ravens feature a new star on defense in edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who can turn a game around. With Lamar Jackson leading the offense, the Ravens will be looking to close out their remaining schedule with momentum on their side by beating the Bucs.
Prediction: Bucs lose 33-30
Week 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints: Sunday, Dec. 20
It's a divisional game and it could decide part of the playoff picture for the Buccaneers and New Orleans Saints. New Orleans quarterback Tyler Shough did well in his rookie season, but the sophomore slump may be evident.
Prediction: Bucs win 17-10.
Week 16: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at. Atlanta Falcons: TBA
It'd be the second game between the Buccaneers and Falcons for this season. Tampa Bay is at Atlanta and the Falcons will be ready for the Buccaneers as they try to get to the playoffs.
Prediction: Bucs lose 24-21.
Week 17: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. LA Rams: Sunday, Jan. 3
The LA Rams have the reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford and that’s enough to make a payoff run.
Prediction: Bucs lose 31-28.
Week 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at. New Orleans Saints: TBA
Tampa Bay sweeps New Orleans in the 2026 NFL regular season to get the playoffs. The Bucs are a better team than the Saints, at least at this point.
Prediction: Bucs win 24-14.
Final Prediction: The Buccaneers will conclude the 2026 NFL regular season 10-7 and return to the playoffs.
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