Buccaneers 2024 Schedule: Game-By-Game Predictions For Tampa Bay
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With the NFL releasing the 2024 schedule, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers finally know who they will be playing and where.
Baker Mayfield enters his second season with the Buccaneers after leading them to a division title and a playoff win in 2023. After an offseason that saw Tampa Bay solidify its roster, there is reason to be quietly confident about what Todd Bowles' team could amount to in 2024.
With that in mind, let's go through the 2024 season and see how it could shake out for the Buccaneers.
Week 1: vs. Washington Commanders, Sept. 8, 4:25 pm
The Buccaneers get the first crack at the new-look Washington Commanders with Dan Quinn and Jayden Daniels.
Mayfield and Co. at home, against a team that has a rookie quarterback and over 10 new starting players, "should" prove favorable as the Commanders likely won't have gelled together as a team.
Result: Win (1-0).
Week 2: @ Detroit Lions, Sept. 15, 1:00 pm
A rematch of last season's divisional round clash, a game that Tampa Bay lost 31-23, and it will be at the same venue.
While the Buccaneers gave as good as they got, the Lions proved too good in crucial moments. At home, Dan Campbell's team is a tough proposition for any opponent and is looking every bit a Super Bowl contender.
Result: Loss (1-1).
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) passes to wide receiver Mike Evans (13) against the Houston Texans in the first quarter at NRG Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Week 3: vs. Denver Broncos, Sept. 22, 1:00 pm
The Buccaneers' second home game will feature an interesting matchup as Sean Payton and his Broncos come to town.
Rookie Bo Nix will likely be under center, and Todd Bowles' defense could get after the young quarterback and make life difficult. Denver is still in transition after the Russell Wilson "era," and the Buccaneers might fancy themselves in this one.
Result: Win (2-1).
Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles, Sept. 29, 1:00 pm
The Eagles return to where their season ended last year and will be looking to make amends. Philadelphia feel like they will be a vastly different team to the one that limped into the postseason and got curb-stomped by Tampa Bay in the playoffs.
Expect a response from Nick Sirianni's team.
Result: Loss (2-2).
Week 5: @ Atlanta Falcons, Oct. 3, 8: 15 pm
The first primetime game for the Buccaneers comes with an NFC South division clash against Kirk Cousins and the Falcons.
The series was split 1-1 last season, with the Buccaneers winning the last matchup 29-25. Expect there to be fireworks as Cousins and the Falcons look to lay down a marker in the NFC South.
Result: Loss (2-3).
Week 6: @ New Orleans Saints, Oct. 13, 1:00 pm
The Buccaneers' second divisional matchup against the Saints will be tough. Like the Falcons last season, the Buccaneers split the two games last year, and the Saints beat Tampa 23-13 at home.
Division games are tight and tense affairs; expect these to be no different.
Result: Loss (2-4).
Week 7: vs. Baltimore Ravens, Oct. 21, 8:15 pm
It's Tampa Bay's second prime-time game, and it doesn't get tougher than Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
With so much change going on around Baltimore this offseason, some see a slip in production from both sides of the ball, but still, this is a formidable team.
The Buccaneers will do well to hang with the Ravens despite being at home.
Result: Loss (2-5).
Week 8: vs. Atlanta Falcons, Oct. 27, 1:00 pm
The revenge game for the Buccaneers. Last season, Tampa lost the home game against Atlanta 16-13, and with the Buccaneers splitting the series last season, expect them to do so again.
Result: Win (3-5).
Week 9: @ Kansas City Chiefs, Nov. 4, 8:15 pm
Arrowhead at night is a daunting prospect, and with Steve Spagnuolo's defense being one of the better units in the league, it looms as a tough road trip for the Buccaneers.
Result: Loss (3-6).
Week 10: vs. San Francisco 49ers, Nov. 10, 1:00 pm
Not what you want to see after the trip to Arrowhead Stadium, but the Buccaneers gave the 49ers a good game in Week 11 of last season, losing 27-14, and it again feels like a tall order to get one over Kyle Shanahan's team.
Result: Loss (3-7).
Week 11: BYE WEEK
Week 12: @ New York Giants, Nov. 24, 1:00 pm
The Giants are a hard team to get a read on this upcoming season, but the Buccaneers have the weapons to put up a winning score against Daniel Jones and co.
Result: Win (4-7).
Week 13: @Carolina Panthers, Dec. 1, 4:05 pm
The Buccaneers swept the Panthers last season, and nothing has transpired this offseason to suggest that won't happen again.
While Bryce Young is expected to improve, the Buccaneers are the better football team right now.
Result: Win (5-7).
Week 14: vs. Las Vegas Raiders, Dec. 8, 1:00 pm
The Raiders' quarterback situation is unknown, and by Week 14, who knows what it will be like. Despite having a solid defense, the Buccaneers offense should be able to put up enough points to win a close one.
Result: Win (6-7).
Week 15: @ L.A. Chargers, Dec. 15, 4:25 pm
The Chargers have been getting a lot of fanfare for Jim Harbaugh's return to the NFL, but the offense did lose some key weapons for Justin Herbert.
The Chargers will be a hard team to play against, and the Buccaneers will be in for a dogfight.
Result: Loss (6-8).
Week 16: @ Dallas Cowboys, Dec. 22, 8:20 pm
A primetime showdown in Dallas for Baker. Given that this doesn't happen until Week 16, and with so many coaches and players on the last year of their contracts for the Cowboys, this could loom as an interesting matchup.
If Dallas is out of playoff contention, Mike McCarthy could be gone, and the Cowboys could be in turmoil. If not, the Buccaneers have a tough task ahead of them.
Result: Loss (6-9).
Week 17: vs. Carolina Panthers, Dec. 29, 1:00 pm
Like last season, the Buccaneers showed a clean set of heels to the Panthers and do so again, keeping their winning streak over Carolina going.
Result: Win (7-9).
Week 18: vs. New Orleans, Date TBD, Time TBD
Given how tight the division race could be, the final regular-season game could be for all the marbles. With the Buccaneers at home, that might just be all they need to get revenge on the Saints.
Result: Win (8-9).
The Buccaneers finish the 2024 season with an 8-9 record, which might be enough to claim back-to-back playoff appearances, but in all likelihood, it might see them just miss out.
A solid enough second season for Mayfield in Tampa.
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