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The 2025 NFL schedule is now set, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a long year in store for them. In addition to their NFC South rivals, the Bucs face the AFC South and the NFC West. While their AFC divisional foes do not present an insurmountable threat, the NFC West is a gauntlet of playoff contenders.
As they did last year, the Bucs are poised to have their share of ups and downs. Ultimately, they bear enough talent to again challenge for a playoff spot and for a fifth-straight NFC South title.
Here are the game-by-game predictions for the Bucs' 2025 season schedule:
The Bucs open the 2025 season against the Falcons, the most likely contender for Tampa Bay’s NFC South throne. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the Bucs are undefeated in season openers since Todd Bowles became head coach. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. flashed a playmaker’s arm at the end of last season, but the Falcons' defense remains a dubious unit that will rely on fast progress from its rookie class. That progress will not come fast enough for the Falcons to end Tampa Bay’s Week 1 win streak.
Win (1-0)
Tampa Bay’s first prime time game comes on the road against C.J. Stroud and the Texans. While the Texans are a formidable team under head coach DeMeco Ryans, their offense is likely to be inhibited by a makeshift offensive line that is now without its best pass protector, Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to Washington this offseason. Houston’s defense on the other hand should remain stout, keeping this a low scoring affair, though still in the Bucs’ favor.
Win (2-0)
The Jets will be deep into another rebuild when they face the Bucs in Week 3. With Robert Saleh, Joe Douglas and Aaron Rodgers gone, new head coach Aaron Glenn will be evaluating a roster that has lacked identity for more than a decade. Their offense will lean on the athletic Justin Fields, but Todd Bowles has a way of stymying passers who like to run.
Win (3-0)
Jalen Hurts probably is not looking forward to this game. He is 1-4 against the Bucs, thanks largely to his inability to decipher Todd Bowles’ blitz packages. While this could remain a problem, Hurts has Saquon Barkley to lean on now. While the Eagles were not successful in leveraging Barkley in defeating the Bucs last year, their championship run may have given them the blueprint to do so this year.
Loss (3-1)
The Seahawks spent the last two years turning the page on the Pete Carroll era, hiring head coach Mike Macdonald, trading QB Geno Smith, and signing Sam Darnold. Macdonald’s defense began to take shape towards the end of last season, but it is unclear what the offense will look like under Darnold and a rebuilt offensive line. The Bucs could take advantage to win their fourth game in five weeks.
Win (3-2)
It seems no matter what the Bucs do, Kyle Shanahan has their number. The Bucs have not beaten the 49ers under Shanahan since 2018, losing their four matchups afterwards. Shanahan’s offense is uniquely designed to neutralize and exploit Bowles’ zone blitzes. Even amid their roster reset, the Niners should be favored to win.
Loss (3-3)
The Bucs meet the Lions for their second primetime game of 2025 in what could be a titanic battle between NFC title contenders. The two teams split their last two matchups, and the key difference now is the play-callers, aside from Bowles. The two rosters are both among the NFC’s most talented, so this game will come down to the wire.
Loss (3-4)
Quite simply, the Bucs are a more talented team than the Saints. Years of salary cap and draft mismanagement has left New Orleans’ roster old and thin. While they appear to be on a viable path to a roster rebuild, that path is long and paved with a fair number of losses.
Win (4-4)
While new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will move fast to make New England competitive once again, the roster is just not there yet. The lack of offensive weapons and uncertainty on the offensive line will make any sustained offense difficult for QB Drake Maye.
Win (5-4)
The Bucs have faced Josh Allen just twice, splitting the games. Bowles’ defenses tend to struggle against elite quarterbacks, which Allen certainly qualifies. The Bills' defense is not what it once was, so the Bucs could go blow for blow with Allen. The 2024 MVP comes out on top this time.
Loss (5-5)
With Matthew Stafford approaching the end of his career, the Rams will be making a championship push on Sunday Night Football. Armed with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, Stafford will be as formidable as ever in a Rams uniform. Los Angeles’ defense, the defensive line in particular, will also give the Bucs everything they can handle. In the end, the Bucs win a squeaker.
Win (6-5)
Arizona is nearing completion of its rebuild and is now evaluating Kyler Murray's future as its starting quarterback. Murray led a surprisingly potent offense last year, but his play is still volatile. The defense added some veterans to raise its low floor, but it may not be enough to stop the Bucs' offense.
Win (7-5)
Last year, the Bucs handled both games against the Saints with relative ease. However, the chaos on their roster, particularly Derek Carr's retirement, all but ensures a lost season in New Orleans. The Bucs are sure to capitalize.
Win (8-5)
In the Bucs’ final primetime game of 2025, they face the Falcons for a second time. Only this time, Penix Jr. gets the better of Tampa Bay. Though Atlanta’s defense is still undermanned, Penix has the talent to lift the roster to split the series this year.
Loss (8-6)
Tampa Bay has won nine of its last ten games against the Panthers, who have been rudderless since Cam Newton left Carolina. Bryce Young looks to change that, but the Panthers still have a ways to go before they can consistently compete for the division.
Win (9-6)
Two years ago, the Dolphins had a powerhouse offense that threatened to take them to the Super Bowl. However, last year the team’s flaws were exposed. Miami has speed to spare but is light in the trenches. This deep into the season, it will be their undoing once again.
Win (10-6)
The NFC South has been so weak for so long that it can be easy to forget that divisional matchups can defy expectations. Here, Carolina shows signs of life in the season finale and tries to play spoiler to the Bucs’ postseason ambitions.
Loss (10-7)
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs 2025 game-by-game predictions
Continue reading...
As they did last year, the Bucs are poised to have their share of ups and downs. Ultimately, they bear enough talent to again challenge for a playoff spot and for a fifth-straight NFC South title.
Here are the game-by-game predictions for the Bucs' 2025 season schedule:
Week 1 at Atlanta
The Bucs open the 2025 season against the Falcons, the most likely contender for Tampa Bay’s NFC South throne. Unfortunately for Atlanta, the Bucs are undefeated in season openers since Todd Bowles became head coach. Atlanta quarterback Michael Penix Jr. flashed a playmaker’s arm at the end of last season, but the Falcons' defense remains a dubious unit that will rely on fast progress from its rookie class. That progress will not come fast enough for the Falcons to end Tampa Bay’s Week 1 win streak.
Win (1-0)
Week 2 at Houston
Tampa Bay’s first prime time game comes on the road against C.J. Stroud and the Texans. While the Texans are a formidable team under head coach DeMeco Ryans, their offense is likely to be inhibited by a makeshift offensive line that is now without its best pass protector, Laremy Tunsil, who was traded to Washington this offseason. Houston’s defense on the other hand should remain stout, keeping this a low scoring affair, though still in the Bucs’ favor.
Win (2-0)
Week 3 vs. N.Y. Jets
The Jets will be deep into another rebuild when they face the Bucs in Week 3. With Robert Saleh, Joe Douglas and Aaron Rodgers gone, new head coach Aaron Glenn will be evaluating a roster that has lacked identity for more than a decade. Their offense will lean on the athletic Justin Fields, but Todd Bowles has a way of stymying passers who like to run.
Win (3-0)
Week 4 vs. Philadelphia
Jalen Hurts probably is not looking forward to this game. He is 1-4 against the Bucs, thanks largely to his inability to decipher Todd Bowles’ blitz packages. While this could remain a problem, Hurts has Saquon Barkley to lean on now. While the Eagles were not successful in leveraging Barkley in defeating the Bucs last year, their championship run may have given them the blueprint to do so this year.
Loss (3-1)
Week 5 at Seattle
The Seahawks spent the last two years turning the page on the Pete Carroll era, hiring head coach Mike Macdonald, trading QB Geno Smith, and signing Sam Darnold. Macdonald’s defense began to take shape towards the end of last season, but it is unclear what the offense will look like under Darnold and a rebuilt offensive line. The Bucs could take advantage to win their fourth game in five weeks.
Win (3-2)
Week 6 vs. San Francisco
It seems no matter what the Bucs do, Kyle Shanahan has their number. The Bucs have not beaten the 49ers under Shanahan since 2018, losing their four matchups afterwards. Shanahan’s offense is uniquely designed to neutralize and exploit Bowles’ zone blitzes. Even amid their roster reset, the Niners should be favored to win.
Loss (3-3)
Week 7 at Detroit
The Bucs meet the Lions for their second primetime game of 2025 in what could be a titanic battle between NFC title contenders. The two teams split their last two matchups, and the key difference now is the play-callers, aside from Bowles. The two rosters are both among the NFC’s most talented, so this game will come down to the wire.
Loss (3-4)
Week 8 at New Orleans
Quite simply, the Bucs are a more talented team than the Saints. Years of salary cap and draft mismanagement has left New Orleans’ roster old and thin. While they appear to be on a viable path to a roster rebuild, that path is long and paved with a fair number of losses.
Win (4-4)
Week 9 - BYE WEEK
Week 10 vs. New England
While new Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel will move fast to make New England competitive once again, the roster is just not there yet. The lack of offensive weapons and uncertainty on the offensive line will make any sustained offense difficult for QB Drake Maye.
Win (5-4)
Week 11 at Buffalo
The Bucs have faced Josh Allen just twice, splitting the games. Bowles’ defenses tend to struggle against elite quarterbacks, which Allen certainly qualifies. The Bills' defense is not what it once was, so the Bucs could go blow for blow with Allen. The 2024 MVP comes out on top this time.
Loss (5-5)
Week 12 at L.A. Rams
With Matthew Stafford approaching the end of his career, the Rams will be making a championship push on Sunday Night Football. Armed with Davante Adams and Puka Nacua, Stafford will be as formidable as ever in a Rams uniform. Los Angeles’ defense, the defensive line in particular, will also give the Bucs everything they can handle. In the end, the Bucs win a squeaker.
Win (6-5)
Week 13 vs. Arizona
Arizona is nearing completion of its rebuild and is now evaluating Kyler Murray's future as its starting quarterback. Murray led a surprisingly potent offense last year, but his play is still volatile. The defense added some veterans to raise its low floor, but it may not be enough to stop the Bucs' offense.
Win (7-5)
Week 14 vs. New Orleans
Last year, the Bucs handled both games against the Saints with relative ease. However, the chaos on their roster, particularly Derek Carr's retirement, all but ensures a lost season in New Orleans. The Bucs are sure to capitalize.
Win (8-5)
Week 15 vs. Atlanta
In the Bucs’ final primetime game of 2025, they face the Falcons for a second time. Only this time, Penix Jr. gets the better of Tampa Bay. Though Atlanta’s defense is still undermanned, Penix has the talent to lift the roster to split the series this year.
Loss (8-6)
Week 16 at Carolina
Tampa Bay has won nine of its last ten games against the Panthers, who have been rudderless since Cam Newton left Carolina. Bryce Young looks to change that, but the Panthers still have a ways to go before they can consistently compete for the division.
Win (9-6)
Week 17 at Miami
Two years ago, the Dolphins had a powerhouse offense that threatened to take them to the Super Bowl. However, last year the team’s flaws were exposed. Miami has speed to spare but is light in the trenches. This deep into the season, it will be their undoing once again.
Win (10-6)
Week 18 vs. Carolina
The NFC South has been so weak for so long that it can be easy to forget that divisional matchups can defy expectations. Here, Carolina shows signs of life in the season finale and tries to play spoiler to the Bucs’ postseason ambitions.
Loss (10-7)
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bucs 2025 game-by-game predictions
Continue reading...
