Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule: Games, dates, TV channels, predictions for 2026 season

Can you repair a leaky ship?

That's the question the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be asking themselves after they took on water in 2025. Injuries mounted, defensive deficiencies became an issue and the age started to show. The crew on board has been around the NFL block a few times, but that begs the question whether it's time for a change.

After missing the playoffs for the first time during the Todd Bowles era, Tampa went through an offseason of change that saw Mike Evans leave for the 49ers in free agency and Lavonte David opt for retirement.

While they can still compete with the remaining pieces, the Bucs are a team that's firmly in now-or-never mode. If they can stave off injuries and get a quality season from Baker Mayfield, this will be another successful voyage. If they can't, it might be time for a new captain and crew to go with it.

The answers to those questions remain an issue for the future, but the NFL has provided the map that will navigate the Bucs through the 2026 season.

Here's a look at Tampa's schedule in 2026 including dates, times and matchups.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers schedule 2026

• Week 1: Sept. 13, at Cincinnati Bengals, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 2: Sept. 20, vs. Cleveland Browns, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 3: Sept. 27, vs. Minnesota Vikings, 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 4: Oct. 4, vs. Green Bay Packers, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 5: Oct. 9, at Dallas Cowboys, 8:15 p.m. ET, Prime Video ("Thursday Night Football")
• Week 6: Oct. 18, vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 7: Oct. 25, at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 8: Nov. 1, vs. Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 9: Nov. 8, at Chicago Bears, 8:20 p.m. ET, NBC ("Sunday Night Football")
• Week 10: BYE
• Week 11: Nov. 22, at Detroit Lions, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 12: Nov. 30, vs. Carolina Panthers, 8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN ("Monday Night Football")
• Week 13: Dec. 6, vs. Los Angeles Chargers, 1 p.m. ET, CBS
• Week 14: Dec. 13, at Baltimore Ravens, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 15: Dec. 20, vs. New Orleans Saints, 1 p.m. ET, Fox
• Week 16: Date TBD, at Atlanta Falcons, Time TBD
• Week 17: Date TBD, vs. Los Angeles Rams, Time TBD
• Week 18: Date TBD, at New Orleans Saints, Time TBD

Buccaneers record prediction 2026

Record prediction: 7-10

The Bucs are teetering on the edge of a rebuild following the departure of Evans and retirement of David this offseason. Tampa missed the playoffs for the first time with Todd Bowles as the head coach, but they play in a division that is only getting stronger and can't waltz into the postseason with nine or 10 wins anymore.

It's a make-or-break season for Mayfield, who is set to hit free agency after the 2026 season. His level of play will determine how far this team goes.

On the defensive side of the ball, Tampa will cross their fingers and hope for a consistent pass rush. If Rueben Bain Jr. can step in right away and improve that front, then the Bucs might have a higher ceiling. And, as always, health remains the big key after a season of injuries ruined the 2025 campaign.

The schedule is unforgiving though and Tampa feels like a team trending in the wrong direction while their NFC South foes move in the right direction. They will remain consistent and hover around .500, which will be enough for the team to consider a reset next offseason.

Buccaneers home opponents 2026

• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• New Orleans Saints
• Cleveland Browns
• Green Bay Packers
• Los Angeles Chargers
• Los Angeles Rams
• Minnesota Vikings
• Pittsburgh Steelers

Buccaneers away opponents 2026

• Atlanta Falcons
• Carolina Panthers
• New Orleans Saints
• Baltimore Ravens
• Chicago Bears
• Cincinnati Bengals
• Dallas Cowboys
• Detroit Lions

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