Predicting The 2024 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record Game-By-Game
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are coming off a surprising 2023 season. The team went 9-8 behind quarterback Baker Mayfield, winning the NFC South title. They also upset the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card playoff round.
Can the Bucs build on their success from last year? Will Mayfield continue to be the answer at quarterback? Here's a game-by-game prediction for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2024 season.
Week One: Vs. Washington Commanders
The Bucs start the year at home against rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders. Washington will look to make an excellent first impression with a new QB and a new coaching staff. However, Tampa is the better team. The Buccaneers defense will make Daniels' first NFL start one to forget.
Buccaneers Record: 1-0
Week Two: At Detriot Lions
Detroit ended last season for Tampa, beating them 31-23 in their Divisional Round playoff matchup. The Lions also beat the Bucs in their regular season meeting in October. While this game could make for a high-scoring matchup, Detroit has a massive advantage when playing at home, pushing them to victory over Mayfield and the Buccaneers.
Buccaneers Record: 1-1
Week Three: Vs. Denver Broncos
If Bo Nix is the starting quarterback for Denver in Week Three, it would be the second rookie QB the Bucs face in the first three games of the season. Denver is still a work in progress for head coach Sean Payton, and although they'll play better than they did last season, they're still not ready to compete. Tampa gets their second win of the season in front of their home fans.
Buccaneers Record: 2-1
Week Four: Vs. Philadelphia Eagles
In a rematch of last season's Wild Card playoff game, the Philadelphia Eagles head to Raymond James Stadium to face the Buccaneers. Philly beat Tampa Bay in their regular-season meeting in 2023 but struggled to generate offense in the game that mattered. I expect the Eagles to be looking for revenge in this game, and they hand the Bucs their second loss of the campaign.
Buccaneers Record: 2-2
Week Five: At Atlanta Falcons (TNF)
The Buccaneers' first primetime game comes in Week Five when they travel to Atlanta to face the Falcons. Atlanta is all-in this season, looking to make a deep playoff run with Kirk Cousins behind center. If they can put all of the pieces together, the Falcons should be the best team in the division, and they'll win this game easily.
Buccaneers Record: 2-3
Week Six: At New Orleans Saints
The first meeting between the Saints and Bucs is in Week Six. The two split the season series last year, with Tampa Bay winning the first of two matchups. I expect history to repeat itself here. Although it will be a challenging road environment, the Buccaneers will get extra time to rest and prepare for this game thanks to playing on Thursday night last week.
Buccaneers Record: 3-3
Week Seven: Vs. Seattle Seahawks
Tampa Bay won the last meeting against Seattle in 2022. Plenty has changed since then, including the Buccaneers' starting quarterback. Baker Mayfield has a 0-2 record against Seattle, throwing three interceptions and only one touchdown in those games. I expect Baker to play well against the Seahawks this time, and Tampa Bay will secure their fourth victory of the season.
Buccaneers Record: 4-3
Week Eight: Vs. Atlanta Falcons
It's a bit disappointing that both games against Atlanta were over before the halfway point of the season. The Falcons beat Tampa back in Week Five. But these divisional rivals have split the season series the last two years, and they'll do it again in 2024. The Bucs win in a close one at home.
Buccaneers Record: 5-3
Week Nine: At Kansas City Chiefs (MNF)
This might be the most challenging game on the Buccaneers' schedule in 2024, as they travel to take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Monday Night Football. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes is a perfect 2-0 against Tampa Bay, with a 6:1 touchdown to interception ratio. The Chiefs Kingdom will bring a ton of noise, which will be too much for Mayfield and the offense to overcome.
Buccaneers Record: 5-4
Week 10: Vs. San Francisco 49ers
As if the game against Kansas City wasn't tricky enough, the Buccaneers turn around in Week 10 to take on the defending NFC Champions. The 49ers also have their BYE week to rest and prepare for Tampa Bay. Surprisingly, that doesn't matter. Mayfield has one of his 'special' outings throwing for four touchdowns against a talented San Francisco defense.
Buccaneers Record: 6-4
Week 11: BYE Week
After games against Kansas City and San Francisco, the Buccaneers will be glad to get some time off in Week 11. This BYE Week is much later than last season when the team got to rest in Week Five. Having the break later in the season should allow the players to heal up and prepare for a potential playoff push.
Week 12: At New York Giants
The first game after the BYE is against Daniel Jones and the New York Giants. I don't expect the Giants to be good this year, considering they lost their best player on offense, but they'll still be competitive week in and week out. I have New York beating the Bucs here, thanks to a field goal on the final play.
Buccaneers Record: 6-5
Week 13: At Carolina Panthers
Last year was a nightmare for the Carolina Panthers. The team stumbled to a 2-15 record and traded their first-round pick away for quarterback Bryce Young. Although Young was disappointing in his rookie season, it's not like the front office put a ton of talent around him. The Panthers still aren't a contender, and Tampa Bay should win this game on the road.
Buccaneers Record: 7-5
Week 14: Vs. Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders have a question mark at the most crucial football position. The club seems confident in 25-year-old quarterback Aidan O'Connell, but if things go south, they could easily play Gardner Minshew, who has shown he can run an NFL offense. All of that QB drama could lead to another disappointing season in the desert. I'm picking the Bucs to win in their Week 14 outing.
Buccaneers Record: 8-5
Week 15: At Los Angeles Chargers
It's time for Justin Herbert to prove he's an elite NFL quarterback. No one is questioning he's good, but can he and new head coach Jim Harbaugh finally make the Los Angeles Chargers a Super Bowl contender? The Week 15 meeting between the Buccaneers and Chargers could be fun, with the potential for a ton of scoring. However, L.A. walks away with the victory.
Buccaneers Record: 8-6
Week 16: At Dallas Cowboys
This season is critical for the Dallas Cowboys. They have to find a way to win in the postseason, or quarterback Dak Prescott's and head coach Mike McCarthy's jobs could be in jeopardy. Dallas beat Tampa Bay in the playoffs two seasons ago, and they'll beat up the Bucs again in this meeting.
Buccaneers Record: 8-7
Week 17: Vs. Carolina Panthers
At this point of the season, the Buccaneers should be fighting for a wild card spot in the NFC, and a win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 would be a significant step towards that goal. Tampa Bay has won seven of the last eight games against Carolina, and they make it five straight with a win here.
Buccaneers Record: 9-7
Week 18: Vs. New Orleans Saints
The season's final game is against the Bucs' NFC South rival New Orleans Saints. This is a chance for the Saints to play spoiler, and they do exactly that, beating Tampa and costing them a postseason appearance. The Buccaneers finish the 2024 season with a 9-8 record, second in the NFC South behind the Atlanta Falcons and ninth in the NFC.
Buccaneers Record: 9-8
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