Predicting Buccaneers 2025 Wins by Schedule

Zak Drapeau
Jul 24
6 min read

by Zak Drapeau 7/24/2025 FansOnlySportz

Team Overview

The Buccaneers may have lost a huge piece of their offense when OC Liam Coen left for the Jaguars but they're still loaded on that side of the ball. With one of the deepest receiving cores in the league, the emergence of RB Bucky Irving last season and the attitude and progress that Baker Mayfield has brought to this team, it's hard to believe they won't drop 30 a game.

After a 10-7 record last year, the Buccs will look to improve their win total this year and within the NFC South division they very easily can do so. The Panthers and Falcons have some good potential this year but both will be led by unproven young QBs and unproven defenses. The Saints will be in the running for the #1 pick next year too so the Buccs can legitimately make a play for a 6-0 divisional record and a possible #1 seed.

All this is to say that the Buccaneers will need to execute what they do well; a blistering offense that stays in your face all game and a defense centered around the pass rush. With multiple defensive starters between their 3rd and 5th year, the team will look to finally put all of the pieces together and have everyone play to their full potential. How will they do so and if they can, is this team a real Super Bowl contender? Let's find out game-by-game.

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Week 1: @ Falcons

Starting the season off on the road in Atlanta, the Buccaneers are challenged early. The Falcons season will solely depend on Michael Penix's progression and ability to control his turnovers. The Falcons drafted heavily on their pass rush but won't be firing on all cylinders against this offense just yet. Buccs win and set the tone for the offense early.

Prediction: Buccaneers 35-24

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Week 2: @ Texans (MNF)

A great primetime matchup this early in the season sees the Buccs visit another great offense in Houston. The Texans top-to-bottom may have a better roster than the Buccs but the Buccs pass rush should have a great day. With both offenses rolling, a poorly-timed Baker INT may make the difference.

Prediction: Texans 27-24

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Week 3: vs Jets

Their home opener comes against a much-improved Jets team. With a stingy defense and dynamic offense, the Jets will be a challenge for the Buccs. Eventually, the Buccs roster will show how much better it is via pass rush and relentless passes. A close game throughout, the Buccs win this one in the 4th.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27-21

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Week 4: vs Eagles

A matchup between MAYBE... the best two rosters in the NFC. The Eagles are banking on their young secondary to step up and this game will be their best test yet. On the other side of the ball, the Eagles O-line is good enough to handle the pass rush and they will roll through the Buccs defense in a shootout that never felt as close as the score shows.

Prediction: Eagles 34-27

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Week 5: @ Seahawks

The longest travel of the year, the Buccs get to Seattle and face another formidable secondary. Coupled with the long travel and a defense perfectly made to stop a pass-first offense, the Seahawks might actually squeeze out a huge win here.

Prediction: Seahawks 24-21

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Week 6: vs 49ers

Back at home against another NFC West team and the Buccs have another tough matchup here. The 49ers may be a rebuilding roster but their a good matchup everywhere except for the Buccs pass rush. If Brock Purdy can stay upright, the 49ers can outlast them in this one thanks to coaching and a dynamic offense.

Prediction: 49ers 28-24

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Week 7: @ Lions (MNF)

A second try at Monday Night Football after a loss in Houston, now the Buccs have to go to Detroit. In the midst of a 3-game losing streak, the Buccaneers can take advantage of a younger Detroit secondary. In a game that feels like Baker's "i'm sick of this" attitude coming out, a shootout benefits Tampa here.

Prediction: Buccaneers 35-31

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Week 8: @ Saints

The Saints roster is not good, but their best points are actually built for the Buccs. A high-potential O-line and secondary, the Saints make this a closer game than anyone thought in New Orleans. The Buccs get the win but have to really fight for it.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24-21

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Week 9: BYE Week

Sitting at 4-4 but on a 2-game win streak, the Buccaneers are at a crossroads. Besides a tough game or two, their second half-schedule is pretty reasonable for a little run. The biggest point of contention so far is the good but not great play from the offense and it will be addressed here.

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Week 10: vs Patriots

At home after the BYE, the Buccaneers have a pretty good Patriots team coming up next. With a defense that is more complete than most gave them credit for, the Buccs impressively go up and down the field and get another shootout victory.

Prediction: Buccaneers 34-27

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Week 11: @ Bills

This will be the toughest game on the Buccs' schedule on the road in Buffalo. As the playoff pushes for both teams really pick up, the Buccs will need to score 30 to get out of this one alive. As it comes down to the final minutes, I believe Baker and his crew get it done in a statement for the rest of the season.

Prediction: Buccaneers 33-31

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Week 12: @ Rams (SNF)

The most passing yards in a single game this season? We may see 800 yards and 80 points in this game on primetime. A shootout between two high-powered offenses with two good pass rushes, I'm giving this to the Buccs because of momentum and a slightly better O-line.

Prediction: Buccaneers 37-35

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Week 13: vs Cardinals

Back at home, the Buccs are now on a 5-game win streak at 7-4. The Cardinals defense will be legit this year and their secondary and pass rush will be a problem for the Buccs. The question will be if the Cardinals can outduel Mayfield in Tampa and I believe the Cardinals COULD do it, but not in Tampa.

Prediction: Buccaneers 24-21

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Week 14: vs Saints

In the 2nd of a 3-game home stand, the Saints don't stand a chance here. Everything in Tampa is rolling and this one turns ugly quickly.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31-13

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Week 15: vs Falcons (TNF)

Anything can happen on Thursday Night, evident by this matchup seeing Kirk Cousins go for 500 yards last season. Even if this game turns into another shootout, the Buccs have to much going for them to lose here.

Prediction: Buccaneers 31-28

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Week 16: @ Panthers

In their first matchup vs the Panthers this late in the season, the Buccs have all the confidence in the world. A middling team all year, the Panthers take advantage of the Buccs underrating them and Bryce Young actually outduels Baker here.

Prediction: Panthers 31-26

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Week 17: @ Dolphins

After a stunning road loss, the Buccs have another road game but not really in Miami. This game is yet another shootout with another explosive pass game. The Dolphins don't have the secondary to cover the Buccs though and they give up way too many points even at home.

Prediction: Buccaneers 45-35

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Week 18: vs Panthers (TBD)

The lapse in Carolina has knocked the Buccs out of #1 seed contention so they might rest some starters here but they still have the home field and enough attitude to get their revenge.

Prediction: Buccaneers 27-20

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The Buccaneers end this exercise with a 12-5 record, a 6-2 home record and a 5-1 record in the NFC South.

The Buccs start off slow but win 10 of their last 11 games. In the midst of those 11 games they have 2 or 3 games they could realistically lose but I'm very serious in believing they could have this run of form in the second half of their season.

With their defense being a stingy group behind Head Coach Todd Bowles and a great pass rush, the offense really comes together. Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, Jalen McMillan, Bucky Irving and Cade Otton will be too much for every team to cover. The big question is how far they can go in the playoffs. I might have a ceiling for them at the Conference Championship but I absolutely see them winning 1 or 2 playoff games.

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