Buccaneers 2025 NFL Schedule Released for Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans' Playoff Push

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have dominated the NFC South for four straight seasons, never suffering more than nine losses in a single year since their Super Bowl win with Tom Brady in 2020. 

Following that championship, the Bucs fell short in the playoffs, but they have the firepower to make a serious playoff push in 2025 behind Baker Mayfield.

Full schedule information available on the team's official website.

Analysis 

With Bucky Irving entering his second year at running back and the reliable veteran duo of Mike Evans and Chris Godwin still producing at a high level, the Bucs added even more explosiveness by drafting wideouts Emeka Egbuka (Ohio State) and Tez Johnson (Oregon). Tight end Cade Otton is coming off a breakout season, posting 600 yards and four touchdowns.

Tampa Bay's offense was a machine in 2024, finishing third in the NFL in total yards per game (399.5) and fourth in scoring (29.5 points per game). The biggest concern? Protection. The offensive line gave up 40 sacks last season and saw minimal upgrades this offseason, leaving Mayfield potentially vulnerable again in the pocket.

Defensively, the Bucs got aggressive. After allowing 341.8 yards and 22.6 points per game last year, Tampa reloaded through the draft—grabbing corners Benjamin Morrison (Notre Dame) and Jacob Parrish (Kansas State), edge rusher David Walker and defensive lineman Elijahh Roberts. With a bolstered secondary and added depth up front, the defense is poised to improve.

The Buccaneers will be tested on the road this season, facing four teams that won their divisions last year—the Buffalo Bills, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams. 

Their home slate, however, presents more manageable opportunities, including matchups against the New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints and San Francisco 49ers, all of whom finished last in their divisions in 2024. The Bucs will also host the New York Jets and Carolina Panthers, who each finished third.

Tampa Bay endured a four-game losing streak last season, dropping matchups to Baltimore, Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco—three of them at home. While they avoid the Ravens and Chiefs this year, avoiding prolonged losing streaks will be key to staying in playoff contention.

Pivotal Matchups

The Buccaneers will be looking to exact revenge against the Falcons, having lost both games to them last year, including one in overtime and another by just five points. 

They’ll need to secure wins against lower-tier opponents to give themselves margin for error against contenders like the Bills, Eagles, Lions, Rams and Texans.

Divisional matchups against Atlanta and Carolina, specifically, figure to be a bit tougher than in years past as the Falcons and Panthers look to establish themselves as postseason contenders behind Michael Penix Jr. and Bryce Young, respectively.