2018 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Schedule: Full Listing of Dates, Times and TV Info

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to rebound from a disappointing 2017 season, but a difficult schedule in one of the toughest divisions in football won't make things easy.

Returning Jameis Winston, Mike Evans and more to a squad that went 9-7 in 2016 made Tampa Bay a sleeper in many season previews, but injuries and a lack of consistency led to a 5-11 finish.

The Buccaneers will now have to navigate the fourth-hardest schedule in the NFL, per ESPN, to potentially earn their first playoff appearance since 2007. Here is a look at the team's complete schedule for 2018, per NFL.com.

Buccaneers' 2018 Schedule

Week 1: at New Orleans Saints on Sep. 9 at 1pm ET on FOX

Week 2: vs. Philadelphia Eagles on Sep. 16 at 1 pm ET on FOX

Week 3: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers on Sep. 24 at 8:15 PM ET on ESPN

Week 4: at Chicago Bears on Sep. 30 at 1 pm ET on FOX

Week 5: BYE

Week 6: at Atlanta Falcons on Oct. 14 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 7: vs. Cleveland Browns on Oct. 21 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 8: at Cincinnati Bengals on Oct. 28 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 9: at Carolina Panthers on Nov. 4 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 10: vs. Washington Redskins on Nov. 11 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 11: at New York Giants on Nov. 18 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 12: vs. San Francisco 49ers on Nov. 25 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers on Dec. 2 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints on Dec. 9 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 15: at Baltimore Ravens on Dec. 16 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 16: at Dallas Cowboys on Dec. 23 at 1 PM ET on FOX

Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 30 at 1 PM ET on FOX                 

Analysis

Lynne Sladky/Associated Press

The big area of improvement this offseason came with the pass rush, which was especially necessary after finishing dead last in the NFL with 22 sacks last season. 

Tampa Bay added established edge-rushers in Jason Pierre-Paul and Vinny Curry, bringing some balance to a defensive line that already features a star in Gerald McCoy. If Noah Spence can remain healthy, the unit could develop into a legitimate strength.

This will be key against elite quarterbacks like Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, Cam Newton, Ben Roethlisberger and more on the schedule.

The Buccaneers allowed the most passing yards in the NFL in 2017, but creating some pressure on the quarterback could help turn things around in a hurry.

Of course, the season will likely come down to the play of Winston. The quarterback went just 3-10 as a starter last year, but he has improved his completion percentage, yards per game and quarterback rating in each of his three years in the league.

If he continues to improve in his fourth season, Tampa Bay could be a threat in 2018.

Pivotal Matchup

Bob Leverone/Associated Press

Tampa Bay has eight games against playoff teams from last year, including a home matchup against the Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles.

While a win over a top team like the Eagles or Steelers or even the upstart 49ers would be big for momentum, the Bucs need to first worry about winning games in their own division. The squad went just 1-5 against the rest of the NFC South last season, and improving that stat should be a primary focus.

With the Saints likely being a top contender for a Super Bowl, setting the sights a little lower could be a good move.

The Buccaneers first take on the Falcons in Week 6 and the Panthers in Week 9—two games that could tell a major story for the entire season. If Winston can lead his team to a couple of key wins, they should be on the way toward a winning record.