Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Schedule 2024-2025: Dates, Times, TV Channels, Strength of Schedule, and More

In 2023, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers found their way into the playoffs for a fourth-straight season behind a late surge, and they managed to advance to the Divisional Round. Now, they retained their key free agents and are hoping to build on that success in 2024.

With Baker Mayfield back for his second season as the franchise’s starting quarterback, the Buccaneers aim to take another step forward and, at minimum, win eight games for the fifth year in a row.

Let’s take a look at the Buccaneers’ schedule for the 2024 NFL season, where their strength of schedule ranks, our record prediction, and preview Tampa Bay’s biggest matchups of the season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Schedule and Opponents

The complete 2024 NFL schedule was released on May 15 at 8 p.m. ET, and we have it in the table below (which is best viewed in landscape mode).

Buccaneers’ Strength of Schedule

A relatively friendly schedule could help set up the Buccaneers for success in 2024.

According to PFN’s strength-of-schedule metric, the Bucs have the seventh-easiest schedule in the NFL, due in large part to being in perhaps the NFL’s weakest division, the NFC South.

All four clubs from the division rank among the top seven in terms of easiest strength of schedule, which makes sense given they play each other more than anyone else.

Still, Tampa Bay’s path to a fourth-straight NFC South crown could be difficult given the relative parity seen in last year’s chaotic finish.

Buccaneers Record Prediction: 8-9

The Buccaneers’ win total for 2024 is set at 8.5 at DraftKings Sportsbook, which seems about right given their recent track record and significant improvement expected from the division favorite Atlanta Falcons.

Finishing just below last year’s total of nine wins seems most feasible for Tampa Bay as they have not made any splashy additions just yet. Instead, they focused on bringing back most of their key pieces from last year’s core.

Mayfield is chief among those after carrying much of the load for the Bucs’ offense and guiding them to the playoffs in the franchise’s first year post-Tom Brady.

In the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft, the Bucs drafted center Graham Barton, who should improve their offensive line.

Graham Barton could be a Day 1 tone-setter on the #Buccaneers offensive line. 😤#GoBucs | #NFLDraft pic.twitter.com/7Fsvkjzkyb

— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) April 26, 2024

Also, they selected running back Bucky Irving in the fourth round, giving them a second dependable option alongside Rachaad White. If the Bucs’ league-worst rushing attack can improve, that would help bring balance to the offense and take some pressure off of Mayfield.

MORE: Grading the Buccaneers’ 2024 NFL Draft Picks

Still, it feels likely that Tampa Bay will take at least a slight step back with the Falcons loading up in an effort to break their streak of seven-win seasons. How well the Bucs take advantage of their divisional opponents will be key in their pursuit of another division title and playoff berth.

Prime-Time Games

• Week 5: Buccaneers at Falcons (TNF)
• Week 7: Ravens at Buccaneers (MNF)
• Week 9: Buccaneers at Chiefs (MNF)
• Week 16: Buccaneers at Cowboys (SNF)

After constantly playing on prime time during the Brady era, the Bucs had just two prime-time games last season. Now, after exceeding expectations last season and even winning a playoff game, the Bucs will have four prime-time games in 2024.

When Is Tampa Bay’s Bye Week?

The Buccaneers’ bye is in Week 11. They will have two weeks to prepare for their Week 12 matchup against the New York Giants.

Biggest Matchups of the Year

The Bucs will have rematches against both of their 2023 playoff opponents. The Eagles will want revenge after the Bucs dominated their Wild Card matchup, 32-9. Meanwhile, the Bucs will return to Ford Field, which is where the Lions ended their 2023 season.

Two of the most intriguing matchups of the season are Tampa Bay’s two meetings with the Falcons in games that will likely go a long way toward deciding who wins the division, with the Panthers and Saints seemingly a tier below them.

KEEP READING: NFC Offseason Grades: Ranking All 16 Teams

The Buccaneers started 2023 by going 4-7 but managed to win five of their last six games to reach 9-8 and win the division. Splits with both the Saints and Falcons kept the division race tight down the stretch, which could again be the case in 2024 depending on how well Atlanta integrates new quarterback Kirk Cousins and a new coaching staff.

Outside of the two games against the Falcons, taking care of business against teams like the Broncos and Giants will be key to Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes.

Check out PFN’s coverage of the NFL schedule release, including the full week-by-week schedule, a breakdown of how the NFL schedule is made, top revenge games of 2024, strength of schedule rankings, our ranking of this year’s international games, and more!