So, the dust has finally settled on the 2025 season. It was a weird one. If you followed the NFL Tampa Bay schedule from that hot September opener in Atlanta to the final whistle against Carolina a few weeks ago, you know "rollercoaster" doesn't even begin to cover it. One minute Baker Mayfield is carving up the Niners, and the next, the team is staring down a five-game losing streak that felt like a slow-motion car crash.
Honestly, it’s frustrating.
The Bucs finished at 8-9. On paper, it looks like a "just missed it" year, but if you look at how the NFC South shook out, it was actually a chaotic three-way tie at the top. Tampa Bay, Atlanta, and Carolina all finished with the exact same record. Because of some tiebreaker math that probably requires a PhD to fully explain—mostly involving conference records and common games—the Panthers walked away with the division crown.
The 2025 NFL Tampa Bay schedule: Highs and Lows
The season started with so much promise. Remember Week 1? Traveling to Atlanta and grinding out a 23-20 win felt like a statement. It looked like the Bucs were still the kings of the South. They followed that up by sneaking past Houston and outlasting the Jets.
3-0. People were talking Super Bowl.
Then reality hit. Philadelphia came to Raymond James Stadium in Week 4 and handed them a 31-25 loss. It wasn't a blowout, but it exposed some cracks in the secondary. Even then, the team bounced back. They went to Seattle and won a 38-35 shootout, then absolutely dismantled San Francisco 30-19 at home. At 5-1, the vibe in Tampa was electric.
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But then the wheels came off.
That November Collapse
If you want to know why the Bucs are watching the playoffs from their couches right now, look at the stretch between November 9 and December 28. They lost six out of seven games.
- Week 10: A heartbreaking 23-28 loss to the Patriots.
- Week 11: Getting torched by Josh Allen in Buffalo (44-32).
- Week 12: A complete 34-7 non-performance against the Rams in LA.
It was ugly. The defense, which had been so stout under Todd Bowles in years past, suddenly couldn't stop a nosebleed. They were giving up huge chunks of yardage, and while Mayfield was putting up numbers, he was also forcing throws that led to backbreaking interceptions.
They finally got a win against Arizona in Week 13, but then immediately dropped three more to the Saints, Falcons, and Dolphins. By the time they beat Carolina 16-14 in the final week, the damage was already done. They needed help from the Saints to beat the Falcons on that final Sunday, and it just didn't happen.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents are Set
Because the Bucs finished second in the division, the NFL Tampa Bay schedule for 2026 actually looks a little more manageable. For the first time in forever, they won't be playing a "first-place" schedule.
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Next year, they’re matched up against the second-place finishers from the NFC West, NFC East, and AFC West. That means they’ve got dates with the Dallas Cowboys, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Los Angeles Chargers.
The rotation also has them playing the entire NFC North and the AFC East.
Basically, we're looking at home games against the Packers and Bears, plus a flight up to Foxborough or Miami. Since it’s the NFC’s turn to host the 17th game, Tampa gets nine games at Raymond James Stadium next year. That's a huge advantage if they can actually defend their home turf better than they did this past December.
Why 2025 Slipped Away
It’s easy to blame the injuries, and yeah, losing key guys on the offensive line hurt. But let's be real: the inconsistency killed them. You can't beat the 49ers by double digits and then turn around and score only 7 points against the Rams.
There's a lot of talk about the coaching staff right now. Todd Bowles has always been a defensive mastermind, but when the defense is the part of the team that’s struggling, the seat starts getting a little warm. Jason Licht has some serious work to do in the draft to get some younger, faster edge rushers.
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What Fans Should Do Now
If you're a die-hard fan, the "offseason" is actually when the real work happens.
First, keep an eye on the salary cap. The Bucs have some aging veterans with big contracts, and how they navigate that will determine if they can keep guys like Tristan Wirfs and Antoine Winfield Jr. happy.
Second, start looking at those 2026 opponents. The schedule isn't fully "set" with dates and times until May, but we know who they are playing. If you're planning a road trip, Dallas or LA are the big ones to circle on the calendar.
The most important thing? Don't lose hope. This team was a play or two away from winning the division even in a "down" year. With a few tweaks to the secondary and a more consistent run game, they’ll be right back in the mix.
Check back in May for the official calendar release so you can book those flights to Jerry World. For now, it’s all about the draft and hoping the Falcons find a way to mess up their division title defense.