If you just look at the final numbers, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers record 2024 seems like a steady, predictable success. A 10–7 finish. Another division title. A playoff spot.
But man, numbers lie.
This season was actually a chaotic, injury-riddled rollercoaster that almost flew off the tracks in November. If you’re a Bucs fan, you probably spent about six weeks wondering if the "post-Brady" magic had finally run out. Then, Baker Mayfield decided to play the best football of his life.
The Mid-Season Nightmare Nobody Wants to Remember
Everything started great. Tampa came out of the gate hot, sitting at 3–1 after a dominant win over the Eagles. We were feeling ourselves. Then the wheels didn't just wobble; they fell off.
The Bucs hit a brutal four-game losing streak heading into their Week 11 bye. It was painful. They lost to the Ravens, then the Falcons (twice in a season sweep), then the Chiefs in overtime, and finally a heartbreaker to the 49ers. By the time they hit the break at 4–6, the national media was ready to write them off.
Wait, it gets worse.
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Against Baltimore, the team lost Chris Godwin to a season-ending injury. Mike Evans was also sidelined with a recurring hamstring issue. Suddenly, Baker Mayfield was looking around a huddle filled with guys most fans hadn't even heard of yet.
Why the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Record 2024 Still Matters
So, how did they finish 10–7? Honestly, it was a mix of rookie brilliance and a coaching staff that refused to blink.
New offensive coordinator Liam Coen did something previous coordinators couldn't: he fixed the run game. For two years, Tampa was dead last in rushing. In 2024, they finished 4th in the NFL. That’s a massive jump.
Most of that credit goes to Bucky Irving. The fourth-round pick from Oregon was electric. He didn't just "fill in"—he took over. Irving finished with 1,122 rushing yards and averaged 5.4 yards per carry, a new franchise record. Watching him find gaps in the zone-run scheme was basically the only thing keeping fans sane during that November slump.
Baker Mayfield’s Career Year
Let’s talk about Baker. People keep waiting for him to turn back into a pumpkin, but he just keeps getting better. In 2024, he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns. He was one of only ten quarterbacks in NFL history to hit those specific benchmarks in a single season.
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He didn't just manage games. He won them.
The Bucs became the first team in NFL history to have a 70% team completion rate and average over 5 yards per carry. That is efficiency we haven't seen in Tampa since, well, ever.
Breaking Down the 10–7 Regular Season
The path to that double-digit win total was basically a sprint to the finish line. After the bye, Tampa went 6–1.
- The Blowouts: They demolished the Giants (30–7) and the Panthers (48–14).
- The Close Shaves: A gutsy 26–23 overtime win against Carolina showed they could win ugly.
- The Division Clincher: They wrapped it up in Week 18 against the Saints, winning 27–19.
This secured a franchise-best fourth consecutive NFC South title. They also became the only NFC team to make the playoffs five years in a row (2020–2024).
The Mike Evans Milestone
We have to mention the record. Mike Evans is a machine. Despite missing three games, he caught a five-yard pass in the season finale to cross the 1,000-yard mark. That’s 11 straight seasons. He tied Jerry Rice’s record, and he did it while being the primary focus of every defensive coordinator in the league because the rest of the receiving corps was so banged up.
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The Playoff Letdown
Then came the Wild Card round. It was poetic, really. They opened the season against the Washington Commanders and Jayden Daniels, winning 37–20. They ended the season against them too.
But January was different.
The defense, which was average all year (ranked 18th in yards allowed), couldn't contain Daniels' scrambling. A late turnover in the fourth quarter proved fatal. Even though they tied it up at 20–20 with five minutes left, Washington marched down for a walk-off field goal. 23–20. Season over.
Actionable Insights for the 2025 Offseason
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers record 2024 proved the team has a solid foundation, but there are cracks that need fixing immediately if they want to avoid another mid-season collapse.
- Draft Defensive Playmakers: The defense only managed 7 interceptions all year. They need ball hawks in the secondary to capitalize on the pressure Vita Vea and Calijah Kancey create up front.
- Find a New OC (Again): Liam Coen did such a good job he got hired away as the Jaguars' head coach. Jason Licht needs to find someone who won't scrap the zone-run system that finally made the offense balanced.
- Address the Lavonte David Situation: The legendary linebacker is weighing retirement. If he leaves, there is a massive leadership void that K.J. Britt or a high draft pick will have to fill immediately.
- Prioritize WR Depth: Relying on undrafted rookies like Kameron Johnson was a great story, but the team needs a proven "WR3" to prevent the offense from stalling if Evans or Godwin miss time again.
Tampa Bay is no longer "the team Tom Brady left behind." They are a perennial playoff contender with a high-powered offense and a star rookie running back. The 2024 season was a testament to grit over talent, and while the playoff exit stung, the record shows a team that is officially done with the rebuilding phase.