The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn't play today. Honestly, if you're looking for a fresh final score from this Sunday, January 18, 2026, you won't find one. The Bucs are officially in "next year" mode. While the NFL Divisional playoffs are currently heating up with the Houston Texans facing the New England Patriots and the Rams taking on the Bears, Tampa Bay fans are watching from the couch.
Their season hit a wall a couple of weeks ago.
It's kinda frustrating because they were right there. They finished the regular season with an 8-9 record. If you follow the NFC South, you know that’s usually enough to keep you in the hunt for a division title, but the tiebreakers just didn't go their way this time around. Instead of preparing for a playoff run, the front office is already handing out pink slips and looking at mock drafts.
The Final Score That Ended It All
The last time we saw the Bucs on the field was January 3, 2026. It was a sloppy, rain-soaked Saturday at Raymond James Stadium against the Carolina Panthers. If you just look at that specific game's score, the Bucs actually won. They beat Carolina 16-14.
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But here is the kicker: it was a hollow victory.
Baker Mayfield managed to find Cade Otton for an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter, and Chase McLaughlin was basically the MVP of the day, hitting three field goals. They led 10-0 early, then 13-7 at the half. It wasn't pretty. It was "survive and advance" football, except they didn't actually advance. Because the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints the following day, Tampa Bay was officially eliminated from the postseason. They ended up second in the NFC South, losing the tiebreaker to those same Panthers who actually jumped them for the division crown.
Why the Bucs Aren't Playing Today
The NFL playoffs are a cruel machine. Since the Bucs finished 8-9 and missed the division title, they didn't even make the Wild Card round. While teams like the 49ers and Broncos are duking it out for a spot in the Super Bowl, Tampa is dealing with a massive coaching overhaul.
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Basically, Todd Bowles is staying, but he’s cleaning house. Just five days ago, the team fired five assistants. The biggest name on that list? Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard.
The offense just stalled too many times this year. You've got guys like Bucky Irving, who actually had a decent breakout season with 85 rushing yards in that final game, and Antoine Winfield Jr. playing like a superstar, but the consistency wasn't there. When you lose to teams like the Dolphins and Saints in the final stretch of December, you don't get to play in January.
Looking Ahead: The 2026 Opponents
Since there's no score to report today, the real "news" for Bucs fans is who they'll be facing when things kick off again in the fall. Because they finished second in the division, their 2026 schedule is actually a bit tougher than it would have been if they'd plummeted to the bottom.
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The NFL finalized the 2026 opponents list just over a week ago. Here’s the gist of what’s coming to Tampa:
- The LA Invasion: Both the Rams and the Chargers are coming to Ray Jay.
- The Dallas Trip: The Bucs have a road game scheduled at Jerry World to face the Cowboys.
- The North/East Rotation: They’ll play every team in the NFC North (hello, Detroit and Green Bay) and the AFC East (Buffalo and Miami).
What to Do Now
If you were hoping to catch a game today, you've basically got two choices. You can tune into the Rams vs. Bears game tonight at 6:30 PM ET to see how the NFC side of the bracket is shaking out, or you can start scouting the draft.
The Bucs are currently slated to pick in the middle of the first round. Most experts, like Mike Renner at CBS, are projecting they might need to look at the secondary or perhaps a long-term successor to Mayfield if the front office feels the ceiling has been reached.
Actionable Steps for Bucs Fans:
- Check the Divisional Scores: Follow the Texans-Patriots and Rams-Bears games today to see who moves on to the Conference Championships.
- Monitor Coaching Hires: Keep an eye on who Todd Bowles brings in as the new Offensive Coordinator. That hire will define the 2026 season.
- Review the 2026 Schedule: Start planning for those home games against the Los Angeles teams, as those tickets will likely be the first to sell out.
The scoreboard might be dark in Tampa today, but the offseason drama is just getting started.