So, you’re looking for the remote and wondering what channel is the Tampa Bay Bucs game on right now? Honestly, I have some news that might be a little frustrating if you’ve already got the wings in the oven.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are not playing today, Sunday, January 18, 2026.
If you look at the TV guide, you’re going to see the Houston Texans taking on the New England Patriots on ESPN/ABC, followed by the Rams and the Bears over on NBC. But no Pewter and Gold. The Bucs officially saw their 2025-2026 season come to a close a couple of weeks ago.
The Rough Reality of the 2025-2026 Season
It was a bit of a rollercoaster, wasn't it? The Buccaneers finished the regular season with an 8-9 record. While they managed to pull off a gritty 16-14 win against the Carolina Panthers in the Week 18 finale on January 3, it just wasn't enough to punch a ticket to the postseason.
Normally, the NFC South is a bit of a toss-up, but this year the Atlanta Falcons took the crown, and the Panthers—despite that final loss to Tampa—actually secured the division title based on the tiebreakers and the way the standings shook out earlier in the month. For the first time since 2021, the Bucs aren't playing a "first-place schedule," which basically means they missed the playoffs and will face a slightly different caliber of opponents next year.
Where to Find Bucs Coverage Now
Even though there isn't a live game on a major network like FOX or CBS today, the team is already moving into "offseason mode." This is when the real work starts for the front office. If you're looking for updates on Baker Mayfield’s status, roster moves, or coaching changes, you won't find those on a standard broadcast channel.
Instead, you've gotta head to digital platforms:
- The Buccaneers Official App: This is where they drop the "Mic'd Up" segments and behind-the-scenes footage that never makes it to live TV.
- NFL Network: Since it's Divisional Round weekend, they’ll be doing constant look-ins and probably some post-mortem analysis on why the Bucs fell short this year.
- Local News (WTVT FOX 13): In the Tampa market, this is still your go-to for sports segments during the evening news to see what’s happening at the AdventHealth Training Center.
What the 2026 Schedule Looks Like
Since the season is over, we already know who the Bucs will be playing in the 2026 regular season. Because they finished in second place in the NFC South, their "formula" games are set.
You can expect to see them on your local FOX or CBS affiliate against the following home opponents next year:
- Atlanta Falcons
- New Orleans Saints
- Carolina Panthers
- Green Bay Packers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Cleveland Browns
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Los Angeles Rams
- Los Angeles Chargers (This is the "17th game" interconference matchup)
The road schedule is just as beefy, including a trip to Dallas to face the Cowboys and games in Chicago and Detroit.
Missing the Divisional Round
It's weird not seeing the Bucs in the Divisional Round, especially after the run of success the fans have been spoiled with lately. Today’s games are high-stakes, but for Tampa fans, it’s mostly about scouting the competition for next year. When you search for what channel is the Tampa Bay Bucs game on, you're usually expecting to see that iconic flag logo on FOX at 1:00 PM or 4:25 PM.
Instead, today is about watching how the NFC landscape shifts. If the Rams or Bears look dominant, that’s a direct problem for the Bucs' 2026 aspirations since both of those teams are on the schedule for next season.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no game to watch today, here is how you can stay locked in:
- Check the Salary Cap: Head over to Over The Cap or Spotrac. The Bucs have some big decisions to make with looming free agents, and understanding their "dead money" situation helps explain why they might or might not chase a big-name receiver this spring.
- Download the 2026 Opponents List: Save the list of home and away opponents so you can start planning which road trips are worth the flight. That Dallas game is going to be a tough ticket.
- Monitor the Draft Order: Since the Bucs finished 8-9, they’ll be picking in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on college standout edge rushers during the upcoming bowl replays—that's a likely target area for the front office.
The season might be over, but the cycle never really stops. Put the jersey away for now, enjoy the playoff games as a neutral observer, and get ready for the draft in April.