If you're refreshing your phone looking for what's the score of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game right now, I have some news that might sting a little. There is no score. There isn’t even a game.
Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and while the NFL Divisional Round is currently tearing through the bracket, the Buccaneers are watching from their couches just like the rest of us. It’s a weird feeling for fans in Tampa. For years, we got used to January football being a given. But the 2025-26 season didn't go according to plan.
The Bucs finished their season on January 3, 2026. They actually won that game—a gritty, rain-soaked 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers—but it wasn't enough to save them. Because of how the tiebreakers shook out with the Falcons and Saints, the Buccaneers were officially eliminated from playoff contention the following day.
The final score that ended the season
To really understand the current status of the team, you have to look back at that final Week 18 matchup. It was a classic "too little, too late" scenario.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16, Carolina Panthers 14.
Baker Mayfield and the offense struggled in a literal downpour at Raymond James Stadium. They only managed 16 points, mostly thanks to Chase McLaughlin’s leg. He knocked through three field goals, providing just enough cushion for a defense that spent the whole afternoon covered in mud. The win moved them to 8-9 on the season.
Honestly, it was a miracle they were even in it at the end. After a hot 6-2 start to the year, the team completely fell apart in the second half. They lost five games in a row at one point. You can't drop games to the Dolphins and a struggling Saints team in December and expect to be playing in the Divisional Round on January 18.
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Why aren't the Buccaneers playing today?
It basically came down to what happened in Atlanta. The Bucs needed a win (which they got) and some help from the New Orleans Saints. On January 4, the Falcons beat the Saints 19-17. That result locked the Buccaneers into second place in the NFC South.
In the NFL, second place usually means you're hoping for a Wild Card spot. But the NFC was top-heavy this year. Teams like the Rams, Bears, and 49ers snatched up those extra spots, leaving Tampa Bay on the outside looking in for the first time since 2019.
It’s particularly bitter because two former Bucs offensive coordinators, Dave Canales and Liam Coen, are actually in the playoffs with their new teams. Watching them succeed while the Bucs offense stagnated under first-year coordinator Josh Grizzard has been a major talking point around town.
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A quick look at the 2025 collapse
- Week 1-8: 6-2 record. Everything looked great. Baker was dealing.
- The Slump: Lost 5 straight games in November and December.
- The Finish: 8-9 record. Second in the NFC South.
What's next for the Bucs in 2026?
Since there’s no score to report today, the focus has already shifted to the 2026-27 schedule. Because they finished second in the division, they won’t have to play a "first-place" schedule next year. That's a small silver lining, I guess.
We already know who they'll be playing. The 2026 opponents are locked in, even if the dates aren't. They’ll be hosting both Los Angeles teams—the Rams and the Chargers—and taking a trip to Dallas to face the Cowboys.
There is also a ton of speculation about Todd Bowles' job security. Missing the playoffs after four straight years of making it usually puts a coach on the hot seat. The front office has a massive decision to make this spring: do they run it back with this core, or is it time to blow things up?
Actionable steps for Buccaneers fans today
Since you can't watch the Bucs play today, here is how you should handle the rest of the NFL postseason:
- Watch the Divisional Round: The Houston Texans are playing the New England Patriots right now (3 p.m. ET), and the Rams face the Bears later tonight (6:30 p.m. ET). It's good football, even if it's not "our" football.
- Monitor the Draft Order: With an 8-9 record, the Bucs are picking in the middle of the first round. Keep an eye on edge rushers and offensive line prospects during the upcoming Senior Bowl.
- Check for Coaching Updates: The "Black Monday" fallout is still settling. Keep an eye on local Tampa sports radio for any news regarding staff changes or Josh Grizzard's future as OC.
The search for what's the score of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game might come up empty for now, but the offseason drama is just starting to heat up.