Despite a 3-1 start to the season with victories against the Commanders, Lions and Eagles, the Buccaneers lost four of their next five games (including two losses to the division rivalAtlanta Falcons) and are now sitting with a 4-5 record.
^The Buccaneers traded a fifth-round pick (161st overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick (191st overall).
^The Buccaneers traded CB Carlton Davis, a sixth-round pick (201st overall) and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a third-round pick (92nd overall).
Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards and four touchdown passes as Tampa Bay defeated Washington 37–20. The Buccaneers won on opening day for the fourth consecutive season, the longest such streak in franchise history. Mike Evans caught two of the touchdown passes, while rookie Jalen McMillan caught his first touchdown in his first career NFL game. Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led all rushers on the day with 88 yards and two touchdowns, but the Buccaneers defense for the most part stymied the Commanders offense throughout the game.[4]
Tampa Bay visited Detroit in a rematch of the previous season's Divisional round playoff game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin in the first half. Mayfield then scored on an 11-yard designed quarterback run in the third quarter. The Buccaneers defeated the Lions 20–16, and started the season 2-0 for the fourth consecutive season.
Aidan Hutchinson compiled 41⁄2 sacks for the Lions, and Mayfield threw one interception. But miscues by the Lions ruined their chances to win. With less than 10 seconds left and counting in the first half, the Lions were trying to spike the ball to set up a field goal attempt. However, the kicking unit had come out onto the field prematurely, and the Lions were penalized for too many men on the field. The drive came up empty. During the fourth quarter, Detroit was in Tampa Bay territory three times, but all three drives failed to produce any points.[5][6]
Denver jumped out to a 17–0 lead in the first half, and defeated Tampa Bay 26–7. The Buccaneers offense turned the ball over twice, and turned the ball over on down two more times.
QuarterbackBaker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes, and ran for another touchdown, as Tampa Bay soundly defeated Philadelphia in a rematch of the previous season's Wild Card matchup. Mike Evans caught a 2-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive, and became the all-time scoring leader in franchise history. The Buccaneers built a 24–0 lead midway though the second quarter, then took a 24–7 lead into halftime. The Tampa Bay defense forced two turnovers, and sacked Jalen Hurts six times.
Tampa Bay faced Atlanta in an offensive shootout on Thursday Night Football. Kirk Cousins threw for 509 yards, but the Buccaneers still clung to a 30–27 lead at the two-minute warning. Lavonte David intercepted Cousins with 1:44 left in regulation. However, the Atlanta defense forced a three-and-out, and got the ball back with 1:14 left on the clock. Younghoe Koo kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired to send the game to overtime. Cousins then found KhaDarel Hodge for a 45-yard touchdown, and Atlanta won 36–30 in overtime.
Tampa Bay faced rivalNew Orleans, just three days after Hurricane Milton made landfall just south of the Tampa Bay area. The team evacuated their headquarters in Tampa on Tuesday, and spent most of the week in New Orleans. They practiced at Tulane in preparations for the game.[7] With Saints quarterback Derek Carr out with an oblique injury, rookie Spencer Rattler would make his first career NFL start for New Orleans.
The Buccaneers jumped out to a 17–0 lead in the first quarter. However, the Saints stormed into the lead scoring 20 unanswered points. After three interceptions and a punt return touchdown, the Saints took a 27–24 lead into halftime. After the wild first half, Tampa Bay took over the game in the second half. The Buccaneers pulled away for a 51–27 victory, shutting out the Saints in the second half. Spencer Rattler was intercepted twice, and Baker Mayfield rebounded to finish with 325 yards and 4 touchdown passes.
Tampa Bay racked up a franchise record 594 net offensive yards, and their 51 points was the second-highest total in team history. The Buccaneers became the fifth team in NFL history to achieve 300+ yards passing and 275+ yards rushing in the same game. After the game, the players dedicated their performance to "everyone back home" recovering from the storm.[8][9]
On the opening drive, Mike Evans caught a 25-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield. As a result, Evans became the 11th player in NFL history with 100 career touchdown receptions. Evans, however, left the game early in the second quarter with a hamstring injury. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson threw five touchdown passes, as the Ravens defeated the Buccaneers 41–31. Down by 10 points in the final minute, wide receiver Chris Godwin was lost for the season, after suffering a dislocated ankle.[10]
Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions, and a fumble on the opening drive by Rachaad White cost Tampa Bay dearly, as they fell to Atlanta 31–26. The Falcon swept the season series, and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. With 6 seconds left in regulation, Mayfield's hail mary pass to the endzone was caught by Rakim Jarrett - but out of bounds - as time expired.
In a rematch of Super Bowl LV, Tampa Bay faced Kansas City on Monday Night Football. Quarterback Baker Mayfield found Ryan Miller for a 1-yard touchdown pass with 27 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 24–24. The game went to overtime, and Kansas City won with a touchdown on their first possession.
^ abMinnesota wins tie break over Philadelphia based on strength of victory.
^ abChicago wins tie break over LA Rams based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate San Francisco (see below).
^ abLA Rams wins tie break over San Francisco based on head-to-head victory.
^ abTampa Bay wins tie break over Seattle based on conference record.
^ abCarolina wins tie break over NY Giants based on conference record. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate New Orleans (see below).
^ abCarolina wins tie break over New Orleans based on division record.
^ abNew Orleans wins tie break over NY Giants based on conference record.
^When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.
