We’ve known the opponents for a while, but today we found out when the Bucs will be facing these opponents as the NFL released their 2018 schedule.
The schedule makers didn’t make things easy on the Bucs coming out of the gate. They’ll face three division champions and the Super Bowl champion all within the first month of the season. It’ll be imperative Tampa win a couple of those games to avoid digging themselves into an early hole. Let’s take a look at the full schedule.
Week 1: Sunday, September 9th 1pm @ New Orleans
Quick Note: The Saints lead the all-time series 32-19
Week 2: Sunday, September 16 1pm vs Philadelphia
Quick Note: The Eagles will be coming into this game with a little extra rest as they open the season on Thursday, September 6th against the Atlanta Falcons,
Week 3: Monday, September 24th 8:15pm vs Pittsburgh (Monday Night Football)
Quick Note: This will be the third and final game against three straight divisional champions. This is also the Bucs only scheduled prime-time game of the season.
Week 4: Sunday, September 30th 1pm @ Chicago
Quick Note: This will be the fifth consecutive season the Bucs and the Bears will do battle.
Week 5: Sunday, October 7th 1pm – Bye
Quick Note: Most would consider this an early bye week, but after last season’s Week 1 bye due to Irma this will be a welcome week off.
Week 6: Sunday, October 14th 1pm @ Atlanta
Quick Note: The Falcons lead the all-time series 25-24.
Week 7: Sunday, October 21st 1pm vs Cleveland
Quick Note: These aren’t going to be your same old Browns….well…that’s probably not true. They’re the Browns after all.
Week 8: Sunday, October 28th 1pm @ Cincinnati
Quick Note: The Bucs lead the all-time series 7-4.
Week 9: Sunday, November 4th 1pm @ Carolina
Quick Note: The Panthers lead the all-time series 22-13.
Week 10: Sunday, November 11th 1pm vs Washington
Quick Note: The last meeting between these teams took place on 10/25/2015. A meeting that the Redskins won by the score of 31-30.
Week 11: Sunday, November 18th 1pm @ New York Giants
Quick Note: This will be return of Jason Pierre-Paul to the Meadowlands to face his former team.
Week 12: Sunday, November 25th 1pm vs San Francisco
Quick Note: San Francisco leads the all-time series 17-6.
Week 13: Sunday, December 2nd 1pm vs Carolina
Quick Note: The last time these teams met on 12/24/2017 the Panthers ruined the Bucs Christmas Eve by defeating Tampa 22-19.
Week 14: Sunday, December 9th 1pm vs New Orleans
Quick Note: You might remember the last time these two teams played. The Bucs won a thriller 31-24 on New Year’s Eve.
Week 15: Sunday, December 16th 1pm @ Baltimore
Quick Note: This will be only the sixth meeting between these teams. The last meeting on 10/12/2014, went in favor of the Ravens 48-17.
Week 16: Sunday, December 23rd 1pm @ Dallas
Quick Note: Dallas leads the all-time series 14-4.
Week 17: Sunday, December 30th 1pm vs Atlanta
Quick Note: The Bucs are looking to snap a three game losing streak to the Falcons. Their last win came on 9/11/2016 by the final score of 31-24.
Well there you have it, folks. You’ll notice as the schedule stands right now, the Bucs only have one prime-time game and that comes early in the season. There is the potential for additional prime-time games however, with the NFL’s flex scheduling.
What are your early thoughts, Bucs fans? Let me know in the comments below!
Follow me on Twitter: Brian_Anthony21
Follow me on Instagram: This_Friggin_Guy21
