Ricky Dimon
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No team will have more eyes on it during the 2020 NFL season than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. That is pretty much inevitable given that the Bucs have five primetime games on their schedule. The reason for such treatment, of course, is new quarterback Tom Brady. And not only is Brady on board, but he also lured longtime sidekick Rob Gronkowski out of retirement.
There is only sure thing when it comes to the 2020 Tampa Bay squad, and that is nonstop entertainment. As for wins and losses, those are no guarantees. But it’s time to take a shot at it, going game-by-game through the Bucs’ schedule.
Week 1: @ New Orleans Saints
This may not be the Thursday night season opener or one of the two opening Monday Night Football affairs, but this is as big as it gets in Week 1. And it will probably be too big for the Bucs, who could be in store for some early growing pains. Loss
Week 2: vs. Carolina Panthers
A road date with the Saints is as tough as it gets in the regular season, whereas hosting the Panthers is as easy as it gets. Tampa Bay should sleepwalk to its first victory of 2020. Win
Week 3: @ Denver Broncos
Tom Brady vs. Drew Lock? Yeah, I don’t see that working out too well for the home team. Look for the Bucs to climb over .500 without too much trouble. Win
Week 4: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
With Philip Rivers now on the Indianapolis Colts, the starting job in Los Angeles should belong to rookie Justin Herbert. It would be understandable if the former Oregon standout is just a bit nervous going up against Brady. Win
Week 5: vs. @ Chicago Bears
The Bucs are currently favored in every one of their games against opponents other than New Orleans (on the road) and the Kansas City Chiefs (at home). But let’s be real; this team is not going 14-2. Don’t be surprised if Soldier Field is the scene of one of its “upset” losses. Loss
Week 6: vs. Green Bay Packers
The Packers’ first-round selection of Jordan Love may pay off in the long run, but right now nothing makes me feel good about what they did in the 2020 NFL Draft. I just don’t see Green Bay being good enough this season to go on the road and win in Tampa. Win
Week 7: @ Las Vegas Raiders
Speaking of not good enough, this next Jon Gruden vs. the Bucs rematch may be a lopsided contest. The Raiders at least have home-field advantage, but will there even be fans in attendance in 2020? Win
Week 8: @ New York Giants
If Saquon Barkley stays healthy for a full season, he will likely be the best running back in the league. Quarterback Daniel Jones has a year under his belt, so the Giants should make plenty of progress. Another road loss for Tampa Bay is definitely possible. Loss
Week 9: vs. New Orleans Saints
The second installment of this NFC South rivalry will come on Sunday Night Football. With or without fans, it’s going to be fun. And it should be a lot more fun at home than in the Superdome for Brady and Gronk. Win
Week 10: @ Carolina Panthers
There is no location in which the Panthers will beat Tampa Bay and perhaps not even anyone else in the division; not even in Carolina. The Panthers will be close to out of it by this point in the season and may bow out quietly. Win
Week 11: vs. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams’ year to shine was 2018. They were gifted a trip to the Super Bowl but lost in lackluster fashion to…you guessed it…Tom Brady and have not been the same since. Win
Week 12: vs. Kansas City Chiefs
This game will tell us a whole lot about who the Bucs are in 2020 and who they are going to be for the rest of the season. This should be wildly entertaining and also competitive, but the champs are the champs for a reason. Loss
Week 13: BYE
Week 14: vs. Minnesota Vikings
If there is one thing the Vikings can do, it’s play defense. This is a hard-nosed, fundamentally-sound football team that has the tools to contain Tampa Bay’s offense. Look for Minnesota to travel south and grind out an ugly victory. Loss
Week 15: @ Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons won’t be able to stop Brady and the Bucs’ offense, but they can certainly keep up on the scoreboard in a shootout. In Atlanta, Matt Ryan and his myriad of former first-round picks around him are capable of winning some kind of 41-38 slugfest. Loss
Week 16: @ Detroit Lions
Having not won a game since Week 11 (0-3 record plus their bye), the Bucs will get back on track in a big way against the lowly Lions. A game that Brady and company absolutely must win should not be competitive. Win
Week 17: vs. Atlanta Falcons
These two teams also squared off in Tampa in the 2019 season finale. The Falcons won in overtime, but that was on a pick-six of Jameis Winston’s infamous 30th interception. Well, Winston ain’t walkin’ through that door in 2020. Two weeks after losing in Atlanta, the Bucs should get revenge. Win
It would be unwise to get completely carried away about Brady and the Bucs. Yes, they should definitely be better than last year’s 5-11 mark and certainly superior to the twin 5-11 records before that. But this franchise has not compiled a winning record since 2016 (9-7), has not reached the playoffs since 2007), and has not won a postseason game since winning the Super Bowl in 2002. Expect a solid but unspectacular 2020 campaign.
