In a Thursday column on PewterReport.com, two Pewter Reporters will debate a Bucs subject with completely different viewpoints. Which Pewter Reporter wins the controversy? You get to resolve within the feedback part beneath.
This Week’s Matter: Who Is The Bucs’ Hardest Opponent On Their 2026 Schedule?
Level: It’s Been A Horror Present When The Bucs Play Towards The Rams
By Matt Matera
Whether or not it’s been Tom Brady or Baker Mayfield at quarterback, or Bruce Arians or Todd Bowles as head coach, issues sometimes don’t line up properly when the Bucs go towards the Rams. Regardless of being house this yr, I imagine it’ll be the identical when it’s Tampa Bay vs. Los Angeles.
Of their earlier 5 matchups relationship again to the 2020 season, the Bucs have misplaced 4 of these 5 matchups. That is vital as a result of Todd Bowles has been there for all of these video games whether or not because the defensive coordinator or head coach, plus many core gamers nonetheless on this group have been concerned, too. Of the 4 video games Tampa Bay have misplaced, the FEWEST quantity of factors that the Bucs have allowed have been 27. The lone win that the Bucs had over the Rams in 2022 was a sloppy 16-13 sport in Tom Brady’s final season the place the Rams have been coming off of a Tremendous Bowl hangover and lacking key items on their offense.
Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Picture by: USA At present
We could go their most up-to-date matchup? The lone contest that included Baker Mayfield? Certain. The Bucs have been embarrassed on Sunday evening soccer in Los Angeles, getting destroyed 34-7 with the entire world watching. Mayfield ended up getting injured and didn’t play the second half. The offense both turned the ball over or didn’t transfer it. The protection couldn’t make any stops whereas Zyon McCollum was picked on relentlessly.
The final time I checked Matthew Stafford, who’s the reigning MVP, continues to be on that group. Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are nonetheless there at huge receiver, plus the ensemble they’ve at tight finish. Todd Bowles merely has by no means had the solutions for Sean McVay. And whereas it’s thrilling to have a revamped line of defense and inside linebacker room, the identical secondary shall be trotted on the market to battle for his or her lives towards receivers which have already scorched them.
Rams WR Davante Adams and Bucs CB Zyon McCollum – Picture by: USA At present
It’s just like the Rams’ protection as properly with their star gamers returning. Plus, they traded for very gifted nook Trent McDuffie. The Bucs presumably ought to be more healthy and higher this season, however they’re nonetheless nowhere close to the Rams’ stage.
Counter-Level: Inexperienced Bay Might Be The Heavyweight Of The NFC
By Josh Queipo
The final time the “Battle of the Bays” performed out the Bucs embarrassed the Packers 34-20. It was the Dave Canales signature sport. It could have been the calling card that earned him the Carolina Panthers head teaching gig.
That 2023 Inexperienced Bay group was a younger roster discovering its footing in Jordan Love’s first yr as a starter, nonetheless studying what it was. The 2026 Packers are a special animal fully, and the rationale begins underneath middle.
Jordan Love is healthier. Considerably higher.
Three years into beginning, Love has gone from “is this guy the answer?” to one of many extra harmful younger quarterbacks within the convention. The arm expertise was at all times there. What’s modified is the command of Matt LaFleur’s offense, the consolation working via progressions, and the willingness to take what defenses give him as a substitute of forcing splash performs. Sure, Matt Stafford is the reigning MVP. However I wouldn’t be one bit shocked if Jordan Love was the higher quarterback in 2026.
Packers QB Jordan Love – Picture by: USA At present
The Parsons commerce essentially modified this protection.
Final offseason, Inexperienced Bay despatched their 2026 first-round choose to Dallas to land Micah Parsons. That alone signaled the urgency, however the impression was larger than the value tag. Parsons elevated everybody round him. When he was on the sphere, Inexperienced Bay’s cross rush warped offensive sport plans. When he went down, your entire protection regressed.
The Packers didn’t cease there. They used a third-round choose on a heckuva defensive deal with in Chris McClellan and a fourth-round choose on Dani Dennis-Sutton, one other Penn State edge, particularly to pair with Parsons. They drafted two corners in Brandon Cisse and Domani Jackson to feed new defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon’s system. This can be a group that is aware of they’ll create offense. Their current strikes recommend they’re now ready to cease it as properly.
Tucker Kraft is the cherry on high.
Kraft has emerged as probably the greatest tight ends in soccer, and he’s precisely the type of in-line matchup drawback that’s traditionally given Todd Bowles suits. Mix him with Love’s development and a cross rush constructed round Parsons, and you’ve got a group that may beat you in each part.
Evaluate that to what the Rams did this offseason. Los Angeles got here one win wanting Tremendous Bowl 60 and responded by drafting Matthew Stafford’s eventual substitute at No. 13. Sean McVay was express. Ty Simpson isn’t enjoying in 2026 barring damage. They drafted a fourth tight finish in Max Klare. They already had Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson and Davis Allen on the roster. They’d 5 complete picks, the smallest class in group historical past. The Rams are operating it again with a 38-year-old quarterback and hoping the window stays open for yet one more run.
Bucs WR Chris Godwin – Picture by: USA At present
Inexperienced Bay isn’t hoping. Inexperienced Bay is loading up.
The Rams are a worthy choose for hardest sport on the schedule. Stafford, McVay, defending NFC finalists. There’s an actual case there. But when I’m circling one sport on the 2026 slate as the toughest out, it’s the Packers in Week 4. Tampa will nonetheless be putting in Zac Robinson’s offense. There’s a Thursday evening journey to Dallas ready on the opposite aspect. And Lambeau South is coming to city with a protection constructed to break quarterbacks and a quarterback enjoying the perfect soccer of his profession.
These aren’t the identical Packers. That’s the issue.
