PR Roundtable: Most Fascinating Sport On Bucs’ 2026 Schedule

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A brand new Pewter Report Roundtable debuts each Tuesday on PewterReport.com. Every week, the Pewter Reporters deal with one other robust Bucs query. This week’s immediate: Which recreation on the Bucs’ 2026 schedule is essentially the most fascinating?

Scott Reynolds: Bucs’ Season Opener At Cincinnati Captivates Me

Effectively, I obtained my want. In final week’s PR Roundtable, I lobbied for a Bucs vs. Panthers recreation in primetime, and I obtained it. Tampa Bay will host Carolina on Monday Evening Soccer in Week 12, and that ought to be a superb one because the Bucs attempt to recapture the NFC South title from the Panthers this yr. However to me that isn’t essentially the most fascinating recreation on the schedule.

I wasn’t circling Tampa Bay at Cincinnati on the 2026 schedule – till it appeared in Week 1. Now I’m captivated by the matchup on the street the place the Bucs have traditionally fared nicely in Week 1 below head coach Todd Bowles. In reality, Tampa Bay is undefeated in Weeks 1 and a pair of below Bowles since he took over the crew from Bruce Arians in 2022. And three of these 4 victories on opening day have come on the street. I’m anticipating the Bucs to proceed that successful streak this yr in Cincy.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and Bengals QB Joe Burrow

As I outlined in final week’s SR’s FAB 5 column, the Bengals have a historical past of not enjoying nicely in Week 1 – even at residence the place they’re 1-2 since Joe Burrow was drafted in 2020. The Bucs may have a comparatively new offense with offensive coordinator Zac Robinson on the helm that the Bengals protection might not be ready for. And Tampa Bay’s protection has been revamped this yr and will have as many as 5 new starters in Week 1, which can make it troublesome for Burrow and Co. to recreation plan for.

One in every of Cincinnati’s weaknesses is go safety. Offensive tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Adarius Mims mixed to give up 14 sacks final yr. I might suspect Rueben Bain Jr., Tampa Bay’s first-round decide, may have fairly a debut efficiency enjoying reverse Yaya Diaby in Week 1. Tampa Bay’s improved go rush will must be sizzling out of the gate in Cincy to guard what could possibly be a weak spot on the cornerback place. Zyon McCollum was picked on final season and had a down yr, whereas Benjamin Morrison or Jacob Parrish, a pair of second-year gamers, will compete to exchange Jamel Dean on the reverse beginning spot.

It is going to be fascinating to see how a lot stress the Bucs can apply to Burrow within the season opener, and if he’ll must time to use Tampa Bay’s corners with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins downfield. The Bucs schedule is sort of difficult after the bye week, so Bowles and Co. higher proceed the pattern of beginning the yr sizzling.

Matt Matera: Baker’s Scorn Of The Browns Highlights Bucs Residence Opener

No participant within the NFL holds a grudge like Baker Mayfield. That man hates his enemies and he’s doesn’t care who is aware of it. That’s why I used to be very tempted to take Mayfield and the Bucs’ first matchup in opposition to the Falcons and head coach Kevin Stefanski, who Mayfield had some selection phrases for this offseason, however I’ll stick to the crew determined to maneuver on from him, sending a a lot completely different trajectory of his profession path.

Baker Mayfield did play in opposition to the Browns in 2022 when he was on the Panthers, however this can be a a lot completely different model of him. Mayfield is nicely extra established as a starter with the Bucs, and it feels just like the true matchup all of us need to see with him going in opposition to his outdated crew. Mayfield holds grudges, and absolutely he’ll take this one private. If he will get the possibility to run up the rating or showboat in opposition to them, he’ll.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photograph by: Cliff Welch/PR

There are different enjoyable storylines as nicely going into this one. Browns head coach Todd Monken was once the offensive coordinator for the Bucs and likewise coached Mayfield in Cleveland. He’s a primary time head coach an this will likely be his second profession recreation. We additionally get a implausible matchup with the very best of the very best going at it between Bucs left deal with Tristan Wirfs and Browns edge rusher Myles Garrett. That’s an occasion worthy of a pay per view.

Plus, we’ll additionally discover out if the Bucs determine to put on their 1976 throwback uniforms as soon as once more. They did it final yr and it led to a win, so possibly they’ll do it once more for the 2026 season. Both approach, all roads lead again to Mayfield successful a grudge match. He’s as passionate because it will get and he’ll put the the whole lot on the road simply to get the higher of a crew he hates. Prepare for a fantastic an entertaining feud within the recreation.

Adam Slivon: Will The Bucs Be Making ready For Playoffs When Enjoying The Rams?

The Bucs enjoying the Rams on the finish of the season has flown below the radar in comparison with different matchups on the 2026 schedule, however it may have enormous implications on whether or not Tampa Bay makes the playoffs and what seed they could possibly be. Provided that the NFC South has come right down to the wire in recent times, this strains up as a must-win recreation in Week 17. Sandwiched between street video games in opposition to the Falcons in Week 16 and the Saints in Week 18, it is not going to be straightforward for the Bucs to enter both street surroundings and win.

What the crew appears like by the tip of the yr in opposition to an NFC juggernaut at residence will say lots about how a lot battle they’ve in them.

Bucs HC Todd Bowles and Rams QB Matthew Stafford – Photograph by: IMAGN Pictures

final yr, Tampa Bay misplaced a number of winnable video games down the stretch that showcased simply how a lot the crew was in a downward spiral and never a playoff-caliber squad. That’s the reason Week 17 strikes me as essentially the most fascinating matchup on the schedule. Issues may go in quite a lot of methods, however the recreation will imply one thing. At that time, the Bucs will both have clinched a playoff berth, want a win to get in, or be enjoying for delight to shut out the season. Irrespective of how it’s sliced, it’s an end-of-season measuring stick in opposition to a Rams crew that completed 12-5 in 2025 with the league’s finest offense and a prime 10 protection.

Baker Mayfield will certainly be hoping to precise some revenge in opposition to the crew that gave him an opportunity for a short stint in 2022. The Bucs obtained blown out 34-7 enjoying the Rams final season in a recreation Mayfield left injured. It went about as dangerous because it may have, however popping out with a win could be a press release heading into the playoffs that they’ll compete and beat a proficient crew. Can Zac Robinson dial up an offensive gameplan Sean McVay will not be anticipating? Will Tampa Bay’s protection be capable to decelerate Matthew Stafford’s success by means of the air? Week 17 will deliver solutions to those questions and say lots about what the ceiling in the end is for the Bucs in 2026.

Josh Queipo: Dallas On Thursday Evening Has Piqued My Curiosity

Dak Prescott has completed within the prime 12 in EPA/dropback in all however one yr since 2021. The Cowboys’ operating recreation was implausible final yr and they’re returning their line and resurgent operating again, Javonte Williams. For all of the fanfare surrounding Ben Johnson, Kyle Shanahan, Liam Coen and Sean McVay, it’s Brian Schottenheimer who actually appears to have the heartbeat on a modern-day offense that’s onerous to gameplan for. And it’s an offense which will give Todd Bowles suits – even together with his upgraded protection.

Bucs DT Vita Vea – Photograph by: USA Right this moment

And Dallas’ protection could shock folks this yr. Dee Winters was a strong pickup. Rashan Gary generally is a Robin to a Batman, and Quinnen Williams is a legit Batman. Anticipate a yr two bounce from Donovan Ezeiruaku paired with a proficient rookie in Malachi Lawrence and you’ve got the makings of a “don’t sleep on them” protection.

And did I point out all of this may play out on the street on Thursday Evening Soccer? This has all of the makings of a peculiar “this could go any which way” matchup that I’ll have my eyes glued to.

Bailey Adams: I’m Intrigued By The December Bucs-Chargers Matchup

It’d be straightforward to choose one of many marquee NFC matchups the Bucs have this season, whether or not that’s the Packers in Week 4, the Cowboys on Thursday Evening Soccer in Week 5, the Bears on Sunday Evening Soccer in Week 9, the Lions in Week 11 or the Rams in Week 17. The sport in opposition to the Ravens in Week 14 carries its personal intrigue, and naturally I’m within the opener in opposition to Joe Burrow and the Bengals in Cincinnati.

However my decide right here is the Bucs’ residence recreation in opposition to the Chargers in the beginning of December. Each time I have a look at Tampa Bay’s 2026 schedule, I’m drawn to the matchups in opposition to the groups which might be on the slate much less typically. We’ve seen the Bucs play these aforementioned NFC groups a lot in recent times. They’ve additionally matched up with the Ravens a few instances in primetime as of late. That’s a part of the explanation I’m trying ahead to the sport in opposition to the Bengals, as the 2 sides haven’t met in an everyday season recreation since 2022.

The Chargers are type of in between these classes. They’re actually not a frequent opponent of the Bucs’. But Tampa Bay performed at Los Angeles in 2024 and so they’ll play once more in 2028, so with this occurring each two years over a six-year stretch, that doesn’t precisely make this matchup a rarity. However the Chargers haven’t come to Tampa since 2020, which was Tom Brady’s first yr as a Buc and Justin Herbert’s rookie season. And the final time they got here to Raymond James Stadium with no restricted capability? That was in 2012.

Chargers QB Justin Herbert – Photograph by: USA Right this moment

It at all times appears to be enjoyable when these two groups match up. In that 2020 recreation, Herbert lit it up, throwing for 290 yards and three touchdowns. The Chargers had a 24-7 lead over Brady and the Bucs at one level, however Brady led a comeback 38-35 win that noticed him throw 5 touchdowns to 5 completely different receivers. When Tampa Bay went out to Los Angeles in 2024, it performed one among its finest video games of the season, with Baker Mayfield throwing for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns in a 40-17 win.

Each of those groups have playoff and division title aspirations in 2026, and so they’ll each really feel like there’s a lot on the desk for them. After they meet in December, it’ll be the beginning of the house stretch for each groups. So, whereas it’s an NFC-AFC matchup that gained’t essentially do something within the tiebreaker eventualities, it’s certain to be a significant recreation between two enjoyable quarterbacks in Herbert and Baker Mayfield and two proficient offenses. That would imply loads of factors. Can the Bucs win a fifth straight recreation over the Chargers? I’m excited to seek out out on Dec. 6.

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