The Tampa Bay Buccaneers concluded their 2025-26 season with an 8-9 record, finishing second in the NFC South behind the Carolina Panthers and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. They started strong at 6-2, their best early mark since 2021, powered by Baker Mayfield’s efficient play (3,693 passing yards, 26 touchdowns) and a balanced attack featuring rookies and veterans.
However, a late-season collapse derailed the campaign, as the team dropped seven of their finals nine games due to key injuries, defensive breakdowns, and a dip in Mayfield’s performance amid ineffective coaching adjustments. Despite the disappointing finish, the Buccaneers showed flashes of competitiveness in a parity-filled division, setting the stage for offseason evaluation under head coach Todd Bowles.
The Buccaneers finished their season with a 8-9 record, finishing second in their division, the NFC South, a surprising drop after years of dominance in their division, winning four consecutive division titles as well as five consecutive playoff appearances prior to 2025-26. The NFC South as whole, were one of the more weaker divisions in the NFL last season, with all fours teams struggling with their own set of issues.
There are no clear favorites in the NFC South anymore as it was before with the Buccaneers dominating year in and out. Draftkings lists the Buccaneers’ 2026 win total at over 8.5 as the favored bet in the upcoming NFL season, reflecting on the team’s tremendous talent, if they remain healthy.
Listed below is the table that shows the Over/Under for the Buccaneers’ total wins in the upcoming regular season.
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026-27 Regular Season Wins | Odds |
|---|---|
| Over 8.5 | -140 |
| Under 8.5 | +115 |
Understanding how to bet on NFL games is crucial for maximizing the value of our expert picks and making informed wagers each week.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished the 2025-26 season at 8-9, placing second in the NFC South and missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. They flared brightly early, racing to a 6-2 start, their best since 2021, but soon had to deal with adversity.
Downsides emerged in a brutal late-season collapse, losing seven of their final nine games amid key injuries (Mike Evans missed nine games), defensive breakdowns, and a sharp dip in Mayfield’s performance. Coaching adjustments proved inefficient, exposing offensive predictability and secondary weaknesses, failing to stop oppositions on critical downs or from scoring outright. Upsides included resilience in close games and flashes of competitiveness, but inconsistency defined the mixed-results campaign.
Buccaneers fans should feel cautiously optimistic for 2026-27 season. With Mayfield returning and a talented core intact in a wide-open NFC South, the team has the foundations to rebound. However, without major improvements in injury management, pass-rush depth, and offensive line stability, another disappointing season is very likely.
Let us take a look at the Buccaneers opponents for the 2026-27 season;
The Buccaneers have a reasonably easy schedule with a strength of schedule of only 49.1, ranking 21st amongst 32 teams in the NFL. They will only face 6 teams that were in the 2025-26 postseason, however. if their players fail to remain healthy as it was the case last season, you can expect similar results, possibly below .500 with the NFC South teams steadily improving.
That said, the Buccaneers are a contending team but their injury concerns have pushed them back from achieving their true goals. Even though they have an easy schedule, they need to have their roster intact and healthy to make some noise next season.
Early Prediction: Buccaneers finish the 2026-27 season with a 11-6 record, if fully healthy.
If you’re looking for a complete guide to the best NFL betting sites, we’ve got you covered
The Buccaneers had significant injury issues in the 2025-26 season. According to RotoWire’s final analysis, Tampa Bay ranked among the most injured teams with 13 players injured and 176 man-games missed. The damage was especially costly to key offensive players like Mike Evans missing 9 games, Chris Godwin player only 9 games due to injury, and Bucky Irving limited to just 10 games with injury-related absenses. This left Baker Mayfield shorthanded for the majority of the season, directly contributing to the late collapse and the team missing the playoffs.
Injuries will remain a notable concern for the 2026-27 season. While most 2025 injuries were short-to-medium term with no major long-term cases reported, the repeated attrition of star skill players shows the team remains vulnerable even if they start out healthy. Improved depth and better load management will be essential to prevent another season derailed by healthy issues.
The Buccaneers’ most pressing roster deficiencies are at outside linebacker/edge rusher and off-ball linebacker. They need an impact pass-rusher to convert pressures into sacks and address the late-season drop-off. Inside linebacker depth is critically thin, with Lavonte David undecided on retirement and multiple pending free agents, creating long-term uncertainty.
Offensive line depth also remains a major concern after nine different starting combinations in 2025 due to injuries. While the WR room looks solid on paper with Emeka Egbuka’s emergence, repeated injuries to Mike Evans who is reportedly considering a new home, Chris Godwin, and Jalen McMillan exposed the need for additional reliable depth.
The Buccaneers currently own 7 picks in the 2026 NFL Draft, headlined by the No.15 overall selection. With their projected win total likely set around 8.5, these selections (plus potential trades) represent significant upside for pushing the over. However, they still have a lot of holes that they need to address before they can take over the division once more.
GM Jason Licht has shown willingness to move down (as in recent mock drafts trading 15th to 21st for Texas A&M Edge Cashius Howell). Landing an elite edge rusher or inside linebacker early, plus adding OL and WR depth on Day 2/3, would immediately strengthen the pass rush and improve injury management. With seven picks on their plate, the Bucs could easily add 1-2 wins, making the Over a strong bet in the NFC South.
(According to BetMGM: BetMGM offers exclusive promo codes, bonus deals, and accurate odds for users upon signing up. Use BetMGM to ace your betting game in all sports!)
nba
nfl
mma I cover the National Football League and things cannot get better than that. I always dreamed to play football or basketball professionally since I’m built like a Running Back. But now that I can’t, since I’m technically in the “Unc” age, I thought why not pick a career in sports industry? So here I am, doing what I love, and hoping that the Commanders win the Super Bowl. I give love to players when it’s due, but can be critical about their performances at the same time. Enough about me, now let my articles do all the talking.
Read moreWe use cookies for ads and to improve your experience. By continuing on the site, you agree to our Privacy Policy. Read more about it
NFL