In our season prediction for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers thus far, they head into Soldier Field at a nice 3-1. Tampa Bay is currently on a three game win streak after beating the Los Angeles Chargers, 27-10. The Bucs are feeling good after the first quarter of the season has passed, seeing their defense allow just under 20 points a game.
Tampa Bay’s offense is hot after four games averaging a nice 27 points per game. So far, the run game has been better than 2019 with Ronald Jones II having two 100-yard games under his belt. Can both sides of the ball keep the trend up as the second quarter of the season kicks off?
Week 5: Tampa Bay @ Chicago,
October 8th TNF
We all remember the debacle that took place at Soldier Field in 2018 when the Buccaneers last faced the Bears. My blood is still boiling over that one. With Nick Foles beating out Mitch Trubisky for the starting quarterback job, the Buccaneers’ defense gets the best of Foles for a third year. Tampa Bay’s defense would finish the day with three interceptions, two coming from Carlton Davis and one from Sean Murphy-Bunting.
Tom Brady and the Bucs offense struggle early against the Bears front seven, only scoring ten points in the first half. On the Bucs first drive of the second, Brady finds wide receiver Scotty Miller for a 60-yard bomb, capping the drive with a touchdown to Mike Evans in the corner of the end zone. The rest is history as the Buccaneers’ defense holds the Bears’ offense to just three points in the second half.
Final Score Prediction: Tampa Bay 27, Chicago 6… Record 4-1
Week 6: Green Bay @ Tampa Bay October 18th
The second true test for the Buccaneers defense comes as Aaron Rodgers heads to Raymond James Stadium for a 4:25 ET showdown. Brady and Chris Godwin give the home crowd something to cheer for connecting for two touchdowns on the day. Rodgers doesn’t go down without a fight as he stuns the Buccaneers’ secondary for four touchdowns in the air. The Bucs fight hard to keep their win streak alive but ultimately fall short. A missed field goal in the fourth seals their fate.
Final Score Prediction: Green Bay 35, Tampa Bay 31… Record 4-2
Week 7: Tampa Bay @ Las Vegas
October 25th SNF
All eyes are on Tom Brady and the Bucs as they travel to Las Vegas to take on the Raiders on Sunday Night Football. After a devastating loss back home in Tampa, the Bucs have their sights set on showing the Nation they’re worthy contenders. Linebacker Lavonte David puts the bright lights behind him and goes off defensively. He’ll finish the night with two sacks on quarterback Derek Carr, two tackles for loss, and one forced fumble.
Running back LeSean McCoy will find the end zone twice on the night as Brady and the Bucs aerial offense stall in the red zone several times. Brady will have one pick late in the third quarter while trying to connect with tight end O.J. Howard. The Bucs keep this one close until the end, scoring 14 unanswered fourth quarter points.
Final Score Prediction: Tampa Bay 28, Las Vegas 17… Record 5-2
Week 8: Tampa Bay @ New York Giants
November 2nd MNF
With some much needed rest thanks to a Monday night bout against the New York Football Giants, Tampa Bay looks to stay on track before having to play back-to-back divisional games. The Giants have no answer for Tampa’s aerial offense as both Mike Evans and Chris Godwin shock the Giants’ secondary for over 220 yards and four touchdowns.
Sean Murphy-Bunting and Jamel Dean make it hard on second year quarterback Daniel Jones with an interception each and six pass break ups between them. Tampa Bay’s front seven is relentless as the hold the Giants to just 47 rushing yards and five sacks on Jones. The defense shuts down New York’s offense for three quarters of play before backup quarterback Colt McCoy gets some offense going, connecting with Darius Slayton and Golden Tate for a pair of late touchdowns.
Final Score Prediction: Tampa Bay 42, New York Giants 14… Record 6-2
Tampa Bay has a rough second quarter with three prime time games in the mix. They manage to go 3-1 before the halfway mark of the season, without any significant injuries. Tampa’s next four games won’t be any easier. They’ll play two divisional games, face off against the Los Angeles Rams, and play host to reigning Super Bowl Champions, the Kansas City Chiefs. Can the Buccaneers go .500 in their third quarter of the season? Stay tuned for Bucs Report to find out!
