The 2025 season is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 50th in the National Football League (NFL), their 12th under the leadership of general managerJason Licht, their 28th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their fourth under head coachTodd Bowles. They entered the season as four-time defending NFC South champions. Tampa Bay will attempt to improve on their 10–7 record from 2024, attempt to extend a franchise record by reaching the playoffs for the sixth straight year, and attempt to set a league record by winning the NFC South division title for the fifth consecutive season. This is the Buccaneers' fourth consecutive season with a new offensive coordinator, as their previous one, Liam Coen, was hired by the Jacksonville Jaguars to be their head coach.
Tampa Bay will wear their orange "Creamsicle" throwback uniforms and "Bucco Bruce" helmets in prime time against Atlanta in Week 15.[1] The Falcons will also wear their throwback uniforms as the away team.[2][3] To celebrate the franchise's 50th season, Tampa Bay debuted a second throwback uniform in Week 3 against the Jets. This white-on-white combination replicates their 1976 regular season uniforms, consisting of white trousers and white jerseys with orange numerals outlined in red.[4] Tampa Bay wore them again at Seattle in Week 5. The Seahawks, also celebrating their 50th season, wore their throwbacks for the game, and the Buccaneers followed suit as the road team.[5] The ′76 Uniforms were widely praised,[6][7] and the Bucs won both games in which they were used.
The season began with the team's first 3–0 start since 2005 and first 5–1 start since 2021. Tampa Bay became the first team in NFL history to win their first four games with game-winning scores in the final minute,[8] and the first team with four wins by 3 or fewer points in their first five games.[9]
↑ The Buccaneers traded a sixth-round selection (196th overall), a 2024 sixth-round selection and CB Carlton Davis to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a 2024 third-round selection (92nd overall).[10]
Tampa Bay opened their 50th season at division rivalAtlanta. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka caught two touchdown passes in his NFL debut, including the go-ahead score with 59 seconds left in regulation. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 167 yards and three touchdowns, as the Buccaneers snapped a two-game losing streak against the Falcons. It was Tampa Bay's franchise record-extending fifth consecutive win on opening day.
Tampa Bay clung to a 17–13 lead in the fourth quarter. Michael Penix Jr. drove the Falcons 91 yards in 18 plays, consuming almost nine minutes. On a 4th & Goal at the 4 yard line, Penix scrambled up the middle, and Calijah Kancey grabbed him by the ankles. But Penix was able to break the plane by mere inches for the touchdown before his knee hit the ground. Atlanta went ahead 20–17 with 2:17 left. Mayfield swiftly drove the Buccaneers down to the field and re-took the lead 23–20. After he connected to Egbuka for a 25-yard touchdown catch, however, Chase McLaughlin's extra point attempt hit the left upright, and fell no good. Trailing by only 3 in the final minute, Penix drove the Falcons to the Tampa Bay 26 yard line. Younghoe Koo lined up for a field goal attempt with 6 seconds remaining to potentially tie the game and force overtime. Koo's kick sailed wide right and Tampa Bay held on for the victory.
The Buccaneers were the only team in the NFC South to win on opening week, giving them sole possession of first place in their division. It was later confirmed that Egbuka was only the second player since the merger to score a game-winning touchdown in the final minute of regulation or overtime in his first NFL game.[13]
Week 2: at Houston Texans
Week 2: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans– Game summary
Tampa Bay faced the Texans on Monday Night Football. Rachaad White's 2-yard touchdown run with 6 seconds left gave the Buccaneers a 20–19 victory. Tampa Bay started 2–0 for a franchise-record fifth straight season, won in Week 2 for the ninth consecutive season, and recorded their first-ever win in Houston, dating back to the days of the Houston Oilers.[14] The Buccaneers snapped a six-game losing streak in regular season primetime games. It was their first Monday night victory since the 2023 Wild Card round, and their first road victory on Monday night since 2020.
Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes in the first half, building a 14–10 halftime lead. The game turned into a defensive battle, however, as their next seven possessions came up empty. A string of miscues in the second half kept Houston in the game. Chase McLaughlin missed a field goal (hit the upright), Mayfield suffered a fumble (recovered by the Bucs), Riley Dixon had a punt blocked, and the special teams gave a up a big punt return by Jaylin Noel. With 2:10 left in regulation, Nick Chubb scored a 25-yard touchdown run, and Houston took a 19–14 lead.
With all three timeouts plus the two-minute warning, Baker Mayfield drove the Buccaneers down the field for the winning score. With 1:24 to go, facing 4th & 10 at their own 32 yard line, Mayfield avoided a sack, escaped the pocket, and scrambled 15 yards for a first down. Bucky Irving, who led the team in rushing yards, then caught a short pass and avoided multiple tackles for a 22-yard gain. After quick completions to Irving, Mike Evans, and Cade Otton, Tampa Bay was looking at a 2nd & Goal at the 2 yard line with 9 seconds on the clock. White's 2-yard rush up the middle was the game-winner.
Tampa Bay became the first team to win back-to-back road games with go-ahead touchdowns in the final minute since the 1999 Miami Dolphins.[15] Additionally, Mayfield became the first quarterback since Brett Favre in 1999 to lead game-winning touchdown drives in the final 2:30 of back-to-back games.[16] The Buccaneers joined the 1979 Browns and 1988 49ers as the only teams in NFL history to win the first two games of the season on the road by 3 or fewer points.[17]
Week 3: vs. New York Jets
Week 3: New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Game summary
Tampa Bay faced the Jets in their home opener. As part of their 50th season celebration, the Buccaneers wore their special 1976 throwback uniforms. After jumping out to a 23–6 lead, the Buccaneers needed a last-second score to pull off the victory. Chase McLaughlin kicked a 36-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Buccaneers over the Jets by the score of 29–27. Tampa Bay improved to 3–0 for the first time since 2005.
With Luke Goedeke, Tristan Wirfs, and others out, the offensive line saw several shifts and substitutions. The O-line struggled early on. In the first quarter alone, Tampa Bay was flagged for five Holding calls. Eventually the offense settled, and the score was tied 3–3 to start the second quarter.
Baker Mayfield threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans, and Tampa Bay took the lead 10–6 early in the second quarter. With 29 second left in the half, the Jets were at their own 45 yard line, looking to move into field goal range. Tyrod Taylor was under pressure from Jacob Parrish, and his pass attempt to Garrett Wilson was intercepted by Jamel Dean. Tightroping down the sideline, Dean ran it back 55 yards for a touchdown, and the Buccaneers led 20–6 at halftime.
Trailing 23–6, the Jets rallied with two Tyrod Taylor touchdown passes in the fourth quarter. With the score now 26–20, Tampa Bay drove to the Jets 25 yard line at the two-minute warning. Chase McLaughlin lined up for a 43-yard field goal attempt, which would have put Tampa Bay up by 9 points. The kick was blocked by Will McDonald IV who recovered it himself and ran it back 50 yards for a go-ahead touchdown. Trailing 27–26 with 1:41 to go, Mayfield drove the Buccaneers 48 yards in 7 plays. At the Jets 18 yard line with 3 seconds left, McLaughlin's field goal attempt was good this time, and Tampa Bay survived with a last-second win.
The win snapped a five-game losing streak for the Buccaneers in their throwback uniforms. It was their first win in "Creamsicle" style throwback uniforms and "Bucco Bruce" helmets since 2009. Tampa Bay also became the first team in NFL history to win the first three games of the season with game-winning scores in the final minute of all three games.[18]
Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Game summary
Tampa Bay faced the defending Super Bowl champion Eagles in a matchup of 3–0 teams. The Eagles jumped out to a 24–3 lead in the first half, then held on for a 31–25 victory. Tampa Bay slipped to 3–1, but remained in first place in the NFC South. Chris Godwin and Tristan Wirfs returned to the lineup, but Mike Evans was out due to a hamstring injury.
Philadelphia got on the board early, with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. Jalen Hurts threw two touchdown passes as the Eagles dominated the first half. The Tampa Bay offense sputtered, with only 99 first-half yards and just 6 points. Chase McLaughlin gave the Buccaneers a spark, kicking a 65-yard field goal as time expired in the half. It was an NFL record for the longest field goal kicked outdoors, and the second-longest field goal in NFL history.[19]
The Tampa Bay defense dominated the Eagles in the second half. Hurts was held to zero pass completions, and the Eagles offense totaled negative 1 yards in the second half. The Buccaneers rallied with explosive plays on offense, but came up just short, with two costly turnovers thwarting the comeback.
Emeka Egbuka's 77-yard touchdown pass was followed by a 72-yard Bucky Irving touchdown. Trailing 31–23 with 7:57 left in regulation, Baker Mayfield drove the Buccaneers to the Philadelphia 11 yard line. On 1st & 10 from the 11, Mayfield was under pressure, scrambling to his right. His pass was intercepted at the goal line by Jihaad Campbell. Tampa Bay would get the ball back one last time, but ended up turning the over on downs. Philadelphia ran the clock down, took an intentional safety as time expired, and held on to win 31–25.
Week 5: at Seattle Seahawks
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks– Game summary
Tampa Bay visited Seattle in Week 5. With both clubs celebrating their respective 50th seasons, both teams wore throwback uniforms. Tampa Bay wore their 1976 "Creamsicle" uniforms and Bucco Bruce helmets for the second time in three weeks.[20] Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 379 yards, two touchdown passes, and a two-point conversion pass, as the Buccaneers defeated the Seahawks in a shootout. The game was described as one of the best games of the season thus far.[21] Mayfield and Seattle quarterback Sam Darnold were the 1st and 3rd pick, respectively, of the 2018 NFL draft. After parting from their original teams, the two briefly played together at Carolina in 2022, and were experiencing career resurgence with their new clubs.[22]
With Mike Evans still out, and Bucky Irving also inactive, rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka stood out on offense, with 163 yards receiving, one touchdown catch, and a two-point conversion catch. Egbuka became the first player in NFL history with 25+ receptions, 400+ yards receiving, and 5 or more touchdown receptions in his first five career games.[23] Late in the third quarter, on a 3rd & 13, Egbuka hauled in a 57-yard bomb all the way down to the Seattle 2 yard line, which set up a Rachaad White touchdown run.
Seattle and Tampa Bay traded touchdowns on seven consecutive drives at one point. The score was tied 28–28 with 7:28 left in the fourth quarter. Riley Dixon pinned Seattle back at their own 1 yard line, but Sam Darnold drove the Seahawks 99 yards in eight plays. Seattle took the lead with a Tory Horton touchdown catch with 4:02 remaining. Mayfield made quick work, however, driving Tampa Bay 70 yards in five plays, capping the drive off with an 11-yard touchdown pass to Sterling Shepard with 1:08 to go.
With the score tied 35–35, Seattle took over at their own 23 with 1:03 left in regulation. Cooper Kupp snagged a 9-yard catch on first down, setting up a 2nd & 1 at the 32 yard line. Darnold was then under heavy pressure by Antoine Winfield Jr., and his pass ricocheted off of the helmet of Logan Hall. Lavonte David intercepted the pass at the Seattle 35 yard line. With a few handoffs to Rachaad White, Tampa Bay was able to run the clock down. Chase McLaughlin, who had been listed as ill prior to the game, kicked a 39-yard field goal as time expired, and the Buccaneers won 38–35.
Mayfield set a mark as the first quarterback to have 375 passing yards and fewer than 5 incompletions in a regular season game.[24] Tampa Bay also became the first team whose first four wins came by game-winning scores in the final minute,[8] and the first team with four wins by 3 or fewer points in their first five games.[9]
Week 6: vs. San Francisco 49ers
Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Game summary
Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 256 yards and two touchdown passes as Tampa Bay defeated San Francisco 30–19. With key offensive weapons Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, and Bucky Irving out, and Emeka Egbuka leaving the game early with a hamstring injury, Mayfield depended upon the 5th–8th wide receivers on the depth chart. The Buccaneers defense sacked Mac Jones six times and forced two interceptions. The Buccaneers improved to 5–1 on the season, their best start since 2021.
Early in the first quarter, Tampa Bay struck first, as Kindle Vildor intercepted an off-target pass from Mac Jones. Two plays later, Tampa Bay was in the endzone with a 2-yard touchdown run by Rachaad White. Leading 14–13 in the final minute of the first half, Mayfield lofted a pass to a wide open Kameron Johnson, who ran the rest of the way untouched for a 34-yard touchdown. Tampa Bay led 20–16 at halftime.
A pair of spectacular plays by Baker Mayfield in the third quarter broke the game wide open for Tampa Bay.[25] After a 10-yard Holding penalty, the Buccaneers were facing a 3rd & 14 at their own 41 yard line. In a shotgun formation with a seven-step drop, Mayfield had to duck to avoid two defenders. He slipped out of a potential sack, and scrambled upfield. He then eluded as many as four 49ers defenders, and escaped for a 14-yard gain. He was able to stretch the ball over the line to gain and achieved a first down. Two plays later, Mayfield found rookie Tez Johnson downfield for a diving, fingertip grab and a 45-yard touchdown pass. It was Johnson's first career touchdown reception, and Tampa Bay stretched their lead to 27–19.
With 5:47 left in the fourth quarter, Jamel Dean intercepted Mac Jones at the 14 yard line. It was the second interception thrown by Jones, and it snuffed out any chance of a 49ers rally. Chase McLaughlin tacked on a field goal to make it a two-score lead, and Tampa Bay would go on to win. Unlike their first four wins (which were all by 3 points or fewer), this was Tampa Bay's first multi-score win since Week 18 of 2024.
Week 7: at Detroit Lions
Week 7: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions– Game summary
DET – Amon-Ra St. Brown – 6 receptions, 86 yards, TD
Tampa Bay traveled to Detroit on Monday Night Football. The Lions defeated the Buccaneers 24–9 behind two touchdowns by Jahmyr Gibbs. The Buccaneers offense struggled, with only 41 yards on the ground, while quarterback Baker Mayfield managed 228 yards and only one touchdown pass. Mike Evans returned to the starting lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury. However, in the second quarter, Evans suffered a broken collarbone, which was expected to sideline him for most of the remainder of the season.[26]
Week 8: at New Orleans Saints
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints– Game summary
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