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.
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 will wear them again at Seattle in Week 5. The Seahawks, also celebrating their 50th season, will wear their throwbacks for the game, and the Buccaneers will follow suit as the road team.[5] This season began with the team's first 3–0 start since 2005.
↑ 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).[6]
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.[9]
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.[10] 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.[11] 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.[12] 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.[13]
This was the first time that the Buccaneers defeated the Texans since 2003, and the first time they beat them in Houston.
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.[14]
Week 4: vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Week 4: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers– Game summary
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