{"id":287599,"date":"2026-06-15T09:30:33","date_gmt":"2026-06-15T13:30:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=287599"},"modified":"2026-06-15T07:05:49","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T11:05:49","slug":"2026-buccaneers-easiest-games","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/15\/2026-buccaneers-easiest-games\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 Buccaneers Easiest Games"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>What are the 2026 Buccaneers&#8217; easiest games? In taking a closer look at the <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.buccaneers.com\/schedule\/add-to-calendar\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Buccaneers&#8217; schedule<\/a> this season, the NFL did Tampa Bay many favors. Tampa Bay has its toughest games of the season spread throughout the schedule, with unintentional &#8216;breaks&#8217; between monster games in 2026. For instance, Tampa&#8217;s toughest games, at <span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bears\/\" target=\"_self\">Chicago<\/a><\/span><span>\u00a0<\/span>in Week 9 and <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/lions\/\" target=\"_self\">Detroit Lions<\/a> in Week 11, have the bye week in between.<\/p>\n<p>Even two tougher nonconference games with the <span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/raiders\/\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Chargers<\/a> <\/span>(Week 13) and <span><a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/ravens\/\" target=\"_self\">Baltimore Ravens <\/a><\/span>(Week 14) are home and away tilts. <a  href=\"https:\/\/www.si.com\/nfl\/buccaneers\/onsi\/buccaneers-hit-with-realistic-projection-in-2026-espn-guide\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">ESPN has a bearish look at the Bucs for 2026, predicting a 9-8 season<\/a>. We take a closer look at the Buccaneers&#8217; schedule in this in-depth look.<\/p>\n<h2>2026 Buccaneers Easiest Games<\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tampa Bay Buccaneers Easiest Games for 2026 (ranked in ease of projected win)<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, September 20 HOME <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/browns\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Cleveland Browns<\/a><\/span> (CBS)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <span data-sheets-root=\"1\">Buccaneers<\/span> return home after opening the season at the <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/bengals\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Cincinnati Bengals<\/a><\/span>. The Browns still have a talented defense after trading away <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/02\/trading-myles-garrett\/\" target=\"_self\">Myles Garrett,<\/a> netting Jared Verse in return. This still is the Browns, however. Considering the team will either start <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/12\/deshaun-watson-starting\/\" target=\"_self\">Deshaun Watson<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/05\/30\/deshaun-watson-shedeur-qb\/\" target=\"_self\">Shedeur Sanders<\/a>, the offense shouldn\u2019t scare anyone.\u00a0 The Bucs revamped defense should pose challenges for the Browns\u2019 offense, and this should be an easy win.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, September 27 HOME <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/vikings\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Minnesota Vikings<\/a><\/span> (FOX)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Bucs remain home for Week 3 and host the Vikings, a team that could potentially surprise many in the very tough NFC North. Justin Jefferson is a stud, but the Buccaneers secondary will be ready for the task, considering the upgraded pass rush is going to stress whoever Minnesota starts at quarterback. If that is <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/05\/10\/vikings-kyler-murray-mccarthy\/\" target=\"_self\">Kyler Murray<\/a>, his jittery feet will be his downfall. If J.J. McCarthy starts, his inexperience in handling defensive pressure plays into the Bucs\u2019 hands.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, December 20 HOME <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/saints\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">New Orleans Saints<\/a><\/span> (FOX)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With the Week 14 (December 13) game in Baltimore, th<span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><\/span>e Buccaneers will certainly be challenged. Returning home to face the Saints in Week 15 could find the Saints out of the playoff race. The Saints will likely be sellers at the <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/07\/jerry-jeudy-trade\/\" target=\"_self\">trade deadline<\/a> after a mediocre start to the season, and that helps Tampa\u2019s cause. It is hard to imagine the likes of <a  href=\"https:\/\/heavy.com\/sports\/nfl\/denver-broncos\/saints-kamara-trade-contract-payton-roster-dobbins\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Alvin Kamara lasting in New Orleans past the trade deadline.<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, November 1 HOME Atlanta Falcons (FOX)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tampa is at Carolina the week before, and returning home for the Falcons will be welcomed. Atlanta does not give Buccaneers fans cause for concern, particularly considering the uncertainty around Atlanta\u2019s starting quarterback. Neither <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/06\/03\/atlanta-quarterbacks-part-time\/\" target=\"_self\">Tua Tagovailoa<\/a> nor <a href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2026\/05\/26\/falcons-head-coach-stefanski\/\" target=\"_self\">Michael Penix Jr.<\/a> will be a difference-maker for the Falcons in this easier matchup.<\/span><\/p>\n<p class=\"\" style=\"max-width: px\"><smartframe-embed class=\"smartframe_wp_element\" customer-id=\"b0c95bc04383cef69c6b47df872135cf\" image-id=\"WmOB4JLQNMbx\" style=\"width: 100%; display: inline-flex; max-width: 1401px; aspect-ratio: 1401\/2078;\" ><\/smartframe-embed><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, December 27 @ Atlanta Falcons (TBD)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tampa\u2019s second game with the <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/falcons\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Atlanta Falcons<\/a><\/span> in Week 16 is another easier matchup. The week before, the Buccaneers are home with the Saints, and then heading to the Falcons for their second straight NFC South tilt is important. The Buccaneers will have the NFC South lead by then.\u00a0 The Falcons may already be in a rebuilding state of mind at this point in the season.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, January 10 @ New Orleans Saints (TBD)<\/span><\/h3>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The season finale will be Tampa Bay\u2019s opportunity to cement its playoff seeding. Yes, Tampa Bay faces a daunting task in Week 17, hosting the <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a><\/span>. The Saints, however, will likely not be playing for a playoff berth.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><b>2026 Buccaneers Easiest Games: Easiest Stretch\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, December 20 HOME New Orleans Saints (FOX)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Sunday, December 27 @ Atlanta Falcons (TBA)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>This is a pretty easy choice to make as Tampa Bay&#8217;s easiest stretch in the schedule. The pair of NFC South games is bookended by a Week 14 game at the <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/ravens\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Baltimore Ravens<\/a><\/span> and a Week 17 game at home against the <span data-sheets-root=\"1\"><a class=\"in-cell-link\" href=\"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/category\/nfl-teams\/rams\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_self\">Los Angeles Rams<\/a><\/span>, <a  href=\"https:\/\/theramswire.usatoday.com\/story\/sports\/nfl\/rams\/2026\/05\/21\/rams-2026-season-record-prediction-analyst\/90193703007\/\" target=\"_blank\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">predicted by experts to likely finish 12-5 this season.<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What are the 2026 Buccaneers&#8217; easiest games? In taking a closer look at the Buccaneers&#8217; schedule this season, the NFL did Tampa Bay many favors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4925,"featured_media":266675,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"","sfio_featured_image":false,"sfio_embed_code":"","_ef_editorial_meta_date_first-draft-date":"","_ef_editorial_meta_paragraph_assignment":"","_ef_editorial_meta_checkbox_needs-photo":"","_ef_editorial_meta_number_word-count":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[36,6431,29],"tags":[34854,4674,32243,1472,4443],"class_list":["post-287599","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl-news","category-nfl-teams","category-buccaneers","tag-2026-nfl-schedule","tag-kyler-murray","tag-michael-penix-jr","tag-myles-garrett","tag-tua-tagovailoa"],"modified_by":"Sue Levine","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287599","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4925"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=287599"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287599\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":287701,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/287599\/revisions\/287701"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/266675"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=287599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=287599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=287599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}