Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2025 NFL schedule analysis

We've had a week to dissect the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 2025 schedule. For a full list of games, click here.

Here's a look at what stands out most, including one date we're circling, the toughest and easiest stretches, plus a key takeaway.

Circle the date: Sept. 28 vs Philadelphia Eagles (Week 4) | For the third consecutive season, the Bucs host the Eagles early in the season, including for the second year in a row in Week 4. 

Tampa Bay handed Philadelphia its most lopsided loss in 2024, 33-16. That followed a convincing 32-9 win in the 2023 NFC wild-card round. In the teams' last six meetings (since 2015), the Bucs are 5-1.

Despite winning the NFC South in each of the past four seasons, Tampa Bay hasn't been a legitimate title contender since former quarterback Tom Brady's second-to-last season in 2021. A third consecutive win over the reigning Super Bowl champs could signal the Bucs are ready to contend again.

Toughest stretch: Weeks 4-7 | Beginning with their game against the Eagles, the Bucs' opponents from Weeks 4-7 had a combined .662 win percentage in 2024, going 45-23. Tampa Bay plays at the Detroit Lions in Week 7, with games against the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers sandwiched between last year's top two NFC playoff seeds.

Tampa Bay also beat Detroit last season. Like Philadelphia, the Lions will be extra motivated to avoid another loss. 

The Bucs have split their past five games against the Seahawks, winning the most recent in 2022, and have lost four consecutive to the 49ers dating back to 2019.

Easiest stretch: Weeks 13-16 | Tampa Bay hosts three consecutive games during this four-game span, beginning with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 13. That's followed by games against the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons. The stretch ends on the road against the Carolina Panthers.

Since beginning its run of NFC South titles in 2021, the Bucs are 16-8 in division games, going 4-2 each season. 

If Tampa Bay continues to control its division in 2025 — and we have no reason to believe it won't — it will be guaranteed at least a couple of wins during this segment of the schedule.

Main takeaway: Buccaneers primetime woes could persist | The Bucs have lost six consecutive night games since the start of the 2023 season, including going 0-4 last year. Things might not improve much in 2025.

Three of the Buccaneers' four upcoming primetime games are on the road, including Week 2 against the Texans, Week 7 against the Lions and Week 12 against the Rams. All three made the playoffs in 2024. 

Tampa Bay's defense has been problematic during the primetime slump, allowing 30.3 points per game. Each of its first three primetime opponents has an offense capable of exploiting any Bucs weakness.

Tampa Bay also hosts the Falcons, who averaged 33.5 points per game against the Buccaneers last season, on "Thursday Night Football" in Week 15.

The Bucs have shrunk under the bright lights in recent years and weren't afforded any favors by the 2025 primetime schedule. If they want to snap their skid this fall, they must earn it.