NFL schedule leaks are inevitable this time of year but trying to discern legitimate leaks from fake Internet guessers has been a challenge.
Now we know.
The Buccaneers will open the season at New Orleans before debuting the Tom Brady era in Week 2 against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic uncertainty the NFL schedule was released a little later this year, but could also change depending on the health of the country. The NFL says they plan on playing a full 16-game schedule on time, however they also have contingency plans in case things don’t improve before September.
Below is the complete schedule, which features five prime time games:
W1: at New Orleans: Sept. 13, 4:25 p.m.
W2: vs. Carolina: Sept. 20, 1 p.m.
W3: at Denver: Sept, 27, 4:25 p.m.
W4: vs. Chargers: Oct. 4, 1 p.m.
W5: at Bears (TNF): Oct. 8, 8:20 p.m.
W6: vs. Packers: Oct. 18, 4:25 p.m.
W7: at Raiders (SNF): Oct. 25, 8:20 p.m.
W8: at Giants (MNF): Nov. 2, 8:15 p.m.
W9: vs. Saints (SNF): Nov. 8, 8:20 p.m.
W10: at Panthers: Nov. 15, 1 p.m.
W11: vs. Rams (MNF): Nov. 23, 8:15 p.m.
W12: vs. Chiefs: Nov. 29, 4:25 p.m.
W13: Bye Week
14: vs. Vikings: Dec. 13, 1 p.m.
W15: at Falcons: Dec. 20, 1 p.m.
W16: at Lions: Dec. 26/27, TBD
W17: vs. Falcons: Jan. 3, 1 p.m.
Compared to last season, the NFL schedule makers have done a much better – and a more fair – job in putting together this year’s schedule. While opening at New Orleans will be the most difficult game of the season, Tampa Bay will come home in Tom Brady’s home debut to take on the rebuilding Panthers under first year he’d coach Matt Rhule.
Tampa Bay won’t be gone from Raymond James Stadium any longer than a two week stretch, but the NFL does have the Buccaneers playing back-to-back-to-back primetime games midseason with two of the three on the road.
Tampa Bay will have their latest bye week ever, coming in Week 13 this season before closing out the season with road games against the Falcons and Lions sandwiched in between two home games including facing the Falcons again this year to close out the season.