The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are on a quest to repeat as Super Bowl Champions.
That path to back-to-back titles is now known as the NFL released the schedules for all 32 teams on Wednesday.
The Bucs' 2021 schedule is here! ?☠️? pic.twitter.com/39ZHtazu8i
— Sports by Tampa Bay Times (@TBTimes_Sports) May 13, 2021
In addition to the usual NFC South divisional games, the Bucs also have the NFC East and the AFC East teams in non-conference games.
There are also three second place opponents included as the Bucs finished second place in the NFC South in 2020.
Details
It’s official… Bucs at Patriots on October 3rd (Week 4) in prime time on Sunday Night Football.
Foxboro is going to be ELECTRIC. Brady vs. Belichick in a game we’ve all been waiting for! It’ll be better than most Super Bowls, possibly the best game of our lifetime. pic.twitter.com/l2xo0Ru2NW
— Jordan Moore (@iJordanMoore) May 12, 2021
- Huge television ratings are anticipated for the NFL opening game on Thursday night, September 9 when Tampa Bay hosts the Dallas Cowboys.
- Everyone in New England has already cleared their calendars on Sunday night, October 3 because Tom Brady is coming back to Foxboro to play the Patriots.
- Playing the Miami Dolphins game immediately after the New England Patriots game is interesting as Tom Brady has lost 12 times to Miami in his career; he has not lost to any other team that many times.
- The Los Angeles Rams, Chicago Bears, and Indianapolis Colts are the second place opponents on the Bucs 2021 schedule.
- There are 8 home games in the newly expanded 17 game regular season schedule.
- The bye week occurs in the middle of the season at Week 9.
- Tampa Bay only has one West Coast trip this year to play the Los Angeles Rams in Week 3.
Strength of Schedule
The Bucs are getting off relatively easy considering they are the defending Super Bowl Champions.
Their schedule is ranked as 29th most difficult out of the 32 teams.
A look at the strength of schedule for each team for the 2021 season. Where does your team fall? ? pic.twitter.com/Mr6oiVlCcs
— NFL Canada (@NFLCanada) May 13, 2021
This ranking is based on the winning percentage of its opponents in 2020, and the NFC East was a division where no team had a winning record so that contributes to it.
Last season, Tampa Bay had the 16th most difficult schedule.
The question is, can the Bucs repeat with this schedule?
There is a lot of football to be played before we know if Brady will be tossing the Lombardi Trophy in another victorious boat parade in February 2022.
NEXT: Can Tom Brady Lure Julian Edelman Out Of Retirement?
