TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers released their 2024 schedule on Wednesday night. The reigning NFC South champions will play eight road games and nine home games in the regular season. Three games will air on 10 Tampa Bay.
Let's take a closer look at the schedule to see the type of matchups awaiting the Bucs this fall.
Season opener
For the first time since 2021, the Bucs open the regular season inside Raymond James Stadium. They will host the Washington Commanders at 4:25 p.m. on Sept. 8. These two teams have not met since the aforementioned 2021 season, but both teams are vastly different now. This contest will feature two Heisman trophy-winning quarterbacks—Baker Mayfield and Jayden Daniels. The latter was just drafted second overall in this year's draft.
Playoff rematches
The Bucs hit the road for the first time in week two, traveling to the place their 2023 season ended — Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions beat Tampa Bay in the divisional round of last season's playoffs. The Bucs will be seeking revenge that Sunday.
In week four, the Philadelphia Eagles will be the team looking for vengeance when they return to Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 29. The Bucs eliminated the Eagles in a 32-9 drubbing during Super Wild Card Weekend.
Tough stretch
In weeks seven through 10, the Bucs will play the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers. Each of those teams played in their conference's championship game last season with the Chiefs and 49ers advancing to Super Bowl LVIII. Sandwiched between those games is a contest against the Atlanta Falcons, a team expected to be much improved.
Fortunately for Tampa Bay, only one of those four games will be played on the road.
Primetime matchups
Tampa Bay will play under the national spotlight four times during the 2024 regular season. The aforementioned matchups against the Ravens and Chiefs will be featured on Monday Night Football. In week five, the Bucs travel to Atlanta for a Thursday night contest against the Falcons. The final primetime contest will be Sunday night against the Dallas Cowboys in Arlington, TX.
Familiar faces
The Bucs will see a few familiar faces during the 2024 season. The first will be cornerback Carlton Davis in week two. He was traded to the Lions in March.
Linebacker Devin White returns to Raymond James Stadium as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles in week four.
Former Bucs offensive coordinator Dave Canales comes back to Tampa Bay as a first-year head coach when he leads the Carolina Panthers into Ray Jay on Dec. 29.
Bye week
Just like in 2022, the Bucs' bye week is slated for week 11. Coming out of the bye, the Bucs play four of the following five games on the road, including their first trip to Los Angeles to play the Chargers. The last time Tampa Bay visited the Chargers, they were located in San Diego.
The Bucs' three-game preseason slate begins on Aug. 10 when they visit the Cincinnati Bengals. The team's only preseason game at home will be on Aug. 23 against the Miami Dolphins.
