The Buccaneers’ 2026 schedule comes with a little bit of everything on defense: a handful of elite units, several teams with new faces calling the shots, and a few opponents that still have plenty to clean up. For Tampa Bay, the challenge starts right away. Baker Mayfield is healthy again, Zac Robinson is in as the new offensive coordinator, and the Bucs will have to navigate a slate that includes the NFL’s 12th-easiest schedule by opponent winning percentage (.491).
The toughest matchup on the board is the Rams, who look like an early bet to be the league’s best defense. Los Angeles was already strong before adding 2025 AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, and after reaching last year’s NFC Championship Game, the Rams have the look of a Super Bowl contender if injuries stay away.
They finished No. 17 in yards allowed at 327.5 per game and No. 10 in points allowed at 20.4. Tampa Bay gets them at home in Week 17.
Right behind them are the Steelers, a veteran group that still managed to win the AFC North at 10-7 despite a rough defensive season. Pittsburgh allowed 356.9 yards per game, which ranked No. 26, and gave up 22.8 points per game.
With Mike Tomlin gone, the defense now falls to new coordinator Patrick Graham. The Bucs will see them in Tampa in Week 6.
The Chargers also bring a proven, experienced defense to the table. Last season they ranked No. 5 in yards allowed at 285.2 per game and No. 9 in points allowed at 20.0.
Jesse Minter, who coordinated that unit, is now the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens, but the core remains largely intact. Tampa Bay hosts Los Angeles in Week 13.
Minnesota is another heavyweight. Brian Flores returns, and so does a defense that was the best in the NFC last year.
The Vikings finished No. 3 in yards allowed at 282.6 per game and No. 10 in points allowed at 19.6, though they still missed the postseason with a 9-8 record. The Buccaneers will face them at home in Week 3.
Baltimore, meanwhile, is trying to bounce back after a disappointing defensive year. The Ravens missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021, finishing No. 30 against the pass, No. 24 in yards allowed at 354.4 per game and 232.4 ppg.
They turned to Minter as their new head coach. Tampa Bay travels there in Week 14.
Cleveland is a little different from the rest of the top group. The Browns are starting life after Garrett after winning just five games last season, but the defense was still one of the league’s best.
Cleveland ranked No. 4 in yards allowed at 283.6 per game and gave up 22.3 points per game. The Bucs get them at home in Week 2.
Detroit sits in the middle of the pack after an uneven defensive season that ended with the Lions missing the playoffs for the first time since 2022. They were No. 18 in yards allowed and allowed 24.3 points per game. Tampa Bay plays in Detroit in Week 11 coming out of its bye.
Green Bay remains dangerous, even with Micah Parsons working back from the ACL injury that ended his 2026 after 14 games. Parsons had 12.5 sacks before going down, and the Packers still finished No. 12 in yards allowed at 311.8 per game and allowed 21.2 points per game on the way to a third straight playoff trip. They’ll be in Tampa in Week 4.
New Orleans had a quietly strong defense in 2025, finishing No. 9 in yards allowed at 299.8 per game and giving up 22.5 points per game. Brandon Staley remains the defensive coordinator, and the unit looks largely the same. The Saints visit Tampa in Week 15 before the teams close the regular season in New Orleans in Week 18.
Chicago is a strange one: the Bears forced a league-high 33 takeaways, but the overall numbers were ugly. They were No. 29 in yards allowed at 361.8 per game, gave up 24.4 points per game and allowed 227.2 passing yards per game.
They also had just 25 sacks. Tampa Bay plays in Chicago in Week 9.
Atlanta comes in with some momentum after winning its final four games last season. The Falcons were No. 2 in sacks with 57, No. 15 in yards allowed at 327.2 per game and allowed 23.6 points per game.
Their games with Tampa Bay were tight last year, with both decided by three points or fewer, and the teams split. The Falcons host the Bucs in Week 16 after visiting Tampa in Week 8.
Carolina, fresh off its first NFC South title since 2015 and its first playoff berth in eight years, was about average defensively. The Panthers ranked No. 16 in yards allowed at 327.2 per game and allowed 22.4 points per game.
They held Tampa Bay to 18 points per game in two meetings last season. The Bucs play there in Week 7 and host Carolina in Week 12.
At the bottom of the list are two teams Tampa Bay should feel better about on paper, though neither is exactly a pushover. Cincinnati opens the season against the Buccaneers after finishing No. 31 in yards allowed at 380.9 per game and allowing 28.9 points per game.
The Bengals gave up more than 30 points in seven games. That opener comes on the road in Week 1.
Dallas rounds out the ranking after a major defensive overhaul and the dismissal of Matt Eberflus. Christian Parker now has the job of fixing a unit that finished No. 30 in yards allowed at 377.0 per game and last in the NFL in points allowed at 30.1.
The Cowboys surrendered more than 30 points in nine games last season. Tampa Bay heads to Dallas in Week 5.
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