The 2019 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have another tough schedule, but it starts at home against the San Francisco 49ers which I think the Buccaneers might be favored in.

The second week is when it gets tough. The Buccaneers travel to Charlotte to play NFC South rival Carolina for a Thursday Night showdown. The schedule is very tough, but there is a new and very accomplished coaching staff in Tampa Bay this season, but the Bucs still have issues on offense and defense that I think are correctable and the 2019 draft also helps.

Week 1 vs 49ers 

The season opener and it’s at home, but I think this one will be an interesting matchup. Jimmy Garoppolo should be healthy, and if Jameis Winston comes out and plays consistent, mistake-free football, then the Bucs should pull this one out. 1-0

Week 2 @ Carolina

A Thursday Night in Carolina has been never easy, and when Cam Newton, and the Panthers, are firing on all cylinders they are unstoppable. Lately, the Bucs defense has struggled against the Panthers, when it’s in Carolina. 1-1

Week 3 vs Giants 

The Bucs return to Raymond James Stadium against the Eli Manning and the Giants, but there is no more Odell Beckham JR to dig Eli out of holes. The Giants drafted quarterback Daniel Jones, so now Eli has competition, but I expect the Bucs defense to play lights out in this game, despite who is throwing the football. Especially Jason Pierre-Paul. 2-1

Week 4 @ Rams 

The Bucs travel out west to Los Angeles to take on the defending NFC Champions in a late afternoon showdown. I think that in order for the Bucs to expect an upset against the Rams, they would have to take this game as their NFC Championship and just get pressure on Jared Goff and take Todd Gurley out of the game. Unfortunately, I’m going to have to be realistic and give the Rams the win in this one, despite how close the Bucs keep it. 2-2

Week 5 @ Saints

The Bucs will travel to New Orleans to take on the Saints in the Superdome. This type of game should be the same deal as the Rams game. The Bucs did win at New Orleans in week one last season, but that was Saints’ only loss until week 13. I expect this game to be another shootout, but right now I have to pick the Saints. 2-3

Week 6 vs Panthers (London)

The Buccaneers have never won in London, but wouldn’t that be something if their first win in London was over the Panthers? Like the first matchup of the 2019 series with Carolina, when Cam Newton is on he is on. But if the Bucs defense catches the Panthers offense sleeping, and if Jameis Winston can be consistent, then I would have the Bucs winning. I’m going to take the Bucs in London and believe that the team will have a big day from Winston, Mike Evans, and strong defense by the front seven. 3-3

Week 7 – Bye Week

Week 8 @ Titans

Well, I’ll be at this game when the Bucs travel to Music City to take on the Titans. Tennessee is a very odd team to play because they are quite mediocre, but when Marcus Mariota is healthy, he is on, and the Titans do have a talented defense. The Bucs, however, do have the more talented offense, but inconsistent play and turnovers will get you beat against the Titans. I do give the Bucs the win due to Titans turnovers and a big day from Jameis Winston. 4-3

Week 9 @ Seahawks

Going out west again to Seattle to take on the Seahawks is never easy, but Russell Wilson is always on at home. The Bucs have not won at Seattle since 2009, and that was before Russell Wilson and Pete Carroll. I have to give the Seahawks the home win in this one even against my Bucs. 4-4

Week 10 vs Cardinals

The Bucs return to Raymond James Stadium and it’s against Bruce Arians’ former team. Kyler Murray should be the starter for the Cardinals, but it’s going to take time for him to learn an NFL offense. What I don’t understand though is that the Cardinals hired Kliff Kingsbury, who was fired as a college head coach last season? I think it should be a big day for the Bucs on both sides of the ball, and the Bucs will get a win in their return home. 5-4

Week 11 vs Saints

The Bucs will host the Saints at Raymond James Stadium, and if the Bucs expect to win in front of their home faithful, then they too need to come out with the intensity I expect them to come out with, in London against Carolina. I still have to be realistic though, and give the Saints the sweep. 5-5

Week 12 @ Falcons

The Bucs face the Falcons for the first time in the 2019 season in Atlanta. After last year’s thriller at Mercedes-Benz, it showed that the Bucs definitely was the better team and should have won. I think the Bucs will get it done against the Falcons on the road, but it will be another thriller. 6-5

Week 13 @ Jaguars

The Bucs remain on the road, but they returned to the sunshine state against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has not been the same team since their playoff run in the 2017 season, but last year most of their players were injured. Blake Bortles is gone and Nick Foles is in, so I expect a lot of improvement with the Jags offense, but they don’t have a big name receiver. The Bucs are on a higher level than the Jags, currently, so I think the Bucs will get it done. This might be their most winnable game on the schedule. 7-5

Week 14 vs Colts

Another one of Bruce Arians’ connections as Andrew Luck and the Colts will visit the Bucs and this should be a very good Indianapolis team. The Bucs defense will be tested though against Luck and T.Y. Hilton who should air it out almost 80 percent of the time. I have to go with the Colts in this one. 7-6

Week 15 @ Lions 

This is a winnable game, but Detroit is very tough up at Ford Field. Matthew Stafford was born in Tampa and is one of the most underrated quarterbacks in the league. I really wanted the Bucs to Stafford, when he was coming out in the 2009 draft. I feel like this is one of those games that will come down to mistakes and turnovers. Ford Field is a very loud dome and it can get inside a quarterback’s head, forcing them to make mistakes and turnovers. I have to take the Lions in this one. 7-7

Week 16 vs Texans

The Bucs will take on the Texans and Deshaun Watson at Raymond James Stadium, and this one could have the Bucs in the playoff picture if they can win this one. This is one where I have Deshaun Watson all over the place in a stadium where he played a wildcard game last season and won a College National Championship. I have to go with the Texans. 7-8

Week 17 vs Falcons

The Bucs close out the season at home like last season against the Falcons. The Bucs will come out ready to play and get the sweep over their most hated rivals.

Projected finish 8-8