The NFC South plays non-division games against the NFC North and AFC West in 2020 and that means the Buccaneers will face three teams from those divisions that reached the playoffs a year ago in the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings. Tampa Bay is tied for the 16th toughest schedule in the league (.502). Now, let’s find out what lies ahead for Brady and the completely revitalized Buccaneers in 2020.
NFL Tampa Bay Buccaneers Calendar Odds & Analysis
After going a solid, 7-9 in Year 1 of the Bruce Arians era, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9 SU, 5-9-2 ATS) are now poised to contend for the second Super Bowl in franchise history because of the addition of one player. You see, after stunning the entire NFL by landing the former New England Patriots six-time Super Bowl winning signal-caller, the Bucs are expected to be one of the best teams in either conference in 2020.
2020 NFL Odds
Sept. 13: at New Orleans
Make no mistake about it – at this stage of their respective careers, Drew Brees is clearly the better quarterback. Hell, I could make a case for Brees as the better quarterbacks, sans Super Bowls, for their respective careers. Loss.
Sept. 20: vs. Carolina
Carolina has completely overhauled everything, starting from new head coach Matt Rhule to new starting quarterback Teddy Bridgewater. Unfortunately for the Panthers, it’s still way too early in their rebuild to beat Brady and a Bucs team that looks loaded on offense. Win.
Sept. 27: at Denver
Tom Brady gives Broncos second-year signal-caller Drew Lock a lesson on how to play quarterbacks in the NFL. Win.
Oct. 4: vs. Los Angeles Chargers
I like head coach Anthony Lynn and I believe the Chargers will play well early on under veteran Tyrod Taylor, but good won’t cut it against a legend like Tom Brady. Win.
Oct. 8: at Chicago (TNF)
Nick Foles has already beaten Tom Brady once. Chicago gets the huge upset at home as Foles makes just enough plays and Chicago’s defense gets after Brady. Loss.
Oct. 18: vs. Green Bay
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rebounds at home against Aaron Rodgers and a Green Bay Packers team that I expect to take a step backwards in 2020. Win.
Oct. 25: at Las Vegas Raiders (SNF)
I suspect the Raiders will put up their fair share of points in 2020, but I just don’t see Las Vegas’ defense stopping Brady when it matters most! Win.
Nov. 2: at New York Giants (MNF)
The Bucs should have this game firmly in hand by the time halftime rolls around. Win.
Nov. 8: vs. New Orleans (SNF)
The Buccaneers will have this rematch against the Saints circled on their calendars and I believe Tampa Bay will pull out the high-scoring win in a contest that could end up being the best game on the entire 2020 docket! Win.
Nov. 15: at Carolina
By the time this Week 10 matchup rolls around, I expect the Panthers to be a lot better and more cohesive than they were in their Week 2 meeting. The Carolina Panthers get the home upset as Teddy Bridgewater and Christian McCaffrey star. Loss.
Nov. 23: vs. Los Angeles Rams (MNF)
Jared Goff isn’t fit to hold Tom Brady’s jockstrap. Enough said. Win.
Nov. 29: vs. Kansas City
There aren’t many quarterbacks in the league better than Tom Brady, but Patrick Mahomes is and that’s why the explosive Kansas City Chiefs get the big road win in Week 12. Loss.
Dec. 6: BYE
Dec. 13: vs. Minnesota, Win
I know Kirk Cousins isn’t and never will be ‘elite’ but Minnesota has a stingy defense and Cousins is good, if not great. The Bucs will be focused and well-rested after falling to Kansas City and getting a bye, but I feel an upset brewing. Loss.
Dec. 20: at Atlanta
The Bucs and Falcons split last season with each team winning on the road. I’m expecting a repeat in 2020. Tampa Bay wins to snap a two-game skid. Win.
Dec. 26/27: at Detroit
If Matt Patricia is still coaching the Lions by this point, Brady and the Bucs will pusher him one step closer to unemployment by laying a huge smackdown on the Lions. Win.
Jan 3: vs. Atlanta
Tampa Bay will be going all-out to get the win in this regular season finale, but I like Atlanta to pull off the huge road upset as part of their regular season split. Loss.
Overall Analysis and Prediction
While I am definitely expecting Tampa Bay to be better with Tom Brady under center than they ever were with Jameis Winston as their starter, I also believe the Buccaneers are seriously over-hyped at this point, particularly seeing as how they’ve never played a single game with Brady as their leader.
Instead of penciling them in as NFC champs, I like the Bucs to reach the double-digit win mark while reaching the playoffs as a wild card behind the division-winning Saints. The Bucs could reach 11 or even 12 wins, but I have Tom Brady and company going a more modest 10-6 in 2020.
2020 Prediction: 10-6
