The Tampa Bay Buccaneers enter the 2026 season in uncharted territory. For the first time since 2020, the Buccaneers enter a season where they are not the defending NFC South Division champions and did not advance to the NFL Playoffs the season before.

Although Tampa Bay opened 2025 winning six of its first eight games, a 2-7 record in the final stretch of the regular season ended any hopes of taking home a fifth-consecutive NFC South title. Quarterback Baker Mayfield played through injury during the final half of the season and it was evident the Buccaneers’ offense was missing former offensive coordinator Liam Coen.

This season the Buccaneers come in with a healthy Mayfield and new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson. Tampa Bay has a projected win total of 8.5 and will play the NFL’s 12th-easiest schedule (.491 opponent winning percentage).

Here we rank the Buccaneers’ 14 defensive opponents in 2026.

1. Los Angeles Rams

An early favorite as the best defense in the NFL, the Rams were formidable prior to trading for 2025 AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. Barring injuries the Rams will be a Super Bowl contender this season after falling in last year’s NFC Championship Game. Los Angeles was No. 17 in yards allowed (327.5 yards per game), but were No. 10 in the league in points allowed (20.4 points per game). The Bucs will face the Rams at home, but not until Week 17.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh defense is a veteran-led unit, who struggled last season but still managed to win the AFC North (10-7). After long-time head coach Mike Tomlin’s departure, the Steelers defensive will be led by new defensive coordinator Patrick Graham. In 2025 Pittsburgh allowed 356.9 ypg (No. 26) and 22.8 ppg. The Steelers come to Tampa Bay in Week 6.

3. Los Angeles Chargers

Another experience-laden defense, the Chargers boasted a top-10 defense in both yards allowed (No. 5, 285.2 ypg) and points allowed (No. 9, 20.0 ppg) last season. While the defense remains largely intact, former defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is now the head coach of the Baltimore Ravens. Tampa Bay will host the Chargers in Week 13.

4. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikings were the best defense in the NFC last season, finishing top-10 in the NFL in yards allowed with 282.6 ypg (No. 3) and points allowed (19.6 ppg), but failed to advance to the postseason with a 9-8 record. ONe of the league’s best defensive coordinators, Brian Flores, returns this season along with a number of key players. The Bucs will take on their former NFC Central rival Vikings at home in Week 3.

5. Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore missed the playoffs for the first time since 2021 in large part because of its struggle on defense. After ending the season No. 30 against the pass, No. 24 in yards allowed (354.4 ypg) and 232.4 ppg, the Ravens brought in Minter as the teams’ new head coach. Tampa Bay travels to Baltimore in Week 14.

6. Cleveland Browns

The Browns will begin life after Garrett in 2026 after winning just five games last season. While the offense struggled, Cleveland did have a dominant defense last season. The Browns finished No. 4 in yards allowed (283.6 ypg) and gave up 22.3 ppg. The Bucs will play the Browns at home in Week 2.

7. Detroit Lions

The Lions struggled with consistency on defense last season, missing the postseason for the first time since 2022. Detroit was No. 18 in yards allowed (No. 18) and allowed 24.3 ppg. The Lions will host Tampa Bay in Week 11 following its bye.

8. Green Bay Packers

Green Bay made a defensive splash prior to last season with the addition of Micah Parsons, who had 12.5 sacks, but played only 14 games after an ACL injury ended his 2026. The Packers still managed to finish No. 12 in yards allowed (311.8 ypg) and allowed 21.2 ppg on their way to a third-consecutive playoff appearance. Tampa Bay will likely miss Parsons as he continues to return from injury in Week 4 when the Packers come to town.

9. New Orleans Saints

The Saints quietly had one of the better defenses in 2025 after finishing No. 9 in yards allowed (299.8 ypg) and allowing 22.5 ppg. This year the defense remains largely the same, including defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Tampa Bay will take on New Orleans at home in Week 15 and then the two-rivals will end the regular season at the Saints in Week 18.

10. Chicago Bears

Despite a league-leading 33 takeaways in 2025, the Bears will be looking to make major improvements to a defense that was No 29 in yards allowed (361.8 ypg) and allowed 24.4 ppg. Along with just 25 sacks, Chicago allowed 227.2 yards passing per game. The Bucs will face the Bears in Chicago in Week 9.

11. Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta didn’t make the playoffs last season but did win its final four games of the regular season, building some momentum in 2026. The Falcons were No. 2 in the league in sacks (57), were No. 15 in yards allowed (327.2 ypg) and allowed 23.6 ppg. Atlanta and the Bucs split their two games last season, with both games decided by three points or fewer. The Falcons will play in Tampa Bay in Week 8 and then take on the Bucs at home in Week 16.

12. Carolina Panthers

Carolina won its first NFC South Division title since 2015 last season and ended an eight-year playoff drought but were middle-of-the-pack on defense. The Panthers were No. 16 in yards allowed (327.2 ypg) and 22.4 ppg. In two games last season Carolina held the Bucs to just 18 ppg. Tampa Bay will play on the road against the Panthers in Week 7 and then at home in Week 12.

13. Cincinnati Bengals

The Bucs will open the 2026 season against the Bengals, who fielded one of the league’s bottom defenses last season. Cincinnati was No. 31 in yards allowed (380.9 ypg), allowed 28.9 ppg and gave up more than 30 points in seven games last season. Tampa Bay opens the season on the road against Cincinnati in Week 1.

14. Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys will have a new look on defense after an overhaul of players and the dismissal of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Christian Parker will be tasked with turning around a defense that was No. 30 in yards allowed (377.0 ypg) and an NFL-worst 30.1 ppg. Last season Dallas gave up more than 30 points in nine games. Dallas will host the Bucs in Week 5.

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