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2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

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2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
OwnerThe Glazer family
General managerJason Licht
Head coachTodd Bowles
Home fieldRaymond James Stadium
Results
Record9–8
Division place1st NFC South
Playoff finishWon Wild Card Playoffs
(vs. Eagles) 32–9
Lost Divisional Playoffs
(at Lions) 23–31
Pro BowlersWR Mike Evans
QB Baker Mayfield
T Tristan Wirfs
AP All-ProsS Antoine Winfield Jr. (1st team)
WR Mike Evans (2nd team)
Uniform

The 2023 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 48th in the National Football League (NFL), their tenth under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht and their second under head coach Todd Bowles.

Tampa Bay improved on their 8–9 record from the previous season, and finished with a 9–8 record to win their third consecutive NFC South division title, a franchise best streak. They also made the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season, matching a franchise-best streak from 1999–2002.

This was their first season since 2019 without quarterback Tom Brady, after he announced his second retirement from the NFL on February 1, 2023.[1] On March 15, the Buccaneers signed free agent quarterback Baker Mayfield, who subsequently earned the starting job during training camp.[2] For the first time since 2012, Tampa Bay wore their orange throwback uniforms. The Buccaneers donned their "Creamsicle" jerseys and "Bucco Bruce" helmets against Detroit in Week 6.[3]

Tampa Bay got off to a surprising 3–1 start,[4] and sat in first place in the NFC South during their bye in Week 5. After their bye week, however, they lost six out of their next seven games, including a four-game losing streak to quickly slip to 4–7. The Buccaneers rebounded, winning five out of their last six games and won the tie-breaker against division rival New Orleans to clinch the division.

In the playoffs, the Buccaneers hosted the defending NFC champion Philadelphia in the Wild Card Round, a rematch of the Week 3 meeting. Tampa Bay won in a blowout 32–9 victory. They would end up losing in the Divisional Round against the Detroit Lions, in a fairly close 23–31 loss.

Draft

[edit]
Main article: 2023 NFL draft
2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers Draft
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
1 19 Calijah Kancey DT Pittsburgh
2 48 Cody Mauch OT North Dakota State From Detroit via Green Bay
3 82 YaYa Diaby DE Louisville
5 153 SirVocea Dennis LB Pittsburgh
171 Payne Durham TE Purdue Compensatory Pick
6 181 Josh Hayes CB Kansas State From Indianapolis
191 Trey Palmer WR Nebraska From Green Bay via LA Rams, Houston and Philadelphia
196 Jose Ramirez DE Eastern Michigan

Draft trades

  • The Buccaneers traded a fourth-round selection to the Jacksonville Jaguars in exchange for 2022 fifth and sixth-round selections (157th and 235th overall).
  • The Buccaneers traded LB Grant Stuard and a seventh-round selection to the Indianapolis Colts in exchange for a sixth-round selection.
  • The Buccaneers traded a 2022 sixth-round selection (206th overall) to the New York Jets in exchange for NT Steve McLendon and a seventh-round selection.
  • The Buccaneers traded G Shaq Mason and a seventh-round pick (230th overall) to the Houston Texans in exchange for a sixth-round selection.
2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Jeremy Banks LB Tennessee [5]
Taye Barber WR TCU
Brandon Bouyer-Randle LB UConn
Ronnie Brown RB Shepherd
Evans Deckers LS Duke
Silas Dzansi OT Virginia Tech
Luke Haggard Indiana
Keenan Isaac CB Alabama State
Christian Izien S Rutgers
Rakim Jarrett WR Maryland
Nelson Mbanasor DE Texas State
Kaevon Merriweather S Iowa
Ryan Miller WR Furman
Chris Murray C Oklahoma
Raiqwon O'Neal OT UCLA [6]
Derrek Pitts CB NC State [5]
Tanner Taula TE Illinois State
Sean Tucker RB Syracuse
Kade Warner WR Kansas State
Markees Watts OLB Charlotte [7]
Kedrick Whitehead S Delaware

Staff

[edit]
2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff

Front office

  • Co-owner/president – Darcie Glazer Kassewitz
  • Co-owner/co-chairman – Bryan Glazer
  • Co-owner/co-chairman – Edward Glazer
  • Co-owner/co-chairman – Joel Glazer
  • Co-owner – Avram Glazer
  • Co-owner – Kevin Glazer
  • General manager – Jason Licht
  • Assistant general manager – John Spytek
  • Director of football operations – Shelton Quarles
  • Assistant general manager – Mike Greenberg
  • Director of player personnel – Mike Biehl
  • Director of player personnel – Rob McCartney
  • Assistant director of college scouting – Byron Kiefer
  • Vice president of player engagement – Duke Preston
  • Senior advisor to the general manager – Bruce Arians
  • Director of pro scouting – Shane Scannell
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Alex Smith

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Head strength and conditioning – Anthony Piroli
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Cory Bichey
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Chad Wade
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – DeAndre Ward
  • Director of rehabilitation and performance – Maral Javadifar


Final roster

[edit]
2023 Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics

Preseason

[edit]

The Buccaneers' preseason opponents and schedule was announced in the spring.

Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 11 Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–27 0–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
2 August 19 at New York Jets W 13–6 1–1 MetLife Stadium Recap
3 August 26 Baltimore Ravens W 26–20 2–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap

Regular season

[edit]

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 10 at Minnesota Vikings W 20–17 1–0 U.S. Bank Stadium Recap
2 September 17 Chicago Bears W 27–17 2–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 September 25 Philadelphia Eagles L 11–25 2–1 Raymond James Stadium Recap
4 October 1 at New Orleans Saints W 26–9 3–1 Caesars Superdome Recap
5 Bye
6 October 15 Detroit Lions L 6–20 3–2 Raymond James Stadium Recap
7 October 22 Atlanta Falcons L 13–16 3–3 Raymond James Stadium Recap
8 October 26 at Buffalo Bills L 18–24 3–4 Highmark Stadium Recap
9 November 5 at Houston Texans L 37–39 3–5 NRG Stadium Recap
10 November 12 Tennessee Titans W 20–6 4–5 Raymond James Stadium Recap
11 November 19 at San Francisco 49ers L 14–27 4–6 Levi's Stadium Recap
12 November 26 at Indianapolis Colts L 20–27 4–7 Lucas Oil Stadium Recap
13 December 3 Carolina Panthers W 21–18 5–7 Raymond James Stadium Recap
14 December 10 at Atlanta Falcons W 29–25 6–7 Mercedes-Benz Stadium Recap
15 December 17 at Green Bay Packers W 34–20 7–7 Lambeau Field Recap
16 December 24 Jacksonville Jaguars W 30–12 8–7 Raymond James Stadium Recap
17 December 31 New Orleans Saints L 13–23 8–8 Raymond James Stadium Recap
18 January 7 at Carolina Panthers W 9–0 9–8 Bank of America Stadium Recap

Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.

Game summaries

[edit]

Week 1: at Minnesota Vikings

[edit]
Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Minnesota Vikings – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 7 7320
Vikings 0 10 0717

at U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Game information

Tampa Bay traveled to Minnesota in Week 1 with Baker Mayfield making his first start as quarterback. Mayfield threw for 173 yards and two touchdown passes, as the Buccaneers won on Opening Day for the third year in a row. Chase McLaughlin kicked a 57-yard go-ahead field goal with 5:10 left in regulation. Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns, but lost two fumbles, and threw an interception at the goal line. With the upset victory over the Vikings, the Buccaneers started off the season 1-0.

Week 2: vs. Chicago Bears

[edit]
Week 2: Chicago Bears at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Bears 7 3 0717
Buccaneers 3 10 7727

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Tampa Bay won their home opener and improved to 2–0 with a 27–17 victory over the Bears. Baker Mayfield threw for 317 yards and one touchdown pass. Baker connected with Mike Evans for a 70-yard reception early in the second quarter, which led to the first Buccaneers touchdown. He later found Evans for a 32-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter. With 2:12 left in regulation, the Bears were backed up at their own 6 yard line and trailing by 3 points. Justin Fields' pass attempt was tipped and intercepted by Shaquil Barrett who muscled his way into the endzone for a touchdown. Barrett's "pick-6" sealed the win for Tampa Bay.

Week 3: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]
Week 3: Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 3 10 9325
Buccaneers 0 3 0811

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Tampa Bay hosted Philadelphia on Monday Night Football. Jalen Hurts threw for 277 yards and D'Andre Swift rushed for 130 yards as the Eagles defeated the Buccaneers 25–11. The Buccaneers defense gave up 201 yards on the ground. Baker Mayfield threw an interception (the team's first turnover of the season), and the offense did not reach the endzone until 9:22 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ronde Barber was honored at halftime after being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Tampa Bay picked up their first loss of the season, falling to 2–1.

Week 4: at New Orleans Saints

[edit]
Week 4: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 14 01226
Saints 3 0 339

at Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana

Game information

Tampa Bay defeated division rival New Orleans by the score of 26–9 and took over sole possession of first place in the NFC South. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw three touchdown passes and Chris Godwin had eight catches for 114 yards. Derek Carr started at quarterback for New Orleans, and Alvin Kamara returned from a three-game suspension, but the Saints offense struggled, and failed to reach the endzone. Mike Evans caught three balls for 40 yards, but left the game around halftime with a hamstring injury.[8]

Week 6: vs. Detroit Lions

[edit]
Week 6: Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Lions 3 7 7320
Buccaneers 0 3 306

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Tampa Bay wore their orange throwback ("Creamsicle") uniforms and "Bucco Bruce" helmets against Detroit.[3] The Buccaneers were unable to get much of anything going on offense. They were held out of the endzone, and managed only two field goals. Jared Goff put up 353 yards passing, and threw two touchdown passes as the Lions won 20–6. In the first quarter, at their own 8-yard line, Baker Mayfield had Mike Evans wide open down field for what could have been a 92-yard touchdown pass. Instead, the pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage by Isaiah Buggs and intercepted by Charles Harris. The Lions scored a field goal off of the turnover, and would never trail the rest of the game.

Week 7: vs. Atlanta Falcons

[edit]
Week 7: Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Falcons 7 3 3316
Buccaneers 7 3 0313

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

The Tampa Bay defense forced three turnovers in the red zone. In the final two minutes, the Buccaneers drove to the Falcons 8 yard line. Chase McLaughlin kicked a 36-yard field goal to tie the score at 13–13 with 45 seconds left. However, Younghoe Koo kicked a 51-yard field goal as time expired, and Atlanta won 16–13. YouTuber MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson) signed a 48-hour contract with the Buccaneers and appeared at the game.[9]

Week 8: at Buffalo Bills

[edit]
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Buffalo Bills – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 10 0818
Bills 3 14 7024

at Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, New York

Game information

Tampa Bay traveled to Buffalo on Thursday Night Football. Trailing 24–10 in the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield drove the Buccaneers 92 yards in 17 plays. The drive ate up over 7 minutes, but was capped off by a 24-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans with 2:51 to go. With the score 24–18, Tampa Bay forced a punt, and got the ball back with just under 30 seconds left. Mayfield's hail mary pass to the endzone fell incomplete as time expired, and the Bills held on to win.

Week 9: at Houston Texans

[edit]
Week 9: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Houston Texans – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 10 7 61437
Texans 7 3 121739

at NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

Game information

Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a 14-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton to take a 37–33 lead with 46 seconds left in regulation. But C. J. Stroud threw the game winning touchdown pass to Tank Dell with 6 seconds left to lift the Texans over the Buccaneers. Stroud threw five touchdown passes and threw for an NFL rookie record 470 yards passing.

Week 10: vs. Tennessee Titans

[edit]
Week 10: Tennessee Titans at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Titans 3 0 036
Buccaneers 0 7 10320

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Tampa Bay snapped a four-game losing streak, defeating the Titans 20–6. Baker Mayfield threw for 278 yards and two touchdown passes. The Buccaneers defense sacked Will Levis four times, had an interception, and kept Tennessee out of the endzone. Tampa Bay took a 7–3 lead in the second quarter with a screen pass to Rachaad White, who then broke free for a 43-yard touchdown. Mike Evans dropped a sure touchdown catch in third quarter, but made up for it with a 22-yard touchdown pass on the next drive. Evans caught the ball at the 5 yard line, then dragged defenders into the endzone for the score.[10] Evans moved into a tie for 16th on the NFL's all-time list for receiving touchdowns.[11]

Week 11: at San Francisco 49ers

[edit]
Week 11: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 7 0714
49ers 7 6 14027

at Levi's Stadium, Santa Clara, California

Game information

Brock Purdy threw three touchdown passes as the 49ers beat Tampa Bay 27–14. A fourth quarter rally attempt fell short as the Buccaneers twice were in the red zone, but could not score on either drive.

Week 12: at Indianapolis Colts

[edit]
Week 12: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Indianapolis Colts – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 7 01020
Colts 10 7 3727

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Game information

Trailing 27–20 with under two minutes to go, Baker Mayfield was sacked at the Tampa Bay 35 and fumbled. The Colts recovered, and ran out the clock to seal the victory.

Week 13: vs. Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week 13: Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Panthers 0 3 7818
Buccaneers 7 0 7721

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Heavy rain during the first half saw both teams struggle offensively early on. Trailing 10–7, Baker Mayfield found Mike Evans between two defenders, and Evans took off for a 75-yard touchdown pass. Evans joined Jerry Rice as the second player to have ten consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons. Chris Godwin then added a 19-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. With just over two minutes left, and trailing by 3, Carolina faced a 4th & 1 at their own 40 yard line. Bryce Young's pass was intercepted by Antoine Winfield Jr. Tampa Bay would run out the clock and secured the victory.

Week 14: at Atlanta Falcons

[edit]
Week 14: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 9 71029
Falcons 3 7 01525

at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

  • Date: December 10
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST
  • Game weather: None (retractable roof closed)
  • Game attendance: 69,496
  • Referee: Alex Kemp
  • TV announcers (CBS): Spero Dedes, Adam Archuleta and Aditi Kinkhabwala
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Trailing 25–22 with 3:23 left in regulation, Baker Mayfield drove the Buccaneers 75 yards in 12 plays for the game-winning score. Mayfield lofted an 11-yard touchdown pass to Cade Otton with 31 seconds left to lift Tampa Bay over Atlanta. With receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin blanketed by defenders all afternoon, Tampa Bay managed only 144 yards passing, and Mayfield had to count on Otton for the game-winner.[12] The Tampa Bay defense came up strong, particularly in the first half. Carlton Davis intercepted Desmond Ridder, setting up a Buccaneers touchdown. Then Antoine Winfield Jr. forced a Ridder fumble in the endzone which resulted in a safety. With 4 seconds left, Ridder completed a pass deep to Drake London, but was tackled immediately at the 4 yard line, and time expired. Tampa Bay secured the win, and moved back into first place in the NFC South.

Week 15: at Green Bay Packers

[edit]
Week 15: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 10 14734
Packers 7 3 7320

at Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin

  • Date: December 17
  • Game time: 1:00 p.m. EST/12:00 p.m. CST
  • Game weather: Cloudy, 42 °F (6 °C)
  • Game attendance: 77,275
  • Referee: Tra Blake
  • TV announcers (CBS): Andrew Catalon, Tiki Barber, Matt Ryan and AJ Ross
  • Recap, Game Book
Game information

Baker Mayfield threw for 381 yards and four touchdown passes as Tampa Bay defeated Green Bay 34–20. Chris Godwin had 10 receptions for 155 yards, while Mayfield threw touchdowns to four different receivers. Tampa Bay won their first regular season game at Lambeau Field since Week 3 of 2005. Mayfield also became the first visiting quarterback ever to register a perfect 158.3 passer rating against the Packers at Lambeau Field.[13] The Tampa Bay offense racked up 452 total yards, and David Moore iced the game with a 52-yard catch and run touchdown with 6:30 left in the fourth quarter.

Week 16: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

[edit]
Week 16: Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 0 6612
Buccaneers 3 17 10030

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

Tampa Bay hosted Jacksonville on Christmas Eve. Tampa Bay built a dominating 30–0 lead, and cruised to a 30–12 victory. Baker Mayfield threw for 283 yards and Mike Evans caught two touchdown passes. The Tampa Bay defense sacked Trevor Lawrence three times, and Lawrence threw two interceptions, and lost one fumble. The Buccaneers won their fourth straight game, and moved into sole possession of first place in the NFC South.

Week 17: vs. New Orleans Saints

[edit]
Week 17: New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Saints 7 10 3323
Buccaneers 0 0 01313

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information
Buccaneers vs. Saints game action

Tampa Bay hosted rival New Orleans on New Year's Eve in their final regular season home game. With a victory, the Buccaneers would clinch the NFC South division.[14] With a loss, the Saints and Falcons remained in the hunt for the playoffs. The Buccaneers sputtered much of the day, turning the ball over four times. The Saints led by as much as 20–0 at the end of the third quarter. Baker Mayfield threw touchdown passes to Trey Palmer and Chris Godwin in the fourth quarter, but the rally fell short.

Week 18: at Carolina Panthers

[edit]
Week 18: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 6 039
Panthers 0 0 000

at Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina

Game information

Tampa Bay traveled to division rival Carolina for the final game of the regular season. Chase McLaughlin went three-for-three, kicking three field goals for a 9–0 victory. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, playing with sore ribs from an injury suffered the previous week, was held to only 127 yards passing, but committed no turnovers. The Tampa Bay defense held Carolina to only 199 yards of offense, and shutout the Panthers for the first time.

Mistakes doomed the Panthers. An apparent 43-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Young to D. J. Chark was snuffed out when Antoine Winfield Jr. punched the ball out at the 1 yard line, resulting in a touchback. Later, a 28-yard touchdown run by Raheem Blackshear was called back due to a penalty.

With the victory, the Buccaneers swept season series and clinched the NFC South division title for the third season in a row.

Standings

[edit]

Division

[edit]
NFC South
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 348 325 W1
New Orleans Saints 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 402 327 W2
Atlanta Falcons 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 321 373 L2
Carolina Panthers 2 15 0 .118 1–5 1–11 236 416 L3

Conference

[edit]
NFC
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1[a] San Francisco 49ers West 12 5 0 .706 5–1 10–2 .509 .475 L1
2[a][b] Dallas Cowboys East 12 5 0 .706 5–1 9–3 .446 .392 W2
3[a][b] Detroit Lions North 12 5 0 .706 4–2 8–4 .481 .436 W1
4[c] Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .481 .379 W1
Wild cards
5 Philadelphia Eagles East 11 6 0 .647 4–2 7–5 .481 .476 L2
6 Los Angeles Rams West 10 7 0 .588 5–1 8–4 .529 .453 W4
7[d][e] Green Bay Packers North 9 8 0 .529 4–2 7–5 .474 .458 W3
Did not qualify for the postseason
8[d][e] Seattle Seahawks West 9 8 0 .529 2–4 7–5 .512 .392 W1
9[c][d] New Orleans Saints South 9 8 0 .529 4–2 6–6 .433 .340 W2
10[f][g] Minnesota Vikings North 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .509 .454 L4
11[g][h] Chicago Bears North 7 10 0 .412 2–4 6–6 .464 .370 L1
12[f][h] Atlanta Falcons South 7 10 0 .412 3–3 4–8 .429 .462 L2
13 New York Giants East 6 11 0 .353 3–3 5–7 .512 .353 W1
14[i] Washington Commanders East 4 13 0 .235 0–6 2–10 .512 .338 L8
15[i] Arizona Cardinals West 4 13 0 .235 0–6 3–9 .561 .588 L1
16 Carolina Panthers South 2 15 0 .118 1–5 1–11 .522 .500 L3
Tiebreakers[j]
  1. ^ a b c San Francisco finished ahead of Dallas and Detroit based on conference record.
  2. ^ a b Dallas finished ahead of Detroit based on head-to-head victory.
  3. ^ a b Tampa Bay finished ahead of New Orleans based on common record. (Tampa Bay is 8–4 against Minnesota, Chicago, Detroit, Green Bay, Atlanta, Carolina, Houston, Tennessee, Jacksonville, and Indianapolis, while New Orleans is 6–6 against the same teams.)
  4. ^ a b c Green Bay and Seattle finished ahead of New Orleans based on conference record.
  5. ^ a b Green Bay finished ahead of Seattle based on strength of victory, claiming the 7th and final playoff spot.
  6. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory. Division tie break was initially used to eliminate Chicago (see below).
  7. ^ a b Minnesota finished ahead of Chicago based on common record. (Minnesota is 5–7 against Tampa Bay, Los Angeles Chargers, Carolina, Kansas City, Green Bay, Atlanta, New Orleans, Denver, Las Vegas, and Detroit, while Chicago is 4–8 against the same teams.)
  8. ^ a b Chicago finished ahead of Atlanta based on head-to-head victory.
  9. ^ a b Washington finished ahead of Arizona based on head-to-head victory.
  10. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Postseason

[edit]
See also: 2023–24 NFL playoffs

Schedule

[edit]
Round Date Opponent (seed) Result Record Venue Recap
Wild Card January 15 Philadelphia Eagles (5) W 32–9 1–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
Divisional January 21 at Detroit Lions (3) L 23–31 1–1 Ford Field Recap

Game summaries

[edit]

NFC Wild Card Playoffs: vs. (5) Philadelphia Eagles

[edit]
NFC Wild Card Playoffs: (5) Philadelphia Eagles at (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Eagles 0 9 009
Buccaneers 10 6 9732

at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Game information

This was the sixth postseason meeting between the Eagles and Buccaneers, with the Buccaneers winning three of the previous five. The most recent postseason meeting between two teams came in the 2021 NFC Wild Card Game, which the Buccaneers won 31–15 in Tampa. In the regular season, the Eagles defeated the Buccaneers in Tampa by a score of 25–11 during Week 3.[15]

Tampa Bay built a 10–0 lead in the first quarter. After a field goal by Chase McLaughlin, quarterback Baker Mayfield found David Moore for a 44-yard catch-and-run touchdown. Moore eluded four defenders, cutting back and forth on his way to the endzone. The Buccaneers and Eagles traded field goals in the second quarter. With the score 16–3 in favor of Tampa Bay, Dallas Goedert scored a 5-yard touchdown catch for Philadelphia. After a penalty on the extra point, the Eagles elected to take the point off the board, and instead attempted a two-point conversion. Using their signature "tush push", they were denied by the Buccaneers defense.[16]

Tampa Bay put the game out of reach in the second half. A safety on Jalen Hurts was followed by a touchdown from Trey Palmer, in which the Eagles' poor tackling efforts facilitated his 56-yard run to the end zone. Late in the fourth quarter, Chris Godwin's third down touchdown pass at the goal line sealed Tampa Bay's 23-point blowout of the defending NFC champions.[17]

NFC Divisional Playoffs: at (3) Detroit Lions

[edit]
NFC Divisional Playoffs: (4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at (3) Detroit Lions – Game summary
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 7 7623
Lions 3 7 71431

at Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Game information

This was the second postseason meeting between the Buccaneers and Lions. The Buccaneers won the first meeting, which came in the 1997 NFC Wild Card Game, by a score of 20–10 at Houlihan's Stadium in Tampa. In the regular season, the Lions won the meeting between the two teams by a score of 20–6 in Week 6 in Tampa.

Awards

[edit]
Baker Mayfield
Recipient Award(s)
Baker Mayfield Week 15: NFC Offensive Player of the Week
Week 15: FedEx Air Player of the Week
Week 15: Nickelodeon Valuable Player
Antoine Winfield Jr. Week 13: NFC Defensive Player of the Week
Week 18: NFC Defensive Player of the Week
December–January: NFC Defensive Player of the Month
Jake Camarda Week 2: NFC Special Teams Player of the Week
September: NFC Special Teams Player of the Month
Calijah Kancey November: Defensive Rookie of the Month
Mike Evans Week 2: Nickelodeon Valuable Player

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Tom Brady says he is retiring from football 'for good'". ESPN.com. February 1, 2023. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  2. ^ Edholm, Eric (March 15, 2023). "Buccaneers signing QB Baker Mayfield to one-year deal". NFL.com. Retrieved September 12, 2023.
  3. ^ a b "Buccaneers unveil 'Creamsicle' throwback uniforms". NFL.com. July 12, 2023. Retrieved July 14, 2023.
  4. ^ Goodall, Fred (October 2, 2023). "Baker Mayfield, first-place Buccaneers head into bye week with surprising 3-1 record". Associated Press via Yahoo! News. Retrieved January 15, 2024.
  5. ^ a b "Tampa Bay Buccaneers Undrafted Free Agents Signing Tracker". si.com. April 29, 2023.
  6. ^ Smith, Scott (May 12, 2023). "Bucs Officially Announce 18 UDFA Signings". buccaneers.com. Retrieved September 15, 2023.
  7. ^ Williams, Charean (May 15, 2023). "Buccaneers announce signings of David Moore, Markees Watts, Kedrick Whitehead". NBC Sports. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  8. ^ "Baker Mayfield has 3 TD passes, ailing Derek Carr ineffective as Buccaneers top Saints 26-9". ESPN.com. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  9. ^ "Why MrBeast was in full uniform at a Tampa Bay Buccaneers game".
  10. ^ Patra, Kevin (November 13, 2023). "Buccaneers WR Evans on dropped TD: I was 'thinking about what fan I was going to give the ball to'". NFL.com. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  11. ^ Smith, Scott (November 12, 2023). "Mike Evans "Overcomes Adversity" to Have Big Game Against Titans". Buccaneers.com. Retrieved November 12, 2023.
  12. ^ "Otton hauls in 11-yard scoring pass with 31 seconds left. Bucs beat Falcons 29-25". ESPN.com. December 10, 2023. Retrieved December 11, 2023.
  13. ^ Patra, Kevin (December 18, 2023). "Buccaneers' Baker Mayfield becomes first opposing QB to post perfect passer rating at Lambeau Field". NFL.com. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
  14. ^ "Playoff-clinching scenarios for Week 17 of 2023 NFL season". NFL.com. December 26, 2023. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "All Matchups, Philadelphia Eagles vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
  16. ^ Camenker, Jacob (January 15, 2024). "Buccaneers stop Eagles Tush Push: NFL world reacts as Tampa Bay denies Philadelphia's 2-point play". The Sporting News. Retrieved January 24, 2024.
  17. ^ "Ugly end to the season: Philadelphia Eagles knocked out of playoffs after loss to Buccaneers". CBS Philadelphia. January 15, 2024. Retrieved January 17, 2024.
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