A 10-7 Call For The 2026 Buccaneers
August 28th, 2026
Last week, Baker Mayfield was convinced — or was trying to convince himself — the Bucs are being widely underestimated across the NFL media landscape.
It was laughable then and it is more laughable now.
Since then, ESPN NFL analysts Dan Orlovsky and Kevin Clark have touted the Bucs’ roster for being among the very best in the NFL. Fellow ESPN analyst Booger McFarland claims the Bucs, if healthy, are a top-2 team in NFC, despite the presence of the Rams and Seahawks.
Oh, Baker.
“You can’t avoid it. The TVs everywhere,” Mayfield said. “Everybody’s picking us probably to have a losing record.”
Did Team Glazer, seeking some buzz, drop a brown bag of cash on those ESPN guys via a Canadian third-party courier? Highly doubtful.
This week on SiriusXM NFL Radio, an outfit that never takes its cues from BSPN, co-host and former NFL MVP quarterback and Rich Gannon was making 2026 predictions.
He’s got the Bucs winning the NFC South at 10-7.
Gannon thinks the division is so darn awful the Bucs, at 10-7, will be able to separate themselves from the pack of droobs masquerading as NFL hopefuls.
Gannon was clear he thinks retired Matt Ryan, the Falcons football czar, is currently the best quarterback on the roster. Yes, Gannon was serious. And he’s not a believer in Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and doesn’t think Carolina improved in the offseason. Also, Gannon is not on the Tyler Shough train and he has the slimy Saints finishing last at 6-11.
“The [Bucs’] pass defense hasn’t been good for a while … and they need more negative plays,” Gannon said. “You know, the sacks and takeaways, they’re kind of middle of the pack. I still think they have the best quarterback in the division. So that has a lot to do with me thinking that the Buccaneers, for the first time in a long time, could separate themselves in this division at 10-7.
In case Baker is wondering, Bruce Murray, Gannon’s co-host, also picked the Bucs to win the NFC South.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:57 am
It’ll be either 8-9 or 9-8 because Incredibly Average Todd Bowles is incapable of anything better (or worse) than 2 games above (or below) .500 football.
At least he’s consistent, I guess?
August 28th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
OK Lloyd Christmas…
“So you’re telling me there’s a chance!?!?!?!?”
LOL.
The Bucs were 6-3 in games settled by 3 points or less.
They could have easily been a 4 win team last year as well as an 11 win team.
We are going to need Baker to play mistake free perfect football late in the 4th Qtr this season in order to make it to 10 wins.
Good luck with that folks… My fingers are crossed.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:01 pm
No one is saying 12-5 or better. No one seems to be saying 7-10 or worse.
Those are pedestrian ranges.
History shows they will have at least a 3 game losing streak at some point. They also historically win games they seemingly shouldn’t. Seattle, SF last year.
The injuries hurt them last year. The lack of OL depth. The lack of leaders on Defense. Bowles does not seem to be able to motivate. Doesn’t seem to know how to manage the bye week.
The OC and ST coordinator hurt them last year, too.
A lot of changes below Bowles on the roster and coaching staff.
I have zero clue what’s going to happen. I have no expectations. This is going to be a fascinating season.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:07 pm
Bucs will win the division if the injuries are minimal.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:19 pm
@ Marine…Good take my friend, however along with Mayfield playing ” mistake free” you didn’t bring up that dirty word “Healthy” The Oine is very promising, the quality of the RB”s .Im throwing in an upset or 2 i guess 11 wins… Atlanta is gonna have a real good defense, Stefanski has basically the browns in Atlanta ..I do think the Saints will be tough..Carolina will be the doormat
August 28th, 2026 at 12:20 pm
There are no excuses this season.
The other teams in our division have already been dealt major injury blows. Falcons barely have a QB, their best pass rusher is out 8 games.
Saints are probably #2 in the division by default, Panthers are way too injured already.
If this division isn’t won by the Bucs after week 16 launch Bowles into the sun!
August 28th, 2026 at 12:25 pm
we’ll figure this team out pretty quick – a win against CIN will be arrow down – a loss against CLE will be arrow down – the first presages a South title – the second presages a 7-10 ending
August 28th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
whoops – win against CIN will be arrow UP
August 28th, 2026 at 12:27 pm
Im saying 12-5. I don’t see them doing much better than that unless everything is clicking on all cylinders at all times and barely anyone ever gets injured. If offensive linemen start getting injured again long term that number will drop like a stone.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:29 pm
@ Steve
What up bud!
I agree.
As fans we are constantly told that “injuries are no excuse”…
That is the silliest take ever.
Duh!!!! Of course injuries matter and they matter a lot.
And – YES – every NFL team has injuries to deal with throughout the season but last season was exceptionally brutal for this team.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:30 pm
10 wins is a tall order for where the Bucs are right now.
Chargers/Rams/Ravens/Packers/Bears/Lions/Cowboys is a collection of all kinds of ugly possibilities for the Bucs. Out of that group the Chargers and Cowboys are the best chance of victory.
As far as the division games, the Bucs have never run the table and there’s no reason to think they will in 2026. Being a total optimist let’s predict 5-1.
That leaves games against the Browns, Bengals, Vikings and Steelers. They need to sweep these to get to 10 most likely. The opener in Cincinnati looks difficult with a new offense and not a lot of experience in it.
Maybe things will break their way with injuries and go against a few opponents. It’s going to take a lot of good fortune to get to double digits this season.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:35 pm
I am close to locking down my prediction, but still a bit to go until Labor Day.
Here’s a crazy thing to say about our beloved NFC South. Even for those who disagree, nobody thinks saying the Bucs have the best qb in the division is an outlandish statement. But try this one…..
The Bucs might have the best HC as well. Yeah, yeah I know. Just saying the bar on that scale is pretty low. What’s funny is the Bucs could also have the worst HC in the division.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:36 pm
Here’s the thing. Bowles will have the team woefully unprepared and uninspired for at least 4 games. If those games are against hapless teams we still lose. Bucs are not good enough to go 10-3 in the other games. It’s why the cieling for a Bowles coached team is 9-10 wins and more likely 7-9 with a relatively talented roster.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:37 pm
11-12wins…NFC Championship game!!!!!
GO BUCS!!!!
August 28th, 2026 at 12:39 pm
How can health be an excuse for the Bucs when…
Saints are down Bresee for the year, their 1st round WR is gonna miss the start of the year and who knows if he can stay healthy as that was the knock on him in the draft. A backup OL is also done for the year.
Carolina is down both starting Tackles to begin the year, Scourton done for the year, rookie WR Brazzell done for year, Bryce Young might as well be Jalon Daniels.
Falcons have lost Walker for the year, Pearce missing first half of season, their backup tackle is done for year, rookie CB missing camp and they have a great QB battle going on.
I don’t wanna hear about injuries. Lean on your strengths and gameplan to eliminate the opposition strengths. No “we do what we do” bologna!
August 28th, 2026 at 12:41 pm
Realistically it will probably be7-10 take a g9od look at Oline depth the CB’s and the coach? Just saying be realistic
August 28th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Vegas has the Bucs @ 8.5 wins leaning under -130. I think 10 wins would be considered successful. Any more than that and half the guys posting on here will disappear.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:50 pm
Drunk Bucs Fan… best HC in division !?
I’ll take the guy who just won the division and the 2x COTY before Todd but sure Bowles could be the best haha.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:51 pm
Our offense was as injured as any offense in the NFL last year. 1st team running back. 1st,2nd, and 3rd team wide receivers. Starting guards. Starting tackles. So our offense comfortably led the NFC South in points scored. Baker Mayfield was seventh in the league in touchdown passes and top 10 in passing yards. The offense gave our team 11 4th quarter LEADS last year.
Our defense was the worst team in the NFC South in points allowed last year. Players seemed to have something else on their minds, no telling what.
Special teams had a certain suck to them that I don’t know that I’ve ever seen such true incompetence.
We do have the best QB in the division. Not even close. We also have the best head coach in the division. Are we the best team in the division? Hell yes. If we can stay healthy and the defense and special teams can get their heads screwed on tight we may be right up there with the best team in the league, and I ain’t whistling Dixie.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:52 pm
Why are people citing OL depth?
Did you read my other posts? Panthers and Falcons OL depth is already being tested with injuries. Panthers are in a world of hurt.
Scheme and make do!
August 28th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
I would like to believe they will go 11-6 but these are the Cardiac Kidz and always seem to play down to inferior teams, make rookie QBs look like Hall of Famers and under Bowles we always have a mid season collapse.
So my prediction is 9-8 and we make the playoffs.
August 28th, 2026 at 12:56 pm
Actually, it was proven last season that 8-9 is capable of winning a division with exactly zero winning teams.
Unless of course Todd Bowles is your HC\DC. Only he can fail in those conditions so majestically. He’s a guru.
How many coaches can survive starting 5-1 and ending 8-9? Riddle me that!
Answer: The Swiss cheese defense orchestrator in chief.
So much fun to watch his genius on full display. 🤡🤡🤡
August 28th, 2026 at 1:00 pm
Saskbucs Says:
Why are people citing OL depth?
Did you read my other posts? Panthers and Falcons OL depth is already being tested with injuries.
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Sure – but our OL plays against other teams’ DL. The Bucs face some fierce pass rushes this season and it only takes one weak link to ensure Baker breaks or rips something.
August 28th, 2026 at 1:15 pm
Baker’s probably just reading the comments on this here website
August 28th, 2026 at 1:27 pm
Louis hits it right on the head.
The only way we sniff 10 wins is if health breaks perfectly and we win at least 5 divisional games.
There is zero chance of winning in Baltimore, in Detroit, in Chicago and Todd wont lay a finger on the lambs at home. I’d also wager we will have big problems in Dallas.
When Todd won 10 games he completely collapsed in the middle of the season and benefited from a cup cake schedule to close out the year and still almost blew it at home the last game against the saints or panthers.
10 is the top of tops for Todd and it’s more likely 8-9 or 9-8.
August 28th, 2026 at 1:33 pm
@ Drunk
I agree.
The NFC South is a dumpster fire and has been since we won the SB…
As much as I bash our “moxy” filled QB – he probably is the best QB in our division (when he is healthy).
August 28th, 2026 at 1:36 pm
So.. 7-10 then?
Sounds about right
August 28th, 2026 at 1:48 pm
5-12.
August 28th, 2026 at 1:55 pm
I’d take 10-7 if it came with being 6-0 in our division. Also think us being the most viable team in the division right now, is partly due to us being a better run outfit than ATL, NO, & CAR.
We’ve had 2 HC since 2019
Carolina has had 6, 7 if you include Ron Rivera being canned midway through ’19
Falcons are on their 4th HC in that same time frame
And the Saints have had 3 since 2019.
All 3 also moved on from tenured QBs as well and have since started 10(CAR), Saints(11), & 7(ATL) different QBs.
While I agree the NFC South isn’t close to the best division in football, I think it’s funny how the Panthers, Falcons, & Saints are different iterations of the Bucs from ’09-’18/’19 in terms of what they’re dealing with internally and trying to get back on track in terms of stability/viability.
Panthers are in their Jameis era.
Falcons are somewhere between the Freeman-Glennon-McCown era(it tracks, just think about it)
The Saints are us from like ’09-’11 on top of bein broke as hell
August 28th, 2026 at 2:04 pm
Good grief, got curious and I just looked some numbers up.
The Saints are still paying $14M for Demario Davis to be a Jet, but on top of that this year they’re still paying for:
$36M for Derek Carr
$13M for Taysom Hill
-So $49M for 2 QBs who aren’t playing football anymore-
$11M for Ryan Ramcyk who retired in ’25
$7M for Tyrann Mathieu who is also retired.
New Orleans has the 3rd most dead money counting against their cap this year at a whooping $114M for 4 players who aren’t playing football anymore and 1 playing on another team.
That is crazy.
August 28th, 2026 at 2:05 pm
Warren Brooks Lynch Says:
I’d take 10-7 if it came with being 6-0 in our division.
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I’ll buy that if you can tell me the last time the Bucs went unbeaten in the division. It’s not as easy as saying the ‘NFC South is rotten’.
The Saints aren’t going to be pushovers, and 3rd and 28 can always happen again.
August 28th, 2026 at 2:20 pm
Bucs sweep NFC south and go 9-8
August 28th, 2026 at 2:24 pm
Bring on September !!!!
August 28th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
@Saskbucs,
I said it was a pretty crazy statement. LOL
Also, yeah he could be third or fourth best HC in the division. Funny thing is he has more pelts on the wall than any of them. If I were to be defense attorney for the resume of Todd Bowles, I would say none of them have any more accomplishments than he other than Stefanski’s COY awards. And my true feelings are those are more myth than real.
But pleeeeeeease don’t get me wrong. If TB is the best coach in the division it’s only because he’s the 25th best coach in the league vs the others being 26-32. And I might be generous
August 28th, 2026 at 2:31 pm
Nice fluff piece…
Reality – it’s time for the them to pay the piper!
7 wins is most likely looking at that schedule ..
August 28th, 2026 at 2:35 pm
Where are the 10 wins?
Bucs play the NFC South, AFC North, NFC North and the Chargers, Rams and Cowboys
Keep in mind this team has a habit of dropping 3 or 4 games in a row EVERY year Bowles has been Head Coach.
7 or 8 wins is their ceiling with this QB and Head Coach
August 28th, 2026 at 2:39 pm
‘We’ve had 2 HC since 2019’
One top notch winner that retired….
And one of the bottom of the league that should have been replaced with Coen!
August 28th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
“I’ll buy that if you can tell me the last time the Bucs went unbeaten in the division. It’s not as easy as saying the ‘NFC South is rotten’.”
Ha, never is the answer which is the caveat that props my stance upon a 10 win season being acceptable. I mean, before 2021 & 2022 we’d never won the NFC south back-to-back. That turned into a 4-year run of winning the division which also never happened until, it did. Not mention, that 2020-2024 span of 5 seasons was also the longest sustained runs of playoff runs in this franchises history.
Things that’ve never happened, tend to happen at some point-at least in football, nahmsayin??
August 28th, 2026 at 2:48 pm
“One top notch winner that retired….
And one of the bottom of the league that should have been replaced with Coen!”
Cool story bro, thanks for the response.
August 28th, 2026 at 3:07 pm
Just watch the games and get back to me about RB.
August 28th, 2026 at 3:18 pm
picking the division winner is for chimps or my cat throwing darts.
August 28th, 2026 at 3:21 pm
To even have a CHANCE at 10 wins they need to go 4-2 or better in the division
I have the Bucs going
2-2 vs the AFC North
1-3 vs the NFC North
0-3 vs Dallas, Chargers & Rams
August 28th, 2026 at 3:26 pm
Pete Says:
Bucs sweep NFC south and go 9-8
^^^^^^^^^^
THAT’S HILARIOUS …
1. You have them going 3-8 in non-divisional games.
2. Number of seasons the Bucs have swept the NFCS = 0
August 28th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
@ Marine…Doing quite well! Thank you!
Stefnanski goes to Atlanta, Brings his defense, as the ” smart guys” call it ” scheme ”
With the right dudes,and Robinson taking the heat of Penix ,they’re gonna be a pain in the azz!
“
August 28th, 2026 at 3:32 pm
Another somebody elses prediction article.
The only team I’m overly concerned with is the Rams. They have one of the best rosters that we’ve seen in awhile across the board. But even they are beatable.
We have to play up to our potential though…..offense/defense/special teams.
Our offense is the biggest mystery imo. Very little glimpse of what our starting O is going to look like so far. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 that Z-Rob is developing a multi faceted, creative, explosive scheme that the players buy into 100%
August 28th, 2026 at 3:57 pm
Stpetematt is predicting 12-5 or a tad better – he is such a hopeful boy – his mom’s boyfriend pretended to be the Tooth Fairy last week and left a $10 bill under Matt’s pillow after Matt lost his last baby tooth – mom had yelled at the BF cuz he was gonna buy a pack of smokes instead – now Matt is keeping his dreams alive of the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, and a Bucs 2026 Super Bowl –
August 28th, 2026 at 3:58 pm
All of this means nothing.
August 28th, 2026 at 4:00 pm
@ simpleman.. 2 TE sets, run the ball,Gainwell is gonna make plays,and dont tell anyone, just between me/you ..Mayfield’s gonna make plays also…Young guns on D ,need to play fast..Im looking forward to it..How can you not???
August 28th, 2026 at 4:02 pm
Knew the “experts” on this site would be up in arms ” No WaY ThE bUcS WiN tHaT mAnY gAmEs!!!! Grrrrrrrr” lol
August 28th, 2026 at 4:11 pm
Would love to hear which games the experts think the Bucs will win.
They will be favored vs CLV, PIT and MIN plus the entire NFC South. That is 9 wins.
The Bucs would finish 3rd (at best) in any other division. They should sweep the NFC South because the other teams, besides having weaker rosters, they are very injured especially at key positions.
August 28th, 2026 at 4:16 pm
Joe Bob Pigskin Says:
All of this means nothing.
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Yup, all of us are just killing time until the season starts.
August 28th, 2026 at 4:26 pm
I agree with Bucco Marty. The ceiling due to Bowles is 9- 8. Or less.
August 28th, 2026 at 4:38 pm
I listen to some national media podcasts likely NFL daily and the athletic’s football show and the constant absolute dismissal of the bucs has me seeing RED (and pewter).
I understand some hesitancy about bowles’ defense. but he’s proven he can run a top defense when he has the personnel. and he does now.
but the baker hate gets me. he’s not perfect. but they always talk about how his play dropped off after week 6 without mentioning the injury. it’s like they look at stat lines without considering context. did yall not watch netflix’s quarterbacks show? he was injured. you don’t see the same disrespect for purdy or burrow when they’re playing hurt.
oh well, baker plays on fire when he’s angry. let’s stick it to the b*stards!!!
August 28th, 2026 at 4:39 pm
HC Grover on cue lol
August 28th, 2026 at 5:48 pm
Despite being the best organization in the division, somehow every division game is a dogfight to the wire. Team talent is probably better but coaching has been a problem for years. Bowles may be the best coach in the division, but that’s an awfully low bar. Little will change with this staff. Todd fired coaches and promoted their less experienced assistants so he could remain in control. Massive ego hidden under the wooden indian portrayal. Hire a competent DC. The game has clearly passed Todd by. Schemes from 2010 no longer work in the pass happy league. The new ST coach offers some promise along with the new DL coach. Jury is still out on Zac.
Hoping for the best, expecting more of the same. Go Bucs!!!!!
August 28th, 2026 at 5:58 pm
@Steve V
That seems like the obvious answer since McVay disciples follow his trends and the whole league now (after the Rams switched to a lot of double TE) seems to be following suit.
I see a lot of double tight end sets in our future but I’m not sure if we’ll “major” in that or if we should. If our WRs are all healthy it’d be a waste of talent to not spread it out with 3 or 4 reciever sets.
I’m definitely looking forward to the season.
August 28th, 2026 at 6:14 pm
What’s gonna happen when the Malingering Brothers at CB are either hurt or act like they’re hurt? More games like the Kirk Cousins games of the last few years? The offense better be good, REALLY good.
August 28th, 2026 at 6:17 pm
10-7 seems doable,,, who can we beat?? We beat the Seahawks , SF and Houston last year w a crap defense ,very special special teams , a meh play caller ,, means we can beat anyone on a given day,,, we can also lose to anyone ,,, so 10-7, 9-8 ,,, win the division seems about right
August 28th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Pete said: “Bucs sweep NFC south and go 9-8”
So, you’re saying the Bucs will go 3-8 against non-division opponents?
Not likely. Since Baker joined the Bucs, they are 20-18 against non-division opponents. They were 3-1 against the haloed NFC West last season, for instance.
Figure them for about 50% against on-division opponents. 4-2 against the NFC South puts them at either 9-8 or 10-7.
August 28th, 2026 at 7:29 pm
Scott McKirahan Says:
August 28th, 2026 at 6:26 pm
Not likely. Since Baker joined the Bucs, they are 20-18 against non-division opponents.
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Interesting stat, Scott.
Most of us didn’t expect a win over the Texans last season, but then again no one knew Stroud would decline as a QB. Same with catching the 49ers while they had an injury plague etc. No one knows how tough each game on the schedule really is until the season gets going.
August 28th, 2026 at 8:25 pm
7-10. Bucs will be .500 with three left to go and crap the bed to miss the playoffs.
August 28th, 2026 at 11:37 pm
I’ll have to review the schedule again and give my final predictions before the season starts, but I’m pretty sure I have them getting off to a hot start, on way to a 9-8 type season – but can’t remember if it was 9-8 or 10-7. It’s in that range in any case.
August 29th, 2026 at 1:28 am
10-7? I doubt it. I said probably 7 or 8. They’ll probably be about the same.