Thursday was obviously a massive night for the NFL, with thousands upon thousands of fans flocking to Green Bay for the first night of the 2025 NFL Draft. But only about an hour into the night, the NFL announced an official date for its next massive night: The official release of the 2025 schedule.
The league announced that the full slate will be announced on Wednesday, May 14. Of course, like last year and past years, some marquee games will be announced in the days preceding the official announcement.
The Bucs will be looking to five-peat as NFC South champions and extend their NFC-best postseason appearance streak to six years in 2025, and they now know when they’ll get the road map they’ll have to work through to get there.
Bucs’ Opponents For 2025 NFL Season Already Set
Bucs ILB Lavonte David and CB Zyon McCollum and Eagles RB Saquon Barkley – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR
Now, the only suspense for the NFL schedule release is when each of the Bucs’ games will be, as well as kickoff times and any primetime games they may have. Their opponents have been set since the end of the 2024 season.
On the home slate, the Bucs will see the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles, as well as the 49ers, Patriots, Jets and Cardinals. There will also be their three NFC South home games against the Falcons, Saints and Panthers.
On the road, the Bucs have visits to face the Rams, Seahawks, Dolphins, Bills, Lions and Texans. And of course, there are the return trips to face the Falcons, Saints and Panthers.
Overall, Tampa Bay is set to face only five teams that made it to last year’s NFL playoffs. Four of those come on the road, with trips to Los Angeles, Buffalo, Detroit and Houston. Philadelphia is the only 2024 playoff team that will be making the trip to Raymond James Stadium.
Last season, the Bucs had four primetime games and went 0-4 in them. The first was a Thursday Night Football loss to the Falcons on the road, then came Monday Night Football losses at home to the Ravens and to the Chiefs in Kansas City before a Sunday Night Football loss in Dallas. Of course, the team’s playoff loss to the Commanders also came on Sunday Night Football, so that was an 0-5 record in those marquee games.
Todd Bowles’ group will need to turn those fortunes around in 2025 if they want to take the next step to the upper echelon of contenders in the NFC, as well as the NFL.
So, Bucs fans, excited for the 2025 schedule release? Time to get your primetime game predictions in!