​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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThis 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.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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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.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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe 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.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.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe Browns will begin life after Garrett