Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2000 Outlook
(August 29, 2000)

A sixteen game schedule, against twelve opponents, will determine if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can defend the Central Division crown. After looking at the Bucs history against the 2000 opponents, some conclusions will be drawn.

On September 3, the long awaited season opener takes place on the road against the Patriots. The last time the teams met at Tampa Stadium in 1997, a 27-7 victory gave the Bucs their first victory in four games with New England. The Bucs only other visit to Foxoboro, Massachusetts, was a 10-7 loss in 1988.

Chicago is in town for the home opener on September 10. The Bucs are 14-30 all time against the Bears, but took both of last year's meetings. The division rivals meet again on November 19 in Chicago.

The Bucs travel to Pontiac to play the Detroit Lions on September 17. The Bucs are 20-25 against the Lions, including a playoff victory in 1997, and the teams split last year's meetings. They play a Thursday night game in Tampa on October 19.

The New York Jets come to town on September 24. The Bucs are 1-6 lifetime against the Jets and were defeated 31-0 in the last meeting in New Jersey in 1997. The Jets last visit to Tampa was the 1990 season finale, a game the Bucs dropped 16-14.

A trip to Landover, Maryland to play the Redskins is next on October 1. The Bucs defeated Washington in last season's playoffs 14-13, and are 4-5 in the regular season, 5-5 overall. The last trip to Washington saw the Bucs lose 20- 16 in 1998.

The Buccaneers travel to Minneapolis to play the Vikings on Monday night October 9. The Bucs have a 15-29 record against the Vikings and spilt last season's games. The teams play in Tampa on October 29.

The Buccaneers make a trip to Atlanta on November 5. They are 8-8 all time against the Falcons and won in Tampa last year 19-10. The Bucs last visit to Atlanta was a 31-10 victory in 1997.

Green Bay is in town on November 12. The Bucs are 15-27-1 against the Packers, including a playoff loss in 1997, and the teams spilt last year's meetings. The Bucs close the regular season at Green Bay on Christmas Eve.

On November 26, Buffalo comes to Tampa Bay. The Bucs are 4-2 all-time against the Bills, but the teams have not meet since a 17-10 Bucs loss at Tampa Stadium in 1991.

Dallas is next in Tampa on December 3. The Bucs have not beaten the Cowboys in six regular season and two postseason meetings. The team's have not faced off since the Cowboys defeated the Bucs 17-13 in 1990 in Tampa.

The Buccaneers travel south to Miami on December 10. The Bucs won the last meeting 31-21 in 1997 and are 2-4 lifetime against the Dolphins. The Bucs are 0-2 in Miami including a 33-14 loss in the last visit in 1991.

A Monday night rematch of the NFC Championship Game takes place in Tampa on December 18. The Bucs are 3-8 in the regular season, and 0-2 in the postseason, against this franchise. The last regular season meeting was at Tampa Stadium in 1994, the Bucs won 24-14, when the Rams were still in Los Angeles.

What does it all mean? Obviously, only time will tell. Before the bye week, the Bucs play four of the first six games on the road. After the bye, six of ten are at home. It appears unlikely the Bucs will do better than last year's 11-5 record and the all important home field advantage in the playoffs may be a long shot. A winning record and a playoff spot are likely, but a 10-6 record, or 9-7, may be the result of a first place schedule.

The expectations for this year's Buccaneers team are through the roof. They have super star players and no glaring weakness, however, numerous changes were made to a team that came within a touchdown of the Super Bowl. The one thing that may have been compromised, and is typically a major factor in winning championships, is team chemistry. No matter what happens, and considering the huge amount of off-season hype, the best thing is that it is game time.