^The Buccaneers traded a fifth-round pick (161st overall) to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for a 2023 sixth-round pick (191st overall).
^The Buccaneers traded CB Carlton Davis, a sixth-round pick (201st overall) and a 2025 sixth-round pick to the Detroit Lions in exchange for a third-round pick (92nd overall).
Baker Mayfield threw for 289 yards and four touchdown passes as Tampa Bay defeated Washington 37–20. The Buccaneers won on opening day for the fourth consecutive season, the longest such streak in franchise history. Mike Evans caught two of the touchdown passes, while rookie Jalen McMillan caught his first touchdown in his first career NFL game. Washington rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels led all rushers on the day with 88 yards and two touchdowns, but the Buccaneers defense for the most part stymied the Commanders offense throughout the game.[4]
Tampa Bay visited Detroit in a rematch of the previous season's Divisional round playoff game. Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Chris Godwin in the first half. Mayfield then scored on an 11-yard designed quarterback run in the third quarter. The Buccaneers defeated the Lions 20–16, and started the season 2-0 for the fourth consecutive season.
Aidan Hutchinson compiled 41⁄2 sacks for the Lions, and Mayfield threw one interception. But miscues by the Lions ruined their chances to win. With less than 10 seconds left and counting in the first half, the Lions were trying to spike the ball to set up a field goal attempt. However, the kicking unit had come out onto the field prematurely, and the Lions were penalized for too many men on the field. The drive came up empty. During the fourth quarter, Detroit was in Tampa Bay territory three times, but all three drives failed to produce any points.[5][6]
^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.
Legend
w — Clinched wild card
x — Clinched playoff berth
y — Clinched division
z — Clinched first-round bye and home-field advantage