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2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season

51st season in franchise history From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 2026 season is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 51st in the National Football League (NFL), their 13th under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht, their 29th playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their fifth under head coach Todd Bowles.[1] The Buccaneers will seek to improve upon their 8–9 record from the previous season, return to the playoffs after a one-year absence, and reclaim the NFC South title. This season will begin with the team's fifth offensive coordinator in as many seasons.

OwnerThe Glazer family
General managerJason Licht
Head coachTodd Bowles
Home stadiumRaymond James Stadium
Quick facts Tampa Bay Buccaneers season, Owner ...
2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season
OwnerThe Glazer family
General managerJason Licht
Head coachTodd Bowles
Home stadiumRaymond James Stadium
Results
Record1–4
Division place4th NFC South
Uniform
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The Buccaneers had their first 0–4 start since 2013.

During the offseason, wide receiver Mike Evans left the team after twelve seasons and signed with the San Francisco 49ers.[2][3] In addition, linebacker Lavonte David retired after 14 seasons.[4] On September 8, quarterback Baker Mayfield, entering his fourth season with the club, signed a three-year contract extension.[5]

On June 23, 2026, Tony Castricone was hired as the new radio voice of the Buccaneers after the retirement of Gene Deckerhoff.[6][7]

Offseason

Draft

Main article: 2026 NFL draft
More information Round, Selection ...
2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers draft selections
Round Selection Player Position College Notes
115 Rueben Bain Jr.OLBMiami (FL)
246 Josiah TrotterLBMissouri
377 Traded to the Green Bay Packers[A]
84 Ted HurstWRGeorgia StateFrom Packers[A]
4116 Keionte ScottCBMiami (FL)
5155 DeMonte CapehartDTClemson
160 Billy SchrauthGNotre DameFrom Packers[A]
6185 Bauer SharpTELSUFrom Raiders[B]
195 Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders[B]
7229 Traded to the Las Vegas Raiders[B]
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Draft trades

  1. [A]
    The Buccaneers traded a third-round selection (77th overall) to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for a third-round selection (84th overall) and a fifth-round selection (160th overall).
  2. [B]
    The Buccaneers traded sixth- and seventh-round selections (195th and 229th overall) to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for a sixth-round selection (185th overall).
More information Name, Position ...
2026 Tampa Bay Buccaneers undrafted free agents
Name Position College Ref.
Wesley Brown LS Fresno State [8]
Ja'Qurious Conley S Charlotte
Jalon Daniels QB Kansas
Kenny Fletcher Jr. TE Rutgers
Caden Fordham LB NC State
Ayden Garnes CB Arizona
Josiah Green DL Duke
Aidan Laros P Kentucky
Henry Lutovsky G Nebraska
Deshawn McKinght DL Arizona
Jack Pyburn OLB LSU
Eric Rivers WR Georgia Tech
Paul Rubelt OT UCF
Noah Short WR Army
Javin Wright LB Nebraska [9]
Kadarius Calloway RB New Mexico State [10]
Yasir Holmes LB Tarleton State
Dean Patterson WR Georgia Tech
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Staff

Tampa Bay Buccaneers staff
Front office
  • Co-owner/co-chairman – Bryan Glazer
  • Co-owner/co-chairman – Edward Glazer
  • Co-owner/co-chairman – Joel Glazer
  • Co-owner/president – Darcie Glazer Kassewitz
  • Co-owner – Avram Glazer
  • Co-owner – Kevin Glazer
  • General manager – Jason Licht
  • Assistant general manager – Mike Greenberg
  • Assistant general manager – Rob McCartney
  • Vice president of player personnel – Mike Biehl
  • Vice president of football operations – Shelton Quarles
  • Senior personnel executive – Byron Kiefer
  • Vice president of player engagement – Duke Preston
  • Vice president of football research – Jacqueline Davidson
  • Senior advisor to the general manager – Bruce Arians
  • Director of player personnel – Shane Scannell
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Sean Conley
  • Assistant director of pro scouting – Donovan Cotton
  • Director of college scouting – Tony Hardie
  • Director of football research – Zach Beistline
  • Manager of football administration and scouting operations - Peighton Roth
  • Senior national scout – Andy Speyer
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
  
Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
  • Special teams coordinator – Danny Smith
  • Special teams assistant – Luke Smith
Coaching operations
  • Senior manager of coaching operations – Sarah Evans
Strength and conditioning
  • Head strength and conditioning – Chad Wade
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Cory Bichey
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – DeAndre Ward Sr

→ Coaching staff
→ Front office
→ More NFL staffs

Current roster

Tampa Bay Buccaneers roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

 Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

 Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

 Practice squad

Reserve

Preseason depth chart

More information FS, OLB ...
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Preseason

More information Week, Date ...
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 August 14 at New York Jets W 24–16 1–0 MetLife Stadium Recap
2 August 22 Kansas City Chiefs W 16–15 2–0 Raymond James Stadium Recap
3 August 28 at Jacksonville Jaguars L 0–19 2–1 EverBank Stadium Recap
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Regular season

Schedule

More information Week, Date ...
Week Date Time (ET) Opponent Result Record Venue Network Recap
1 September 13 1:00 p.m. at Cincinnati Bengals L 27–33 0–1 Paycor Stadium Fox Recap
2 September 20 1:00 p.m. Cleveland Browns L 19–23 0–2 Raymond James Stadium CBS Recap
3 September 27 4:05 p.m. Minnesota Vikings L 16–23 0–3 Raymond James Stadium Fox Recap
4 October 4 1:00 p.m. Green Bay Packers L 14–17 0–4 Raymond James Stadium Fox Recap
5 October 8 8:15 p.m. at Dallas Cowboys W 24–16 1–4 AT&T Stadium Prime Video Recap
6 October 18 1:00 p.m. Pittsburgh Steelers Raymond James Stadium CBS
7 October 25 1:00 p.m. at Carolina Panthers Bank of America Stadium Fox
8 November 1 1:00 p.m. Atlanta Falcons Raymond James Stadium Fox
9 November 8 8:20 p.m. at Chicago Bears Soldier Field NBC
10 Bye
11 November 22 1:00 p.m. at Detroit Lions Ford Field CBS
12 November 30 8:15 p.m. Carolina Panthers Raymond James Stadium ESPN
13 December 6 1:00 p.m. Los Angeles Chargers Raymond James Stadium CBS
14 December 13 1:00 p.m. at Baltimore Ravens M&T Bank Stadium Fox
15 December 20 1:00 p.m. New Orleans Saints Raymond James Stadium Fox
16 December 26/27 TBD at Atlanta Falcons Mercedes-Benz Stadium TBD
17 January 3 TBD Los Angeles Rams Raymond James Stadium TBD
18 January 9/10 TBD at New Orleans Saints Caesars Superdome TBD
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Notes

  • Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
  • Networks and times from Weeks 8–17 and dates from Weeks 12–17 are subject to change as a result of flexible scheduling.[11]
  • The date, time and network for games in Weeks 16 and 17 will be finalized by no later than two weeks prior to each game.[12]
  • The date, time and network for Week 18 will be finalized at the end of Week 17.[11]

Game summaries

Week 1: at Cincinnati Bengals

Week 1: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 3 7 10727
Bengals 14 10 3633
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at Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • CIN – Chase Brown 5-yard run (Evan McPherson kick), 5:32. Bengals 21–3. Drive: 12 plays, 80 yards, 6:32.
  • TB – Bucky Irving 10-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 1:49. Bengals 21–10. Drive: 6 plays, 75 yards, 3:43.
  • CIN – Evan McPherson 20-yard field goal, 0:06. Bengals 24–10. Drive: 10 plays, 70 yards, 1:43.

Third quarter

  • CIN – Evan McPherson 55-yard field goal, 10:03. Bengals 27–10. Drive: 8 plays, 36 yards, 4:57.
  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 51-yard field goal, 3:41. Bengals 27–13. Drive: 10 plays, 38 yards, 6:22.
  • TB – Josiah Trotter 38-yard interception return, 2:16. Bengals 27–20.

Fourth quarter

  • CIN – Evan McPherson 58-yard field goal, 14:04. Bengals 30–20. Drive: 8 plays, 43 yards, 3:12.
  • CIN – Evan McPherson 32-yard field goal, 5:19. Bengals 33–20. Drive: 8 plays, 31 yards, 5:12.
  • TB – Baker Mayfield 9-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 3:19. Bengals 33–27. Drive: 7 plays, 51 yards, 2:00.

Top passers

  • TB – Baker Mayfield – 23/28, 216 yards
  • CIN – Joe Burrow – 25/35, 254 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • TB – Bucky Irving – 8 rushes, 45 yards, TD
  • CIN – Chase Brown – 16 rushes, 56 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • TB – Emeka Egbuka – 5 receptions, 63 yards
  • CIN – Mike Gesicki – 5 receptions, 78 yards, TD
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The Cincinnati defense forced four turnovers, including a fumble scooped up and returned for a touchdown, and defeated Tampa Bay 33–27. Quarterback Baker Mayfield had three fumbles lost, including one on a scramble in which he lost the ball at the 4 yard line, and it was recovered by the Bengals in the end zone for a touchback. Josiah Trotter's 38-yard interception return in the third quarter brought Tampa Bay back to within 7 points. Mayfield scored on a 9-yard rush with 3:19 left in regulation, narrowing the deficit to 33–27. However, the Buccaneers were unable to get the ball back, and Cincinnati ran out the clock to secure the victory. It was Tampa Bay's first loss in Week 1 since 2020, snapping a five-year win streak.

Week 2: vs. Cleveland Browns

Week 2: Cleveland Browns at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Browns 3 3 10723
Buccaneers 6 3 7319
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at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 59-yard field goal, 11:10. Buccaneers 3–0. Drive: 5 plays, 23 yards, 2:06.
  • CLE – Andre Szmyt 50-yard field goal, 7:12. Tied 3–3. Drive: 7 plays, 40 yards, 3:58.
  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 45-yard field goal, 4:02. Buccaneers 6–3. Drive: 6 plays, 48 yards, 3:10.

Second quarter

  • CLE – Andre Szmyt 34-yard field goal, 13:59. Tied 6–6. Drive: 6 plays, 12 yards, 2:10.
  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 31-yard field goal, 0:12. Buccaneers 9–6. Drive: 9 plays, 21 yards, 2:33.

Third quarter

  • TB – Emeka Egbuka 5-yard pass from Baker Mayfield (Chase McLaughlin kick), 9:33. Buccaneers 16–6. Drive: 9 plays, 65 yards, 5:27.
  • CLE – Andre Szmyt 34-yard field goal, 3:45. Buccaneers 16–9. Drive: 11 plays, 58 yards, 5:48.
  • CLE – Denzel Boston 55-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Andre Szmyt kick), 1:23. Tied 16–16. Drive: 3 plays, 83 yards, 1:06.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 31-yard field goal, 9:58. Buccaneers 19–16. Drive: 7 plays, 71 yards, 2:53.
  • CLE – Blake Whiteheart 17-yard pass from Deshaun Watson (Andre Szmyt kick), 3:51. Browns 23–19. Drive: 12 plays, 68 yards, 6:07.

Top passers

  • CLE – Deshaun Watson – 24/30, 238 yards, 2 TD
  • TB – Baker Mayfield – 21/34, 182 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

  • CLE – Deshaun Watson – 7 rushes, 22 yards
  • TB – Bucky Irving – 17 rushes, 89 yards

Top receivers

  • CLE – Denzel Boston – 5 receptions, 95 yards, TD
  • TB – Tez Johnson – 1 reception, 49 yards
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Tampa Bay blew a 10-point lead and lost to Cleveland 23–19. Deshaun Watson connected with Blake Whiteheart for a go-ahead 17-yard touchdown pass with 3:51 to go. The Buccaneers then started driving down the field, but lightning in the area at the two-minute warning halted the game. After a delay of approximately two hours and 12 minutes, the Buccaneers resumed with the ball at the Cleveland 28 yard line. With 22 seconds on the clock, on fourth and 11 at the 20 yard line, Baker Mayfield's pass to Emeka Egbuka was incomplete in the endzone, and the Browns held on to win.

It was Tampa Bay's sixth loss in the last seven games, and first 0–2 start since 2014. This was also the Buccaneers' first home loss against Cleveland since 1989.

Week 3: vs. Minnesota Vikings

Week 3: Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Vikings 10 7 0623
Buccaneers 7 3 3316
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at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 28-yard field goal, 5:33. Tied 10–10. Drive: 7 plays, 42 yards, 4:33.
  • MIN – Jordan Addison 41-yard pass from Kyler Murray (Will Reichard kick), 4:11. Vikings 17–10. Drive: 4 plays, 73 yards, 1:22.

Third quarter

  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 38-yard field goal, 7:12. Vikings 17–13. Drive: 4 plays, 2 yards, 1:23.

Fourth quarter

  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 54-yard field goal, 9:02. Vikings 17–16. Drive: 8 plays, 30 yards, 4:21.
  • MIN – Will Reichard 56-yard field goal, 3:10. Vikings 20–16. Drive: 11 plays, 17 yards, 5:52.
  • MIN – Will Reichard 43-yard field goal, 0:33. Vikings 23–16. Drive: 5 plays, 16 yards, 1:06.

Top passers

  • MIN – Kyler Murray – 15/29, 168 yards, TD, INT
  • TB – Baker Mayfield – 17/34, 217 yards, TD, INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

  • MIN – Jordan Addison – 5 receptions, 90 yards, TD
  • TB – Emeka Egbuka – 5 receptions, 62 yards
Close

In a defensive battle, Minnesota beat Tampa Bay 23–16. Minnesota scored an 86-yard punt return touchdown in the first quarter, and led 17–10 at halftime. An 85-yard touchdown pass from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin was called back for a penalty in the third quarter, and most drives for both teams came up empty. The two teams combined for 17 punts. Trailing 20–16 with 1:54 to go, Baker Mayfield's desperation pass on 4th & 13 was intercepted. Mayfield suffered a dislocated thumb on the play, and left the game.

With the loss, the Buccaneers dropped to 0–3 for the first time since 2014.

Week 4: vs. Green Bay Packers

Week 4: Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Packers 0 10 7017
Buccaneers 0 7 0714
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at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

  • No scoring plays

Second quarter

  • GB – Matthew Golden 2-yard pass from Jordan Love (Trey Smack kick), 12:54. Packers 7–0. Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards, 9:16.
  • TB – Sean Tucker 2-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 5:13. Tied 7–7. Drive: 9 plays, 54 yards, 5:14.
  • GB – Trey Smack 58-yard field goal, 0:00. Packers 10–7. Drive: 3 plays, 4 yards, 0:34.

Third quarter

  • GB – Tucker Kraft 2-yard pass from Jordan Love (Trey Smack kick), 10:32. Packers 17–7. Drive: 8 plays, 80 yards, 4:28

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • GB – Jordan Love – 22/30, 197 yards, 2 TD, INT
  • TB – Jalon Daniels – 19/27, 148 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

Top receivers

Close

Rookie Jalon Daniels started at quarterback for the injured Baker Mayfield. Daniels threw a touchdown pass in his debut, but also threw two interceptions. Trailing 17–14 in the fourth quarter, the Buccaneers defense twice forced Green Bay turnovers, but neither time could the offense capitalize.

With the loss, the Buccaneers fell to 0–4, their first such start since 2013.

Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys

Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Buccaneers 0 7 17024
Cowboys 7 3 0616
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at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas

More information Game information ...
Game information

First quarter

Second quarter

  • TB – Bucky Irving 5-yard pass from Jalon Daniels (Chase McLaughlin kick), 14:53. Tied 7–7. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 10:58.
  • DAL – Brandon Aubrey 41-yard field goal, 0:21. Cowboys 10–7. Drive: 6 plays, 64 yards, 1:31.

Third quarter

  • TB – Emeka Egbuka 14-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 14:00. Buccaneers 14–10. Drive: 2 plays, 86 yards, 1:00.
  • TB – Bucky Irving 1-yard run (Chase McLaughlin kick), 7:31. Buccaneers 21–10. Drive: 5 plays, 75 yards, 3:12.
  • TB – Chase McLaughlin 41-yard field goal, 2:58. Buccaneers 24–10. Drive: 8 plays, 14 yards, 4:26.

Fourth quarter

Top passers

  • TB – Jalon Daniels – 19/25, 189 yards, TD
  • DAL – Dak Prescott – 24/42, 316 yards, TD, 2 INT

Top rushers

  • TB – Bucky Irving – 21 rushes, 165 yards, TD
  • DAL – Javonte Williams – 12 rushes, 45 yards, TD

Top receivers

  • TB – Tez Johnson – 1 reception, 64 yards
  • DAL – George Pickens – 9 receptions, 130 yards, TD
Close

Tampa Bay secured their first victory of the season with an upset win over Dallas on Thursday night. Jalon Daniels made his second start at quarterback, subbing for the injured Baker Mayfield. Daniels threw for 189 yards including a touchdown. Running back Bucky Irving was a constant scourge for the Dallas defense, with 165 yards on 21 carries, including a 72-yard run on the first play of the second half. Irving led the team with two touchdowns – one rushing, one receiving.

At the start of the first quarter, Dak Prescott drove the Cowboys 70 yards on 9 plays to give Dallas an early 7–0 lead. But Daniels answered with a lengthy 15-play, 73-yard scoring drive, consuming 10:58 off of the clock. Tampa Bay tied the game at 7–7. The Buccaneers defense kept Prescott and the Dallas offense mostly in check, and the score was 10–7 in favor of Dallas at halftime.

After Irving's explosive run to start the third quarter, Emeka Egbuka capped off the drive with a 14-yard End-around touchdown run, and a 14–10 Tampa Bay lead. YaYa Diaby then picked off a deflected pass from Dak Prescott, the first turnover of the game. Daniels found a wide open Tez Johnson in busted coverage for a 64-yard gain. Two plays later Irving was in the endzone for his second touchdown of the night, and a 21–10 lead. KaVontae Turpin fumbled away the ensuing kickoff, which led to a Tampa Bay field goal, and the Buccaneers stretched their lead to 24–10.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay was driving deep into Dallas territory. Facing a 4th & goal at the 1-yard line, Tampa Bay elected to go for it rather than kick the short goal. Sean Tucker was stopped short of the goal line, and Dallas took over on downs. Prescott swiftly drove the Cowboys 99 yards for a touchdown and trimmed the deficit to 24–16 with 5:26 left in regulation. The Cowboys then attempted to score a 2-point conversion, but failed. Dallas later got the ball back one last time, but at the Tampa Bay 24-yard line, Prescott's pass was deflected and intercepted by Alex Anzalone – Prescott's second interception of the night. Irving took two handoffs, got a 22-yard run for a first down, and sealed the victory.

With the win, the Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak and improved to 1–4.

Week 6: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Week 6: Pittsburgh Steelers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Game summary
More information Quarter, Total ...
Quarter 1 2 34Total
Steelers 0 0 000
Buccaneers 0 0 000
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at Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida

Standings

Division

More information NFC South, W ...
NFC South
 W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
Carolina Panthers 2 2 0 .500 1–0 2–1 121 109 W1
Atlanta Falcons 2 3 0 .400 1–1 2–1 119 122 L1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 4 0 .200 0–0 1–2 100 112 W1
New Orleans Saints 1 4 0 .200 0–1 0–3 118 151 L3
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Conference

More information Seed, Team ...
NFC
Seed Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Minnesota Vikings North 5 0 0 1.000 2–0 4–0 .320 .320 W5
2 San Francisco 49ers West 5 0 0 1.000 3–0 3–0 .370 .370 W5
3 New York Giants East 3 1 1 .700 1–0–1 2–1–1 .260 .200 T1
4 Carolina Panthers South 2 2 0 .500 1–0 2–1 .550 .500 W1
Wild cards
5 Green Bay Packers North 3 2 0 .600 1–1 2–2 .520 .400 W2
6 Chicago Bears North 3 2 0 .600 0–2 2–2 .583 .429 W2
7 Detroit Lions North 3 2 0 .600 0–0 2–1 .417 .267 W1
In the hunt
8 Seattle Seahawks West 3 3 0 .500 1–1 1–2 .468 .267 L2
9 Los Angeles Rams West 2 3 0 .400 0–1 2–1 .712 .550 W1
10 Atlanta Falcons South 2 3 0 .400 1–1 2–1 .542 .400 L1
11 Philadelphia Eagles East 2 3 0 .400 1–0 1–2 .420 .150 L3
12 Dallas Cowboys East 2 3 0 .400 1–1 1–2 .440 .250 L1
13 Washington Commanders East 1 3 1 .300 0–2–1 1–2–1 .481 .500 T1
14 Tampa Bay Buccaneers South 1 4 0 .200 0–0 1–2 .640 .400 W1
15 New Orleans Saints South 1 4 0 .200 0–1 0–3 .680 .800 L3
16 Arizona Cardinals West 1 4 0 .200 0–2 0–4 .558 .000 L4
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References

External links

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