While the specific schedule doesn't come out every year until the spring, opponents for each team are known years in advance. It's all according to a specific formula that each team follows.
You of course know that the Bucs play each of their three division opponents twice every year – as does every team. They'll have a home and away contest to ensure fairness. Each team also cycles through multiple divisions each year on a rotating basis.
For instance, in 2020, the Bucs will play the entirety of the AFC West and the NFC North.
The following includes the formula as the league is currently set up with 16 games. With the passing of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, the league will have the option to opt into a 17-game schedule starting in 2021.
For now, this is the complete formula as it stands:
o Both home and away games against three division opponents (six games)
o Four teams from another in-conference division on a rotating three-year cycle (four games)
o Four teams from an outer-conference division on a rotating four-year cycle (four games)
o Two games against in-conference opponents based on the prior year's standings (two games)
Here's a look at the Bucs' opponents for the next three seasons.
2020 Season
HOME
o Green Bay Packers
o Minnesota Vikings
o Kansas City Chiefs
o Los Angeles Chargers
o Los Angeles Rams
o New Orleans Saints
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
AWAY
o Chicago Bears
o Detroit Lions
o Las Vegas Raiders
o Denver Broncos
o New York Giants
o New Orleans Saints
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
2021 Season
HOME
o Dallas Cowboys
o New York Giants
o Buffalo Bills
o Miami Dolphins
o New Orleans Saints
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
o NFC North opponent TBD
AWAY
o Philadelphia Eagles
o Washington Redskins
o New England Patriots
o New York Jets
o New Orleans Saints
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
o NFC West opponent TBD
2022 Season
HOME
o Los Angeles Rams
o Seattle Seahawks
o Baltimore Ravens
o Cincinnati Bengals
o New Orleans Saints
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
o NFC North opponent TBD
AWAY
o Arizona Cardinals
o San Francisco 49ers
o Cleveland Browns
o Pittsburgh Steelers
o New Orleans Saints
o Atlanta Falcons
o Carolina Panthers
o NFC East opponent TBD
