The Buccaneers rank somewhere in the middle of the pack for strength of schedule based on opponent win/loss records from last season. And after some major offseason moves, the hype around the team is real – especially the offense with Tom Brady at the helm.
But who will Brady and Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and Rob Gronkowski and O.J. Howard and Cam Brate and Ronald Jones face on the other side of the line this season?
It might surprise you that two of the top three defenses the Bucs will face this season are within the NFC South, which is traditionally known more for its offensive firepower.
The Bucs also have to contend with three cross-conference opponents that crack this list and three of their former division rivals in the NFC North. The NFC Central wasn't called the black-and-blue division for nothing back in the day.
Here are the top 10 defenses the Bucs will face in 2020. Ranking was done according to a combination of sacks, passing defense and rushing defense.
10. New York Giants
Sacks: 36.0 (8th among all 2020 opponents)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,812 (9th among all 2020 opponents)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 4,471 (12th among all 2020 opponents)
9. Green Bay Packers
Sacks: 41.0 (6th)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,921 (11th)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 4,016 (7th)
8. Las Vegas Raiders
Sacks: 32.0 (T-9th)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,570 (2nd)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 4,355 (11th)
7. Chicago Bears
Sacks: 32.0 (T-9th)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,632 (3rd)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 3,796 (2nd)
6. Kansas City Chiefs
Sacks: 45.0 (5th)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 2,051 (12th)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 3,881 (4th)
The Buccaneers have a new look in 2020 - take a look at pictures of their new uniforms!
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14, Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54, and Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 debut the Buccaneers' new uniform combinations. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, red and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new, white uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new, white and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new, white and pewter uniform combination. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54 in the Buccaneers' new alternate uniform. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - Wide Receiver Chris Godwin #14, Inside Linebacker Lavonte David #54, and Inside Linebacker Devin White #45 debut the Buccaneers' new uniform combinations. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
TAMPA, FL - The Buccaneers' new helmet for the 2020 season. Photo by Tampa Bay Buccaneers
5. Denver Broncos
Sacks: 40.0 (7th)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,783 (6th)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 3,822 (3rd)
4. Minnesota Vikings
Sacks: 48.0 (4th)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,728 (4th)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 4,099 (8th)
3. Carolina Panthers
Sacks: 53.0 (1st)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 2,296 (13th)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 3,997 (6th)
2. Los Angeles Rams
Sacks: 50.0 (3rd)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,809 (8th)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 3,928 (5th)
1. New Orleans Saints
Sacks: 51.0 (2nd)
2019 Rushing Yards Allowed: 1,461 (1st)
2019 Passing Yards Allowed: 4,201 (10th)
