Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2020 NFL schedule: 5 must-win games

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 01: Mike Evans #13 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers runs for yardage during the third quarter of a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at TIAA Bank Field on December 01, 2019 in Jacksonville, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images) /

4 of 5

Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images /

2. Away: Atlanta Falcons

Finding a way to topple teams like the Packers and Vikings is nice, but in order to make the postseason, the Buccaneers will need to take care of business in their own division. First on the priority list for Tampa Bay is making sure that it finishes ahead of the Atlanta Falcons this season.

People may be sleeping on the Falcons right now after their poor start to 2019, but Atlanta did finish the season strong. The Falcons went 6-2 down the stretch to salvage a 7-9 record, saving the job of head coach Dan Quinn in the process.

There is no question that Atlanta has underachieved over the past few years, but the nucleus of the team that was a quarter away from winning Super Bowl LI is still intact. Any team with Matt Ryan under center and Julio Jones catching passes is capable of putting up points in bunches, so dealing with the Falcons won’t be easy.

The Buccaneers and Falcons split their season series in 2019, with each team winning on the other’s home field. The second meeting in Week 17 went to overtime before Jameis Winston threw a game-ending pick-six.

Finding a way to win in Atlanta again will do wonders for Tampa Bay’s chances of staying ahead of the Falcons in the NFC South. If the Buccaneers can finish in at least second place in their own division, their odds of reaching the postseason will skyrocket.

Home/NFL Schedule