Tampa Bay Buccaneers Get Ready To Start the Preseason

Coming out of a 10-7 season and securing themselves with their fourth consecutive title and their 10th overall, the Buccaneers face a crucial test to keep their momentum for a fifth straight opening win this 2025 NFL season, making their performance in Pre-Season even more critical. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will kick off their 2025 preseason schedule this Saturday night when they welcome the Tennessee Titans to Raymond James Stadium. The game is set for 7:30 PM EDT on Saturday, August 9, marking the first of three exhibition games for both teams. 

This preseason will feature the awaited return of WR Chris Godwin, who has previously missed the last ten weeks of the 2024 NFL season. Godwin is known for his reliability and consistency for the team, making him a viable player and one to watch out for on the return. While eager to get back on the field, Bowles and Godwin may decide to take it easy in the opening weeks due to the intensity of his injury. This may open up room for Emeka Egbuka to enter the game and make his NFL debut. With much to prove, the rookie will be motivated to keep up with legacy WR Mike Evans. 

Matchup:

These two teams have not come head-to-head since November of 2024. This game had a total score of 20-6, a 14-point lead by the Bucs. This game witnessed Titans’ Quarterback Will Lewis complete 19 passes for 199 yards, throw one interception, and score neither passing touchdowns nor a rushing touchdown. While disappointing to Lewis, the Buccaneers’ quarterback Baker Mayfield took advantage of the weakened team, completing 18 passes for 278 yards, suffering one fumble, and successfully making two passing touchdowns. While offensively, the Titans may not pose much of a threat to the Buccaneers (ranking 31st in overall offense), their defense outperforms the Buccaneers. With the Titans possibly wanting to come back with a vengeance, they may want to focus their efforts on refining their 19th overall ranked defense and utilizing players such as Defensive Lineman Jeffery Simmons. Simmons completed a combined total of 76 assisted and solo tackles in the 2024 season, as well as 5 QB sacks. If the Titans can apply enough pressure to QB Baker Mayfield, they may be able to prevent his long passes to powerhouse WRs Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, and Emeka Egbuka. 

Lookout For:

Saturday's game will serve as the first real test for both teams' offseason preparations. Coaches will get their first look at how new players fit into their systems and how rookies handle the speed of NFL action. This may be Bowles's chance to pull Chris Godwin from the field and allow Egbuka to take the reins for a little while. This may also mean running back Bucky Irving will be a heavy target for the team and test his capabilities further after his explosive debut last season. 

This pre-season will prove crucial for the Buccaneers as they attempt to win their fifth consecutive division title. Will they successfully re-acclimate Chris Godwin after ten weeks of absence? Will rookie Emeka Egbuka be able to shine and demonstrate his young prowess and agility against a less threatening defense? While the score won't matter in the standings, both teams will want to build positive momentum heading into their remaining preseason games.