Safety Jordan Whitehead (hamstring) has been ruled out for the Buccaneers' season opener against the Cowboys on Thursday.

Analysis: The Tampa Bay D/ST is otherwise in full health heading into the first game of the 2021 NFL campaign while returning all 11 starters from each side of the ball. The Cowboys endured a rough offensive season in 2020 after Dak Prescott (ankle) went down, but he's back in the fold and has plenty of weapons in Amari Cooper, CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup, plus Ezekiel Elliott in the run game. This isn't a great matchup for the Bucs defensively, but the overall talent of the unit keeps it on the…read more

The Buccaneers defense has remained relatively healthy throughout training camp.

Analysis: DL Ndamukong Suh missed some time early in camp with an unspecified issue, but Tampa Bay's other significant contributors have mostly been able to stay on the field. The Bucs return their entire defense from last year's championship squad and are poised for another strong defensive campaign in 2021.

DL Ndamukong Suh has been sidelined early in camp by an unspecified injury.

Analysis: The severity of the issue remains unclear, though there's been no indication his availability for Week 1 is in doubt. The defending Super Bowl champs return every starter on both sides of the ball and will enter 2021 as one of the top defenses, both in terms of fantasy production and on-the-field play.

The Buccaneers retained every starter from the 2020 defense.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers gave up seven points and 186 yards during the Week 16 win over the Lions and play the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers gave up 369 yards and 27 points during the Week 15 win over the Falcons and play the Lions on Sunday.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers gave up 335 yards and 14 points during the Week 14 win over the Vikings and play the Falcons on Sunday.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers come out of their bye week ranked seventh in total defense (329.9 YPG) and 11th in scoring (23.3 PPG) as they get set to face the Vikings on Sunday.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers surrendered 413 yards and 27 points during the Week 11 loss to the Rams and play the Chiefs on Sunday.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers allowed 187 yards and 23 points during the Week 10 win over the Panthers and play the Rams on Monday.

Analysis:

The Buccaneers surrendered 38 points and 420 yards during the Week 9 loss tot he Saints and play the Panthers on Sunday.

Analysis: It was an absolute beatdown from New Orleans across the board, as it entered halftime with a 31-0 lead, while Tampa Bay failed to crack 200 total yards. The Bucs had two takeaways and one sack, but it wasn't enough to salvage the massive point total. RB Christian McCaffrey returned from injured reserve for Carolina last week, but he went down with a shoulder injury and may not be available Sunday. The Panthers rank in the top half of the league in giveaways (nine) and are middle of the pack in…read more

The Buccaneers gave up 357 yards and 23 points during the Week 8 win over the Giants and play the Saints on Sunday.

Analysis: Tampa Bay unsurprisingly had three sacks and two takeaways, but it was only a late stop on New York's potentially game-tying, two-point conversion that prevented the contest from going to overtime. The Bucs remain one of the top defenses in the league, but the matchup with the Saints will limit its fantasy prospects this week. However, QB Drew Brees (shoulder), WR Michael Thomas (hamstring/ankle) and RB Alvin Kamara (foot) were all limited at practice to begin the week. The progression, or…read more

The Buccaneers gave up 347 yards and 20 points during the Week 7 win over the Raiders and play the Giants on Monday

Analysis: Tampa Bay had three sacks and one takeaway and allowed only 3.2 yards per carry, as it continues to feature the best run defense in the league (66.0 YPG and 3.0 YPC). Week 8 brings about a prime matchup in primetime for the Bucs D/ST, as New York is tied-28th in giveaways (13), tied-25th in sacks allowed (20), 29th in scoring (17.4 PPG) and 31st in total offense (282.4 YPG).

The Buccaneers gave up 201 yards and 10 points during the Week 6 win over the Packers and play the Raiders on Sunday.

Analysis: Green Bay had 100-plus yards and 10 points during the first quarter, but things shifted quickly during the second quarter after CB Carlton Davis' pick-six. Tampa Bay had two takeaways and five sacks despite Green Bay entering the day with zero turnovers and three sacks allowed. It was an impressive performance from the Bucs, which now rank first in total defense (282.0 YPG), eighth in scoring (20.3 PPG), tied-second in sacks (22) and tied-second in takeaways (11). The Tampa Bay D/ST has shown…read more

Tampa Bay gave up 20 points and 243 yards during the Week 5 loss to Chicago and play Green Bay on Sunday.

Analysis: The Bucs had one takeaway and three sacks while limiting the Bears to 4.1 yards per play, but they were unable to hold the Bears without a field goal in the final minutes. Meanwhile, the Packers are coming off their bye undefeated and with the highest-scoring offense (38 PPG) in the league. QB Aaron Rodgers has rediscovered his MVP-level form and been sacked only three times, while the offense has yet to commit a turnover. Unless you're playing a major hunch, this is a matchup to avoid for the…read more

The Buccaneers surrendered 24 offensive points and 324 yards during Sunday's 38-31 win over the Chargers and play the Bears on Thursday.

Analysis: Tampa Bay had two takeaways and two sacks while limited Los Angeles to 46 rushing yards, though a pick six from QB Tom Brady made the defense look a bit worse in the final score. The Bucs stymied the run easily with RB Austin Ekeler (hamstring) getting injured early, but rookie QB Justin Herbert averaged 11.6 yards per pass. The matchup against the Bears in Week 5 is much more favorable, as they didn't find the end zone until the final two minutes of Sunday's loss to the Colts. Tampa Bay's…read more

Tampa Bay allowed 226 yards and 10 points during the Week 3 win over Denver and play Chargers on Sunday.

Analysis: The Buccaneers put on a dominant defensive performance against the injury-plagued Broncos, forcing two turnovers and recording six sacks. The matchup with the Chargers this week isn't nearly as attractive, though they're averaging only 17.3 points and are tied-22nd in giveaways (five) so far this season. The Tampa Bay D/ST ranks tied-third in sacks (12) and takeaways (six) and is a solid option for Week 4.

Tampa Bay allowed 427 yards during Sunday's 31-17 win over Carolina and play Denver in Week 3.

Analysis: The Buccaneers gave up some late production through the air after carrying a 21-0 lead into halftime, but they had four takeaways and five sacks to help give up only 17 points. The injury to QB Drew Lock (shoulder) will have the Broncos relying on Jeff Driskel and new signing Blake Bortles to run the offense for the next couple weeks, and top WR Courland Sutton (knee) is also out for the year. Driskel performed well in emergency duty last week, but the Tampa Bay D/ST will be a popular option…read more

The Buccaneers allowed 27 offensive points and 271 yards to the Saints on Sunday and play the Panthers in Week 2.

Analysis: Tampa Bay played pretty well defensively as it allowed only 4.1 yards per play, but it had only one sack and had zero takeaways and was hurt by its own offense having three giveaways. The Panthers put up 30 points, 388 yards and allowed only one sack in the season opener, so this Week 2 matchup may not provide much fantasy potential if the Buccaneers don't create some plays defensively.

Tampa Bay will play at New Orleans in the season opener Sunday.

Analysis: The Buccaneers proved to be a solid defensive unit in 2019, ranking 15th in total defense (343.9 YPG), 29th in scoring (28.1 PPG), tied-seventh in sacks and fifth in takeaways (28), and the core group is back for this season. The Saints and QB Drew Brees led the league with only eight giveaways last year and tied-third with 25 sacks allowed, so playmaking opportunities figure to be limited Week 1. The Tampa Bay D/ST should be on the radar for much of the 2020 season, but this season-opening…read more

The Bucs ranked 15th in total defense (343.9 YPG), 29th in scoring (28.1 PPG), tied-seventh in sacks and fifth in takeaways (28) last season.

Analysis: Tampa Bay also had the best rush defense in the league (3.3 YPC) and a solid pass defense (13th with 6.1 net Y/A), but the offense led the league with 41 turnovers, consistently putting the defense in compromising situations. It retains nearly all of its core players, and the signing of Tom Brady should bring stability to the offense. The Buccaneers are in prime position to improve in 2020 and be regularly fantasy relevant after performing well in difficult circumstances last year.

The Buccaneers allowed 229 yards and 16 offensive points during Sunday's loss to the Texans and play the Falcons in Week 17.

Analysis: Tampa Bay put forth a fantastic defensive effort, but it was unable to overcome five giveaways from the offense. The Bucs provided plenty of fantasy production with two takeaways and five sacks. The Tampa Bay D/ST ranks tied-fifth in takeaways (27) and 12th in sacks (41), but the offense's issues with turnovers consistently put it in compromising field position, keeping it as a mid-tier option to close out the season.

The Buccaneers allowed 295 yards and 17 points during the Week 15 win over the Lions and play the Texans on Saturday.

Analysis: The Tampa Bay D/ST had two sacks and three takeaways, including a interception return for a touchdown. The matchup versus Houston in Week 15 doesn't provide as much fantasy potential, as its offense is top ten in yardage (375.9 YPG) and scoring (24.4 PPG). The Buccaneers rank sixth in takeaways (25) and tied-13th in sacks (36), but their propensity to give up points limits their fantasy value for Week 16.

The Buccaneers surrendered 309 yards and 28 offensive points during the Week 14 win over the Colts and will play the Lions on Sunday.

Analysis: Tampa Bay managed only one sack and one takeaway in the contest, and the offense made things much more difficult with four giveaways. Week 15 offers a much better matchup against Detroit, which is likely to again be without QB Matthew Stafford (back/hip). The Buccaneers D/ST ranks fifth in the league in takeaways (22) and is middle of the pack in sacks (34), and the matchup with the Lions is a prime opportunity to increase those totals.

The Buccaneers allowed 242 yards and 11 points to the Jaguars in Week 13 and will play the Colts on Sunday.

Analysis: Tampa Bay dominated Jacksonville for most of the afternoon, tallying four takeways, five sacks and a defensive touchdown while allowing only 3.8 yards per play. The Bucs now rank fifth in the league in takeaways (21) and also rank top half in sacks (33). They are near league worst in total defense (380.4 YPG) and scoring (28.3 PPG), but there's still some fantasy potential with a decent matchup. Tampa Bay has really turned up the production over the last two games with 11 sacks, six takeaways…read more

The Buccaneers allowed 337 yards and 22 points to the Falcons in Week 12 and will play the Jaguars on Sunday.

Analysis: Tampa Bay had six sacks and two takeaways, including a fumble return for a touchdown to provide immense fantasy value last week. The unit locked things down after the Falcons scored 10 points in the first quarter, and ended up allowing only 4.2 yards per play. The Buccaneers rank tied-seventh in takeaways (17) but are middle of the pack in total defense (368.6 YPG) and sacks (28), but they also rank 31st in scoring (30.5 PPG). Meanwhile, Jacksonville is coming off a brutal three-game stretch in…read more

The Buccaneers gave up 27 offensive points and 328 yards in Sunday's loss to the Saints and will play the Falcons in Week 12.

Analysis: The Tampa Bay D/ST played fairly well but spent 37 minutes on the field as the offense committed four turnovers. However, one sack and zero tackles meant minimal production for the Buccaneers. The Falcons have struggled with consistency all season but are coming off back-to-back dominating wins coming out of their bye. The Bucs are allowing 31.3 PPG and 371.8 YPG this season and aren't worth trusting against a hot Falcons team.

The Buccaneers gave up 417 yards in the 30-27, Week 11 win over the Cardinals and will play the Saints on Sunday.

Analysis: Arizona entered the game with only four giveaways all season, but Tampa Bay flipped the script with two takeaways and two sacks in the victory. Meanwhile, the Saints gave up six sacks and scored only six points against the lowly Falcons in Week 11. Despite both teams' performances last week, the Tampa Bay D/ST remains a unit to avoid going up against QB Drew Brees and New Orleans.