Bucs vs. Browns: Pewter Preview And Predictions

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BUCCANEERS vs. BROWNS

WHEN: Sunday, September 20, 2026 | WHERE: Raymond James Stadium | KICKOFF: 1:00 p.m. ET | TV: CBS

PLAY-BY-PLAY: Tom McCarthy | ANALYSTS: Robert Turbin | SIDELINE: Tiffany Blackmon

RADIO: 98 ROCK 97.9 FM | PLAY-BY-PLAY: Tony Castricone | ANALYST: Dave Moore | SIDELINE: Jay Recher

Game day is approaching, and it’s time for the Pewter Report staff to make its weekly game predictions and offer up our game preview of this week’s matchup. Let us know what you think in the article comments section and add your prediction, too.

Scott Reynolds: Bucs Bounce Back, But Play Down To The Competition

As much as I want to predict a blowout by the Buccaneers this week after seeing the Browns fall behind in Jacksonville 31-0 in the third quarter before losing 34-10, I’m reminded that this team plays down the level of its competition too often. Think back to escaping last year’s home owner with a 29-27 come-from-behind win over the Jets in Week 3. Or how about barely beating an awful Arizona team, 20-17, at home.

The Bucs should trounce the Browns in an easy win on Sunday, but is anything ever easy for this Todd Bowles team? I do think Tampa Bay covers the spread, which has rarely happened in recent history. The Bucs are favored by eight points and I have them winning by 10, yet the final score is closer than the actual game itself thanks to a garbage time touchdown by Cleveland.

I believe Zac Robinson’s offense will show some progress from Week 1 and score 10 more points than it did versus the Bengals. Baker Mayfield plays more within himself and focused, which helps. I also believe that Tampa Bay’s disappointing defensive line shows up this week after being a no-show in Week 1. Deshaun Watson was sacked five times by the Jaguars and I suspect the Bucs will have similar results in a bounce-back performance.

REYNOLDS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 30, Browns 20
REYNOLDS’ SEASON RECORD: 0-1

Matt Matera: The Bucs Smoke The Browns

This is a game that shouldn’t be close. On paper the Bucs are far and away the better team, and it won’t take long for Tampa Bay to jump out to a lead and make its opponent think the game is over before it started. It’s a revenge game for Baker Mayfield but it’s also a get-right game for the team. Mayfield will eliminate the turnovers and play better against his former team.

Along with Mayfield putting it together, the Bucs need to show they can get their pass rushing going with Rueben Bain Jr., Yaya Diaby and company. They should generate pressure throughout the whole game and play complementary football with a Tampa Bay offense that moved the ball efficiently when they weren’t getting in their own way.

Play mistake-free and they’ll win the game handily. Look for the Bucs to be 1-1 come 4:00 p.m. on Sunday.

MATERA’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Browns 17
MATERA’S SEASON RECORD: 0-1

Adam Slivon: Bucs Land A Comfortable Win, Beating Browns In Home Opener

It has been a long time since the Bucs won a football game in comfortable fashion. After losing to the Bengals to begin the season, they have lucked into facing the worst team in the AFC North – and one of the perennially worst teams in the entire NFL. There is no better opportunity that presents itself than facing the Browns in Week 2, who just lost to the Jaguars, 34-10. The one thing that held the Buccaneers back this past Sunday was how they beat themselves with Baker Mayfield’s three fumbles.

Mayfield has mentioned how he is prioritizing ball security, and a turnover-free performance is one of the biggest keys to the game. The offense showed life under Zac Robinson with efficient passing and a promising rushing attack, and No. 6 surely wants to bounce back against his former team. Wanting that and doing that are two different things, and that only happens by moving the chains and capping off drives with points.

Todd Bowles must also find ways to get the pass rush going after they did nothing to affect Joe Burrow. The Browns offensive line was completely retooled this offseason, only to allow Deshaun Watson to get sacked five times. Should the Bucs stymie Quinshon Judkins and bring down Watson often, there is little that points to how Tampa Bay does not come away with a win in their home opener at Raymond James Stadium.

SLIVON’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 27, Browns 13
SLIVON’S SEASON RECORD: 0-1

Bailey Adams: Bucs Bounce Back In A Big Way, Roll Over Browns

This game is very conveniently timed for the Bucs. As much as I want to chalk up the Week 1 loss to the Bengals as one of those games where turnovers overshadowed what was otherwise a pretty solid performance on the road against a good team, there’s no ignoring the fact that Tampa Bay is 2-8 in its last 10 games coming into Sunday’s home opener against Cleveland. Todd Bowles and his team need to get right and remember what it feels like to win a game – and win it comfortably.

I think the Bucs will do just that in their official return to Raymond James Stadium. Zac Robinson’s offense did plenty of good in Cincinnati and simply needs to avoid giving the ball away. Meanwhile, Bowles’ defense faced a couple of short fields and while more is needed from the pass rush and a bounce-back from Alex Anzalone is a must, the unit should have the edge in this matchup against Deshaun Watson and a bad Cleveland offense. With all due respect to Todd Monken, the Browns are a mess that won’t be solved this Sunday.

ADAMS’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 34, Browns 16
ADAMS’ SEASON RECORD: 1-0

Josh Queipo: Bucs Stop Turning Ball Over – Turn Around Their Record

The Bucs penchant for shooting themselves in the foot stops as they steamroll the Browns. A franchise starting Deshaun Watson in 2026 is not a serious franchise. And as much as I admire Browns head coach Todd Monken’s ability to scheme an offense, he is completely hamstrung at the quarterback position. Watson couldn’t find anything over the middle or in the intermediate part of the field. Almost everything was a check down.

Outside linebackers Yaya Diaby and Rueben Bain Jr. should have better success against tackles Tytus Howard and Spencer Fano, and Calijah Kancey’s speed should help him win the leverage game against guard Austin Barber.

On offense, the Bucs interior offensive line should win in the trenches against Mason Graham and Maliek Collins. Jared Verse may test Tristan Wirfs, who doesn’t look to be 100% right now. Look for offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to find opportunities to get Ted Hurst III and Jalen McMillan isolated on Tyson Campbell and Myles Harden while also hammering wide zone runs. Cleveland struggled to defend those runs last week against the Jaguars.

Most importantly, Baker Mayfield takes better care of the ball. And that’s the biggest key to the game.

QUEIPO’S GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 27, Browns 10
QUEIPO’S SEASON RECORD: 0-1

Nick Geddes: Bucs Get Off The Mat In Home Opener

The Bucs took on the identity of their head coach in Week 1 – in the worst way possible. Tampa Bay didn’t play with the necessary fire and attitude that is required, and the lack of urgency – especially on defense – was glaring. But that was last week. It’s a new week and a new opponent, one far less intimidating than the Bengals. The Browns are coming to town after getting smacked around by Liam Coen’s Jaguars. Simply put, this is a team devoid of high-end talent, especially after trading away Myles Garrett.

Turnovers aside, I was generally impressed with Zac Robinson’s debut as the Bucs’ play caller. The Bucs, however, were lacking a true vertical passing attack, so I’ll be curious to see how that evolves beginning with this Sunday. Look for that unit to continue their momentum against a Cleveland defense that just allowed 34 points to Jacksonville and finished 31st in defensive EPA in Week 1.

Defensively, you couldn’t ask for a better matchup if you’re looking for a “get-right” game. Deshaun Watson has been one of – if not the most – disappointing quarterbacks in the NFL since arriving to Cleveland. In Watson’s last eight starts dating back to 2024, the Browns have scored 18 points or less in every contest.

The Bucs’ pass rush was almost nonexistent against the Bengals, but they now go up against a unit that surrendered five sacks last week. Rueben Bain Jr. lost decisively against Amarius Mims in his NFL debut. This week, he’ll be lined up opposite against Tytus Howard, and I’m predicting we see a much more active Bain in this one, along with the rest of Tampa Bay’s defensive line.

I don’t think the Bucs are capable of blowing anyone out, so I’m anticipating the Browns staying around before Tampa Bay pulls away late.

GEDDES’ GAME PREDICTION: Bucs 24, Browns 13
GEDDES’ SEASON RECORD: 0-1