ESPN’s FPI shows just how tough the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ schedule has been so far

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 4-6. Naturally, that makes things look bleak, but it might not all be doom and gloom in Tampa Bay — especially with how tough the schedule has been thus far.

The Bucs have played plenty of marquee opponents so far this season, and while things have looked bleak, the toughest part of their schedule is over. ESPN’s Football Power Index, which it defines as an algorithm simulated 10,000 times to represent “how many points above or below average a team is.” FPI can calculate many things, and one of those things is the strength of the schedule – and according to FPIThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers have had the toughest strength of schedule thus far of any team in the league.

READ MORE: Former Buccaneers TE Rob Gronkowski Challenges Shaq to a Boxing Match at Tyson-Paul Fight

It definitely checks out. The Bucs have won games against the Philadelphia Eagles (8-2), Washington Commanders (7-4) and Detroit Lions (8-1) and have played against the Baltimore Ravens (7-3) and Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) as well as Atlanta Falcons twice (6-4). That’s a streak of opponent killers, and it means the Bucs could end up winning a lot of games with a much easier schedule going forward.

The Buccaneers are the 10th best team in the league, per FPI, but the damage may have already been done. Per FPI, the Buccaneers only have a 24.6% chance to make the playoffs, but if they can take advantage of the very easy back end of their schedule that includes the Carolina Panthers, Las Vegas Raiders, and New York Giants, among other bad teams , that small chance could become a reality.

Hold on BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

Follow BucsGameday on Twitter and Facebook

• The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are expected to land the former All-Pro Texans WR in Free Agency