The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns meet Sunday, September 20, at Raymond James Stadium in Week 2 of the 2026 NFL season. Both teams enter at 0-1 after losing their respective season openers.
Tampa Bay lost 33-27 to the Cincinnati Bengals in a game defined by four Buccaneers fumbles. Cleveland, meanwhile, fell 34-10 to the Jacksonville Jaguars after struggling to sustain drives and allowing Deshaun Watson to be sacked five times.
The matchup also marks Tampa Bay's home opener and Cleveland's second consecutive road game. Both teams have several areas to address after their Week 1 performances.
Game context
The Buccaneers return home after scoring 27 points in Cincinnati. Baker Mayfield completed 23 of 28 passes for 216 yards without an interception and also scored a rushing touchdown, but he was responsible for three of Tampa Bay's four lost fumbles.
Cleveland enters after a 34-10 loss in Jacksonville. Deshaun Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but he was sacked five times. The Browns offense struggled to sustain drives and now faces a Tampa Bay defense looking to create more pressure.
The matchup also features two teams with significant offensive changes. Todd Monken became Cleveland's head coach after serving as Baltimore's offensive coordinator, while Tampa Bay continues under head coach Todd Bowles with Baker Mayfield as the centerpiece of its offense.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers situation
Baker Mayfield had an efficient passing performance in his season opener. He completed 82.1 percent of his passes for 216 yards with no interceptions, but the turnovers became a major factor in the loss to Cincinnati.
Bucky Irving played an important role in the offense. He finished with 93 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown, contributing both as a runner and receiver. Tampa Bay will look to maintain that versatility against Cleveland.
Emeka Egbuka led the Buccaneers in receiving during Week 1 with 63 yards. He is part of a receiving group that also includes Chris Godwin Jr. as Tampa Bay looks for more explosive plays.
Pass protection will be another key factor. Mayfield was sacked four times against Cincinnati and now faces a Cleveland defense that recorded five sacks against Watson in Week 1.
Cleveland Browns situation
Cleveland had a difficult opening game against Jacksonville. The Browns lost 34-10 and struggled to sustain long drives. Deshaun Watson completed 16 of 22 passes for 205 yards, one touchdown and one interception, but consistent pressure disrupted the offense.
Watson is expected to start again at quarterback. Cleveland will look to improve its offensive operation after head coach Todd Monken emphasized the need to correct communication and execution problems shown in Week 1.
The Browns also need more production from their rushing attack. Cleveland struggled to establish the run against Jacksonville and now faces a Tampa Bay defense that allowed 99.1 rushing yards per game in 2025, the fifth-best mark in the NFL that season.
Jerry Jeudy is available after participating fully in the week's practices. His presence gives Watson another important option in the passing game.
Players and factors to watch
Baker Mayfield will be one of the central storylines because this is his first game against Cleveland since leaving the Browns. Mayfield was Cleveland's No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and will now face his former team for the first time as a member of the Buccaneers.
Pass protection will be critical for both quarterbacks. Tampa Bay allowed four sacks against Cincinnati, while Cleveland allowed five against Jacksonville. The ability of each offensive line to keep the pocket clean could significantly affect the game.
Bucky Irving is another player to watch after producing 93 yards from scrimmage in Cincinnati. Cleveland will need to account for him both as a runner and receiver.
For the Browns, Deshaun Watson will face a Tampa Bay defense looking to increase its pressure. Watson threw for 205 yards against Jacksonville, but the five sacks he absorbed disrupted the continuity of the offense.
Jared Verse and Carson Schwesinger are two important pieces of the Cleveland defense. Verse joined the Browns after the move that sent Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams, while Schwesinger enters his second season after emerging as a key part of Cleveland's defense.
Injuries to know
Tampa Bay has three players listed as questionable. Safety Miles Killebrew is questionable with a concussion, cornerback Jacob Parrish is questionable with a back injury, and wide receiver Jalen McMillan is questionable with a knee injury. All three participated in Friday's practice, while McMillan participated fully throughout the week.
Cleveland will be without guard Teven Jenkins, who is out with a back injury and will miss his second consecutive game.
Cornerback Tyson Campbell is questionable with an ankle injury after missing Thursday's practice and returning on a limited basis Friday. Maliek Collins was also limited during the week with a quadriceps issue but does not have an official game-status designation. Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy practiced fully and is available.
Head-to-head history
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns have met 11 times in NFL history, with Cleveland holding a 7-4 advantage in the series.
Sunday's game will be the 12th meeting between the franchises. Tampa Bay hosts Cleveland at Raymond James Stadium after both teams opened the season on the road.
The matchup also has an added storyline because of Baker Mayfield. The quarterback was selected by Cleveland with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft and later played for Carolina before establishing himself in Tampa Bay. This will be his first game against the Browns in a Buccaneers uniform.
The game also comes with both teams looking to respond after opening the season with losses and avoid an 0-2 start.
Final preview
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns enter Week 2 with important corrections to make. Tampa Bay scored 27 points in Cincinnati but lost after committing four fumbles, while Cleveland scored only 10 points and allowed five sacks in Jacksonville.
Pass protection for Baker Mayfield and Deshaun Watson will be one of the central factors. Both quarterbacks faced significant pressure in Week 1 and will need better pocket conditions to execute their respective offenses.
The game also carries an added storyline because of Mayfield's return to face the franchise that selected him first overall in 2018. Cleveland, meanwhile, will look for a response in the second game of Todd Monken's tenure as head coach.
Game details
- Matchup: Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Cleveland Browns
- Season: 2026 NFL season
- Week: 2
- Date: Sunday, September 20, 2026
- Home team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Away team: Cleveland Browns
- Stadium: Raymond James Stadium
- Location: Tampa, Florida
- Kickoff: 10:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. CT / 1:00 p.m. ET
- U.S. TV: CBS
- U.S. streaming: NFL+ for in-market mobile viewers and NFL Sunday Ticket on YouTube TV for out-of-market fans