With the team’s 17-14 win over Cleveland in Week 1 last season, the Buccaneers earned their first opening day win since 2005. The team had historically struggled on opening day, as this also marked the very first opening day win at Raymond James Stadium and the first opening day win at home since 1997, when the team defeated the San Francisco 49ers 13-6 at Houlihan’s Stadium.
The Buccaneers are now 14-21 overall on opening day and 6-10 at home on opening day.
Since 1997, when the Buccaneers win on opening day, they have gone on to finish with a winning record five times, with four of the five winning seasons resulting in playoff appearances.
If the Bucs win or lose, they will need to repeat their success in close games last year. Tampa Bay had the MOST wins in the NFL last year in games decided by 3 points or less, going 5-1.
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