The 2018 season was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 43rd in the National Football League (NFL), their fifth under the leadership of general manager Jason Licht, their 21st playing their home games at Raymond James Stadium and their third and final under head coach Dirk Koetter.
During their season opener against the Saints, was the Bucs' first time since Super Bowl XXXVII scoring 48 points in a game, with quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick having a dominant performance.
However, despite their 2–0 start, the first time since 2010 the Bucs began a three-game skid with Fitzpatrick being benched for Jameis Winston in Week 4 against the Chicago Bears.
After their Week 15 loss to the Baltimore Ravens, the Buccaneers were eliminated from postseason contention for the 11th straight season.
On December 30, 2018, head coach Dirk Koetter was fired following a Week 17 loss to the Atlanta Falcons.
Tampa Bay started the 2018 season with Jameis Winston serving a three-game suspension for violating the league's personal conduct policy.
Ryan Fitzpatrick started as quarterback and led the Buccaneers to a 48–40 victory over division rival New Orleans.
With under five minutes to go, Chandler Catanzaro missed a 44-yard field goal which would have broken the team record outright.
Drew Brees led the Saints on two touchdown drives, and trimmed the deficit to 8 points with just over three minutes remaining.
With three seconds left in regulation, a Nick Foles pass followed by series of desperation laterals ran out the clock, securing the win for Tampa Bay.
With Atlanta defeating Carolina, the Buccaneers lead the NFC South, and remain the only team in the division with an undefeated record.
In the second half, Fitzpatrick lead a comeback throwing two touchdown passes, and Buccaneers closed to within three points late in the fourth quarter.
Bears quarterback Mitchell Trubisky threw a franchise record-tying six touchdown passes, five in the first half alone, as Chicago jumped out to a 38–3 halftime lead.
On the final play of regulation, Bucs kicker Chandler Catanzaro missed a 40-yard field goal to take the game into overtime.
With under 2 minutes left in OT, Catanzaro came out for another game-winning field goal attempt, this time from 59 yards.
The Bucs defeated the Panthers after a good defensive effort, including picking off Cam Newton four times, with Andrew Adams responsible for three of the four interceptions.
On offense, Chris Godwin led the team with 101 yards on 5 catches, including a 13-yard touchdown reception.
Although they scored twice in the fourth quarter, two failed two-point conversions only gave them a 32–31 lead, and a 37-yard Matt Bryant field goal sealed the 32–34 loss.