It took virtually the entirety of the franchise’s existence for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to find consistent play from the quarterback spot. However, their luck has also seen a dramatic shift since the turn of the 2020s. Beginning with Tom Brady, who was succeeded by Baker Mayfield, the team has made them a perennial contender in the NFC.
After five consecutive playoff appearances and a virtual guarantee of double-digit wins in that time, there has never been a better time to be a fan of the Buccaneers. However, the 2025 season, just two weeks in, is already shaping up to be a hell of a year for Tampa Bay. Already, they’ve accomplished a milestone not seen in the NFL since the 1979 season.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Rewriting History
The Buccaneers came into the season with high expectations, with some projections even landing them in the Super Bowl for the first time in five years. With an elite offense and an improving defense, the recipe was clear.
However, Week 1 presented a tough challenge, as the Atlanta Falcons, led by Michael Penix Jr., gave them stiff competition throughout the night. Down 20-17 with a shade over two minutes left, the team needed an excellent possession to provide them with the win.
Thankfully, they got it courtesy of the brilliance of Baker Mayfield, who culminated the drive with a 25-yard bomb to Emeka Egbuka for the touchdown. It started the season off right for Tampa Bay and put them up 1-0.
The second game of the season seemed like an easier task if, for the simple fact, the Bucs had won a league-high seven-straight Week 2 games. Their last loss in Week 2 came against Case Keenum’s Minnesota Vikings in a game where Jacquizz Rodgers led Tampa in rushing.
However, playing on the road against a Houston Texans team that was coming off consecutive playoff appearances wasn’t going to be a game to take lightly. Coincidentally, the Buccaneers were down again with a shade over two minutes left.
Mayfield, who has the most touchdowns in the fourth quarter and overtime since he came to Tampa Bay, was unmoved. He led another sublime two-minute drill and put the Bucs up 20-19 with just six seconds remaining on the clock.
Teams in NFL HISTORY to start 2-0 despite trailing in both games with 1 minute left in the 4th quarter:
2025 Bucs
1979 BrownsThat’s it. pic.twitter.com/7sz5dYM398
— Greg Harvey (@BetweenTheNums) September 16, 2025
As Greg Harvey noted on X, “Teams in NFL HISTORY to start 2-0 despite trailing in both games with 1 minute left in the 4th quarter: 2025 Bucs. 1979 Browns. That’s it.” It’s put the Buccaneers in rarefied territory.
However, the 1979 Cleveland Browns might not be an example that Tampa Bay wants to follow.
What Happened to the 1979 Browns?
You would be forgiven for not remembering Cleveland’s 1979 season. Apart from that 2-0 start, it turned out to be a rather pedestrian year for the franchise, as they finished the season with a 9-7 record.
While they were good for third in the AFC Central division, their loss eliminated them from the playoffs, with the Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) and the Houston Oilers (11-5) ahead of them in the standings. The Buccaneers must hope that their season doesn’t continue down a similar path.
