Buccaneers tie NFL high with 5 prime-time games

The new-look, Tom Brady-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now prime-time viewing.

The NFL released its 2020 schedule Thursday, and the Buccaneers are set to enjoy a franchise-record five prime-time games. They share the league lead with seven other teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Los Angeles Rams, and New England Patriots.

Tampa Bay will play its first prime-time fixture against the Chicago Bears in Week 5 before seeing three straight from Week 7 to 9 against the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Giants, and New Orleans Saints. Finally, the Bucs face the Rams on Monday Night Football in Week 11.

Their previous high was four games, which they received in back-to-back seasons in 2002 and 2003, the latter year as defending champions.

The Buccaneers, who've only made four prime-time appearances since 2017, signed Brady as a free agent and later reunited the quarterback with tight end Rob Gronkowski this offseason.

Kansas City, meanwhile, tops the league for the second straight season. The reigning Super Bowl champion has a much-anticipated matchup at the Ravens in Week 3. Baltimore, led by reigning MVP Lamar Jackson, saw its prime-time appearances increase from three last year.

Though they won't have Brady under center, the Patriots received five prime-time games for the fourth consecutive season.

Buffalo, which wasn't given a slot when the 2019 schedule was released, has been handed four in 2020.

Additionally, the Raiders will mark their first game in Las Vegas with a Monday Night Football prime-time contest against the Saints in Week 2. They have four in total.

The Detroit Lions and Washington Redskins are the only teams without a game in prime time, but both will play on Thanksgiving.