Buccaneers vs. Jaguars 2016 live stream: Time, TV schedule and how to watch online

It was all offense when the teams met in 2015, with the Bucs winning, 38-31.

Aug 20, 2016, 12:20 PM UTC

Jacksonville Jaguars v Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Photo by Cliff McBride/Getty Images

Like the New England Patriots and the Chicago Bears earlier this week, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tampa Bay Buccaneers will see each other in a preseason game after a week of practicing together.

From a distance, it seems like an odd situation in the NFL where coaches are usually meticulous about creating game plans to take advantage of an opponent’s weaknesses. Instead, the two teams spend a week exposing their vulnerabilities to each other and do little to incorporate packages to exploit them.

But that’s the nature of preseason. Nothing about the score matters and it’s just a way for veterans to get ready for the season, rookies to adjust to the speed of the game and backups to secure a spot on the roster — or at the least, show other teams what kind of play they can offer.

The Jaguars and Buccaneers have both been professional about the odd circumstances too. While many joint practices devolve into chaos, the coaches kept players on a tight leash and second-year pass rusher Dante Fowler was tossed from a session for even trying to start a fight.

Why I feel like people want us to fight in these joint practices. We grown man..
— Cyp (@J_Cyprien) August 18, 2016

Even if maturity was shown on the practice field, both teams are exceptionally young at the skill positions. The Jaguars are led by third-year quarterback Blake Bortles, selected No. 3 in the 2014 NFL Draft, and the Buccaneers are relying on second-year quarterback Jameis Winston, the No. 1 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

Bortles and Winston each eclipsed 4,000 yards in 2015, even if both were a little more interception prone than most. But both the Jaguars and Buccaneers are happy enough with the progression of their quarterbacks to focus on the other side of the ball this offseason.

The Jaguars made a series of high-profile defensive additions, snagging Malik Jackson, Tashaun Gipson and Prince Amukamara in free agency, but didn’t stop there. They also drafted Jalen Ramsey and Myles Jack in the 2016 NFL Draft. While Ramsey didn’t participate in the first preseason game, the rookie cornerback will likely make his debut against Winston, his former Florida State teammate.

But the Buccaneers retooled on the defensive side of the ball this offseason, too. They drafted Vernon Hargreaves and Noah Spence in the first two rounds and added veterans Brent Grimes, Robert Ayers and Daryl Smith in free agency.

Improved defense would be a welcomed sight for both sides and a big change from when the two teams met in 2015. Doug Martin racked up two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown against the Jaguars, while Bortles tossed four touchdowns in a 38-31 duel that went in Tampa Bay’s favor.

The score won’t matter as much in the preseason rematch, but both can hope to see some improved defense and can likely expect to see much less scoring.