Football

Bucs to play 2 home games in prime time

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — After improving from four wins two years ago to seven in 2012, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been rewarded with a pair of prime-time games at home this season.
 
   The NFL released schedules for each team Thursday. The Bucs will host the Carolina Panthers in a nationally-televised game on Thursday, Oct. 24 and face the intrastate rival Miami Dolphins in a Monday night matchup on Nov. 11.
 
   Tampa Bay opens Sept. 8 on the road against the New York Jets. The home opener is the following week against NFC South rival New Orleans.
 
   The schedule also includes non-divisional games at home against NFC champion San Francisco and on the road against New England and Seattle.
 
   The regular season concludes with road trips to St. Louis and New Orleans.