The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in a tailspin, losing six of their last eight and currently find themselves in serious danger of missing the playoffs. After running away with the division early in the year, this recent cold streak, combined with the impressive play of the Carolina Panthers, has Baker Mayfield’s squad sitting a half-game out of first with only three games left to play.
While things aren’t looking good for the Buccaneers, they can still get into the playoffs by taking care of business and righting the ship over the next few weeks. As of this posting, NFL.com gives Tampa Bay a 53% chance to make the playoffs, while the Panthers are at 47%.
How the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Can Still Make the Playoffs
Win Weeks 16, 18
The NFL script writers should pat themselves on the back, as they couldn’t have done a better job with Tampa’s final three games. Despite being a half-game back in the division, the Buccaneers still control their playoff destiny, as two of their final three games are against the Carolina Panthers. If the Buccaneers win both of those contests, they win the NFC South.
Carolina faces the New Orleans Saints on Sunday and then closes their season with contests against the Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Buccaneers again. If Carolina wins against Seattle and New Orleans but loses both games to Tampa Bay, they’ll finish with a 9-8 record. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, could lose its Week 17 matchup to the Miami Dolphins and still finish with a 9-8 record. This hypothetical scenario would put the Buccaneers atop the NFC South thanks to the head-to-head tiebreaker.
That’s the easiest path to the playoffs, but it’s not the only way the Buccaneers can play meaningful football.
Root For the Saints
The Buccaneers cannot make the playoffs if they lose both matchups against the Carolina Panthers. However, if they split the two contests, they still have a chance. Defeating the Dolphins and splitting with Carolina would have the Buccaneers finish with a 9-8 record, which might be enough to win the division.
There is no such thing as an easy win in the NFL, but some games require more talent than others. As mentioned above, the Panthers close out their season with games against the Saints, Buccaneers (two times), and Seahawks. Beating the Seahawks won’t be easy, and the Panthers lost to the Saints earlier in the season. If Carolina goes 1-3 and Tampa Bay goes 2-1 the rest of the way, the Buccaneers will win the division outright.
However, if the Panthers go 2-2, both teams will finish with 9-8 records. Tiebreakers will then determine the winner of the division. If the Panthers lose to the Saints but beat Seattle, the Buccaneers will win the division. However, if the Panthers beat the Saints but lose to Seattle, they’ll host their first playoff game since the Cam Newton Era.
Rooting for a division rival always feels weird, but the enemy of an enemy is a friend. Rookie Tyler Shough and the Saints can make Tampa Bay’s life considerably easier if they pull off the upset this week.
Main Photo: Kim Klement-Neitzel – Imagn Images
