Buccaneers: Five scenarios for the end of the 2018 season

By Ryan Doyle | Nov 27, 2018

TAMPA, FL - NOVEMBER 25: Quarterback Jameis Winston #3 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers high fives fans after the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Raymond James Stadium on November 25, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the San Francisco 49ers 27-9. (Photo by Will Vragovic/Getty Images) /

5 of 6

CHARLOTTE, NC – NOVEMBER 04: James Bradberry #24 of the Carolina Panthers hits Peyton Barber #25 of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second quarter during their game at Bank of America Stadium on November 4, 2018 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images) /

Scenario 4: Losing out

The tanking situation.

Tampa Bay faces a brutal schedule to end the year, and there is a world where they don’t find the win column again this season. Tanking may sound enticing in theory, but it comes with problems.

Losing the last five games of the season is a tall task. So much has to go wrong for this scenario to come to fruition. The offense will need to lose all momentum. Plus, the defense will have to return to their record-setting pace.

While the defense may revert to allowing touchdowns at will, Winston won’t fall apart that badly. Even if he did, that would leave Tampa Bay without a quarterback next season.

Finishing the season with a 4-12 record would be a bitter pill for the fan base to swallow. In a year where the Bucs appeared to be in win-now mode, they would finish with a top-five draft pick.

Home/Bucs News