Buccaneers: Mathematical projections for Tampa to make playoffs in Week 8

Mathematical projections for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to make the playoffs

There aren’t many teams in the league that have a better chance of making the playoffs than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to the latest updates in projections.

FiveThirtyEight just released its latest mathematical projections for the NFL playoffs, as well as a plethora of other milestones for teams across the league and have the Buccaneers with the third-highest chance of making the playoffs currently.

The Bucs currently have an 89 percent of making the postseason, according to FiveThirtyEight. That percentage only trails the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, who are both listed with above 99 percent chances of making it to the playoffs, and the Seattle Seahawks, who have a 95 percent chance.

In addition, the projections give Tampa Bay a 58 percent chance of winning the NFC South Division, a 21 percent chance of earning a first-round bye and a 12 percent chance of winning the Super Bowl.

The Buccaneers have to take care of business in the second half of the season

FiveThirtyEight gives the Bucs a projected finish of 11-5. The organization also gives the New Orleans Saints a projected finish of 10-6, which would mean the Bucs have the slightest edge on winning the division.

That being said, all the projections mean nothing until we actually see this team come out and take care of business in the second half of the season.

We all know that Tom Brady and the offense can be special. We know that defensive unit has played lights out. But it still doesn’t matter if you can’t get over the hump when it matters most.

The Buccaneers have to finish off this season by leaving no doubt. There’s not a single opponent remaining on the schedule that this team can’t beat, but that doesn’t mean you can give them all wins.

The key will be taking it one game at a time and working hard to earn that playoff bid.