While the Tampa Bay Buccaneers only played in one game on Sunday, there are two that the team will be rooting for a winning outcome in. After losing to the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, the Bucs sit on the very edge of the playoffs bubble, pacing back and forth like Darth Maul waiting for the laser shields to drop and get back into the mix.
That could happen based on how things go on Sunday Night Football.
Tampa Bay handled the Carolina Panthers in a 48-14 blowout win, which technically put them back in first place in the NFC South. A loss by the Atlanta Falcons would solidify that movement and create a scenario where a Tampa Bay win next week codifies it.
A Falcons loss tonight coupled with a Buccaneers win next week over the Saints would hand Tampa Bay its fourth consecutive division title. Even if Atlanta wins there's still a path into the playoffs for the Bucs, but the easiest is if the Washington Commanders find a way to beat the Falcons.
It's an outcome that Baker Mayfield isn't trying to pretend like he's not rooting for.
Baker Mayfield wasn't shy about who he's rooting for on Sunday Night Football tonight
After the Bucs took care of their end of business on Sunday, Baker let it be known who he's rooting for between the Falcons and Commanders on Sunday Night Football.
"Big Jayden Daniels fan tonight," Baker said with a smirk. "Just rooting hard, that's it."
"Big Jayden Daniels fan tonight."@EvanWashburn caught up with Baker Mayfield as the @Buccaneers keep their playoff hopes alive pic.twitter.com/oBhNrzAcZr
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) December 29, 2024
Baker had himself a day against the Panthers defense, carving Carolina up for 359 yards and five touchdowns in one of the best games of his career. It was also a reminder of how dangerous the Bucs can be if they get into the playoffs, which is why all eyes will be on Landover tonight to see if the Falcons flinch.
Tampa Bay wouldn't be in this situation had they won last week in Dallas. That loss was brutal but it wasn't fatal, and winning on Sunday created two potential paths to the playoffs. If Atlanta wins, the Bucs will need Washington to lose next week to the Cowboys in order to clinch the No. 7 seed.
It all comes down to tiebreakers at that point. Atlanta owns one over the Bucs, but a Week 1 win over the Commanders is serving as Tampa Bay's emergency chute in case the Falcons win on Sunday night.
Atlanta losing tonight and ceding control of the division back to Tampa Bay isn't just the easiest path, though, it's also the most satisfying.
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