The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are teetering on the edge of playoff elimination and even a win against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday might not be enough to save them.
Ever since a narrow win over the Arizona Cardinals after a three-game losing streak, it's been all downhill for the Buccaneers. It's been one thing after another for a team that had Super Bowl Aspirations at the beginning of the year and looked like all the parts of a contender.
However, attention to detail and lack of focus, combined with a seemingly never-ending onslaught of injuries, have led to the Bucs winning just one game in their last seven.
That period of production, or lack thereof, doesn't inspire confidence in fans, media, or anyone that they'll be able to turn this ship around in the final week of the season. After their loss to the Dolphins on Sunday, the Bucs saw themselves slip even further in the national power rankings after once holding the top spot in football.
NFL.com: No. 18
In spite of the terrible, no-good results since the Bucs' Week 9 bye, everything still could be in front of them. Of course, by "everything," I mean a chance to be a home underdog to a strong NFC West foe on Wild Card Weekend. But looking at Tampa Bay's output over the past couple months, it's hard to have much confidence in Todd Bowles' team, with all three phases suffering. On Sunday, Baker Mayfield had three turnovers, the defense was eaten up early by a seventh-round rookie, and the special teams came unglued a few times. This has felt like a slow death march to Week 18, and Sunday got the Bucs onto the plank.
Last Week: No. 18
ESPN: No. 19
The Bucs gutted out close wins at the beginning of the season en route to a 6-2 record, with four of their first five games decided by a total of nine points. Then they dropped seven of the past eight games, including four decided by four or fewer points. Even the return of injured stars such as wide receiver Mike Evans (broken collarbone) and running back Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) hasn't been enough. Now, they could be out of the playoffs for the first time since 2019.
Last Week: No. 17
USA Today: No.23
QB Baker Mayfield has avoided throwing an interception just once in his past seven starts − which also happens to be the only game the drowning Bucs have won during that stretch.
Last Week: No. 18
Yahoo Sports: No. 21
The Buccaneers might decide to keep head coach Todd Bowles. To suggest it’s unwarranted to put him on the hot seat is weird. The Bucs have lost seven of eight. If they blow the NFC South by losing again Saturday against the Panthers, it’s a 1-8 finish and would put Bowles’ record with the Bucs at 35-36, including playoffs. That putrid finish happened when the team got healthier, too. If the Bucs lose and Bowles returns, it should be controversial rather than expected.
Last Week: No. 17
CBS Sports: No. 15
This team is in a free fall but still just needs to beat the Panthers to have a chance to win the NFC South. Even if they do, will they be a one-and-done playoff team?
Last Week: No.15
Fox Sports: No. 22
Baker Mayfield finally came back to life, but his fourth-quarter interception and fumble killed their comeback. Hard to believe this team still has a shot at the NFC South title.
Last Week: No. 20
NBC Sports: No. 24
If they don’t win the division, what happens next?
Last Week: No. 20