The rules are pretty simple: if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win on Sunday they'll punch a playoff ticket as NFC South champions.
Doing so would mark the fourth straight year the season has ended that way, which is almost impossible to fathom. Some fans are traped in a forest of misery over how uneven the season has been and have lost sight of just how unprecedented the run Tampa Bay is on.
It wasn't that long ago that we were stuck in the midst of one of the darkest periods in franchise history. There seemed to be no hope of finding any light either, but we're on the cusp of playing playoff football for a fifth straight season. Go back in time and try telling a fan in the 2010s about this and you'd be asked to get your head checked.
That's where we're at, though, as the Bucs just need to beat New Orleans on Sunday to clinch a playoff berth. A loss by the Rams would mean Tampa Bay jumps up to the No. 3 seed, so there's a lot on the line to root for in the final week of the season.
Who are the announcers for Buccaneers vs. Saints today?
It's almost fitting that Tom Brady will be on hand to see the Bucs continue to reap the benefits of something he helped start five seasons ago. When Tampa Bay brought Brady in back in 2020, it kicked off what has been the most successful stretch in franchise history. The Bucs have .611 winning percentage and are on the cusp of reaching the playoffs for a fifth straight year with a win over the Saints.
Not only that, but the Bucs can do what no team in the NFC South has ever done and claim a fourth consecutive division title.
All of that success started with Brady, so having him in Tampa on the call alongside Kevin Burkhardt for FOX feels right. Of course, the Bucs need to take care of their end of business but all signs seem to point toward that being the case.
Referees for Buccaneers vs. Saints in Week 18
Head Referee (Crew Chief)
For the 12th time in his career, and the second time this season, Adrian Hill will be the head official for a Buccaneers game. This is an incredible omen for Tampa Bay, as Hill was the Crew Chief back in Week 12 when the Bucs came roaring out of their bye week to crush the New York Giants.
For what it's worth, Tampa Bay has a chance to get to .500 in games that Hill calls. They were 4-6 going into the game against New York and can reach 6-6 with a win over New Orleans.
Full Officiating Crew
Here's the rest of Adrian Hill's crew that will be calling the game with him in Week 18:
- Umpire: Roy Ellison
- Down Judge: David Oliver
- Line Judge: Greg Bradley
- Side Judge: Ckay Reynard
- Field Judge: Tra Boger
- Back Judge: Greg Steed
Buccaneers vs. Saints TV channel and start time (January 5th)
Unlike the last two games Tampa Bay has played, the season finale will be broadcast on FOX. That's why Tom Brady and Kevin Burkhardt are on the call, and most of the country will get to watch the game as a de facto Game of the Week -- even though it's really not.
The Bucs are 1-1 in games Brady is on the call, with both games happening in Tampa. It's a chance for redemption as the last time the GOAT was in town the Bucs lost to the 49ers, so this would be a perfect way to wrap up the trio of games Brady has returned to call.
Here’s everything you need to know to catch today’s game:
- Date: Sunday, January 5, 2025
- Start Time: 1:00 pm ET
- Location: Raymond James Stadium | Tampa, FL
- TV Channel: FOX
- Announcers: Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady
- Live Stream: Fubo (Locally)
- Radio: WXTB 97.9 FM | More Radio Affiliates
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