Even though the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were on their bye week this Sunday, that didn't stop the team from making some serious progress in the playoff race.
The Bucs didn't even need to play a single snap to jump all the way up to the No. 2 see in the NFC, thanks to key losses in games that bounced Tampa Bay's way. Up in Green Bay the Packers dropped a stunner to Dave Canales and the Panthers, while the Vikings went into Detroit and did what the Bucs couldn't do and beat the Lions.
It was the loss by Green Bay that helped Tampa Bay out the most. The Packers, much like the Bucs two weeks ago, fumbled away the No. 1 seed and plummeted all the way to the No. 4 seed. As a result, the Philadelphia Eagles now control the top spot in the NFC with Sunday night's showcase by the Seahawks proving they're also a legit threat to surge ahead over the next few weeks.
Right now the buffer is the Bucs, who own an important tiebreaker over Seattle and could add one over the Rams in a few weeks if all goes well. That's going to be huge, because it would mean Tampa Bay own head-to-head tiebreakers over each of the NFC West teams likely to end up in the playoffs, which is some serious breathing room.
Unfortunately, the Bucs don't have that luxury when it comes to the Eagles but there's a ton of season left to play and more than enough time for Tampa Bay to work their way back into that top spot.
Updated NFC Playoff Picture: Buccaneers move up without needing to take a snap in Week 9
Minnesota beating Detroit helped the Bucs out in that it dropped Detroit a game behind Tampa Bay in the standings. The Lions own that head-to-head tiebreaker, which right now doesn't come into play with that one game difference in the standings but could be a factor in the long run.
Here's where things stand after Sunday's action:
Playoff Seed | Team | Record |
|---|---|---|
No. 1 | Philadelphia Eagles | 6-2 |
No. 2 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 6-2 |
No. 3 | Seattle Seahawks | 6-2 |
No. 4 | Green Bay Packers | 5-2-1 |
No. 5 | San Francisco 49ers | 6-3 |
No. 6 | Los Angeles Rams | 5-3 |
No. 7 | Detroit Lions | 5-3 |
This is what Wild Card Weekend would look like if the playoffs started today, with the Bucs hosting a playoff game as the No. 2 seed:
- (2) Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. (7) Detroit Lions
- (3) Seattle Seahawks vs. (6) Los Angeles Rams
- (4) Green Bay Packers vs. (5) San Francisco 49ers
Seattle looks outrageously good, which is a problem for everyone other than the Bucs. As long as Tampa Bay doesn't stumble into another midseason slump, there isn't a way for Seattle to pass them up in the playoff race.
That's easier said than done, though, as the Bucs come out of their bye week with games against the Patriots, Bills, and Rams -- all teams with a combined record of 19-6 and each vying for a top spot in their respective conferences.
Blocking the Rams from getting there won't be easy, but right now the Bucs control the No. 2 seed and can't afford to take another tumble and hope they get bailed out.