There’s only one Sunday left on the regular season schedule, but so much is at stake for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Let’s take a moment to appreciate the position we are in. Go back to the 2010s and try telling a Bucs fan then that for the fifth season the team could be punching a ticket to the playoffs. Not only that, but the team is in line to win a record fourth-straight NFC South title. That person would be laughed out of the room and told to get their head examined.
It’s the type of crazy cliche you see in time travel movies but it’s a reality for Buccaneers fans this week.
With a win on Sunday the Bucs would punch a playoff ticket as division champions. Despite how uneven — and frustrating — this season has felt at times, Tampa Bay is on an unprecedented run of success. The job isn’t finished, though, and there’s more at stake than just winning another NFC South title and making the playoffs and there’s more than one way it can happen.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers playoff scenarios in Week 18, win or lose
If the Buccaneers win
The most ideal scenario is Tampa Bay simply beating the Saints. If that happens then the Bucs outright win the division and what happens in the Falcons-Panthers game is irrelevant.
There is, however, still a game fans should pay close attention to.
Out in Los Angeles the Rams will take on the Seahawks in a game that will directly impact the Bucs. If Seattle wins, Tampa Bay would move into the No. 3 seed which would mean avoiding the No. 1 seed in the Divisional Round. It would also mean the team’s best finish under Todd Bowles and serve as another feather in his cap when it comes to home returning in 2025.
If the Buccaneers lose
Losing to the Saints would be devastating but not fatal for Tampa Bay’s chances of making the playoffs. A loss eliminates the possibility of landing the No. 3 seed and locks the Bucs into the last non-Wild Card slot.
For that to happen would require an upset win by the Panthers over the Falcons. If the Bucs lose and the Falcons win, Atlanta claims the division title and punches the final playoff ticket.
A tie would also benefit the Bucs, which is unlikely and only further highlights how dire — and undeserving — the situation would be if Tampa Bay fails to take care of business like they should.
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