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Updated NFL Playoff picture and standings after Buccaneers blow out Saints 51-27

Here's what the bracket would look like if the playoffs started today.

By Josh Hill

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints - Week 6
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints - Week 6 / Jonathan Bachman/GettyImages
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There was a seven minute stretch where things looked impossibly grim for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, but that's not how the day would be defined. Rather than rolling over, as we've seen them do so many times in a similar spot, the Bucs roared back after allowing 20 unanswered points to the Saints to outscore New Orleans by double digits on their way to a 51-27 blowout win.

It was a show of force we're not used to seeing from the Bucs, but one that appears to be a core part of their identity moving forward. Tampa Bay's offense is far more electric than it was under Dave Canales last season, as the Bucs are halfway to the total amount of points scored last year in just six games.

The Bucs have the highest scoring offense in the NFL, tied with the Washington Commanders with 178 points. They're averaging almost 30 points per game, with Sunday being an example of what happens when everything clicks.

We're just six weeks into the season, but the power of the Bucs offense has their place in the playoff picture looking pretty clear.

Updated NFC Playoff picture and standings after Week 6

There's a lot of road left to travel before clinching scenarios start getting discussed, but it's never too early to start looking at what the playoff bracket might look like. For the Bucs, a huge divisional win over the Saints helps wash some of the taste of last week's loss to the Falcons out of everyone's mouth.

It's a win that has the Bucs keeping pace with the Falcons, something that only further highlights how big of a missed opportunity the loss last Thursday night was. Atlanta has control of the No. 2 seed right now, which would have belonged to the Bucs if a few things had bounced their way. Instead, Tampa Bay has the No. 6 seed but is just a game away from being even higher.

Here's how things stack up after Tampa Bay's blowout win over the Saints:

  1. Minnesota Vikings (4-0)
  2. Atlanta Falcons (4-2)
  3. Washington Commanders (4-2)
  4. San Francisco 49ers (3-3)
  5. Detroit Lions (4-1)
  6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-2)
  7. Green Bay Packers (4-2)

It's a logjam for the final two Wild Card spots with four team being within a game of taking over. One of those teams is the Philadelphia Eagles, who the Bucs own what could end up being an important tiebreaker over.

  • Chicago Bears (4-2)
  • Philadelphia Eagles (3-2)
  • Dallas Cowboys (3-3)
  • Seattle Seahawks (3-3)

Tampa Bay's next two games are going to be absolutely critical. Next week sees the Baltimore Ravens come to town for a Monday Night Football showdown before the Bucs get a rematch with the Atlanta Falcons the following Sunday.

It's lining up for Tampa Bay to get the Falcons at the exact right time, as the vibes could be off the charts if a win over Baltimore can be secured. Not only would it set the Bucs up to take back control of the NFC South, but it would firmly establish them as true contenders in the NFL.

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