The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are truly using up all of their 9 lives this season.
Following a disheartening, 20-17 road loss to the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, the Buccaneers dropped to 7-9 overall but somehow still have a chance to win the NFC South Division and host a home playoff game with a win over the visiting Carolina Panthers in Week 18 .
The Buccaneers get the chance to make the playoffs for a sixth consecutive season thanks to the Seattle Seahawks defeating the Panthers in Week 17 to set up the Winner Take All showdown. Tampa Bay is also trying to win its fourth consecutive NFC South title.
After starting the season 6-2, the Buccaneers have lost 7 of their last 8 games, including a Week 16 loss to the Panthers on the road.
“The NFC South champ: either the 9-8 Panthers or the 8-9 Buccaneers (barring a tie, which would work for Carolina),” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo wrote on X on Sunday, December 28. “The Lions this offseason proposed seeding the playoffs by record, not division winners. We’ll see if that picks up steam this spring.”
The Buccaneers-Panthers game will be one of 2 “Winner Take All” division games in Week 18 along with the Pittsburgh Steelers traveling to face the Baltimore Ravens with the AFC North title on the line.
NFL Fans Less Than Impressed With NFC South
Having a division champion with a sub-.500 record in the NFC playoffs did little to impress NFL fans who seemed to lament either team from the NFC South getting a postseason berth.
“The Bucs have lost eight of their last 10 games after starting 5–1,” The 33rd Team’s Ari Meirov wrote on X. “The Panthers also lost today to Seattle. That means Panthers–Bucs in Week 18 is for the NFC South title. Tampa could win the division with a losing record — at 8–9.”
“Both teams … they are not deserving to be in the playoffs,” CBS Sports HQ’s Bryant McFadden said on December 28. “Neither one of them. Based on how inconsistent they’ve been. You can’t trust either team … especially not the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.”
“I cannot believe the NFC South is going to be decided between a Buccaneers team that’s lost 7 of their last 8 and a Panthers team that’s Bipolar,” Bucs Wire’s Ashlie wrote on X. “The NFCS champ will, at MOST have 9 wins.”
Report: Bowles Job Not In Jeopardy
Perhaps the most surprising news to come out of Week 17 regarding the Buccaneers wasn’t that they were still going to have a shot at the NFC South title in Week 18 but that head coach Todd Bowles still has some level of job security.
Before the Buccaneers faced the Dolphins, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported that Bowles was not in danger of losing his job despite his team’s epic collapse down the stretch.
“This has led to some questions about head coach Todd Bowles,” Rapoport said on Sunday, December 28. “So, let me answer some questions before they begin. Todd Bowles received a 3-year contract extension before the season. He is under contract through 2028. They have won three straight division titles and still have the possibility of winning a fourth. Does that sound like someone who would be in danger of losing their job? I would say: Certainly not.”
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