The playoff race in the NFL is intensifying, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back in the game after a dominant win against the New York Giants in Week 12. With a blowout 30-7 win, the Buccaneers improved their record to 5-6 for the year and have rekindled their hopes of winning the NFC South.
Before this game, the Buccaneers were in a downward spiral, having lost their last four games and going from being in the running to win the division to barely contending for a wild card spot. While defeating the Giants may not be an extraordinary feat, it was a crucial victory for the Buccaneers to keep their playoff hopes alive.
With this win, Tampa Bay is now just one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the division standings. However, due to losing both of their head-to-head matches against the Falcons, the Buccaneers essentially find themselves at a two-game deficit. Despite this obstacle, they still have a chance to win the NFC South and could even be considered the favorite to do so.
The Buccaneers have six games left to play and need to make up two games on the Falcons to secure a playoff spot. While they could technically contend for a wild card spot, it is highly likely that three NFC North teams will reach the postseason, leaving only one wild card spot available, currently held by the Washington Commanders.
Therefore, the Buccaneers’ easiest path to the playoffs is to win their division, which may not be as unrealistic as it seems. While they have been on a rough streak with four straight losses, those losses have come at the hands of tough opponents like the Baltimore Ravens, Falcons, Kansas City Chiefs, and San Francisco 49ers.
Despite struggling with injuries throughout the season, the Buccaneers are starting to regain their health. Receiver Mike Evans returned from a biceps injury against the Giants, which is a notable plus considering Chris Godwin is out for the rest of the season after both players were injured in the loss to the Ravens. While they may have lost safety Jordan Whitehead to a chest injury in Week 12, the Buccaneers are still showing signs of improvement.
The Buccaneers’ schedule is a major factor that suggests their playoff aspirations are realistic. After enduring a tough stretch of games before their bye week in Week 11, they now have a relatively easier path to the end of the regular season. Aside from a game against the Los Angeles Chargers, the Buccaneers will face the Carolina Panthers twice, in addition to the Las Vegas Raiders, Dallas Cowboys and New Orleans Saints. None of these teams currently have a winning record.
On the other hand, the Falcons’ schedule for the rest of the season is more difficult. They will face the Chargers and Minnesota Vikings in their next two games, and their Week 17 game against the Commanders will also be tough. The Raiders, Giants and Panthers complete their schedule, but the Falcons are favored in only three of those games.
Additionally, the Falcons have not been performing well recently, suffering a surprising loss to the Saints in Week 10 and being dominated by the Broncos in Week 11. While their bye week might offer some relief, the timing of their upcoming games against the Chargers and Vikings it doesn’t play in their favor.
If the Falcons finish with a 3-3 record in their remaining games, the Buccaneers would have to go 5-1 to win the division. While it’s not based on paper alone, the Buccaneers have a good chance of doing so, especially as they get healthy. They need to maintain the same level of urgency they showed against the Giants, but if they can do that, they could take the division title away from the Falcons and secure a playoff spot.
In conclusion, the Buccaneers’ blowout victory over the Giants put them back in the running to win the NFC South. With a favorable schedule ahead of them and the potential to fully recover, they have a real opportunity to overcome the Falcons and clinch the division title. The path to victory is within reach, and the Buccaneers are ready to grab it.
