The Tampa Bay Buccaneers just can’t seem to dig themselves out of the rut they find themselves in. After opening the season as the clear favorite to win the NFC South division, things have gone from bad to worse for Todd Bowles and the Bucs, dropping six of their last seven games.
While all hope is not lost, things have looked chaotic at best for Tampa Bay, as its hopes for the NFC South division title and playoff chances in general have taken a massive hit. This past weekend, in one of the potential defining games of the season, the Bucs once again failed to capitalize on their opportunity, falling 23-20 to the Carolina Panthers.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ Playoff Hopes Dwindle Following Loss to Panthers
Something is not right in Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers can’t seem to stay out of their own way, losing another close matchup and falling out of the playoff picture in the process.
Prior to their loss to Bryce Young and the Panthers in Week 16, the Bucs had a 68.5% chance to reach the postseason. Well, it’s safe to say that those odds have fallen dramatically, dropping to only a 37.90% chance to reach the playoffs, according to PFSN’s Playoff Predictor.
What makes things even more disappointing for the Buccaneers is that the team continues to get healthier, at least on the offensive side of the ball. The returns of Bucky Irving, Chris Godwin Jr., Jalen McMillan, and Mike Evans should have undoubtedly helped ignite the Bucs’ offense; however, the team continues to struggle to utilize their weapons effectively.
The Bucs have struggled on both sides of the ball this season. According to PFSN’s Offense Impact rankings, Tampa Bay sits 23rd in the NFL, whereas they sit 20th in PFSN’s Defense Impact rankings. While injuries have certainly hurt the team’s consistency and fluidity this season, fans are left wanting more every game as Baker Mayfield and company fail to click seemingly every week.
Despite the panic and losing streak, all hope is not lost. The Buccaneers can still make the postseason, but they will need to right the ship ASAP if they plan on making it in.
The Bucs will need to defeat the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, while also taking the rematch with Carolina to close out the year. If they can win out the regular season, they can still take the top spot in the division; however, given how they have been playing, it might be easier said than done.
