What do Tom Brady’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to qualify for the NFL Playoffs?
Tom Brady may not have started this NFL season right, but at this point, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers now have a 76% chance of advancing to the playoffs.
In Week 17, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) march as leaders of the NFC South despite their negative record.
This is because everyone in this division is incredibly going negative: the Carolina Panthers (6-9), New Orleans Saints (6-9) and the Atlanta Falcons (5-10).
Because of this situation, the Buccaneers currently have a 76% chance of advancing to the postseason.
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How is the playoffs outlook in the NFC?
In the National Conference, the first to win the divisional title were the San Francisco 49ers, crowned in the West. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Vikings established themselves as the leaders in the North.
Things still have to be resolved in the NFC East, as the Philadelphia Eagles (13-2) sit as leaders of the NFL. However, they simply need to win one of their last two games either against the New Orleans Saints or the New York Giants, to win the championship and the first seed in the NFC. This could also happen if the Dallas Cowboys (12-4) lose in Week 18 to the Washington Commanders.
In the South, the battle remains between those from Tampa Bay and those from Carolina, but this Sunday both will face each other. Brady’s team will receive the Panthers at Raymond James Stadium.
What do the Tampa Bay Buccaneers need to qualify for the playoffs?
- A win of Tom Brady against the Panthers will be enough to get the NFC South championship and with it their classification to the playoffs. Carolina defeated the Tampa Bay team in Week 7 with a score of 21-3.
- If they lose to the Panthers, the Bucs could still win the division title if they beat the Atlanta Falcons in Week 18 and if Carolina loses to the Saints in the same week.
- Both teams face elimination if they lose their last two games.
This is the scenario before the game between the Carolina Panthers and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.