Another Hurdle To Wild Card Berth Disappears
December 11th, 2015
Photo courtesy of Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Your Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ drive for a Wild Card berth got clearer and easier last night.
Simply put, the first Wild Card tiebreaker after head-to-head record is conference record.
The Bucs (6-6) trail only the Seahawks (7-5) and Vikings (8-5) in the NFC for the final two Wild Card spots. But after Minnesota’s loss in Arizona last night, the Bucs have fewer conference losses than both the Seahawks and Vikings.
Tampa Bay has lost three times to NFC opponents, versus four losses each for the Seahawks and Vikings. And since the Bucs haven’t played either team, they would hold a tiebreaker edge, if they won their final four games.
The toughest game remaining for the Vikings is at Green Bay. Seattle must head to Arizona in their season finale. If the Bucs can somehow win out against the Saints, Rams, Bears and Panthers, then they’ve got great odds of making the playoffs for the first time since the 2007 season.
Tampa Bay’s likely opponent as the No. 2 Wild Card team? The NFC North champ, which Green Bay is now favored be after the Vikings’ loss last night.
December 11th, 2015 at 4:54 am
Green Bay in January. Bring it on.
December 11th, 2015 at 5:16 am
That would be amazing! Jameis vs aaron in Lambeau. I may just take bucs. This teams too young to know better
December 11th, 2015 at 5:45 am
Need to prove they can win more than 2 in a row first. They’ve only won back to back games once so far. And now everyone expects them to flip a switch and close out the season with 5 wins in a row? Sorry I just can’t see it.
I think 3-1 is likely more than 4-0. Too many penalties and mistakes to overcome for this young team
December 11th, 2015 at 6:12 am
Playoff chances are getting better? I like it when you talk dirty to me Joe.
December 11th, 2015 at 6:22 am
Lets first beat the saints
December 11th, 2015 at 6:27 am
It may have just gotten harder. LVD had to sit out practice yesterday due to a bum ankle. Hope it’s not serious. Having both he and Kwon out would not bode well.
December 11th, 2015 at 6:33 am
@Patrick- lmao
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Licht & Lovie agreeing in getting Winston and Koetter makes last year feel like it was a decade ago.
I was hoping for 8-8 but these playoff chances has me fired up!
Go Bucs!!!
December 11th, 2015 at 6:40 am
For a team that doesn’t show up or close out against bad teams like the Titans, Texans, Redskins, Giants and Colts lends little confidence they can string 5 back to back wins together to close the regular season. My confidence in this team will grow as their ability to win football games materializes. After that miserable 1-4 start I did not see them winning another football game this year so I look forward to being wrong down the stretch here. Winston is single-handedly breathing life, excitement and some winning football back into this otherwise miserable football team. I understand the optimism because we finally have a QB that offers hope for victory every Sunday.
December 11th, 2015 at 6:49 am
One thing I know is that this team we are witnessing has nothing in common with the past. We can’t even compare our Bucs now even with the Bucs during the 1st quarter of the season.
To be afraid of the future is unrealistic. The tides have changed. That is just being real. We have seen a solid evolution of both offense and defense.
As I said before, I was hoping for 8-8. But a better record for us this season is not unrealistic as we see things today. Playoffs would be icing in the cake.
Go Bucs!!!
December 11th, 2015 at 6:55 am
Go Baltimore
December 11th, 2015 at 6:57 am
Lovie’s vision for the team is coming into fruition. Getting Koetter was the right choice for Winston, Martin, o-line and the rest of the team. Add adjustments to the defense while taking command of the defense has us being open to the possibility of playoffs.
What a year can do for the true Bucs fan. You got to love this!
December 11th, 2015 at 7:15 am
to even be in the race in December is step one for our Bucs, all the sudden we need to break out the shades….our future is so bright!
December 11th, 2015 at 7:41 am
All great points. DallasBuc and TT are actually voices of reasons but we still have reasons to remotely have cautious optimism. It’s hard to believe though that this late in the season they will be able to correct the penalty problem. I don’t blame the coaches it’s the players and penalties are what’s going to kill our chances at winning. I mean how many games have they been involved in our losses? Too many. Still the squad finally has some “OH SNAP!!!” factor to it so we can actually enjoy some good football at times!
Nuc if u Buc I love your screen name! I lved that song when I was a Hip Hop head. Very hard hitting. That’s definitely a song they should play at
RAYMOND JAMEIS STADIUM ! ! !
KNUCK IF U BUC KNUCK KNUCK IF U BUC ! ! !
Oh yeah baby I could see the house rockin if they played that at a sold out game!
December 11th, 2015 at 8:09 am
Win four in a row……simple as that…….but that ain’t simple!!
December 11th, 2015 at 8:33 am
If the Bucs tie either Seattle or Minnesota then the Bucs will get in based on better conference record. I think Minnesota loses 2 of their last 3 so 9-7 might be enough.
December 11th, 2015 at 8:46 am
Man this is FUKN great!!! Awesome opportunity. I’m with TVAL. These young turks don’t know any better. #weaintevascared
December 11th, 2015 at 8:53 am
If the Bucs make the playoffs. I will drive to Tampa and run down Dale Mabry wearing nothing but my tightie whities and a Buc flag for a cape. I’ll post the video to YouTube.
December 11th, 2015 at 8:58 am
I agree that playoffs are a long shot but certainly not impossible. If we can play mistake free football then we have a chance. I would put it all on the defense. I think we’ll score points. If our defense can step up then we can win out.
December 11th, 2015 at 9:04 am
Playoffs would be great, but I’m happy to just see the progress we’ve seen. Going forward, as long as we win the games we should win and play like a strong team, I’m not going to be upset if we don’t get in. I’m not going to let the first offseason we’ve had since I can remember where I have legitimate hope that’s based in evidence of good play be tainted by being upset about not making playoffs that we went in to this season not even thinking about.
I’m just pumped about have the Dread Pirate Winston as the captain of our ship going forward to being perennial playoff contenders for years to come.
December 11th, 2015 at 9:29 am
We’re. Going to know pretty soon with the Thursday night game next week.
I think if we get to 8-6 we will be tied for a wildcard spot and hold a tiebreaker advantage.
Not like NO and the Rams are world beaters.
Doable!
December 11th, 2015 at 9:31 am
That Washington game is really starting to hurt right about now
December 11th, 2015 at 9:42 am
Everyone slow down. Can’t look past the next game. It’ll be interesting to see how these young Bucs respond to pressure football in December. But it feels good as a fan that they are playing for something in December. All 3 phases need to step up and cut down on the penalties. Go Bucs!
December 11th, 2015 at 9:43 am
lets go….beat NO….GO BUCS!!!
December 11th, 2015 at 10:16 am
Everyone, There is one scenario that could happen that gets the Bucs in the playoffs before Week 17 is played. You have to believe all of the below is possible:
1. Bucs beat NO, STL and CHI. Frankly if they don’t win all three they don’t belong in the playoffs
2. Minnesota loses 1 of its next 2 games (CHI and NYG at home)
3. Packers lose 2 of their next 3 games (DAL, @OAK and @AZ)
If all of the above happens, the Bucs make the playoffs after Week 16 ends.
December 11th, 2015 at 10:40 am
Largely, i feel like a 5 game win streak to close the season is a long shot. However, at some point this team has to take that next step and go on a streak. Even down some key players, ive seen enough evidence that weve finally got heart that has been lacking for years. It bodes well that in the remaining schedule are teams basically lining up for the draft. I cant see Seattle losing the rest of the way, but Minnesota i think will fall off enough for the door to open wide for us. After all the bad years i stayed optimistic, now that its looking good I’m feeling reserved. Funny how that works. I dont want to be disappointed i suppose.
I do love what im seeing out of these guys though
December 11th, 2015 at 11:18 am
Even if the Bucs don’t get into the playoffs, the national attention is just fantastic! Every time they show the playoff standings, the Bucs are there as the enxt team to get in. Our players may even get some Pro Bowl recognition now that people are seeing who they are.
December 11th, 2015 at 12:21 pm
Listen I understand the arguments made by the nay sayers…WHEN they are correct! Yes we play stupid football..far too many penalties…and so..can we clean that up? Some here believe not some think we can. But it is a legitimate question.
Can we learn to close out games and stop snatching defeat from the jaws of victory…we’ve done that recently but we all concede to the naysayers that we haven’t done it enough to conclude we turned the corner. But everyone has to concede since we have done it against…the Cowboys and the Falcons we at leaast know we CAN do it.
And so we have tremendous possibiliities and it’s simply a matter of developing consistency at this point. We’ve done it already this season we can do it again!
Now if your opinion is colored by Lovie hate then you sometimes post falsely.
Winston is single-handedly breathing life, excitement and some winning football back into this otherwise miserable football team.
And so offensively we are ranked 9th in the league…a TOP TEN!!! And so yes hurray for Fameis. But is the rest of the team miserable?
Oops the defense is actually ranked HIGHER than the offense at 8th!!!
Geez wonder how the poster could have missed that? Could it be he’d then be eating crow because the defense belongs to LOVIE? Bwaaaahaaahaaaa
December 11th, 2015 at 1:53 pm
Man, I love the optimism. Possibilities abound for the first time in a long time. Whether we make the playoffs or not, you have to love what you’re seeing on the field. If we can clean up some things, there’s no reason NOT to believe this team can make the postseason.
We HAVE to play cleaner though!
Go Bucs!
December 11th, 2015 at 2:20 pm
StPete- as far as the Bucs being .500 after 12 games I am at least eating crow with respect to Lovie Smith showing some competence in fielding a competetive football most of the year and producing wins. This is the ultimate factor and so far he has won half the time regardless of whether it was mostly on the backs of Koetter’s coaching and the talent of Winston and Martin.
I am also eating crow thus far on lapdog Licht because the drafts over the last few years project to be exceptional. I am absolutely shocked at how well the rookies have played on the oline which has a huge difference in how Martin and Winston have performed. Have to admit that excellent coaching has been a major factor.
That being said the competition this year has been mediocre and they seem to lay an egg every time they start gaining momentum. I will be at the Saints game this weekend and can’t wait to see Winston and this team put a beating on Brees and Payton.
Go Bucs
December 11th, 2015 at 2:35 pm
I’m with Ryan above, I think 9-7 would be enough to get in, as I see Minnesota losing 2 of its final 3. Getting to 9-7 will still be tough, though ….. it’s been a one step forward, one step back kind of season. So wouldn’t surprise at all if we dropped one of these next three.
I think it would be pretty awesome if we went into Carolina at 8-7 – and they 15-0 – in a do-or-die game to get the Wild Card. I wouldn’t bet against Jameis in that situation. Could NBC possibly flex into that game, making it a Sunday nighter?? (they will probably pick an NFC Least game)
December 11th, 2015 at 3:51 pm
all remaining opponents are NFC. if we lose any more games, we also match the others in conference losses
December 11th, 2015 at 5:00 pm
DallasBuc…nice post!
December 12th, 2015 at 12:05 pm
New Orleans will want to play shoot out. We must not get sucked into that. By using our running game and play action, we can both rest our defense (so we can harass their QB and stop their runs) and limit their touches drastically. Running the ball makes them load the box to stop it and leaves them one on one with our 6’5″ receivers. Then Winston can burn them bad for an easy WIN! We just need to take them one at a time after that and hope Carolina wins their next three games and has home field advantage sewed up for the playoffs and rests all their starters their last game to keep them healthy for their Super Bowl run. We can do this!!!
December 12th, 2015 at 7:58 pm
We have an appointment with reality…and Carolina…that will even out the conference records…
What’s the next tie-breaker?