The Bucs’ Playoff Picture Summary
December 24th, 2016
UPDATED 11:13 p.m.: Bucs are eliminated.
No need to take notes.
Joe has done it for you.
Here’s what has to happen for the Bucs (8-7) to make the playoffs.
- The Lions (9-5) must lose on the road on Monday Night Football to the Cowboys, who have clinched the No. 1 seed in the NFC.
- The Packers (9-6) must lose to the Lions on New Year’s Day in Detroit.
- The Giants (10-5) must win at the Redskins (8-6-1) on New Year’s Day.
- Tampa Bay must beat the Panthers at the Stadium on Dale Mabry Highway on New Year’s Day.
- Also, the Bucs need a lot of help from seemingly random teams to allow them to win a “strength of victory” tiebreaker with the Packers for the Wild Card.
If all of that happens, the Bucs and Giants will be the NFC Wild Card teams, with Tampa Bay earning the No. 6 seed and likely heading to Seattle for the playoffs, assuming the Falcons (10-5) bury the Saints (7-8) in Atlanta next weekend.
In summary, the Bucs need three games to fall their way and their own victory, and some miracles.
Yes, hope for a postseason appearance is alive. Hope for a postseason win is a very different story.
December 24th, 2016 at 10:29 pm
Please……… for what dumb ass to throw another INT.
December 24th, 2016 at 10:30 pm
We will be so much better next year. Guarantee it.
December 24th, 2016 at 10:34 pm
It’s definitely a lot more complicated than this. First off we need the Packers to lose not win and then we need a bunch of other games to go a specific way to get in on strength of victory.
December 24th, 2016 at 10:36 pm
The first 4 items are obvious and likely. What teams do we need to be watching next week to satisfy the 5th item?
December 24th, 2016 at 10:41 pm
The Bucs don’t deserve to be in the playoffs.
This roster and coaching staff have a long road ahead.
December 24th, 2016 at 10:44 pm
Hopefully they kick the f**k out of Scam and the Panthers.
9-7 will be acceptable.
Lose three straight to 8-8 is a gigantic f**k fest!
December 24th, 2016 at 10:52 pm
I don’t think this team is ready. They are seemingly alot closer than they’ve been in a long time.
You know thoae teams that seem to spend in free agency in an attempt to go from mediocre to contender? That used to be us. But now we may just be a big name or two from taking that step. I’m nit familiar with who will be available besides Alshon, DJax etc. But a couple wise decisions could take us there.
As for the draft, OL (T or C), Pass rusher, Safety and Wide Receiver off the top of my head. Maybe Dalvin if he’s there and the BPA from the positions listed above are gone.
And then of course, I love Jameis. I pray he becomes everything and more. But he has to get more consistent. Far too many games he has been off target, or made a bad decision or two, and we can’t take that next step if there aren’t some serious issues worked out this spring. Now I get the talent around him isn’t GREAT. But it all starts with the qb. If he works on his accuracy, footwork etc, some of those “scrubs” around him look a little better. Defenses can’t double Mike Evans every other play. There’s a little more room for the running back. The O line looks a little better. It starts and ends under center and Jameis has our full support (from the real fans)
December 24th, 2016 at 11:07 pm
Win the home game! That would be 4 in a row at home! Have a winning record since 2010! Playoffs would have been nice, but building for next year is the most important part. Have a solid draft and this team will be a division winner in 2017! This team has done a lot with missing parts all year! Coaching staff is in place for a couple playoff runs over the next 5 years!
Go Bucs !
December 24th, 2016 at 11:09 pm
With all the injuries on the oline and d line ,Te and lack of 2nd wr We as Bucs fans should be thankful to even be 8-7
December 24th, 2016 at 11:18 pm
Bengals losing tonight made us close to impossible now..Ended pretty much…
December 24th, 2016 at 11:23 pm
OH LORD LET MY BABY CAM BE OKAY!!! Such a sweet boy off the field and a straight up baller on the field. Get well soon and happy holidays to ya CB84.
December 24th, 2016 at 11:25 pm
Doesn’t matter. This is not a playoff caliber team. End of fantasizing.
December 24th, 2016 at 11:50 pm
Can’t win or get to the playoffs with a turnover prone inconsistent and inaccurate qb who refuses to learn from his 22 mistakes
December 25th, 2016 at 12:02 am
I guess I’ll root for dallas. I really don’t care about anyone in these playoffs though. This sucks.
December 25th, 2016 at 12:20 am
Thought if lions lose both games and skins lose and we win were in?
December 25th, 2016 at 12:34 am
So did I Nutter. I guess it’s just too complicated for me.
December 25th, 2016 at 12:45 am
Eliminated….oh ell, wouldnt have gone far anyway. Too many injuries and we’re just not quite there yet. But Im good with the progress which is all I asked for. I was predicting 6-7 wins because of our schedule.
We need to get JW3 a few more weapons and some protection in the trenches, sign Eric Berry and maybe go after another free agent on the O line if Sweezy is done. A lot of decisions.
December 25th, 2016 at 12:45 am
“well”
December 25th, 2016 at 6:12 am
Well, Bucs are eliminated, so that’s at least one game that Koetter doesn’t have to “choose” to sit Doug Martin.
December 25th, 2016 at 10:32 am
Just wanted to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. ALSO – I HAVE SOME URGENT NEWS :
Even though the Texans beat the Bengals last night, I have used the ESPN Playoff machine and found “ONE” and “ONLY ONE” scenario where our Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still make the playoffs as the 6th seed based on strength of schedule. Here is what must happen today and in Week 17 :
Today, (December 25th), the Cowboys have to beat the Lions AND The Chiefs have to beat the Broncos.
Next week the following must happen in the games :
Bucs beat the Panthers
Colts beat the Jaguars
Cowboys beat the Eagles
Lions beat the Packers
Titans beat the Texans
49ers beat the Seahawks
Redskins “TIE” with the Giants.
Sure it’s a long shot but anything can happen !!!
Merry Christmas everyone,
Still_hopeful
December 25th, 2016 at 11:27 am
It seem every time Gerald McCoy gives his lame ass pregame speech
they loose!! Just saying….
December 25th, 2016 at 12:09 pm
Jay Smith
That’s not even close to true. He gives a speech every game…including the 5 game winning streak.
Your agenda has failed.
December 25th, 2016 at 11:00 pm
As far as I’m concerned, the 8 or 9 wins against this year’s schedule is a dramatic improvement and eclipses the 10 wins Raheem had against a weak schedule. There were key injuries, bad calls by officials, horrible clock management, and very questionable strategic coaching decisions, yet the Bucs beat the Vegas odds for wins. The Bucs should cruise to a playoff berth next season and could even be real contenders if Winston can turn his regression around and truly become a top-10 QB.
December 26th, 2016 at 2:35 am
Look , those of you disappointed about this team are crazy people. We are improving. Yes we have missing parts but I believe they will take care of this. When we won in 2002 it didn’t happen over night people. Improvement is a great thing for this organization.