The NFC South continues to be a rollercoaster, and somehow, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still riding near the front. After a gut-punch 29-28 loss to the Falcons last Thursday night dropped them to 7-7, it looked like the Bucs might be sliding out of the playoff picture. But thanks to the Panthers stumbling against the Saints - a 20-17 upset that no one saw coming - Tampa finds itself right back in the mix, tied for first in the division.
That’s the NFC South in a nutshell this year: unpredictable, messy, and wide open. But with just three games left in the regular season, the spotlight is starting to shine a little hotter on head coach Todd Bowles - and not just because of the standings.
Todd Bowles and the Hot Seat That Won’t Cool Off
Let’s be clear: questions about Bowles’ job security aren’t new. They’ve been floating around for a while now, and not without reason.
In each of the past two seasons, the Bucs found themselves in a hole - 4-6 one year, 4-7 the next - only to claw their way back into playoff contention. This year?
Same story. Tampa’s sitting at 7-7, but they’ve dropped five of their last six.
That’s not the kind of trend you want in December.
And while a .500 record doesn’t scream “fire the coach,” context matters. This team has been frustratingly inconsistent.
They’ve shown flashes of being a playoff-caliber squad, only to follow it up with breakdowns in execution, discipline, or both. The fact that two of their final three games are against the Panthers - their direct rival for the division crown - only raises the stakes.
The Schedule Sets Up a Showdown
Tampa heads to Carolina on December 21 for what’s shaping up to be a pivotal game. The Bucs are currently listed as three-point road favorites, but in a division where no lead feels safe and no team is truly dominant, that line might as well be a coin flip.
And then, in Week 18, the Panthers come to Raymond James Stadium. That game could very well decide who wins the NFC South - and who’s watching the playoffs from the couch.
Bowles’ Resume: A Mixed Bag
Bowles has guided the Buccaneers to three straight division titles, which is no small feat in any era. But his overall resume is a bit more complicated.
His regular-season record sits at 34-31, and his playoff mark is just 1-3. That’s not exactly the kind of postseason pedigree that inspires unwavering confidence, especially when paired with the team’s tendency to hit midseason slumps.
And it’s those repeated swoons that have become a pattern. Three years, three in-season slides. At some point, that stops being a coincidence and starts being a concern.
A Long-Term Deal, But a Short Leash?
The Bucs did hand Bowles a contract extension over the summer that reportedly runs through 2028. On paper, that’s a sign of commitment.
But in the NFL, contracts don’t always mean what they say on the page. As it stands, there’s no guarantee Bowles is safe beyond Week 18 - especially if Tampa fails to lock up a fourth straight division title.
There’s still time to change the narrative. Win out, take the division, and Bowles likely buys himself another year - maybe more.
But stumble down the stretch, especially against a team like Carolina that’s been just as up-and-down? That could lead to some serious soul-searching in the Bucs’ front office.
How Will the Locker Room Respond?
Perhaps the most intriguing part of this situation is how Bowles’ players respond. After the loss to Atlanta, Bowles didn’t hold back when pointing fingers, placing blame squarely on the team’s execution. That kind of message can either light a fire or fracture a locker room - and we’ll find out which one it is over the next three weeks.
The opportunity is there. The division is still within reach.
But the margin for error is gone. For Bowles and the Bucs, the final stretch of the season isn't just about making the playoffs - it might be about deciding the future of the franchise’s leadership.