Buccaneers Reeling but Still in the NFC South Mix as Season Nears Final Stretch
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have hit a wall-and hard. After an impressive 6-2 start that had them looking like a legitimate playoff threat, the wheels have come off. They've now dropped five of their last six, and while they’re still technically tied for first in the NFC South, the momentum is going in the exact opposite direction.
NFL.com’s latest Power Rankings reflect that slide, with the Bucs falling to No. 17.
And honestly, that might be generous. This is a team that’s gone from one of the league’s early-season surprises to one of its most frustrating enigmas.
Let’s rewind for a moment. Tampa Bay entered December at 7-5 and had a golden opportunity to get back on track against a 2-10 New Orleans Saints team.
Instead, they stumbled badly. Four days later, they had a chance to bounce back against a struggling Falcons squad-and that’s where things truly unraveled.
The Bucs were up 28-14 in the fourth quarter. At home.
Against a 4-9 Atlanta team. And they still managed to lose.
That collapse wasn’t just about a bad quarter-it was about a complete breakdown in execution and composure. On the Falcons’ final drive, trailing 28-26, Atlanta faced a 3rd-and-28.
Not only did they convert, but they also overcame a 4th-and-14 later in the same drive. Zane Gonzalez capped it off with a walk-off field goal that sent the Bucs to their knees and reportedly sent head coach Todd Bowles into a postgame press conference filled with frustration and a few choice words.
That kind of loss doesn’t just sting-it lingers. And it’s exactly the kind of game that can define a team’s season if they don’t respond the right way.
Still, as chaotic as things have been, Tampa Bay somehow remains in the thick of the NFC South race. That’s less a testament to their recent play and more a reflection of how wide open-and frankly underwhelming-the division has been this year.
Thanks to the Saints completing a season sweep of the Panthers, the Bucs didn’t lose any ground in the standings despite their back-to-back home losses. They’re still tied atop the division, but now come the games that will truly decide their fate.
In a scheduling twist, Tampa and Carolina will face off twice in the final three weeks. Those two matchups are likely to determine who punches their ticket to the postseason. The first showdown comes this Sunday in Charlotte, and it’s shaping up to be a must-win for both sides.
So where do the Bucs go from here?
The offense, led by Baker Mayfield, needs to rediscover the efficiency and rhythm it had earlier in the season. Mayfield’s recent interception against Atlanta was costly-not just on the scoreboard, but in terms of momentum and confidence. And with the defense looking increasingly vulnerable, especially late in games, the pressure is now squarely on the offense to carry more of the load.
Mike Evans remains the X-factor. When he’s locked in, he can change a game with a single play. The Bucs are going to need every ounce of that big-play ability if they’re going to salvage this season and make a run at the division crown.
There’s still time. But the margin for error?
It’s gone. Tampa Bay’s path to the playoffs is clear: win the head-to-heads, clean up the late-game miscues, and hope the early-season version of this team shows up when it matters most.
Because right now, the Bucs aren’t just battling their opponents-they’re fighting to regain their identity.