It took 17 weeks, but something finally went according to plan for the Buccaneers in 2022.
With their win over the Panthers to move to 8-8 on the season, the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South, guaranteeing a playoff spot and a home game as the No. 4 seed to play No. 5 on Wild Card Weekend.
It wasn't easy for the Buccaneers. Carolina led for a good portion of the game, and went up 21-10 early in the fourth quarter. However, Tampa Bay scored 20 straight points and went on to win 30-24.
Tom Brady and the Buccaneers have struggled this year for long stretches, but a breakout performance from Mike Evans was ultimately the difference-maker. Despite the Saints managing to upset the Eagles this week, the Buccaneers can go into Week 18 and rest their starters ahead of the wild card game against Dallas or Philadelphia.
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That's going to be a tall task for the Buccaneers, but a week of rest against the Falcons could do Brady and the Bucs some good.
TEAM WIN. NFC SOUTH CHAMPS. pic.twitter.com/1CXVOJhGkU
— Tom Brady (@TomBrady) January 1, 2023
NFC South standings
The Panthers fought and scrapped for weeks after firing coach Matt Rhule, but ultimately they came up just short. After Carolina failed to convert on a lateral play Sunday as time expired, the Buccaneers officially clinched the NFC South. With no standings changes in play, that means their game against the Falcons will be meaningless.
The Falcons were the only team not alive heading into this week, but the Saints needed the Buccaneers to lose out and the Panthers needed to win to stay alive.
| Team | Record |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers (z) | 8-8 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7-9 |
| Carolina Panthers | 6-10 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 6-10 |
The Saints have won three straight games and had done well to keep themselves alive up until this week, but even if they win next week and the Buccaneers lose Tampa Bay would hold an 8-9 tiebreaker with its two wins over New Orleans.
Carolina and Atlanta, meanwhile, are eliminated by simple math.
The Buccaneers will face either the Eagles or the Cowboys depending on how next week goes. If the Eagles hold off the Cowboys and win the division, it will be Dallas. If the Cowboys win and the Eagles lose, the Buccaneers will host the Eagles.
Either way, the Buccaneers know they're hosting a playoff game. That's a start in what could well be Brady's last season.
