The Buccaneers controlled their own playoff destiny entering Week 18, and they did their job.
Tampa Bay could have locked up the NFC South with a win over the Saints at home in Week 17, but New Orleans played spoiler. That pushes the division crowning to the final week of the NFL season, and the Buccaneers, Saints, and Falcons all still had a chance to make the playoffs.
Tampa Bay will take on the Panthers in Charlotte, while New Orleans and Atlanta will go head-to-head at the Superdome with hopes of a Buccaneers loss.
What is Tampa Bay's path to winning the NFC South and qualifying for the postseason? The Sporting News takes a closer look below.
LIVE: Updated NFL standings, playoff scenarios for Week 18
Buccaneers playoff picture 2024
How Buccaneers can win the NFC South
The Buccaneers' path to the playoffs was as simple as it gets: Win and they're in.
Tampa Bay did its job with an ugly 9-0 win over the woeful Panthers to clinch the NFC South title and home-field advantage next weekend.
MORE: NFL picks, predictions against the spread Week 18
Tampa Bay could have clinched the NFC South with a win over the Saints in Week 17 but dropped its chance with a 23-13 loss. Both teams entered Week 18 with an 8-8 record, but fortunately for the Buccaneers, they own all tiebreakers over New Orleans.
The two teams split their season series and have the same record (3-2) in division matchups. Even if the Bucs and Saints both win on Sunday to get to 9-8, Tampa Bay will win the tiebreaker on winning percentage in common games.
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Buccaneers playoff-clinching scenarios
Below is a clearer look at Tampa Bay's clinching scenarios in Week 18 of the 2023 NFL season:
Tampa Bay clinches the NFC South division title with:
- Buccaneers win OR
- Buccaneers tie and Saints lose or tie
Tampa Bay clinches NFC wild-card spot with:
- Buccaneers win, Seahawks loss, and Packers loss or tie
