The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are mathematically alive for the NFC South title — but only if they beat the Panthers AND the Saints lose to the Falcons. With a 7-9 record, their playoff path hinges on wild-card matchups against the 49ers, Seahawks or Rams.
Can the Buccaneers Still Win the NFC South?
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season with a 7-9 record — far from the powerhouse they were in the first half of the year. But they’re not out of the playoff race yet. To clinch the NFC South title, they must win their head-to-head matchup against the Carolina Panthers and hope the New Orleans Saints lose to the Atlanta Falcons.
This is no ordinary scenario — it’s a high-stakes gamble that requires both teams to deliver specific results. If Tampa Bay wins against Carolina and the Saints fall to the Falcons, the Buccaneers will earn their fifth consecutive division title — a feat that would cement their status as one of the league’s most consistent franchises since the 2020s.
Who Will They Face in the Playoffs?
If they make it, the Buccaneers will be the No. 4 seed in the NFC. That means they’ll face whichever team finishes second in the NFC West — which is currently either the San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks or Los Angeles Rams.
Here’s the breakdown:
- San Francisco 49ers — Tampa Bay would face them if the 49ers lose to the Seahawks AND the Rams lose or tie against the Cardinals.
- Seattle Seahawks — The Seahawks would be the opponent if they lose to the 49ers.
- Los Angeles Rams — The Rams would be the wildcard if the 49ers lose to the Seahawks AND the Rams defeat the Cardinals.
Each matchup presents its own set of challenges — whether it’s facing the dominant defense of the 49ers or the explosive offense of the Seahawks. For Baker Mayfield and Co., this is a chance to prove they belong among the elite playoff contenders.
Baker Mayfield’s Playoffs: A Story of Resilience
After a strong 6-2 start to the season, Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers have faced adversity — but they’ve also shown resilience. In his latest press conference, Mayfield said, “We’re not done yet. We’ve got one more game to play, and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.”
That kind of attitude is exactly what fans need to see — especially after watching the team struggle through injuries and inconsistent performances. Now, with just one game left to determine their postseason fate, Mayfield has the opportunity to solidify his legacy as a leader who can turn things around when it matters most.
NFL Playoff Schedule: When Does It Start?
The NFL playoffs begin on Saturday, January 10th — with four wild-card games kicking off the postseason. The schedule continues through Sunday, February 8th, culminating in Super Bowl 60 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
Here’s the full schedule:
Wild Card Weekend
All times Eastern
Saturday, Jan. 10
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 1 p.m.
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 12
- AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Divisional Round
Saturday, Jan. 17
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.
- AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.
- AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.
Conference Championship Round
Sunday, Jan. 25
- AFC championship game: 3 p.m.
- NFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 60
- Date: Feb. 8, 2026
- Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
- Time: 6:30 p.m.
- TV: NBC
Playoff Picture Week 18
AFC
- Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
- New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
- Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
- Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
- Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
- Buffalo Bills (11-5, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC
- Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
- Chicago Bears (11-5, NFC North winners)*
- Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
- Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
- San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
- Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
- Green Bay Packers (9-6-1, wild card No. 3)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.
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