The Buccaneers’ entire 2025 season is riding on Saturday’s matchup against the Panthers.
The Bucs have lost four in a row, with consecutive losses to the Saints, Falcons, Panthers, and Dolphins, while the Panthers are fresh off a 27-10 whooping by the Seattle Seahawks. The Bucs are at home in Tampa today, and oddsmakers have them set as standard home favorites in Saturday’s NFC South clash.
And it’s a win or go home situation, since the Bucs’ losing streak has them leveled up with the third-place,
eliminated Atlanta Falcons at 7-9. For the Buccaneers to sew up that last division winner playoff spot in the NFC, not only do they need to beat the Panthers, but they need the Falcons to lose to the Saints. Atlanta’s head coach Raheem Morris is fighting to keep his job, so the Falcons will be playing to win. Can they do it? It’s the Falcons, so who knows?
Here are the updated NFC South standings and the NFC playoff picture heading into Saturday’s games.
Updated NFC South standings
- Carolina Panthers 8-8
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-9
- Atlanta Falcons 7-9
- New Orleans Saints 6-10
Updated NFC playoff picture
1. Seattle Seahawks 13-3 (clinched playoff berth)
2. Chicago Bears 11-4 (clinched NFC North)
3. Philadelphia Eagles 10-5 (clinched NFC East)
4. Carolina Panthers 8-8
5. San Francisco 49ers 11-4 (clinched playoff berth)
6. Los Angles Rams 11-4 (clinched playoff berth)
7. Green Bay Packers 9-6-1 (clinched Wild Card spot)
11. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-9
