As the 2024 NFL season nears its conclusion, the playoff picture is becoming clearer, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still in the hunt. After a tough start to the season, the Buccaneers now have a chance to claim the NFC South title and make the playoffs.
Currently, Tampa Bay holds a 7-6 record, giving them a 73.5% chance to secure a playoff spot. However, their chances of earning a top seed are slim. They have no chance at the first seed, a very small chance for the second, and a better shot at the third and fourth seeds, with 20.4% and 52.6% probabilities, respectively. Their chances for the fifth, sixth, and seventh seeds are less than 1%, but they still have a 3.2% chance to secure the seventh seed.
Regarding the NFC South, the Buccaneers have a 73.5% chance to win the division, while the Atlanta Falcons trail with a 23.6% chance. The New Orleans Saints and Carolina Panthers have much slimmer chances at 2.8% and 0.1%, respectively.
In the NFC playoff race, the top spots are held by the Detroit Lions (12-1) and Philadelphia Eagles (11-2), followed by the Seattle Seahawks (8-5) and the Buccaneers (7-6). The Minnesota Vikings (11-2), Green Bay Packers (9-4), and Washington Commanders (8-5) round out the current playoff teams. The Los Angeles Rams (7-6) and Atlanta Falcons (6-7) are on the cusp of the playoffs, while the New York Giants (2-11) have been eliminated.
The Buccaneers’ remaining schedule includes games against the Los Angeles Chargers (Week 15), Dallas Cowboys (Week 16), Carolina Panthers (Week 17), and New Orleans Saints (Week 18).
After a challenging early schedule, Tampa Bay found themselves trailing the Falcons by two games, without the head-to-head tiebreaker. However, Atlanta’s three-game losing streak has opened the door for the Buccaneers, who are now tied with the Falcons at 6-6 and trending upward.
Looking ahead to their game against the Las Vegas Raiders, the Buccaneers are favored to win. The Raiders, despite a strong effort against the Kansas City Chiefs, have had their struggles. Tampa Bay will look to exploit their ground game, led by Bucky Irving, to take pressure off quarterback Baker Mayfield. The Bucs have been solid on third downs, but the Raiders’ defense is tough against the run, setting up an intriguing matchup in the trenches.
On the other hand, the Raiders’ offense, particularly their run game, has been ineffective, which could play into the Buccaneers’ hands, as they have struggled defensively against the run. If the Raiders’ passing game, led by Aidan O’Connell, can find success, they could pose a threat. However, the Buccaneers are the stronger team overall and should come out on top, with the Bucs entering the game as 6.5-point favorites.
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