The Buccaneers extended their win streak to four games in Week 15, getting hot at the right time with the playoffs approaching.
Tampa Bay now leads the NFC South at 8-6, a solid spot entering the stretch run. But with the Falcons also still contending for the division and a large handful of NFC squads still pursuing wild-card spots, a Buccaneers playoff run is no guarantee quite yet.
Despite dealing with some injury issues — notably to wide receivers Chris Godwin and Mike Evans (although Evans has since made his return to action) — the Buccaneers are alive in the playoff chase.
How could Tampa Bay secure a postseason spot? Here's a look at its outlook following a Week 15 win against the Chargers.
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Buccaneers playoff picture
A win over the Raiders last week pushed the Buccaneers over .500, and the 40-17 victory over Los Angeles continued Tampa Bay's success in Week 15. However, each remaining matchup will still be critical for the Buccaneers.
In the current NFC playoff picture, the Bucs are in line to claim the No. 3 seed as the division winner that's tied for the worst record but holds the tiebreaker with L.A. With the seventh-seeded Commanders holding a 9-5 record, Tampa Bay would fall out of the playoff picture if it loses its grip on the NFC South.
| Rank | Team | Record |
| 1 | Lions | 12-2 |
| 2 | Eagles | 12-2 |
| 3 | Buccaneers | 8-6 |
| 4 | Rams | 8-6 |
| 5 | Vikings | 11-2 |
| 6 | Packers | 10-4 |
| 7 | Commanders | 9-5 |
| 8 | Seahawks | 8-6 |
| 9 | Cardinals | 7-7 |
| 10 | Falcons | 6-7 |
| 11 | 49ers | 6-8 |
| 12 | Cowboys | 6-8 |
| 13 | Saints | 5-9 |
Tampa Bay's ability to fend off Atlanta in the division could decide its playoff fate, and a Week 15 win was a major first step there. If the Falcons win the division — and with the Vikings and Packers having firm grips on wild-card spots — the Buccaneers would need to supplant Washington for the seventh seed and hold off teams like Seattle and Arizona to sneak into the picture.
With their 1.5-game lead over the Falcons, the Buccaneers do control their own destiny to the postseason. But one slip-up, plus an Atlanta win, could drastically change things for Tampa Bay down the stretch.
MORE: Updated NFL playoff picture for Week 15
Buccaneers remaining 2024 schedule
Tampa Bay's toughest remaining challenge in the regular season was likely the Chargers, a current AFC wild-card team. However, the Buccaneers took care of business in that matchup. From here, they now face three consecutive teams with losing records, which could be beneficial in securing a playoff spot.
Here's a look at the Buccaneers' final stretch of the 2024 schedule:
| Date | Matchup | Opponent's current record | Time (ET) |
| Dec. 22 | at Cowboys | 6-8 | 8:20 p.m. |
| Dec. 29 | vs. Panthers | 3-11 | 1 p.m. |
| TBD | vs. Saints | 5-9 | TBD |
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Updated Buccaneers playoff chances
After the Buccaneers' Week 15 win over the Chargers, ESPN's power index give Tampa Bay an 88.3% of making the NFL playoffs, including an 87.1% chance at winning the NFC South. Those numbers can change depending on how the Falcons fare vs. the Raiders on Monday night.
