The Tampa Bay Buccaneers lost to the Miami Dolphins on the road in Week 17. The defeat moved Tampa Bay to 7-9 on the season.
The Buccaneers were at the mercy of the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers for their playoff hopes. If the Seahawks won, the Buccaneers would be able to host the Panthers in Week 18 with the winner going to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed and the NFC South champion.
Here is how a Buccaneers loss to the Dolphins impacts the NFC South race and Tampa Bay's postseason chances.
MORE WEEK 17 NEWS:
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- How Giants-Raiders Week 17 matchup likely decides No. 1 overall pick
- Texans, Packers among latest teams to clinch spot in NFL postseason
Are the Buccaneers out of the playoffs?
No. Tampa Bay was only going to be eliminated from playoff contention if it had lost and Carolina had won. While the Buccaneers did lose to the Dolphins, the Seahawks beat the Panthers so Tampa Bay is alive for one more week.
Buccaneers playoff picture
Tampa Bay's playoff picture is easy. Win and in. If the Buccaneers beat the Panthers in Week 18, they will win the NFC South and be the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoff bracket. If Tampa Bay loses, it will be eliminated from playoff contention.
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 1 | Seahawks | 13-3 |
| 2 | Bears | 11-4 |
| 3 | Eagles | 10-5 |
| 4 | Panthers | 8-8 |
| 5 | 49ers | 11-4 |
| 6 | Rams | 11-4 |
| 7 | Packers | 9-6-1 |
| 8 | Vikings - eliminated | 8-8 |
| 9 | Lions - eliminated | 8-8 |
| 10 | Cowboys - eliminated | 7-8-1 |
| 11 | Buccaneers | 7-9 |
| 12 | Falcons - eliminated | 6-9 |
| 13 | Saints - eliminated | 5-10 |
| 14 | Commanders - eliminated | 4-12 |
| 15 | Cardinals - eliminated | 3-13 |
| 16 | Giants - eliminated | 2-13 |
MORE: Updated 2026 NFL Draft order
NFC wild-card standings
The Buccaneers cannot make the playoffs as a wild-card team. Tampa Bay can only make it as the winner of the NFC South.
Division leaders
- 1. Seahawks (13-3)
- 2. Bears (11-4)
- 3. Eagles (10-5)
- 4. Panthers (8-8)
| Seed | Team | Record |
| 5 | 49ers | 11-4 |
| 6 | Rams | 11-4 |
| 7 | Packers | 9-6-1 |
NFC South standings
The NFC South will come down to one game. The Week 18 matchup between the Panthers and the Buccaneers will be for the division, with the winner earning the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs.
| Panthers | 8-8 |
| Buccaneers | 7-9 |
| Falcons | 6-9 |
| Saints | 5-10 |
Buccaneers remaining schedule
Tampa Bay has one game left, and it is the most important one that they will have played all season.
| Date | Game | Time |
| TBD | vs. Panthers | TBD |