Buccaneers' NFC South chances take huge hit in loss to Saints

Adam Schultz

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Buccaneers' NFC South chances take huge hit in loss to Saints image

© Nathan Ray Seebeck

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now in serious trouble after their 24-20 loss to the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium, which now sees Todd Bowles' team's path to claim the NFC South no longer a straightforward one.

It was a horror day for the Buccaneers, who dropped to 7-6 after losing four of their last five games, and now with the Carolina Panthers hanging around, things in the NFC South are getting interesting.

Per ESPN's Jenna Laine, the Buccaneers' chances of winning the division after Sunday's loss have dropped from 80 percent down to 68 percent as Bowles' team is now tied for the lead in the division.

Given that the Buccaneers still have to play the Panthers twice this season, Tampa Bay should have taken care of business against the Saints, and we may look back at this game as the one that cost the Buccaneers the division.

More: NFC South standings: How Buccaneers loss to Saints impacts divisional race with Panthers in Week 14

Buccaneers in freefall after Week 14

Tampa Bay isn't in a great spot now, as the NFC South was the easiest path toward a postseason berth, because, looking at the wildcard spots, the Buccaneers are in serious trouble.

All three wild card teams have at least eight wins on the season, with the Buccaneers at 7-6 behind them.

So, if Tampa doesn't win the division, then it might be tough to claim a wildcard spot over the 9-3 Los Angeles Rams, the 8-3-1 Green Bay Packers, and the 9-4 San Francisco 49ers.

Having started the season in good form, the Buccaneers have hit the skids in the worst way possible, and now, the year feels like it is teetering on the edge for Bowles and his team.

And the loss to the Saints might be the start of a nasty second-half iceberg for the defending NFC South champs.

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Contributing Writer