The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are limping towards the playoffs with Todd Bowles' team losing five of their last six games, which includes an epic collapse against the Atlanta Falcons after being up 28-14 in the fourth quarter.
The aftermath of such a crushing blow was immense, not to mention Todd Bowles' explosive, cuss-filled rant as frustration got the better of the veteran head coach.
Luckily, the Buccaneers got some help when the Carolina Panthers lost to the New Orleans Saints; the NFC South is still very much obtainable.
For Eric Edholm of NFL.com, despite the Buccaneers' horrific collapse, they didn't move down in his latest power rankings, staying at No. 20.
“The Buccaneers walked off the field at Raymond James Stadium last Thursday with some seriously bad vibes, having blown a 14-point, fourth-quarter lead in a 29-28 loss to the Falcons,” Edholm wrote. “The division comes down to the teams' two head-to-head games over the next three Sundays, with this week's showdown taking place in Charlotte.”
More: Buccaneers get scorching assessment after horror Falcons loss
Buccaneers fighting against the tide
The Bucs are swimming upstream right now, and losing five of their last six isn't the form line you want heading into the final three weeks of the regular season.
Even more so when you factor in that two of their three games are against the Carolina Panthers, so the division title will come down to those two games, with the first one this week on the road for Tampa Bay.
The offense has gotten fully healthy, and considering the play of the defense, Baker Mayfield and Co. Might have to drive this ship towards the playoffs.
But stopping this skid is crucial, and beating the Panthers in Week 16 and taking a game lead in the division is the perfect tonic.
Tampa Bay needs a win in the worst way, and fans are hoping it comes on Sunday.
More Buccaneers news:
- Baker Mayfield shoulders blame for Buccaneers' collapse against Falcons
- Bucky Irving's frustrating lack of usage near goal line explained by Bucs reporter
- Todd Bowles points finger after Bucs' loss to Falcons and it wasn't at the coaches
- Buccaneers vs. Falcons final score, results: Kirk Cousins, Falcons storm back from 14-point deficit to shock Buccaneers