Tampa Bay are a win clear at the top of the NFC South.
With an supposedly ‘easy’ schedule remaining, the 7-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a chance of finishing the 2024 regular season 11-6.
Despite this run being perceived as simple, the Bucs will need to remain focused and avoid the trap games.
So, what do the Bucs need to be aware of for each team they face in the run in?
Los Angeles Chargers – Week 15
By far the most difficult game remaining, the 8-5 Chargers will be a very tough challenge for the Bucs.
Tampa will need to contain and pressure quarterback Justin Herbert, who is having a resurgence under Jim Harbaugh.
A loss here would not be terrible, depending on other results in the league.
Dallas Cowboys – Week 16
A Week 16 trip to Dallas to take on the Cowboys could be a season-defining game for the Bucs.
The game will be won in the red zone. Though this may seem obvious, both teams are at opposite ends of the spectrum.
The Bucs are the fourth-best red zone offense in the league, coming away with a touchdown on 68.63% of their visits. Conversely, the Cowboys are the second-worst red zone offense, with just 43.75% of trips to the area ending in touchdowns.
If that statistic holds true in Texas, the Bucs could take a big step towards the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers – Week 17
The Carolina Panthers are 3-10 this season, and until recently were perceived as one of the worst teams in the league.
The Panthers played exceptionally well against the Bucs the first time round, divisional opponents will always play better against each other.
Carolina forced overtime when the teams met in Week 12, and were close to pulling off huge upsets over the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles in the weeks aside side.
To win, the Bucs will need to pressure Young to hopefully cause him to revert to making mistakes again. The way things are going, the Panthers could definitely be a team to watch for next season.
New Orleans Saints – Week 18
Another divisional game to end the regular season, and the Saints will not shy away from trying to win what could be a meaningless game for them just to spite the Bucs.
Only the Bucs and the Saints have claimed the NFC South division title since 2016, and are big rivals.
The season is looking bleak for the Saints, who almost lost to the Giants in Week 14. Taysom Hill’s season-ending injury has only added to their problems.
New Orleans have a bottom 10 defense in the NFL this season, and the Bucs will need to take advantage of this.
So what do they need?
The Bucs were 28-13 victors over the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 14, thanks – in part – to a lightning-fast start which saw them lead 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.
On the same day, the Atlanta Falcons were trounced 42-21 by the Minnesota Vikings. It seems the ‘Rise Up’ gang are faltering again, approaching a decade-long playoff drought.
As a result the Bucs have finally taken back control of the NFC South and their destiny.
Three more wins should do the trick, though just two could be enough to see Tampa Bay crowned division champions yet again.
