There’s no question about how this game should have gone. The Bucs were on top of the NFC South, with five whole wins more than the Saints, a team with a dismal 2-10 record heading into Sunday’s matchup. But it is any given Sunday in this league, and the Bucs now sit at 7-6, dead even with the Panthers. The Panthers and Bucs have yet to face off this season, with both divisional matchups scheduled for Week 16 and Week 18, respectively.
The Panthers are almost certainly the only team in the NFC South that has a chance to unseat the Bucs as division champions. The Saints have already been eliminated from playoff contention. The Falcons are a complete and utter disaster, and they’re also eliminated from playoff contention after Sunday’s 37-9 loss to the Seahawks.
It’s still the Bucs’ division to lose, and today’s loss doesn’t change that. But it does bump the Seahawks right into that top NFC Spot.
Update after the late afternoon slate:
That didn’t last long! The Packers’ win over the Bears shook up the top of the NFC standings, but the Bucs stay in that No. 4 spot.
Update after Monday Night Football:
An Eagles’ loss to the Los Angeles Chargers didn’t change anything but Philly’s win-loss record. They’ve still got the top spot in the NFC East, and the Bucs will also head into Week 15 on top of the NFC South and seeded in at No. 4.
NFC playoff standings
- Los Angeles Rams 10-3
- Green Bay Packers: 9-3-1
- Philadelphia Eagles: 8-5
- Tampa Bay Bucs: 7-6
- Seattle Seahawks: 10-3
- San Francisco 49ers: 9-4
- Chicago Bears: 9-4
- Detroit Lions: 8-5
- Carolina Panthers: 7-6
- Dallas Cowboys: 6-6-1
NFC South standings
- Tampa Bay Bucs 7-6
- Carolina Panthers 7-6
- Atlanta Falcons 4-9 (eliminated)
- New Orleans Saints 3-10 (eliminated)