TAMPA, Fla. — Todd Bowles did not stay awake to check if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers received any assistance in their pursuit of an NFL playoff spot.
The Buccaneers (9-7) have been competing intensely for over a month, achieving victories in five out of their last six matchups, which propelled them to the forefront of the NFC South division.
They have the opportunity to secure their fourth consecutive division championship next Sunday with either a win or a tie in their home game against the New Orleans Saints. Additionally, they could clinch the title if the Atlanta Falcons lose or tie against the Carolina Panthers in the Falcons’ last game of the regular season.
“Very fortunate,” remarked Bowles about the Buccaneers regaining control of their playoff aspirations.
“It was a hard-fought game that had its ups and downs,” Bowles noted. “Having the chance to dictate our own future is all anyone could hope for — we must go out and seize it.”
It seems clear that Bowles was aware of the importance of the Falcons’ recent loss to the Washington Commanders, which allowed the Buccaneers to move ahead in the standings.
However, Bowles clarified, “I was actually asleep.” He added, “I caught the results this morning and felt fine. I watched the highlights later on.”
Bowles may have found reassurance in the Buccaneers’ dominant performance against the Carolina Panthers, where they won decisively with a score of 48-14, positioning themselves favorably in the standings after Atlanta’s defeat.
Baker Mayfield shone by throwing for 359 yards and five touchdowns without an interception, and the team rushed for 202 yards as well.
Should the division rivals end with matching records, Atlanta currently holds the upper hand in the tiebreaker.
When asked how he expects his team to cope with the imminent opportunity, Bowles said, “They need to focus on executing the small details. Their mindset should reflect that of Sunday. We have to nail the essential aspects. It’s a division matchup, and we anticipate a tough battle.”
What is working well for the Buccaneers is Bucky Irving, who has become the team’s first rusher to surpass 1,000 yards since Doug Martin in 2015. He amassed 113 rushing yards and 77 receiving yards against the Panthers. Irving could be in line for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, were it not for Jayden Daniels’ remarkable performance with the playoff-bound Commanders.
However, the team’s pass defense remains a significant issue. Despite a strong start where they secured a 27-7 lead against Carolina, Bryce Young was still able to connect on a 40-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen, keeping the Panthers competitive before a missed field goal proved detrimental.
Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan has seen his stock rise, as he recorded two touchdown catches on Sunday, bringing his tally to six touchdowns in the past four games. Conversely, with Irving’s ascent, third-year running back Rachaad White appears to have lost his position as the starter to the rookie.
Injury updates revealed that cornerback Jamel Dean exited the game on Sunday due to a knee injury, with Bowles stating he had no additional information on Dean’s condition. The coach also noted it is premature to discuss the potential return of safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who has not played for the last three games due to a knee issue.
A notable statistic is that wide receiver Mike Evans needs just 85 yards to match Hall of Famer Jerry Rice’s record of 11 consecutive seasons with at least 1,000 receiving yards. Evans stands on the brink of reaching this milestone despite missing three games and part of another due to a hamstring injury.
Looking ahead, the Buccaneers are set to face the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. A victory or a tie would secure four consecutive NFC South titles, with three of those achieved under Bowles’ leadership.
