Can the Buccaneers be the big surprise of the playoffs? Maybe, but that will take a great Baker Mayfield.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9 wins – 8 losses, NFC South champions, fourth NFC
NFC South champions, Todd Bowles' men qualify for the 4th year in a row in the playoffs. A formality then? Maybe not so much… The Floridians were starting their first season without the legendary Tom Brady. To replace him, Tampa Bay relied on Baker Mayfield. The former Browns has therefore succeeded in his bet and intends to lead his team of veterans to play the troublemakers in the playoffs this year.
How did they get there?
It's all been about momentum for these Buccaneers this season. After 3 victories in 4 games, Tampa began to doubt.
In fact, the team lost 6 matches in 7 meetings! During these confrontations, no sector of play particularly saves honor.
But it is perhaps the attack which worries the most by only exceeding 20 points in a single game… Mayfield is skating, the ground game is non-existent. Only Mike Evans manages to do well.
The playoffs then seemed a long way away when, at the end of week 11, Tampa showed up with a record of 4 wins for 7 losses. And then a little “miracle” happens.
From week 12, the Buccaneers saw the course of their season change. A season that “changes” firstly thanks to themselves. Veterans on defense are more and more present. And above all the attack finally finds its rhythm with a Baker Mayfield who has a series of superb performances (his match against the Packers in particular) and a Rachad White who is more efficient on the ground and also in reception. Tampa then wins 5 of its last 6 games. The last 2 matches, however, were very poor in content and Tampa is therefore not entering the playoffs calmly.
Qualifying for the playoffs is also linked to an external factor. That of the NFC South level. With the Saints and Falcons disappointing, Tampa had the opportunity to go to the playoffs despite 4 victories after 11 games…
The key player: Baker Mayfield
How not to quote the Buccaneers quarterback? Arriving on tiptoe in Florida, Mayfield took advantage of this season to beat his record for touchdowns (28) and yards (4,044) thrown.
Beyond his individual performances, the quarterback especially won over his teammates and fans with his combativeness and his aggressiveness. His “pitbull” side, never beaten, was undoubtedly necessary when relaunching a winning dynamic.
To go far in the playoffs, Tampa will not be able to do without a high-level Mayfield. Will we see a Mayfield in “Joe Flacco” mode? Or the one at the start of the season? The answer to this question will be key to the Buccaneers' journey.
Why are they going to go through with it?
On paper and what we have seen this season, it seems complicated to see the Buccaneers go all the way. However, they have an undeniable asset to do so: experience. Several players on the team have already won a title and know the intensity of the playoffs. Always an important asset when stress mounts.
In addition, talented players make up this squad: Mike Evans, Vita Vea, Chris Godwin, Antoine Winfield, Lavonte David… This is particularly the case in defense, a squad which finished the season 7th in the league in points conceded. The team can therefore hope to be supported by this defense. Don't they say that defenses win titles?
Why won't they go?
First the Buccaneers arrive in the playoffs after two very bad games, a dynamic which does not give much hope for the future.
Next, and it's not so much the Buccs' fault, but they just don't seem equipped to be able to fight against the conference favorites. The 49ers and Cowboys seem much more confident in their strengths and capable of exploding the counter.
Finally, without being bad, Todd Bowles is clearly not in the top coaches competing for these playoffs. He may not make the Buccaneers lose, but they won't go to the Super Bowl because of him.
Injured players
Apart from center Ryan Jensen, injured before the start of the season, Tampa has been rather spared from major injuries and will not be able to “use” this excuse in the event of a defeat.
Prognosis
To start the playoffs, Tampa will face the reigning NFC champion. The Buccaneers have the “luck” of meeting the Eagles who have been in a negative spiral for several weeks. We still give Philadelphia the advantage, but the match seems closer than what the bettors are predicting (25% chance of victory for the Buccaneers). A little tour and then Tampa leaves..
