Game update (Sunday late afternoon): The Rams’ loss means Tampa Bay is the three seed, so they will host the Washington Commanders instead of the Vikings/Lions loser.
How the Buccaneers clinched the NFC South title in Week 18
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in the playoffs as NFC South Champions. Here is how they clinched the title
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Mark Schofield is a former college quarterback and attorney covering the NFL and F1.
Game update (Sunday afternoon): The New Orleans Saints did everything they could to play spoiler, but thanks to the Buccaneers’ comeback win on Sunday, they have won the NFC South.
The Atlanta Falcons have been eliminated.
Tampa Bay can still finish as the No. 3 seed, depending on the outcome of Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks. If the Rams win or tie, they will be the No. 3 seed and the Buccaneers will be the No. 4 seed.
But if the Rams — who are starting Jimmy Garoppolo — lose to Seattle, the Buccaneers are the No. 3 seed.
Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons enter the final Sunday of the 2024 NFL regular season with a chance to win the NFC South.
While the Falcons swept the season series between the two teams — giving them a critical tiebreaker advantage — the Buccaneers enter Sunday a game up in the standings, and in control of their own destiny.
Here is how Tampa Bay can clinch the NFC South, and the final playoff spot in the conference, on Sunday.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC South clinching scenarios
Things are pretty straightforward for the Buccaneers. With a win or a tie against the New Orleans Saints in their season finale, they are NFC South Champions.
However, even if they lose to the Saints, they will still win the division if the Falcons lose or tie against the Carolina Panthers.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC seeding scenarios
While the Falcons can only get into the playoffs as the No. 4 seed, Tampa Bay can climb as high as the No. 3 seed. With a win over the Saints, and a Los Angeles Rams loss to the Seattle Seahawks, the Buccaneers are the No. 3 seed, and the Rams drop to the No. 4 seed based on NFC record.
Not only will the No. 3 seed host the No. 6 seed — which will be either Washington or Green Bay — but the No. 4 seed will face the loser of Sunday night’s game between the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings. That makes the No. 3 seed an enticing option.
However, if the Rams win or tie, and the Buccaneers lose or tie (but still win the division), then the Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers elimination scenarios
The Buccaneers will be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss to the Saints, and a Falcons win against the Panthers.
NFC standings entering Week 18
1. x-Detroit Lions (14-2, win over MIN)
2. y-Philadelphia Eagles (13-3)
3. y-Los Angeles Rams (10-6)
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (9-7)
5. x-Minnesota Vikings (14-2, loss to DET)
6. x-Washington Commanders (11-5, 8-3 NFC)
7. x-Green Bay Packers (11-5, 6-5 NFC)
8. Seattle Seahawks (9-7) — eliminated
9. Atlanta Falcons (8-8)
10. Dallas Cowboys (7-9, 5-6 NFC) — eliminated
11. Arizona Cardinals (7-9, 3-8 NFC) — eliminated
12. San Francisco 49ers (6-9, win over DAL) — eliminated
13. New Orleans Saints (5-11) — eliminated
14. Chicago Bears (4-11, win over CAR) — eliminated
15. Carolina Panthers (4-12, loss to CHI) — eliminated
16. New York Giants (3-13) — eliminated
Teams with an asterisk (*) have been eliminated from divisional contention
Teams with an (x) have clinched a playoff spot
Teams with a (y) have clinched their division
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