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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have struggled significantly during the second half of the 2025 NFL season and enter Week 18 of the 2025 NFL season with a 7-9 record as a result.
Despite that, the Buccaneers still have a chance to win the NFC South.
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How can that happen? The Buccaneers will need to beat the Carolina Panthers in their head-to-head matchup and get help from the New Orleans Saints in their game against the Atlanta Falcons. Such a result would grant Tampa Bay its fifth consecutive division title and set it up for a playoff battle with one of the NFC's top wild-card teams.
That may not be the path Baker Mayfield and Co. envisioned needing to take after a strong 6-2 start to the season, but nonetheless, Tampa Bay has a chance to make it into the playoffs for a sixth straight season.
Who will the Buccaneers play in the playoffs if they are able to earn the NFC's final playoff berth? Below is a breakdown of the team's playoff scenarios and potential wild-card opponents.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa's effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
Who will Buccaneers play in playoffs?
The Buccaneers can only be the No. 4 seed if they are able to make it into the playoffs. That guarantees they will play the NFC's No. 5 seed, which is set to be the second-place finisher in the NFC West race.
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With that in mind, Tampa Bay will play one of the following teams if it wins the NFC South:
Buccaneers playoff scenarios
First things first, the Buccaneers have to make it into the postseason race. The following must occur for Tampa Bay to win the NFC South title in NFL Week 18:
Buccaneers win vs. Panthers AND
Falcons lose or tie against Saints
If that happens, they will be the No. 4 seed and will either face the 49ers, Seahawks or Rams in the wild-card round. Below is a look at how each matchup could occur:
San Francisco 49ers
49ers lose vs. Seahawks AND Rams lose or tie vs. Cardinals OR
49ers tie vs. Seahawks
Seattle Seahawks
Seahawks lose vs. 49ers
Los Angeles Rams
49ers lose vs. Seahawks AND Rams win vs. Cardinals
NFL playoff schedule
The NFL playoffs will kick off on Jan. 10 with the league's first two wild-card matchups before concluding on Feb. 8 with Super Bowl 60 at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara.
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Wild card weekend
All times Eastern
Saturday, Jan. 10
AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 11
AFC/NFC wild card game: 1 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Monday, Jan. 12
AFC/NFC wild card game: 8:15 p.m.
Divisional round
Saturday, Jan. 17
AFC/NFC divisional game: 4:30 p.m.
AFC/NFC division game: 8:15 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 18
AFC/NFC divisional game: 3 p.m.
AFC/NFC divisional game: 6:30 p.m.
NFL conference championship round
Sunday, Jan. 25
AFC championship game: 3 p.m.
NFC championship game: 6:30 p.m.
Super Bowl 60
Date: Feb. 8, 2026
Location: Levi's Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
Time: 6:30 p.m.
TV: NBC
NFL playoff picture Week 18
AFC
Denver Broncos (13-3, AFC West winners)*
New England Patriots (13-3, AFC East winners)*
Jacksonville Jaguars (12-4, AFC South leaders)*
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7, AFC North leaders)
Houston Texans (11-5, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Chargers (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
In the hunt: Baltimore Ravens (8-8)
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (13-3, NFC West leaders)*
Philadelphia Eagles (11-5, NFC East winners)*
Carolina Panthers (8-8, NFC South leaders)
San Francisco 49ers (12-4, wild card No. 1)*
Los Angeles Rams (11-5, wild card No. 2)*
In the hunt: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
An asterisk (*) denotes teams that have clinched a playoff spot. Teams that have clinched division titles are noted accordingly.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who could Buccaneers play in playoffs? Breaking down scenarios
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