A lot can change in one Sunday in the NFL. Last week, the Falcons’ win over the Giants on Sunday afternoon and the Bucks’ loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night determined the Bucks’ fate in the NFC South race.
It was a blow for Tampa Bay, but the reality remained that a lot could change in one Sunday going into Week 17. In fact, there was an opportunity for the roles to be reversed. Bucks play in the afternoon, Bucks play in the afternoon. The Falcons had a Sunday Night Football slot against the Commanders. A win over the Panthers and a loss for the Falcons against the Commanders would put the Bucs back in first place in the division heading into the final weekend of the regular season. Not only that, but Tampa Bay would have a winning scenario in the Finals.
Bucks WR Mike Evans, RB Bucky Irving, QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks did their part first, taking a 27-7 lead against the Panthers at the half. We will win 48-14.. Baker Mayfield missed as many touchdown passes as he did, completing 27 of 32 for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan both scored two touchdowns, and Bucky Irving topped 1,000 rushing yards while recording 190 all-purpose yards. Meanwhile, Tampa Bay’s defense piled up five sacks, held Carolina to just 2-of-9 on third downs and only 203 total yards.
With the win, the Bucks improved to 9-7, tying their win total from 2023 with one game remaining. It also put pressure on the Falcons heading into Sunday night’s matchup with the Commanders, as they went into the game knowing they needed a win to stay atop the division and maintain control of their destiny. .
Once Tampa Bay was done with its business, all they could do was watch the Sunday Night Football thriller unfold between Atlanta and Washington. The Falcons led 17-7 heading into halftime, but the Commanders controlled the ball in the second half and took a 21-17 lead. But after having to make a field goal inside the 5-yard line to make the game a seven-point lead, Washington led a game-winning touchdown drive by Michael Penix Jr. to pull Atlanta back into the game. . Falcons backup kicker Riley Patterson then missed a field goal late in the game, sending the game into overtime.
And in overtime, the Bucks got the help they needed. The Falcons may have lived by the NFL’s overtime rules in their Week 5 win over the Bucs, but they lived by the NFL’s overtime rules Sunday night, when Jaden Daniels led the Commanders onto the field and scored the winning touchdown with Penix. Died by the rules. Atlanta’s offense started touching the ball again.
With the Commanders’ victory, control of the NFC South returned to the Bucks.
Here’s how it’s updated: NFC South Standings Until week 17:
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-7 (3-2 in NFC South)
Atlanta Falcons 8-8 (4-1 in NFC South)
New Orleans Saints 5-11 (2-3 in NFC South)
Carolina Panthers 4-12 (1-4 in NFC South)
A home win over the Saints in Week 18 would give the Bucs their fourth straight NFC South title and keep the Falcons out of the playoffs once again. Tampa Bay would have won the league if Atlanta lost to Carolina, but it’s best for Todd Bowles and his team to go about their business on home turf.
Victory for the commander!
9-7 #Bucks We’re back at the top of the NFC South!
The Falcons fell to 8-8 with the OT loss at Washington.
With a win next week against Tampa Bay and New Orleans or a loss against Atlanta and Carolina, the Buccaneers will clinch their fourth consecutive NFC South title. pic.twitter.com/XzApv4uhro
— Pewter Report 🏴☠️ (@PewterReport) December 30, 2024
Bucks current position in the NFC playoff picture
The Bucks are back in first place in the NFC South and currently own the No. 4 seed in the NFC playoffs. More details later.
Lions HC Dan Campbell and Bucks HC Todd Bowles – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Let’s put aside the undecideds regarding the NFC’s No. 1 seed heading into Week 18. As of publication, the Vikings have won 27 games and are in first place in the NFC with a 14-2 record. They beat the Packers by 25 on Sunday afternoon. For the time being, this technically means the Lions will be relegated to the top wild-card spot, the No. 5 seed. But that’s only because Detroit plays on Monday Night Football and heads off to face the already eliminated 49ers.
Regardless of what the Lions do Monday night, the battle for the NFC North crown and the NFC’s No. 1 seed will move into next week as the Lions and Vikings meet in Detroit. The winner of that game will earn the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye, while the loser will become the top wild-card team to face the NFC’s No. 4 seed.
On Sunday, the Eagles defeated the Cowboys 41-7 to claim the NFC East title and the No. 2 seed in the playoffs. For now, they will host the seventh-seeded Packers in Super Wild Card Weekend.
On Saturday night, the Rams defeated the Cardinals 13-9, picking up another ugly victory and retaining their spot as the No. 3 seed in the NFC with one week remaining. Given the current state of the playoffs, Los Angeles will host No. 6 seed Washington in the first round of the playoffs.
However, if the Rams lose to the Seahawks in Week 18 and the Bucks defeat the Saints to win the NFC South, the Bucks will have the conference record tiebreaker to clinch the No. 3 seed in the NFC.
As previously mentioned, the first wild card spot will go to the loser of next week’s game between the Vikings and Lions. For now, that team will head to Tampa to take on the Bucs.
Commanders QB Jayden Daniels – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Commanders’ win on Sunday night and the Packers’ loss to the Vikings earned them the No. 6 seed, which they can clinch with a win next week.
Here’s a complete look at the NFC playoffs through Week 17.
1. Vikings – 14-2 (NFC North Leader)
2. Eagles – 13-3 (1st NFC East)
3. Rams – 10-6 (1st NFC West)
4. Bucks – 9-7 (NFC South Leader)
5. Lions – 13-2 (NFC Wild Card No. 1)*
6. Commanders – 11-5 (NFC Wild Card No. 2)
7. Packers – 11-5 (NFC Wild Card No. 3)
——–Hunting——–
8. Falcons – 8-8
*The Lions continue to play the 49ers on Monday Night Football
NFL.com The Bucks currently have an 81% chance of making the playoffs.
The Bucks will host the Saints next Sunday at 1:00 p.m., and a win will secure them a spot in a home playoff game during Super Wild Card Weekend.
