The Bucs may not have played in Week 9, but they were big winners anyway. While enjoying their midseason bye week, Tampa Bay watched fellow NFC South foes fall in New Orleans and Carolina. The Saints loss kept the Bucs in sole possession of first place in the division entering Week 10. New Orleans fell to 5-3 in their 27-25 loss to the Falcons, while Carolina dropped to 4-5 in a 24-6 drubbing by the Patriots. The Panthers have lost five of their past six games.

The good news for the Bucs extended beyond the NFC South in Week 9. Two teams ahead of Tampa Bay in the conference, Dallas and Green Bay, both lost on Sunday. The Cowboys were pummeled in shocking fashion by the Denver Broncos, 30-16. Dallas fell to 6-2 on the season, albeit still as clear favorites in the NFC East.

Green Bay was expected to struggle without Aaron Rodgers, and struggle they did. The Packers didn’t score until there were five minutes left in the game, losing 13-7 to the Chiefs. The loss dropped the Packers to 7-2 on the season. Like the Cowboys, the NFC North title is all but wrapped up for Green Bay, even with a loss on Sunday.

Bucs defense – Photo by: USA Today

Not to be outdone, the now 7-2 Rams also lost on Sunday night. Los Angeles fell further behind the Cardinals in the NFC West division race, losing 28-16 to the Titans on Sunday Night Football. Matt Stafford threw a pair of interceptions and was sacked five times. The Rams had won four in a row, but all against weaker competition.

The only negative for the Bucs in Week 9 was the continued success of the Arizona Cardinals. Despite playing without Kyler Murray and DeAndre Hopkins, the Cardinals crushed the 49ers, 31-17. Arizona maintained the top seed in the conference, improving to a league-best 8-1.

Not that it matters in Week 9, but the Bucs moved up one spot in the conference following the Cowboys’ loss. Tampa Bay would be the No. 3 seed if the playoffs began today. The Bucs second half schedule looks favorable on paper right now. Only two teams with winning records appear on the slate – the Bills and the Saints. If the Bucs can run the table or even finish 14-3, they could have a great shot at the No. 1 seed in the NFC.

The Bucs are back in action this Sunday at 1pm against the Washington Football Team.