Good news Bucs fans, our beloved Tampa Bay Buccaneers aren't mathematically eliminated. More good news, it is currently December. So, I excitedly looked into all of the match-ups for Week 13, who we want to win, how important that win would be, and how it affects the NFL's sometimes complex tie-breaking procedures.ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL: 5/5ATLANTA FALCONS @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERSIdeal Winner: TBWhy it's important-With a win the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would jump to 6-6, a 3-1 divisional record and a 5-3 conference record (The 3rd best in the NFC). This would give the Bucs a good conference record in terms of tiebreaks. We would be guaranteed at worst 7th seed by the end of the week. -This would also practically eliminate the Atlanta Falcons from playoff contention. They'd drop to 6-6 after starting 5-0, their conference record would become 4-5 with losses to Minnesota and Tampa (X2) which would really hurt their chances of clinching a wildcard. -This would eliminate the Atlanta Falcons from divisional contention and the Carolina Panthers would clinch the NFC South with a Tampa Bay Buccaneers win.-If the Bucs were to lose and drop to 5-7 their wildcard hopes would become very slim. They'd be at least two games back with 4 to play.IMPORTANT: 4/5SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS (More important for short term)Ideal Winner: MINWhy it's important-Seattle is currently a game up on the Bucs, so we need the Seahawks to drop one of the last 5 games to increase our odds. If Seattle were to lose they would drop to 6-6 with a 5-5 conference record, the Bucs would control their own destiny with a win and Seattle loss. (They'd be the 6th seed in the NFC Playoffs)Why it isn't THAT important-The Bucs are going to be competing for the final wildcard with the following teams: SEA, ATL, GB/MIN. If Seattle were to beat Minnesota we'd be behind SEA by one game and MIN by two. GREEN BAY PACKERS @ DETROIT LIONSIdeal Winner: DETWhy it's important-A Green Bay loss would bring them to just one game ahead of the Bucs for the final wildcard. This would increase the odds of us catching up to a team. (If the Bucs were to beat ATL)Why it isn't THAT important-If Green Bay were to win, it would knock the Lions and their slim playoff hopes completely off the table. The Lions would practically be eliminated.-I never expected the Lions to win this game, it would be a very pleasant surprise.IT COULD HELP: 3/5DALLAS COWBOYS @ WASHINGTON REDSKINSIdeal Winner: DALWhy it's important-Washington owns the head to head tiebreak over us and has a very solid conference record (5-3), a win versus the Cowboys would make it 6-3. -A Cowboys win wouldn't harm us at all, they have a poor conference record, we beat them head to head, and they won't factor into the wildcard race at all. If anything, they'd be very much a long shot to win the division.Why it's not THAT important-Washington has a few tough games on the schedule and shouldn't be in shape to pick up a wildcard. They are very likely, just an NFC East contender. -Also, our head to head loss versus the Redskins will likely not factor into the tie breaking procedures because if more then two teams are tied it become conference record. The last NFC wildcard will probably come down to a few teams at 10-6 or 9-7.NEW YORK JETS @ NEW YORK GIANTSIdeal Winner: NYJWhy it's important*See DAL @ WAS* Why it's not THAT important(Only difference, the Giants have a losing conference record, they have a lesser chance of winning the final wildcard spot)IT'D BE NICE, BUT....: 2/5 SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS @ CHICAGO BEARSIdeal Winner: SFWhy it's important-The Bears, with a win, would match our 6-6 record. Having them lose would likely eliminate them from contention. (Not technically but realistically)-The 49ers are already pretty much out, them winning wouldn't really affect any playoff discussions.Why it's not THAT important-Firstly, the Bears have a dreadful conference record (2-5), they would have to be a whole game up on another team to win the final wildcard. -Also, the Bucs play the Bears Week 16 and would be able to provide the finishing blow to the Bears season if need be.JUST FOR FUN: 1/5ARIZONA CARDINALS @ ST LOUIS RAMSIdeal Winner: ARIWhy it's important-The Rams would be practically eliminated with a loss, they are 4-7 and would need to win out to have a chance at the postseason.-The Cardinals are at the top of their division and wouldn't affect the wildcard discussion with a win.Why it's not THAT important-The Bucs play the Rams Week 15 on TNF. We would be able to eliminate them ourselves if they started streaking-There are some minimal benefits to the Cardinals losing but if they lose out we could jump them for the final wildcard. CAROLINA PANTHERS @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTSIdeal Winner: CARWhy it's important-The Saints would be eliminated (realistically) with a loss to the Panthers-We don't want the Saints to have any extra confidence going into our Week 14 matchup.Why it's not THAT important-The Saints are pretty much out anyways so even with a win they'd need a miracle to make the playoffs.PHILADELPHIA EAGLES @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTSIdeal Winner: NEWhy it's important-An Eagles loss would eliminate them from the Wild Card chase.Why it's not THAT important:-The Eagles are playing horrible football and would need to win the division to make the playoffs. They aren't even thinking about winning the wildcard.BEST POSSIBLE SCENARIO AFTER WEEK 13:1. Carolina Panthers (12-0)2. Arizona Cardinals (10-2)3. Minnesota Vikings (9-3)4. Washington Redskins (5-7)5. Green Bay Packers (7-5)6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-6)7. Seattle Seahawks (6-6)8. Atlanta Falcons (6-6)9. Detroit Lions (5-7)10. New York Giants (5-7)11. Chicago Bears (5-7)12. St Louis Rams (4-8)13. Philadelphia Eagles (4-8)14. New Orleans Saints (4-8)15. Dallas Cowboys (4-8)16. San Francisco 49ers (4-8)WOST POSSIBLE SCENARIO AFTER WEEK 13:1. Carolina Panthers (11-1)2. Arizona Cardinals (9-3)3. Minnesota Vikings (8-4)4. Washington Redskins (6-6)5. Green Bay Packers (8-4)6. Seattle Seahawks (7-5)7. Atlanta Falcons (7-5)8. New York Giants (6-6)9. Chicago Bears (6-6)10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-7)11. St Louis Rams (5-7)12. Philadelphia Eagles (5-7)13. New Orleans Saints (5-7)14. Detroit Lions (4-8)15. Dallas Cowboys (3-9)16. San Francisco 49ers (3-9)Hope you enjoyed! If you don't understand something, feel free to ask!(PS: Not new, been around here a while. Locked out of my original account "CanadianBuc")
