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Here's who the Tampa Bay Bucs are likely to face in the playoffs (if they make it)

Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY NETWORK - Florida
·5 min read
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a simple task ahead of them: Beat the Carolina Panthers, owners of the worst record in the NFL, and clinch a playoff spot. If they make it, there are just two teams they could host in the first round of the postseason: the Dallas Cowboys and the Philadelphia Eagles.

Led by quarterback Baker Mayfield, the 8-8 Bucs are a win away from their third straight NFC South title on the heels of Tom Brady leading them to their second Super Bowl victory. The records haven't been impressive the past two seasons under Todd Bowles (at 8-9 last season, Tampa became the fourth team to make the playoffs in a non-strike-shortened season), but the playoffs are still the playoffs.

If the Bucs win Sunday, they will be the NFC's No. 4 seed in the playoffs and host the top-seeded wild card team. That will be either the Cowboys or Eagles, both 11-5 heading into their final games of the season.

If the Bucs tie the Panthers, there is a scenario that would see them make the playoffs as a wild card. In that scenario, they could travel to Philly, Dallas or even Detroit to play the Lions.

Here's a look at the chances the Bucs face each team in the playoffs.

The games that matter for the Bucs on Sunday

  • Minnesota Vikings (7-9) vs. Detroit Lions (11-5), 1 p.m.*

  • Philadelphia Eagles (11-5) vs. New York Giants (5-11), 4:25 p.m.

  • Dallas Cowboys (11-5) vs. Washington Commanders (4-12), 4:25 p.m.

  • Seattle Seahawks (8-8) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-12), 4:25 p.m.*

  • Chicago Bears (7-9) vs. Green Bay Packers (8-8), 4:25 p.m.*

*Only relevant in a scenario in which the Bucs tie on Sunday.

How can the Bucs tie the Panthers and still make the playoffs?

It's a longshot considering ties rarely happen in the NFL, and there hasn't been one all season. But if Tampa does manage only a tie against Carolina, they can still make the postseason as a wild card team.

If the Seahawks lose and the Packers lose or tie, the Bucs would earn the No. 7 seed in the NFC playoffs with a tie.

The most likely Bucs playoff scenario: Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles had a golden chance to win the NFC East with three weeks to go, having to just win out against the 5-win Giants, 3-win Cardinals and the Giants again to hold off the Cowboys for the NFC's No. 2 seed. But they stumbled to a 35-31 home loss to Arizona last week, and now they are likely to be the top wild card team and have to hit the road through the postseason.

The Bucs' first loss of the season came at Philadelphia, 25-11 way back in Week 3. Mayfield was held in check with just 146 passing yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown pass to Mike Evans to go with an interception. Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts threw two picks but also threw for 277 yards and a TD, plus another score on a one-yard "tush push."

Philly hasn't looked sharp lately though, losing four of their past five games as the defense has gotten gashed by teams ranging from the prolific 49ers and Cowboys to the haphazard Cardinals.

If the Bucs win Sunday, they will host the Eagles in the playoffs if:

  • Philadelphia loses

  • Philadelphia wins/ties + Dallas wins

If the Bucs tie Sunday, they will travel to the Eagles in the playoffs if:

  • Philadelphia wins + Dallas loses/ties + Green Bay loses/ties + Seattle loses

The other likely Bucs playoff scenario: Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys nearly cost themselves the No. 2 seed when they lost back-to-back games against the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Then they nearly fell last week to the Detroit Lions, but a go-ahead 2-point conversion with 23 seconds left was controversially called back. That paired with the Eagles' loss means Dallas is one win away from clinching the NFC East.

But if the Cowboys cough up the division and end up the No. 5 seed, it would set the stage for a rematch of last year's wild card game in Tampa. The 12-5 Cowboys traveled to face the 8-9 Bucs and crushed them 31-14 in what proved to be Tom Brady's final game (we're pretty sure). Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott threw for 305 yards and four touchdowns, running for a fifth.

Dallas has gone 8-0 this season at home, while they're just 3-5 on the road. So if the Bucs do pair with the Cowboys, fans are hoping it's because Dallas slipped up in their finale.

If the Bucs win Sunday, they will host the Cowboys if:

  • Dallas loses/ties + Philadelphia wins

If the Bucs tie Sunday, they will travel to the Cowboys if:

  • Dallas wins + Seattle loses + Green Bay loses/ties

  • Dallas ties + Philadelphia loses/ties + Detroit loses/ties + Green Bay loses/ties + Seattle loses

The longshot Bucs playoff scenario: Detroit Lions

If the Bucs tie the Panthers, there is a slight chance their playoff opponent lies outside the NFC East. The Lions have already clinched the NFC North, and they have a shot at the No. 2 seed if the Eagles and Cowboys both blow it Sunday.

Detroit came to Tampa and beat the Bucs 20-6 in Week 6. Lions quarterback Jared Goff passed for 353 yards and two touchdowns, and star receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown had a field day with 12 catches for 124 yards and a score. Mayfield threw for 206 yards and an interception.

If the Bucs tie Sunday, they will travel to the Lions if:

  • Detroit wins + Dallas loses/ties + Philadelphia loses/ties + Green Bay loses/ties + Seattle loses

When is the Bucs game on Sunday?

Bucs vs. Panthers kicks off at 1 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 7, from Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The game will air on Fox. Kenny Albert will be on the play-by-play with Jonathan Vilma as analyst. Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Bucs playoff scenarios: Who are Buccaneers likely to face in playoffs?