At a Glance
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers finish 7-9 but still could clinch a playoff berth.
- Week 18 showdown vs. Carolina Panthers could decide NFC South title.
- If Bucs win and Falcons lose at least one of their last two games, Tampa will be No. 4 seed in the NFC.
Why it matters: Fans will see a team with a losing record fighting for a playoff spot, a rare NFL occurrence.
The 2025 NFL season has left the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a 7-9 record, yet the team still has a chance to secure the NFC South title and a playoff berth in Week 18. Their opponent, the 8-8 Carolina Panthers, are also vying for the division crown.
Week 18: The Deciding Game
The matchup takes place at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa on Saturday, January 3. If the Buccaneers defeat the Panthers and the Atlanta Falcons lose at least one of their final two games, Tampa will claim the last available playoff spot and host a Wild Card game as the No. 4 seed. If the Falcons win all remaining games, the Panthers will win the division by tiebreaker.
- Buccaneers must beat Panthers.
- Falcons must lose at least one of their final two games.
- If Falcons win all, Panthers win division.
Historical Context: Losing Record Playoffs
Only a handful of teams have made the playoffs with a losing record in a non-strike season. The most recent example is the 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who won the NFC South at 8-9 before falling to the Dallas Cowboys in the Wild Card round.
| Team | Record | Playoff Result |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 8-9 | Lost in Wild Card |
| 2020 Washington Football Team | 7-9 | Lost in Wild Card |
| 2014 Carolina Panthers | 7-8-1 | Lost in Divisional |
| 2010 Seattle Seahawks | 7-9 | Lost in Divisional |
The 2010 Seahawks and 2014 Panthers are the only teams with a losing record to win a playoff game, but no sub-.500 team has advanced past the Divisional Round.
Game Details
The Week 18 opener kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. CT/1:30 p.m. PT from Raymond James Stadium. The game will air on ABC and ESPN and can be streamed on ESPN.com, the ESPN app, and NFL+.
Key Takeaways
- Buccaneers finish 7-9 but still can secure playoff berth if Falcons lose.
- Week 18 vs. Panthers decides NFC South title and playoff seeding.
- Only four teams in a non-strike season have reached playoffs with a losing record.
The outcome of this Week 18 showdown will determine whether a 7-9 Buccaneers team can defy odds and enter the postseason, echoing a rare NFL phenomenon.
