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NFL Playoffs 2015: Five reasons the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can make it in

By John Buhler

Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) leaves the filed after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 29, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jameis Winston (3) leaves the filed after their game at Lucas Oil Stadium. The Indianapolis Colts won over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 25-12. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive ends William Gholston (92) and Jacquies Smith (56) defend in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won, 23-19.Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) looks to pass the ball as Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive ends William Gholston (92) and Jacquies Smith (56) defend in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won, 23-19.Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /

4. They Will Play All Teams Fighting For the Playoffs

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ final five games are as follows: 6-5 Atlanta, 4-7 New Orleans, @ 4-7 St. Louis, 5-6 Chicago, @ 11-0 Carolina. Tampa will have to play five teams that are still at this point are playing for something. Sure, New Orleans, St. Louis, and maybe Chicago will be out of the playoff mix by the time they face the Bucs, but as of now, Tampa Bay will have to bring their A-game each week to fight for a playoff spot.

Owning the tiebreaker over the Falcons, the Saints, the Rams, or the Bears only serves the Tampa Bay Buccaneers going forward. Getting the Carolina Panthers in Week 17 is also a surprising benefit, as the Panthers will surely have locked up the top seed in the NFC by that point and may choose to rest players in the final week of the regular season. A playoff hungry Bucs team could win in Week 17 if the Panthers are playing for an undefeated regular season.

This team hasn’t put together lengthy winning streaks in years, but they will need to do that if they want to sniff at the postseason. Tampa Bay wasn’t going to make the playoffs at the start of the year, given last year’s record and a rookie starting quarterback. They are playing with house money and if they just play hard in the final five weeks, good things might happen for this up-and-coming team. A playoff berth isn’t impossible.

Next: 5. Two All-Pros in the Front Seven

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