5 NFL teams who benefit the most from expanded playoff field

You knew the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would be atop the list. Like the division rival Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay will likely be looking up at the New Orleans Saints in the NFC South standings. However, the Buccaneers’ dominance in the offseason should have them end their decade-plus postseason drought this upcoming January. They’re getting in or something went horribly wrong.

By adding Tom Brady in free agency and Rob Gronkowski via trade, the Buccaneers should have one of the best offenses in football. The defense is coming along under defensive coordinator Todd Bowles, while the offense flourishes behind the great partnership of head coach Bruce Arians and his protege offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich.

Tampa Bay plays a third-place schedule, which could give the Buccaneers a leg up on posting a better record than the Falcons in the NFC South race. Frankly, if any team not named the Saints is able to win the division, it would have to be Tampa Bay. The Buccaneers haven’t raised a banner since winning the NFC South back in 2007. Jon Gruden was still the team’s head coach.

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Overall, Tampa Bay has too much talent to be anything worse than the seventh-best team in the NFC next season. This team should be able to invert its 7-9 record to 9-7 at the very least. If Brady can get the Buccaneers to 10-6, they will make the playoffs. Though he may not ever be able to get this team to 12-4 like he did the New England Patriots, he’ll get them to the postseason.