Here's How the Buccaneers Can Clinch a Playoff Berth

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are 9-3, at the top of the NFC South, and have five games left in the season. The Bucs would have to fall apart down the stretch to miss the playoffs, but there are ways for them to clinch a spot in the postseason this week. 

The first thing that needs to happen is that the Buccaneers need to win their matchup against the Buffalo Bills. Tampa Bay is a 3-point favorite at home, but will be facing a desperate Bills team. 

In this same scenario, Tampa Bay needs the Saints and the Panthers to either lose or tie in their games to clinch the NFC South. Both New Orleans and Carolina are favorites this week, so the division crown may be in the works for the Buccaneers. 

If Tampa Bay fails to hold up it’s end of the bargain, there is still a way it can clinch a playoff spot this week -- yet a tie would be needed. The Buccaneers would have to tie and the following teams would need to 'not win': Carolina, New Orleans, Minnesota, San Francisco and Washington.

Now if Tampa Bay loses, then they will have to try again next week. Until then, every Buccaneers fan will be hoping for chalk to prevail so Tampa Bay can officially start its title defense.