NFC playoff picture, Week 12: Buccaneers face critical test
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers desperately need a big win to position themselves in the NFC playoff picture, and they’ll have their chance against the Kansas City Chiefs.
There are six weeks of the 2020 NFL regular season. For the first time in league history, seven teams in each conference will make the playoffs with the new alignment, and only one will receive a bye through the Wild Card round.
Here’s how the NFC playoff stacks up heading into Thanksgiving:
1. New Orleans Saints (8-2)
2. Los Angeles Rams (7-3)
3. Green Bay Packers (7-3)
4. Philadelphia Eagles (3-6-1)
5. Seattle Seahawks (7-3)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4)
7. Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
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8. Chicago Bears (5-5)
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The Saints would be the team getting a reprieve from action if things began today. This week, New Orleans heads to the Mile High City for a date with Drew Lock and the 4-6 Denver Broncos. Even without Drew Brees — who will remain on Injured Reserve for at least two more games — the Saints should handle business.
Staying in the NFC South, there’s a huge game on tap for the Buccaneers. After losing on Monday night at home to the Rams, Tampa Bay welcomes in the Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off their heroics against the Las Vegas Raiders. The Buccaneers aren’t at risk of falling out of the NFC playoff picture with a defeat, but any hopes of catching New Orleans in the division would be all but gone.
Elsewhere, the Monday night matchup has the Eagles and Seahawks pitted against each other at Lincoln Financial Field. Philadelphia could fall out of the picture this week, considering the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Football Team play each other on Thanksgiving, and the New York Giants play the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals. All the NFC East teams currently have three wins, with Philadelphia one half-game ahead due to a tie.
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Meanwhile, the Packers and Bears link up on Sunday night at Lambeau Field for their first of two meetings this season. Chicago is coming off its bye and is looking to snap a four-game losing streak. The obvious choice would be the Packers adding onto the Bears’ misery, but the last two home games for Green Bay were a tight win over the Jacksonville Jaguars and a loss to the Minnesota Vikings.
Finally, the Cardinals are on the road, going cross-country to take on the New England Patriots. Arizona is the better team, but it needs to reward Patriots head coach Bill Belichick cooking up something for second-year quarterback Kyler Murray.
