Tampa Bay Buccaneers 3rd Easiest Schedule Remaining a Disadvantage?

Despite having the third easiest remaining schedule in the NFL the Tampa Bay Buccaneers actually may be at a disadvantage.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7) currently sit third in the NFC South Division and 11th in the NFC Playoffs race. 

Two and a half games back of the Minnesota Vikings (6-6) for the final Wild Card spot it’s not impossible for the Buccaneers to still make the playoffs the old fashioned way, but the focus right now has to be on winning a weak division, arguably the weakest in all the NFL.

At first blush, it would seem that chance is pretty good with Tampa Bay holding the third-easiest strength of schedule remaining this season.

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But there’s a flaw in that plan. 

Despite having such a soft schedule ahead of them, the Bucs actually have the second-hardest remaining stretch in the division.

To make matters worse the Atlanta  Falcons (5-6) and the New Orleans Saints (5-6), both of the teams ahead of the Buccaneers in the division, have easier strength of schedules remaining.

Oct 22, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) leads a huddle against the Atlanta Falcons in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium / Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

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Of course, all three have some common foes coming up including games against each other and the Carolina Panthers (1-10) and the biggest reason for Tampa Bay’s slightly harder run is a home matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-3) and a road trip to Lambeau Field to face the Green Bay Packers (5-6).

Strength of schedules fluctuate each week though, and the best way to turn a perceived weakness into an advantage is by winning, especially in the four division games the Bucs have remaining this season.

Do that, and not only could the Buccaneers have a Wild Card spot in their grasp, but a division title and the elusive three-peat in the NFC South.

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