The Tampa Bay Buccaneers know the route they must take to reach the playoffs, and luckily for them, their destiny is in their own hands.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have clawed their way back into playoff contention after their win over the New York Giants.
Now sitting at 5-6, just one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the race for the division, while the Falcons own the tie-breaker over Todd Bowles' team, they have a harder remaining schedule.
That could potentially open the door for Tampa Bay to overtake them and claim a playoff spot, but quarterback Baker Mayfield believes that if his team does what they're supposed to do, things will work out in their favor.
“After the game, getting the win over the Giants and then looking at where we're at right now and saying, 'OK, if we just handle it one week at a time and control your own destiny,” Mayfield said. “I haven't looked at all the scenarios, but I know if we control our own destiny and we take care of that, then good things can happen. ...''
Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
The Buccaneers have shown that when they are healthy, they can match it with any team in the league, but they will need to be one of the most consistent teams from now until the end of the season if they are to punch their ticket to the postseason.
Predictions? Mayfield knows that if the team handles its business as it should, then things will fall their way. The Dallas Cowboys are on the schedule; that's a compelling matchup. But ... With two games against the Carolina Panthers and one against the lowly Las Vegas Raiders, the Buccaneers have the kind of schedule that could see them make a late-season run.
Everything is laid out in front of Tampa Bay. It just has to take care of business, and in doing so, it will control its playoff destiny.
