Buccaneers playoff picture: What Week 16 vs. Panthers means for NFC standings

It’s already been a big week for the NFC playoff standings, and the Buccaneers haven’t even taken the field.

On Thursday night, we were treated to an incredible NFC West showdown with the Seahawks edging past the Rams to take over the top spot in the division and the top seed in the NFC — for now, at least. The Eagles beat the Commanders on Saturday, clinching the NFC East and crushing the rival Dallas Cowboys’ postseason hopes, eliminating them from contention. And in Saturday’s final game, an NFC North clash between the Bears and Packers, the Bears came out on top, sliding up to the No. 2 spot in the NFC before Sunday’s games kick off.

Because the Buccaneers and Panthers are deadlocked right now, neither team can clinch the NFC South this week. But the Panthers matchup was crucial for Tampa Bay, and the loss — especially how it ended, with a Baker Mayfield interception — definitely hurts.

Here’s where the Bucs stand after Sunday’s loss to the Panthers and the rest of the early Sunday slate.

NFC South standings

1. Carolina Panthers 8-7
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-8
3. Atlanta Falcons 5-9
4. New Orleans Saints 4-10

Current NFC playoff picture

1. Seattle Seahawks 12-3 (clinched playoff spot)
2. Chicago Bears 11-4
3. Philadelphia Eagles 10-5 (clinched NFC East)
4. Carolina Panthers 8-7
5. Los Angeles Rams 11-4 (clinched playoff spot)
6. San Francisco 49ers 10-4
7. Green Bay Packers 9-5-1
8. Detroit Lions 8-6
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 7-8

NFC teams eliminated from playoff contention

• Dallas Cowboys
• Minnesota Vikings
• Atlanta Falcons
• Arizona Cardinals
• New Orleans Saints
• Washington Commanders
• New York Giants