TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers no longer control their playoff destiny heading into their final regular-season game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday at Raymond James Stadium. The team needs both a victory and an Atlanta Falcons loss or tie against the New Orleans Saints to secure a postseason berth.
After a 5-1 start to the season, Tampa Bay has limped to a 7-9 mark with one game to go in the regular season.
"You have to have a short memory, and I do. I know what the priority is and that's winning Saturday," quarterback Baker Mayfield said. "To be able to completely forget what's going on? No, being the competitor I am, I am frustrated with where we're at. I am able to compartmentalize and be able to focus on Saturday."
Head coach Todd Bowles acknowledges that there is no more time to make adjustments. The season comes down to one game.
"We've all talked and said everything. We can do everything we want to do — we've practiced early, we've practiced later. We've done certain drills and have done certain things. We just have to do what we do better," Bowles said frankly.
Mayfield added that with the season on the line, doing the little things right is what might make or break them on Saturday.
"You look at the things we've messed up in these last few games, you've got to be able to do the little details right," he explained. "Everything — you never know when that play is going to really make the difference. So, be on your p's and q's on normal downs and distances, and obviously, third downs and red zone we have to be really locked in. How well can we do our jobs? That's the goal."
Despite the team's struggles this season, All-Pro left tackle Tristan Wirfs says the culture inside the locker room isn't fractured, and they're still a confident unit.
"This is one of the closest locker rooms I've been a part of. I think it's all in our hands. I think we can control our destiny," Wirfs said after Wednesday's practice. "I think we can go out there and fly around on Saturday and play free and play fun. When the clock hits double-zeroes, hopefully we're victorious. I just know we're going to come out ready to go."
The Bucs and Panthers kick off tomorrow at 4:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on Tampa Bay 28. The Falcons and Saints kick off Sunday at 1p.m. in Atlanta.
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