NFC South Drama: Bucs Fall in Miami as Seahawks Set Up Winner Take All Finale
In the unpredictable landscape of the NFL, sometimes your biggest rival's defeat is just as important as your own victory. This was the reality for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 17. Despite a frustrating 20-17 loss to the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium, the Buccaneers received a massive postseason lifeline from the Seattle Seahawks. By defeating the Carolina Panthers 27-10, Seattle prevented the Panthers from clinching the division, effectively turning next week’s regular season finale into a "win and in" scenario for Tampa Bay.
The Buccaneers now sit at 7-9, a record that would typically signal the end of a campaign. However, in an NFC South division defined by parity and missed opportunities, the door remains wide open. Head coach Todd Bowles and his squad now control their own destiny: beat the Panthers at Raymond James Stadium in Week 18, and they will secure their fifth consecutive division title.
A Frustrating Afternoon in Miami
The game in Miami started with a flash of the high octane offense fans expected from Tampa Bay. Quarterback Baker Mayfield led a methodical 14 play, 68 yard opening drive that ended with a five yard touchdown strike to Chris Godwin. For a moment, it appeared the Buccaneers were ready to exorcise the demons of their recent losing streak.
However, the momentum shifted quickly. Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers responded with a 63 yard bomb to Theo Wease Jr., exploiting a lapse in the Buccaneers' secondary. Self inflicted wounds became the theme of the day for Tampa Bay. Mayfield threw a costly interception to Jason Marshall Jr. in the second quarter, and a 55 yard field goal attempt by Chase McLaughlin was blocked.
The Buccaneers' defense, led by Antoine Winfield Jr. and Haason Reddick, fought valiantly to keep the game within reach, but the offense struggled to find the end zone again until the final minute. A late touchdown surge wasn't enough, and Miami walked away with a 20-17 win, leaving the Bucs with their seventh loss in their last eight games.
The "Seattle Assist"
While the Buccaneers were licking their wounds in the locker room, eyes turned to Charlotte, North Carolina. The Carolina Panthers (8-8) had a golden opportunity to bury the Buccaneers and clinch the NFC South with a win. Standing in their way was a surging Seattle Seahawks team fighting for the NFC's top seed.
The Seahawks dominated the Panthers from start to finish. Zach Charbonnet was the star of the show, rushing for 110 yards and two touchdowns, while the Seattle defense limited Bryce Young to just 54 passing yards. The 27-10 Seahawks victory was exactly the "assist" Tampa Bay needed. Because the Buccaneers hold the tiebreaker over the Panthers (assuming a Week 18 win), the division crown is still up for grabs.
Winner Take All: The Week 18 Stakes
The stage is now set for a de facto NFC South Championship game. The Buccaneers will host the Panthers in a high stakes finale where the winner goes to the playoffs as the No. 4 seed and the loser goes home.
"This is our last chance and it's blatantly obvious," Baker Mayfield told reporters following the Miami loss. "There are no more regular season games on the schedule. We have this one back at home and it comes down to execution."
For Tampa Bay to succeed, they must address several critical areas:
Ball Security: The three turnovers in Miami were the primary reason for the loss.
Red Zone Efficiency: The Bucs reached the red zone multiple times but settled for a blocked field goal and turnovers.
Run Defense: They must stop a Panthers ground game that will likely be the focal point of Carolina's strategy.
The Bottom Line
The 2025 season has been a rollercoaster for the Buccaneers. After a 6-2 start, the team fell into a historic slump that nearly cost them everything. Yet, through a combination of grit and a helping hand from Seattle, they find themselves one win away from hosting a playoff game.
In the NFL, it doesn't matter how you get to the dance; it only matters that you're there when the music starts. For the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the path to the postseason is now narrow, clear, and entirely in their hands.