Bucs vs. Lions: Three keys to victory in the Divisional Round

The Detroit Lions are a tough opponent, but the Bucs could come out on top with these keys to success.

The Buccaneers second playoff game is another rematch, this time with the Detroit Lions. These teams last played in Week 6 in which the Bucs were stymied offensively, losing 20-6. Since then, both teams have grown to a degree that a duplication of their first encounter is unlikely.

One that that has not changed is that the Lions remain an offensive juggernaut. They are top-ten in nearly every conceivable metric: points, total yards, yards per play, EPA per play and success rate. While the Bucs are much improved on offense, ranking 10th in EPA per play since Week 8, all indications point to a steep uphill battle to match the Lions’ offense.

While the Lions’ pass defense makes them vulnerable, the Bucs’ main goal will be to eliminate self-inflicted wounds, namely drops and plays doomed for failure, otherwise known in Tampa Bay as “running the ball.” The offensive game plan and execution will have to be perfect, while on defense, a wing, a prayer and a few good blitzes are all the Bucs can ask for.

Here are the Bucs’ three keys to victory over the Lions in the divisional round of the playoffs:

Bucs vs. Eagles: Three keys to victory in Wild Card weekend

Here’s how the Bucs can survive and advance past the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday:

The Buccaneers and Eagles enter their wild card matchup on Monday with a little bit of recent history to settle. Tampa Bay all but crushed Philadelphia in almost the exact same circumstances in 2021, where the NFC South champions bested a rising but still green Jalen Hurts in the wild card. The Eagles got a bit of revenge in Week 3 earlier this year, running roughshod over the Bucs in an 11-25 blowout.

Circumstances have changed since the first month of the season. The Bucs offense has shown signs of potency while the Eagles barely looked like a playoff team over the last several weeks. It is unlikely Philadelphia can rely on their Week 3 gameplan if they want to advance past the Bucs in the playoffs.

Here are the Bucs’ three keys to victory over the Eagles in their Wild Card game on Monday:

Bucs vs. Panthers: Three keys to victory in Week 18

Here are three keys the Bucs can follow to ensure an NFC South divisional title.

The Buccaneers are one win away from taking the NFC South division title and a trip to the playoffs. All that stands in their way is the Carolina Panthers with the worst record in the league.

While no victory in the NFL is assured, the Panthers are facing long odds to beat the Bucs on Sunday. Carolina has just two wins on the season and in the past two months, the Panthers have scored more than 20 points just once.

The Bucs on the other hand have scored fewer than 20 points just twice in the past two months. One of those games came last week in an embarrassing loss to the New Orleans Saints. Tampa Bay came out flat against a Saints team playing for its season and paid the price. It is a mistake the Bucs cannot afford to make this week.

Here are the Bucs’ keys to victory over the Panthers in the regular season finale:

Bucs vs. Saints: Three keys to victory in Week 17

The Bucs put a beatdown on the Saints the last time the two teams played — here’s how they can do it again.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are one win away from winning the NFC South and a playoff berth. Standing in their way is their second matchup with the New Orleans Saints, who have underwhelmed this year but are still formidable.

In their first game back in Week 4, Tampa Bay stomped the Saints 26-9, holding Derek Carr to an absurd 3.7 yards per attempt. While the Bucs likely will not be able to perfectly replicate that kind of defensive dominance, their goal will no doubt be to make life as difficult as possible for the New Orleans quarterback.

On offense, the Bucs have been surging behind quarterback Baker Mayfield and a steadily improving run game. Tampa Bay will want to control the tempo of the game and impose their will on one of their last roadblocks to the postseason.

Here are the Bucs’ three keys to victory over the Saints this week:

Bucs vs. Jaguars: Three keys to victory in Week 16

The Bucs can win Sunday’s battle by paying attention to these three things in Week 16:

Now firmly in the driver’s seat atop the NFC South, the Buccaneers are two wins away from a third-straight division title and fourth-straight playoff berth. The Jacksonville Jaguars are arguably the best team left on Tampa Bay’s regular season slate, but they are by no means unbeatable.

The biggest question for both teams heading into their matchup is Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence’s game status. He has been in the concussion protocol all week and as of Friday, has not yet cleared it. As the centerpiece of Jacksonville’s offense, Lawrence’s absence would be a massive blow to their chances against the Bucs.

The Bucs will look to continue their late season improvement after posting their strongest offensive outing yet last week in Green Bay. With the offense on the rise, head coach Todd Bowles will need his defense to follow suit.

Here are the three keys to victory for the Bucs’ week 16 matchup with the Jaguars:

Colts’ keys to victory vs. Steelers in Week 15

Here’s how the Colts can come away with a win over the Steelers.

The Indianapolis Colts (7-6) and Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) are set for a crucial matchup in Week 15 that will play a heavy role in determining the playoff odds in the AFC.

Both teams are coming off brutal losses and will be looking to bounce back with backup quarterbacks under center. The Colts just snapped a four-game winning streak with their worst loss of the season while the Steelers have lost three of their last four.

Here’s how the Colts can come away with a home win against the Steelers on Saturday:

Bucs at Packers: Three keys to victory in Week 15

Here are three things the Bucs can focus on in their quest to continue their division lead with a win over Green Bay.

Now leading the NFC South, the Buccaneers face one of their biggest hurdles down the home stretch to the playoffs: the Green Bay Packers. Despite losing to the New York Giants last week, the Packers have been one of the most dangerous teams in the NFL for the past month, winning three straight largely in part to the improved play of Jordan Love and the offense.

The Packers still have their vulnerabilities. The defense struggles to stop the ball on the ground and Love can be careless with the ball at times. Nevertheless, Green Bay brings an explosive offense that could very well overwhelm Tampa Bay’s porous pass defense. The Bucs’ margin for victory is likely very narrow so discipline will be key.

Here are the Bucs’ three keys to victory over the Packers:

Bucs vs. Falcons: Three keys to victory in Week 14

Here are a few things the Bucs can do to better their chances in a crucial NFC South matchup.

In what has become a pivotal game for the NFC South, the Buccaneers’ Week 14 matchup against the Atlanta Falcons could very well decide whether Tampa Bay goes to the playoffs. After losing to the Falcons 16-13 in Week 7 on a walk-off field goal, the Bucs will be looking to avoid another close game decided by whoever holds the ball last.

The Falcons are currently on a two-game win streak but are looking far from invincible. Quarterback Desmond Ridder is not looking all that improved since Week 7. The defense appears more formidable, but that may be a mirage induced by Derek Carr and Tim Boyle.

Tampa Bay has not been any better, squeaking by the 1-11 Panthers last week. The Bucs offense has struggled to properly leverage all its playmakers and get in the end zone. Something will have to change this week if the Bucs hope to retake control of the division.

Here are the three keys to victory for the Bucs in their Week 13 game against the Falcons:

3 keys to a Chiefs victory over the Packers in Week 13

Check out these three keys to a #Chiefs victory over the #Packers in Week 13 when Kansas City plays on ‘Sunday Night Football’

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to take on the Green Bay Packers at  Lambeau Field on Sunday Night Football in a game that could have serious implications for their standings in the AFC playoffs.

Both teams are coming off impressive wins, especially Green Bay, who defeated the Detroit Lions on the road in a divisional Thanksgiving showdown.

The Chiefs proved that their offense still has some firepower in their last game, overcoming a 14-0 deficit against the Las Vegas Raiders to secure victory with a final score of 31-17.

While Kansas City is certainly the more established contender in this primetime matchup, the Packers are expected to put on a show in front of their home crowd with Jordan Love under center. This will be a hotly contested meeting between one team with everything to lose, and another that is essentially playing in its Super Bowl.

Here are three keys to a Chiefs victory over Green Bay in Week 13:

Bucs vs. Panthers: Three keys to victory in Week 13

Here are three ways the Bucs can beat the Panthers and get back in the win column on Sunday:

The Buccaneers have lost six of their last seven games, but the home stretch looks considerably easier than the road behind, starting with a home game against the Carolina Panthers. With just one this season, the Panthers are one of the worst teams in the league and have already moved on from head coach Frank Reich. That does not mean the Bucs are assured victory, as they are far from flawless themselves.

Few would argue that the Panthers have one of the least talented rosters in the NFL, particularly on offense. 2023 first overall pick Bryce Young has looked nothing like the top pick of the draft, and the rest of the offense has done next to nothing to help.

By most metrics, the Bucs are the superior team, but they have struggled with consistency all season. Even head coach Todd Bowles appears baffled how baffling and pervasive the team’s mistakes have been (via Fox Sports’ Greg Auman):

The self-inflicted wounds guarantee that every Bucs game will, at minimum, be interesting. Carolina is flawed enough that Tampa Bay has a better-than-average chance of getting back into the win column.

Here are three keys to victory for the Bucs in their home game against the Panthers: