The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will close out the 2019 regular season on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium in their Week 17 finale against their division rival, the Atlanta Falcons, with a shot at ending the season at 8-8 with a win.

That would be a huge accomplishment for a Bucs team that was sitting at 3-7 after a Week 11 loss to the New Orleans Saints. But, starting with the Bucs’ Week 12 win over the Atlanta Falcons, they have gone 4-1 in their past five games. Quarterback Jameis Winston, who has had a turnover-filled year, has a shot at surpassing 5,000 passing yards on Sunday, needing just 92 more yards to join the elite club.

And, even though Tampa Bay will be without their top two wide receivers (again), the Bucs are still favored at home over the 6-9 Falcons. Still, some ESPN NFL experts foresee a Falcons upset Sunday, meaning the Bucs would once again finish the year with a losing record.

Here is what Mina Kimes had to say:

“It seemed inevitable that Atlanta coach Dan Quinn would be fired this offseason, but I’m no longer certain, because his team seems bent on saving his job. The Falcons’ defense has improved by leaps and bounds as of late, so give me Atlanta in a weird one.”

Like Kimes, Field Yates also picked the Falcons to provide the top upset of Week 17.

“Atlanta has been far better since its bye week on defense and should end its season on a positive note after a disappointing start.”

Even if the Bucs lost, finishing the year 7-9 is better than 5-11, which is what their record has been the last two seasons. This team has taken tremendous strides under Bruce Arians in his first year as head coach. A loss to the Falcons would certainly be disappointing, but this Bucs team has a lot to look forward to heading into the offseason.

When was the last time Bucs fans were able to say that?

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