The way the playoff race shook out for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last season was pretty positive. After all, they ended up with the no. 3 seed in the NFC.
But, if a new NFL rule change were to pass, the Buccaneers' performance last season would have only earned them the no. 6 seed and dangerously close to being out of the postseason altogether.
Next week, the league is going to be voting on a new rule change which would change playoff seeding to be ordered strictly based off overall record instead of awarding the division winners each of the top four seeds.
Should this go into place, the Buccaneers' position suddenly got a little uncomfortable.
The Buccaneers will be put on notice if this new NFL rule change goes into effect
Last season's NFC playoff seeding:
1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
4. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
5. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
6. Washington Commanders (12-5)
7. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
Under the new proposed rule change, this is how it would have looked:
1. Detroit Lions (15-2)
2. Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
3. Minnesota Vikings (14-3)
4. Washington Commanders (12-5)
5. Green Bay Packers (11-5)
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
7. Los Angeles Rams (10-7)
The Seattle Seahawks also finished 10-7, but they lost out on the tiebreakers due to conference record (Bucs) and strength of schedule (Rams).
This coming season, the division looks like it should be better overall, aside from the New Orleans Saints who could be rolling with an unknown at quarterback.
The Panthers improved and were quietly competitive the second half of the season. The Falcons address major needs in the draft and know their identity behind Michael Penix Jr. under center.
The Bucs, meanwhile, should still be the strongest team in the NFC South.
That doesn't necessarily matter, though, now that seeding could be strictly based off of overall record. That makes every single week mean that much more, which was the goal of the league in pushing for this change.
No longer will teams be able to rest starters if they have the division wrapped up. Now, Weeks 17 and 18 will matter a whole lot more.