Two of Florida’s NFL teams are in position to make the playoffs and can take major steps toward the postseason with wins this weekend.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-4) lead the NFC South. The Bucs travel to Los Angeles to face the Rams on Sunday night (8:20 p.m. ET, NBC).
According to the NFL’s projections, the Buccaneers, currently the No. 4 seed in the NFC, would see their playoff probability rise from 89% to 94% with a win. The Rams (8-2) are currently the second seed in the NFC and hold a 98% probability of making the playoffs if they lose, and better than 99% with a win.
Both teams have been outstanding at taking the ball away. The Rams are tied for second in the NFL with a +10 turnover margin, while the Buccaneers are just behind at +9.
After starting the season with five wins in the first six games, Tampa Bay has won just once in the last four. Consecutive losses to the New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills have the Bucs looking to stop the skid.
Their offense has been consistent this season. Tampa Bay has scored at least 20 points in every game except a 24-9 loss at the Detroit Lions. But the defense has surrendered 72 points over the last two games.
It’s a troubling sign heading into a game against the Rams’ potent offense. Los Angeles has won five straight games entering this weekend.
The other Florida team in the playoff chase is the Jacksonville Jaguars (6-4), who travel to Arizona to face the Cardinals on Sunday (4:05 p.m. ET, CBS). Jacksonville dominated the Los Angeles Chargers 35-6 last week in the most impressive performance from the team this season.
The Cardinals (3-7) will be without quarterback Kyler Murray and wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. Veteran Jacoby Brissett will start at quarterback.
The Jaguars could get wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. back this week. He has not played since Nov. 2 because of an ankle injury. Without Thomas and rookie Travis Hunter, the Jaguars ran the ball 47 times last week in the victory over the Chargers. It was the most rushing attempts by any team in the NFL this season.
It’s a pivotal game for the Jaguars, who currently occupy the seventh and final spot in the AFC playoff race. According to NFL.com, if the Jaguars win, the team’s playoff probability goes up from 61% to 71%. With a loss, the probability falls to 46% and would slide the team behind their AFC South rivals, the Houston Texans, who beat the Buffalo Bills on Thursday night to improve to 6-5 on the season.
The other Florida team, the Miami Dolphins, has a bye week after winning in Spain. Miami is listed with a playoff probability of less than 1%.