The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are preparing to make a deeper run in the playoffs after falling short last year at the hands of the Washington Commanders. The Buccaneers made it to the NFC Divisional Round in 2023 in Baker Mayfield's first year as the quarterback. The hope is that this is the year they can make it to the Super Bowl for the first time since the 2020 season, when Tom Brady won them their second Lombardi Trophy. Of course, make the big game to win it all.
The first step for the Buccaneers is to win the NFC South. Given the state of the division in recent years, it has been a rather easy feat. But if the Buccaneers do so this year, they will make history. As in, something that hasn't been done by an NFC team in nearly 30 years.
Sara Walsh of NFL Network discussed the Buccaneers' outlook for the season, and mentioned that they are looking to win their fifth-consecutive NFC South title. Walsh says that no NFC team has won the division five years in a row since the Dallas Cowboys did so from 1992 to 1996.
Sara referenced a great stat in here -- if the Bucs can win the NFC South this season, it would be five straight for them. No NFC team has won five straight division titles since the Cowboys in the NFC East from 1992-96. https://t.co/JFql6w1ic1
— Greg Auman (@gregauman) September 2, 2025
Buccaneers could become first NFC team to win division five consecutive years in nearly 30 years
No team has been able to match the Cowboys' half-decade of dominance in the 1990s. Cowboys fans do long for those days, considering the team is more of a reality show than an actual team, thanks to Jerry Jones. There are multiple teams that have won the division four times in a row, but were unable to clinch that fifth year. They are as follows.
Philadelphia Eagles: 2001-2004
Seattle Seahawks: 2004-2007
Green Bay Packers: 2011-2014
New Orleans Saints: 2017-2020
It's ironic that the Saints were the most recent team with a chance to win the divison for the fifth year in a row, but were stopped by the Buccaneers in 2021. Now, the Buccaneers are just one title away from tying the 1992-96 Cowboys.
The path to this feat is pretty attainable. The Saints are expected to finish near the bottom of league standings given their roster on paper. The Carolina Panthers are hoping that Bryce Young can finally develop into a franchise quarterback in his third year. The Atlanta Falcons are entering the Michael Penix Jr. era, but their success could depend on their defense.
Even though the Buccaneers have injuries to Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin, they are still in good shape to repeat as NFC South champions. Of course, anything can happen, but Buccaneers fans can feel good about the team's impending historical feat.