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Are The Bucs In The Chargers Class?

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Dec 15, 2024 9:31 AM ET

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are in good form and are on a three-game winning streak ahead of their clash against the 8-5 Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium.

With Todd Bowles' team controlling their playoff destiny after taking the lead in the NFC South, it presents a chance for the Buccaneers to double down on their advantage over the Atlanta Falcons who are in freefall amid a four-game losing streak.

But for the Buccaneers, while winning three straight games is good for confidence, Larry Hartsein of Sportsline says that the Chargers are in a different weight class to the teams Tampa Bay has beaten.

"The Bucs have looked good the past three weeks, beating the Giants, Panthers and Raiders," Sportslines Larry Hartstein said via CBS Sports. "Facing Jim Harbaugh's Chargers is a major step up in class."

So the big question is how the Buccaneers will handle the step up in class.

The Chargers are the NFL's best-scoring defense, allowing only 15.9 points per game, and they made life hell for Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 14.

So Tampa Bay will have its work cut out to not be in a dogfight in L.A. Running back Rachaad White knows what type of game it will be, calling it "grimy" midweek, and with the Chargers' defensive line not giving up anything to opposing offenses, especially in the red zone, the high-flying Buccaneers offense will get a stern test.

Will it be one that Liam Coen's unit can pass? If they can, it will stamp their credentials as a bonafide playoff contender. But that's a big if.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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