Buccaneers throwing away shot at NFC South title

After a 6-2 start seemed to spell out an NFC South title and a guaranteed playoff berth, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have imploded spectacularly in a performance the Georgia Dome would be impressed with. 

The latest crippling blow to Tampa Bay's playoff hopes came in a heartbreaking 29-28 loss to the Atlanta Falcons at home on Thursday in a game the Bucs led by 14 in the fourth quarter. 

It was a loss that sent head coach Todd Bowles into a cussing tirade and saw the fourth-year head coach heap blame on his players - certainly not a sign that all is well in the locker room amidst the second-half collapse. 

"You got to f---ing care enough where the s--- hurts," Bowles said, per ESPN. "It's got to f---ing mean something to you. It's more than a job. It's your f---ing livelihood."

Buccaneers' collapse only getting worse

After Week 8, Tampa Bay was 6-2 with a 91 percent chance to make the playoffs, per Sports Illustrated.

Now at 7-7 with three games to go, the Buccaneers are in second place in the NFC South, trailing the 7-6 Panthers. 

It's hard to fathom where the momentum will come from for Tampa Bay, which has dropped five of six, including two straight to maligned division rivals in the Saints and Falcons. 

There was a time when Tampa Bay was seen as a true contender in the NFC, but the Bucs have work to do to even make the postseason at this point. A huge game against the Panthers in Charlotte awaits on Dec. 21, and it could be that game that ultimately determines if Tampa Bay throws away what was once a pristine playoff outlook.