Buccaneers only have themselves to blame for epic collapse, NFC South loss

After their gritty 16-14 win over the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers could only wait and watch Sunday's game between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints. 

Tampa Bay needed the Saints to win in order to win the division and clinch a playoff spot, but a late interception from Saints QB Tyler Shough helped Atlanta kick a field goal and essentially ice the game. 

But while the Bucs likely aren't happy with the Saints not upholding their end of the bargain, the only entity Tampa Bay can blame for losing the division is itself. 

How Bucs' epic collapse occurred 

The Buccaneers started the season 6-2, and in a notably weak division, it looked like the NFC South title would be a sure thing for Todd Bowles' team. But after their bye week and a 28-23 loss to the New England Patriots on Nov. 9, everything went downhill. 

Tampa Bay was blown out 34-7 by the Rams before finding its footing with a win over the Cardinals on Nov. 30. That victory could've been the catalyst for Tampa Bay to get back on track - but enter the Saints, who beat the Bucs 24-20 in Tampa Bay to put the division back into play. 

As the Panthers stayed in lockstep with the Bucs, Tampa Bay suffered an excruciating 29-28 loss to the Falcons on "Thursday Night Football" and a 23-20 loss to the Panthers. 

Even after a loss to an in-state opponent in the Miami Dolphins in Week 17, a win against the Panthers in Week 18 would keep the Bucs alive in the playoff race, albeit with the Saints help after the Falcons beat the Rams. 

And while the Buccaneers earned their most important win of the season on Saturday to keep themselves afloat, they did not lose the division when the Saints lost on Sunday. They lost it against the Patriots, Bills, Rams, Saints and Dolphins - and were forced to watch as the Panthers clinched the division and ended Tampa Bay's four-year run atop the NFC South. 

The Buccaneers will miss the playoffs for the first time under Bowles and for the first time since 2019, the year before Tom Brady came to Tampa Bay.