"Race to 10" Now "Must Win"

A look at the remaining schedule of the 8-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers:

Past:

WIN 17-14 Cleveland; Buccaneers Ranked #27

WIN 20-7 Carolina; Buccaneers Ranked #20

LOSS 38-13 Pittsburgh; Buccaneers Ranked #22

WIN 24-21 Cincinnati; Buccaneers Ranked #17

LOSS 31-6 New Orleans; Buccaneers Ranked #19

WIN 18-17 Saint Louis; Buccaneers Ranked #17

WIN 38-35 Arizona; Buccaneers Ranked #13

LOSS 21-28 Atlanta; Buccaneers Ranked #13

WIN 31-20 Carolina, Buccaneers Ranked #13

WIN 21-0 San Francisco; Buccaneers Ranked #12

LOSS 17-10 Baltimore; Buccaneers Ranked #13

LOSS 28-24 Atlanta; Buccaneers Ranked #13 

WIN 17-16 Washington; Buccaneers Ranked #12 

LOSS 23-20 Detroit; Buccaneers Ranked #15 (Current NFL expert ranking)

Up Next:

Seattle (6-8)  #22

Upcoming:

@New Orleans (10-4)  #6

Nothing to predict now:  to reach 10 wins the Buccaneers must win their remaining two games.  Due to the top-heavy strength of the NFC this season, even if Tampa Bay wins their next two they still need the correct combination of other teams to lose to make the playoffs.

One year after 3-13 and a 10-win season may not be enough to make the playoffs.  That's harsh!!