Bucs may have lost, But they’re not out of playoffs-yet

The Bucs had the look they’ve had all season long, another 4th quarter comeback win. Problem was the defense has simply lost too many starters to continue to compete. Once again however, a controversial official ruling has an effect on the game, as offensive pass interference was called against Kellen Winslow after he caught a go ahead touchdown that would have forced the Lions to score a TD. Instead the Lions kicked a FG to force overtime, in a game so close you can only blink and it could have gone either way. On the last down, Myron Lewis made a great defensive play slapping a ball down, but a fast moving Sean Jones was moving too fast to slow down, or he would have had a pick that would have ended the game. The Bucs playoff picture is bleak, but its not over. New Orleans lost to Baltimore today, which puts the Saints still two games above the Bucs with two games to play, including the last game of the year when the Bucs play at New Orleans. If the Bucs win out, and the Saints lose next week to Atlanta and to the Bucs in week 17, its unclear who would have the tie breaking advantage as both teams would have identical 8-4 conference records. It would seem the last wild card spot is the final hope for Bucs fans for their team, a likely scenario as Tampa Bay would go up against the second place team from the NFC East. With Philadelphia scoring 4 touchdowns in the fourth quarter, the Giants are now the Wild Card team and have a one game lead on the Bucs and a 7-3 conference record. The Bucs have a 6-4 record in the NFC, so further tiebreakers will ensue. They are all irrelevant if the Bucs lose another game. Tampa Bay will now host the Seattle Seahawks and then take on the Saints on the road. It’s starting to become a feeling that the Bucs are going to come up shy on their quest to make the playoffs this year, but if that is so, its nothing to be upset over. Few people if any had the Bucs going better than 8-8, most picking the Bucs to win no more than 6 games this year. Mike Williams broke Michael Claytons rookie record with 8 touchdowns.