The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, once upon a time, were sitting pretty at 5-1 with a big lead over a struggling NFC South. That time feels like an eon ago, as they're

Unfortunately for the Bucs though, they didn't walk away with the win and that's because they totally imploded in a stunning 29-28 loss that knocked them into second place in the NFC South. The Falcons committed a franchise-record 19 penalties, they missed TWO two-point conversions in the fourth quarter, and yet, they somehow still won.

If the Panthers can beat the Saints on Sunday, they would be positioned to clinch the NFC South the following week against the Buccaneers.

Losing to the Falcons was a tough blow for Tampa Bay's playoff hopes. There is still time to work back into the playoff picture, but the Buccaneers are going to need to beat the Carolina Panthers. They will face the Panthers twice in the final four games of the regular season.

Tampa Bay had this game in hand. Up 28–20 in the fourth quarter, with the crowd engaged and momentum swinging their way, the Buccaneers still walked off the field with a 29–28 loss to Atlanta. The final score reflects how thin the margin was, but the tape and numbers show a team that failed to close at multiple levels.

The Panthers are currently a half-game ahead of the Bucs, but the Bucs are favored to win the division.

The New York Giants have claimed wide receiver Ryan Miller off of waivers from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Buccaneers fall to Falcons in Week 15 as Gerald McCoy defends Todd Bowles after a late collapse that intensifies pressure on Tampa Bay.