How is this calculated?

A team is counted as still in the hunt when at least one set of results for the games left would put it in the playoffs, as division winner or wild card, taking into account that its rivals also play each other. It is counted as clinched only when no set of results can keep it out. Teams are compared on wins, a tie counting as half a win. While games remain, the league's tie-breakers are not used for this: teams level on record are treated cautiously, level being enough to stay in and never enough to clinch. The tie-breakers (head-to-head, division and conference records, common games, strength of victory and of schedule, points) give the order of the tables, the seeds if the season ended today and, once every game is played, the final field. Scores come from the nflverse project.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still make the 2026 NFL playoffs.

Record: 1-4. Place in the NFC South: 4 of 4. They can still win the NFC South. If the season ended today they would be outside the NFC playoff places. Winning every game left would not be enough by itself: they also need results elsewhere. They can finish with 13 wins at most.

Games left

Week	Opponent
6 · 18 Oct	vs Pittsburgh Steelers
7 · 25 Oct	at Carolina Panthers
8 · 1 Nov	vs Atlanta Falcons
9 · 8 Nov	at Chicago Bears
11 · 22 Nov	at Detroit Lions
12 · 30 Nov	vs Carolina Panthers
13 · 6 Dec	vs Los Angeles Chargers
14 · 13 Dec	at Baltimore Ravens
15 · 20 Dec	vs New Orleans Saints
16 · 27 Dec	at Atlanta Falcons
17 · 3 Jan	vs Los Angeles Rams
18 · 10 Jan	at New Orleans Saints

Results

Week	Opponent	Score
1	at Cincinnati Bengals	Lost 27-33
2	vs Cleveland Browns	Lost 19-23
3	vs Minnesota Vikings	Lost 16-23
4	vs Green Bay Packers	Lost 14-17
5	at Dallas Cowboys	Won 24-16

Quick answers

Can the Tampa Bay Buccaneers still make the 2026 NFL playoffs?: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can still make the 2026 NFL playoffs. If the season ended today they would be outside the NFC playoff places. Winning every game left would not be enough by itself: they also need results elsewhere.
What is the Tampa Bay Buccaneers record in 2026?: Record: 1-4. Place in the NFC South: 4 of 4.
How is this calculated?: A team is counted as still in the hunt when at least one set of results for the games left would put it in the playoffs, as division winner or wild card, taking into account that its rivals also play each other. It is counted as clinched only when no set of results can keep it out. Teams are compared on wins, a tie counting as half a win. While games remain, the league's tie-breakers are not used for this: teams level on record are treated cautiously, level being enough to stay in and never enough to clinch. The tie-breakers (head-to-head, division and conference records, common games, strength of victory and of schedule, points) give the order of the tables, the seeds if the season ended today and, once every game is played, the final field. Scores come from the nflverse project.