Despite recent struggles, sportsbooks favor Tampa Bay to clinch another division title. They are also favored against their next opponent, the rival Carolina Panthers, with whom they share first place for at least a few more days.
If you are one of the 64,917 fans who poured out your soul to witness a heartbreaking, fourth quarter collapse in a 29-28 Tampa Bay Buccaneers loss to the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday night, chances are you're still not in the mood to be optimistic.
Here is something to lift your spirits. Consider the idea that (7-7) Tampa Bay, still in first-place in the NFC South by the way, is currently being favored - in most US Sportsbooks - to win a fifth consecutive division title.
Don't put away your orange Vinny Testaverde jersey just yet, because Tampa Bay, despite being on a two-game losing streak, is still a (-130) betting favorite to win the NFC South again - slightly ahead of their next opponent, the Carolina Panthers (-110), as currently listed by DraftKings Sportsbook.
The NFC's fourth-seeded Bucs, just 1-5 in their last six games, are also (-3, -108) road favorites against the Panthers (+3, -112) a 1 p.m. (ET) kickoff on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.
Tampa Bay, playing on the road for the first time since Nov. 23 after three straight home games, is -155 to cash all money line bets, while the Panthers are listed at +130.
The over/under total is 45.5 points (-110 o, -110 u).
So, how it is still possible that a team that just blew a two-touchdown, fourth quarter lead to a division foe in a primetime spot for all to see, and at home, no less , currently retains a 56.5 percent implied probability to win the NFC South, in addition to controlling it's own playoff destiny - just nine days before Christmas?
Well, the those same Panthers, who oddly most US Sportsbooks expect the Bucs to take care of business Sunday, left the door slightly ajar after losing to the New Orleans in Week 15.
To put away what is essentially a two-team race in the NFC South, the Bucs need to win one of their two remaining games against the Panthers, in addition to taking care of the Dolphins in Miami (Dec. 28) to guarantee themselves another division title. That would mean at least one home playoff game and the potential to rest some players before the start of the postseason.
Carolina is 6-3 in its last nine games, however losing to the Saints in such a crucial spot Sunday could come back to haunt them as the Bucs, just 2-6 in their last eight games but surprising 20-1 to win the NFC and 55-1 to win the Super Bowl, can still win the division at 9-8 - even if they lose at Carolina but win their last two regular season games.
But wins against the Panthers this Sunday and next week in Miami, would seemingly all but wrap up another playoff spot for a team that its fanbase has soured on, but the sportsbooks continue to bet on.
Fernie Ruano is a sports analyst and content creator in Miami, Florida. He has contributed to this report.