The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have completely changed their season over the past two weeks. 

After starting the campaign 1-5, they have won back-to-back games over NFC South rivals and are only a half game out of first place. 

With the NFL’s trade deadline coming up next Tuesday, Tampa’s current position makes the team one of the NFL’s most interesting teams to watch before the deadline. 

The Bucs could easily decide to be buyers and try to capitalize on the last two weeks, which have caused their playoff chances to skyrocket. 

There are several players likely available who could come in and help the team make a playoff push. 

Tampa may also decide to sell at the deadline. The Bucs have several attractive veterans who could bring back solid, valuable draft picks that could help the organization build a true contender in the near future. 

Or, the Bucs could stand pay at the deadline, as The Athletic believes they should. 

I’m my opinion, standing pat is the worst choice the team could make. 

Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin recently appeared on The Ronde Barber Show and showered the Bucs with praise. Tomlin believes the Bucs have forged an identity and have “found their formula” to win games.  

The former head coach, who currently works for NBC on its Sunday Night Football broadcast, commented on the Bucs' current winning streak. Tomlin thinks they have figured things out.

“You got elite defense and the best kicker on the planet right now, you know, chew with your mouth closed. And get out of stadiums with W’s… I think they’ve found their formula in terms of engineering victory. And that’s probably what’s most important, particularly at this stage of the journey as you go into November. You got to have a mode of operation if you want to win and win consistently and stack wins. Certainly over the last month, I think they’ve discovered that.”

Tomlin is right about the Bucs finding a formula that has led to success. Over the last two games, Tampa Bay has leaned heavily on its running game and defense.

In beating the Carolina Panthers and Atlanta Falcons, the Bucs outscored their opponents by a combined 59-13. The victories have brought the Bucs back from the dead. Tampa Bay is now only a half-game out of first place in the NFC South.

Is that formula sustainable?

The defense sure looks like it can play at a very high level for the remainder of the season, although it will have to overcome the knee injury to YaYa Diaby, who is expected to miss a few weeks.

However, it will be incredibly difficult for the Bucs to continue winning without any semblance of a passing offense.

Against the Falcons, the Bucs became the first team in over 50 years to win a game without completing a pass. When Tampa beat Carolina 43-13, Baker Mayfield only completed seven passes for 64 yards.

Tampa Bay must be able to have a more balanced offense if the Bucs want to continue their playoff push.

Not many people know more about football than Tomlin, so his praise of the Bucs means something.

While Tampa has found a formula for winning, it must add to that formula to continue having success.

Which is why I believe the Bucs should try to build on their recent momentum by adding a couple of difference-makers before the trade deadline.

Will they?

We will find out by Tuesday.