TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the opportunity to make franchise history on Sunday afternoon as they host NFC South rival New Orleans Saints.
From 1999 to 2002, the Buccaneers were unstoppable in the playoff sense. With each of those seasons ending with a playoff berth, Tampa Bay set a franchise record for their four consecutive playoff appearances.
Following the Bucs Super Bowl victory over the Oakland Raiders in 2002, the Bucs wouldn’t see another playoff match until 2005 and wouldn’t come close to matching the franchise record until this season.
Since 2020, Tampa Bay has reached the playoffs every season (21, 22), but that was during Tom Brady’s reign.
However, starting quarterback Baker Mayfield has taken over the ship, guiding the Bucs to what could be another playoff berth. During Tampa Bay’s four-game winning streak, Mayfield has thrown for 1,010 yards and nine touchdowns vs. one interception.
Ahead of the Bucs-Saints matchup, Your Official Bucs Station, News Channel 8, asked Bucs’ fans: Will the Buccaneers match a franchise record and make the playoffs for the fourth straight season?
And after Sunday’s 23-13 loss against the Saints, the votes are in, and Bucs’ fans have spoken. According to our poll, out of 171 votes, 78.9% of fans voted “Yes” that the Bucs would make the playoffs.
Only 21.1% of voters said that Tampa Bay would not make the playoffs.
With the Bucs suffering a loss, ending their four-game winning streak on New Year’s Eve, Tampa Bay will have another opportunity to secure a playoff berth if they beat the Carolina Panthers on Jan. 7. Kickoff for the last regular season matchup is set for 1 p.m.
