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How Buccaneers can move around the playoff bracket in Week 17

The Bucs are headed to the playoffs, and have narrowed their seeding down to two potential spots. We break down what Week 17 means for their spot in the 2021 NFL playoffs.

Tom Brady (12) of the Bucs had a word with Bucs Head Coach Bruce Arians before the regular season game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on December 13, 2020 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers improved to 10-5 with a Week 16 win over the Lions and in doing so, clinched a wild card berth in the 2021 NFL playoffs. The Saints clinched the NFC South title the night before, and so the Bucs are left as a wild card team when the playoff bracket is settled this weekend.

The Bucs cannot move up into the top four seeds, but they can still end up as either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed. Although both situations result in a road playoff game, the No. 5 seed gets a sub-.500 NFC East champion, while the No. 6 seed will play the Packers, Seahawks, or Saints.

If the Bucs beat the Falcons on Sunday or the Rams lose to the Cardinals, Tampa Bay claims the No. 5 seed. If the Bucs lose on Sunday and the Rams win, Tampa Bay claims the No. 6 seed.