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The original was posted on /r/nfl by /u/ChargeisKill on 2025-12-08 18:04:53+00:00.
The scenario:
The Buccs beat the Falcons week 15. The Panthers lose to the Saints week 15. Then, the Panthers beat the Buccs week 16.
From here, the Buccs and Panthers are 8-7. The Buccs cannot make the playoffs at 9-8 with a loss to the Panthers in week 18 unless an impossibly absurd amount of games that they have no control of go in their favor, starting with a 5 game losing streak to end the season from both the Eagles and the Lions. At 10-7 from this point, they also cannot get anything higher than the 4 seed unless a very unlikely string of losses happens to both the eagles and cowboys (the Eagles have a tie breaker over the Buccs and would keep the 3 seed if both teams finish 10-7). The week 17 game for the Buccs becomes pointless.
As for the panthers, in this scenario, while it is a little unlikely, the Eagles could end up 10-7, in which case they could nab the 3 seed at the same record, so they would still have incentive to try in week 17. Though, they might rest their starters too if the Buccs actually realize the scenario.