The NFC South race seemed to be over long before Sunday when the Falcons lost in overtime at Washington in Week 17. The Buccaneers were facing the sad-sack Saints, who had lost their previous two games by a combined 59-10 score. Once the Buccaneers won, they'd be on their way to the playoffs.

But if the Rams — who are starting Jimmy Garoppolo — lose to Seattle, the Buccaneers are the No. 3 seed. Both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Atlanta Falcons enter the final

The Bucs had to rally Sunday to beat the Saints and secure the NFC's last playoff spot. “It all makes you stronger,” Todd Bowles said.