With Jay Cutler’s interception with 10 seconds left in Green Bay the Buccaneers playoff hopes were officially over. The Packers would go on to defeat the Bears 10-3 and punch their ticket to the post season while eliminating the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the New York Giants whom both won Sunday but did not control their own destiny.
Despite their loss to Green Bay, the Chicago Bears clinched the second seed in the NFC and first round bye thanks to the Buccaneers victory over New Orleans. The Atlanta Falcons secured the number one seed and home-field advantage throughout the postseason by dismantling the Carolina Panthers.
The Philadelphia Eagles secured the third seed last week, and rested most of their starters in week 17. The New Orleans Saints and the Packers will be the 5th and 6th seeded wild card teams, while the winner of the NFC West (Seattle or St. Louis) will lock up the fourth seed later this evening.
The Buccaneers finish 10-6 but miss the playoffs but have nothing to be ashamed of, as they had a marvelous season, post season or not.