If you’re frantically searching for what's the score of the bucs game right now, I’ve got some tough news for you: there isn't one. Today is Sunday, January 18, 2026, and while the NFL Divisional Round is in full swing with the Texans taking on the Patriots and the Rams facing the Bears, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are already back at home.
They aren't playing.
It’s a bit of a bummer for the Krewe. After a gritty, rain-soaked 16-14 win over the Carolina Panthers back on January 3 to close out the regular season, Tampa Bay finished with an 8-9 record. They did their part in that final week, but their playoff life wasn't in their own hands. They needed the New Orleans Saints to take down the Atlanta Falcons the following day to clinching the NFC South.
The Saints didn't help. Atlanta won, the tiebreakers shook out poorly for Tampa, and the Bucs were officially eliminated from the postseason.
Why isn't there a score for the Bucs game today?
Basically, the NFC South was a total mess this year. You had three teams—the Bucs, Panthers, and Falcons—all hovering around that sub-.500 mark. When Baker Mayfield led that final drive against Carolina, hitting Cade Otton for a massive 20-yard gain to seal the win, it felt like maybe, just maybe, they’d sneak into the dance.
But the NFL is cruel.
Because the Falcons won their season finale against the Saints, they created a three-way tie at 8-9. Under the NFL’s complex tiebreaking procedures, the Falcons emerged as the division winners. That left the Bucs on the outside looking in. While the Panthers actually made it into the Wild Card round as a lower seed due to their own tiebreaker advantages, Tampa Bay’s season hit a wall.
They finished 2025-26 with an 8-9 record. No playoffs. No Divisional Round game today.
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What happened in that final game?
If you missed the Week 18 finale against Carolina, it was a weird one. Played in a literal driving rainstorm at Raymond James Stadium, it wasn't exactly a shootout.
- Final Score: Buccaneers 16, Panthers 14.
- The Difference: Tampa Bay's ground game. They outrushed Carolina 140 to 19.
- The Hero: Baker Mayfield, who threw a touchdown to Cade Otton early and managed the clock perfectly at the end.
- The Heartbreak: Chase McLaughlin had a field goal blocked with five minutes left that would have made it a two-score game. Instead, the Bucs had to sweat out a Bryce Young touchdown pass to Jalen Coker that brought the Panthers within two.
Honestly, the defense saved the season—or at least kept it alive for 24 hours. Lavonte David recovered a fumble from Rico Dowdle in the fourth quarter that likely prevented a Carolina comeback.
The 2026 NFL Playoff picture without Tampa Bay
Since you're clearly looking for football, even if the Bucs aren't on the field, here is what the actual scoreboard looks like for the Divisional Round today, January 18:
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Kickoff was scheduled for 3:00 p.m. ET at Gillette Stadium. This is a massive AFC clash. C.J. Stroud has been on a tear, and the Patriots' defense under the post-Belichick era is proving they still have that late-season grit.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Chicago Bears
This one starts at 6:30 p.m. ET. It’s a battle of the "new look" NFC. The Rams are favored by about 3.5 points, but playing at Soldier Field in mid-January is never easy for a West Coast team.
Yesterday, we saw the Seattle Seahawks absolutely dismantle the San Francisco 49ers 41-6. Kenneth Walker III was a monster, scoring three touchdowns. The Seahawks are the first team to punch their ticket to the NFC Championship game. Meanwhile, the Buffalo Bills and Denver Broncos had their own AFC showdown on Saturday.
What’s next for the Buccaneers?
Now that the quest for what's the score of the bucs game has turned into a post-mortem of the season, what do the Bucs do?
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Todd Bowles and the front office have some serious questions to answer this offseason. At 8-9, they were "competitive" but not "good." Baker Mayfield is still the guy, but the offensive line struggled with consistency, especially in pass protection during that mid-season slump that ultimately cost them the division.
- Addressing the Run Defense: While they shut down Carolina in the finale, they were gashed by explosive plays throughout November and December.
- Wide Receiver Depth: Chris Godwin and Mike Evans are legends, but the production behind them has been spotty. Look for them to target a WR3 in the upcoming draft.
- Salary Cap Gymnastics: Like every year, the Bucs are tight on space. They’ll need to restructure a few deals to keep the core together.
It's a long wait until September. If you're looking for live action today, turn your attention to NBC for the Rams-Bears game or check the latest updates on the Texans-Patriots score.
The Bucs are done for the year, but the road to Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara is just heating up for everyone else.
Next Steps for Bucs Fans:
Keep an eye on the official NFL Draft Order which will be finalized after the Super Bowl. Since the Bucs finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs, they’ll likely be picking in the middle of the first round. Also, check for injury updates on Baker Mayfield’s ribs, which he reportedly played through during the final three weeks of the season.