It's neither simple nor pretty, but here are the scenarios the Bucs need the final two weeks - assuming they win their last two games - to make the playoffs.
Seattle must lose one of its remaining two AND either Dallas, Green Bay or Minnesota must lose two.
Green Bay must win two, Seattle must lose one AND Minnesota must win today and lose next weekend at Arizona. This gives Green Bay the North and puts the Bucs, Vikings and Seahawks in a three-way tie at 9-7 and 7-5 in the NFC (even if the Saints join the group at 9-7, the Bucs oust them in common-opponents tiebreaker). So to determine the final wild-card team in a Bucs-Vikings-Seahawks tie, you have to go all the way to tiebreaker No. 5, strength of victory. Here's the breakdown as of now: Bucs (7 wins, .449), Vikings (8 wins, .429), Seahawks (8 wins, .411).
MINNESOTA VS. KANSAS CITY: Go Chiefs. Loss gives Minnesota same record as Bucs with a finale at Arizona, not as easy a place to play as you might think (ask Packers). If Vikings beat K.C. and lose to Arizona, however, it puts Bucs in good shape for possible tiebreaker over Vikings.
DALLAS VS. N.Y. GIANTS: Go Giants. Loss drops Dallas one game ahead of Bucs with one game left, at New Orleans. Ain't that a kick in the head. Bucs rooting for division-rival Saints in final week of season.
GREEN BAY AT OAKLAND: Go Raiders. Same as Minnesota. Loss gives Green Bay same record as Bucs, however, it's not a bad thing if Packers win. Bucs cannot overtake Packers in a two-way, three-way or four-way tiebreaker, primarily because of Packers sweep of Bucs and Seahawks. Worst thing for Bucs is Packers going 1-1 in last two: either win 'em all or lose 'em all.
SEATTLE VS. ARIZONA: Go Cardinals. Yeah, yeah, we know. Arizona has dropped 12 straight on road, losing by an average of more than 24 points this season. Better chance of Seattle (1-6 on the road) falling next weekend at San Francisco.
NEW ORLEANS AT JACKSONVILLE: Go Jaguars. Loss eliminates New Orleans. Even if Saints win out and Bucs win out, Bucs hold common-opponents tiebreaker.
