THE TAKE
"On paper, I think the Bucs are NFC Championship contenders. I really, really, really do. I think offensively: very good offensive line, very good skill players, Baker [Mayfield is] the best quarterback in the division."
BOLDNESS
55/100
GRADE
5/100
PLAYERS / TEAMS
Baker Mayfield
GRADING CRITERIA
Take is TRUE if the Tampa Bay Buccaneers advance to the NFC Championship Game in the 2025-2026 NFL playoffs. The secondary claim about Baker Mayfield being the best QB in the division is contextually supportive but the primary falsifiable outcome is the Bucs reaching the NFC title game.
bold callrecency bias
OUTCOME
CONFIRMED FALSEThe Tampa Bay Buccaneers finished 8-9 in the 2025 NFL season and missed the playoffs entirely — their first playoff miss since 2019. After starting 6-2 and holding an early NFC South lead, the Bucs collapsed down the stretch, going 1-7 over their final eight games. They never came close to the NFC Championship Game, and Baker Mayfield had his worst statistical season as a Buccaneer (3,693 yards, 26 TDs, 11 INTs).