Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) calls a play against the Philadelphia Eagles during the first half at Raymond James Stadium back in Week 3. | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports First matchup of the playoffs for Tampa Bay has been determined. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panther 9-0 and earned their third straight NFC South title. The win also allowed them to lock up the fourth spot of the NFL Playoffs, resulting in them playing the fifth seed — the Dallas Cowboys or Philadelphia Eagles. And after their afternoon games, we know which of the two the Bucs will host in the opening round of the playoffs. Philadelphia will be flying south to take on the Bucs in their Wild Card matchup after they struggled against the New York Giants and the Cowboys took care of business against the Washington Commanders. In their last meeting, back in Week 3 of the regular season, the Eagles got the best of the Buccaneers in dominating fashion to win 25-11. Philly was up 25-3 before the Bucs got their first touchdown in the fourth quarter. But it was a game where Tampa Bay’s run game was non-existent and their defensive adjustments hadn’t taken place. Since they met, Rachaad White has been a big focal point in the Bucs offense both in the run game and in the pass game while falling just shy of 1,000 yards, Baker Mayfield met career highs in different statistical categories, and the defense saw the emergence of names like Calijah Kancey and Yaya Diaby while seeing continuous stellar play from the likes of Antoine Winfield, Jr. and of course Lavonte David. Tampa Bay was also hurting in Week 3 as cornerback Carlton Davis III was out, linebacker Devin White and offensive lineman Cody Mauch were playing with injuries, and Kancey had missed the matchup due to his injury. The Bucs won five of their last six heading into the playoffs while Philadelphia lost five of their last six to end their season. The NFL will release the day and time of the game later Sunday evening. **UPDATE** The schedule for the opening round of the NFL Wild Card Playoffs are set. Tampa Bay will host Philadelphia on Monday Night Football. Kickoff is set for 8:00 PM ET. The rest of the schedule is below. Saturday, Jan. 13 AFC: 4:30 p.m. 5 Cleveland at 4 Houston (NBC, Peacock, Telemundo) AFC: 8:00 p.m. 6 Pittsburgh or Miami or Buffalo at 3 Kansas City (Peacock) Sunday, Jan. 14 AFC: 1:00 p.m. AFC 7 at AFC 2 (Pittsburgh at Buffalo/Miami or Buffalo at Miami) (CBS, Paramount+) NFC: 4:30 p.m. 7 Green Bay at 2 Dallas (FOX, FOX Deportes) NFC: 8:00 p.m. 6 Los Angeles Rams at 3 Detroit (NBC, Peacock, Universo) Monday, Jan. 15 NFC: 8:00 p.m. 5 Philadelphia at 4 Tampa Bay (ESPN/ABC/ESPN+, ESPN2/ESPN+-ManningCast, ESPN Deportes) Source: https://www.bucsnation.com/2024/1/7/240 ... es-cowboys
