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Buccaneers coach Bruce Arians said earlier that his team is simply happy to be in the playoffs, regardless of the selection. That said, they still want as much seed as possible.
Appearing on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Arians made it clear that his team wants to finish 11-5 and capture the fifth seed in the NFC through a week 17 victory over the Falcons.
“Let’s play with everyone, ”Arians said. “Atlanta is playing so well, there is no way to get the lead as last week [against the Lions] and rest anyone. But we will play to win and try to maintain our momentum. “
Arians also elaborated on his recent claim that he is “Super Bowl or bust” for Buccaneers.
“This is what we hope to do,” said Arians. “Our first meeting each year, our goal is to win the Super Bowl. . . . [T]This is our goal every year. I don’t run from that. “
Arians are not intimidated by much. Although his methods will not deliver a division title in 2020, hitting seed # 5 means that the improving Buccaneers will play for Giants, Cowboys or Washington in the wild card round. Thus, Tampa Bay will be the favorite to win the team’s first post-season game since Super Bowl XXXVII, some 18 years ago.
If they were traveling to Green Bay, New Orleans or Seattle as number 6, the road to the divisional round would not be so clear.