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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' 28-23 loss to the New England Patriots was the third loss of the year for Todd Bowles' team, and also the third loss against a playoff team.
Granted, two have been one-score games, so the Buccaneers give as good as they get, and against the Patriots, Tampa had its chances to win, but the offense and defense just couldn't make the play when it was needed.
As such, another loss to the record and now the Buccaneers must travel to face a Buffalo Bills team that got curb-stomped by the Miami Dolphins 30-13, which won't be fun.
But it isn't all doom and gloom. John Breech of CBS Sports has given the Buccaneers a "B-" grade for their efforts in Week 10.
"Although the Bucs (6-3) have lost three of their past four, this one won't sting quite as much because the Falcons and Panthers also lost," Breech wrote.
More: Worrying trend emerging for Buccaneers amid power rankings slip
Buccaneers face defining fortnight in playoff chase
With the Carolina Panthers at 5-5, the Buccaneers don't have a big margin for error in the division and with the Bills and then the Los Angeles Rams up on the schedule, should Tampa Bay lose both, and the Panthers, who have shown themselves to be plucky, pull out a win or two, then the race for the division is on.
No, I don't think the Buccaneers will surrender first place, but things aren't as assured as they once were, and now Bowles' team must be looking over its shoulder nervously.
Conversely, if the Buccaneers slay the Bills and Rams, then it is all gas, no brakes, towards the postseason, so there is a lot riding on the next two games.
The small details cost Tampa Bay against New England, and you can bet Bowles and his coaching staff will be doing all they can to make sure the same thing doesn't happen this week.
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