The Tampa Bay Buccaneers played the second-to-last game of their 2024 regular season on Sunday. A few hours later, they learned exactly when they would play the final play.

As has been typical in recent seasons, the NFL released its full schedule in May, but had to add some information later in the year. These would be the dates and times of all 16 games in Week 18, spread across Saturday and Sunday, January 4th and 5th. Saturday’s schedule would include two games, with an eye toward hosting matchups relevant to playoff races. Thirteen more competitions would be held in the early and late afternoon, with the final one on Sunday evening.

Those decisions were made and the NFL announced its Week 18 schedule on Sunday evening. The Buccaneers host the New Orleans Saints next Sunday, January 5th at Raymond James Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. ET. The Atlanta Falcons’ home game against the Carolina Panthers will also kick off at 1 p.m. ET, giving neither team an advantage knowing the other’s outcome as the Bucs and Falcons battle for the NFC South title.

The Buccaneers found themselves in a similar situation at the end of last season. With New Orleans atop the division after 17 weeks with both teams at 8-8, the Bucs needed a win over Carolina or a Saints loss to Atlanta to win their third straight division title. Tampa Bay went 9-0 in Charlotte and won the division in a tiebreaker after the Saints also won.