NFC Notes: Buccaneers, Giants, Washington

Buccaneers

The Buccaneers clinched their first playoff berth since 2007, which was the second-longest active drought in the NFL, by walloping the Lions on Saturday. While Tampa Bay is locked into either the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, meaning they’ll be on the road for all three games until a potential Super Bowl matchup at their home stadium, Buccaneers HC Bruce Arians said the most important factor is just getting into the postseason. 

“Anything can happen,” Arians said via Pro Football Talk. “I’ve been a 6 seed, gone all the way to the Super Bowl and won it right here in this stadium, so anything is possible. Now that we’re in the dance, we’ve got to see what next week brings and where we’re going.”

Giants

• Giants QB Daniel Jones said after Sunday’s game that he feels “a lot better” this week: “I do feel a lot better, and I’ll continue to work through it.” He added that he felt like he could move, get out of the pocket, and do what he needed to do during the game. (Dan Salomone)
• The Giants signed DB Logan Ryan to a three-year, $31 million extension on Christmas. Ryan said of his new extension: “I wouldn’t have signed a three-year deal before free agency if I didn’t believe in this organization.” (Zack Rosenblatt)
• Ryan added: “I haven’t always felt appreciated by the organizations for whatever I did … I think the Giants really appreciate me.” (Rosenblatt)
• Ryan mentioned that the extension came together “fairly quickly” after the Giants asked if he wanted to stay. Ryan believes the foundation for success in place and they need to improve execution. (Jordan Raanan)

Washington

• Fox Sports’ Jay Glazer said Washington QB Alex Smith practiced Friday and the team was really hoping he’d be able to make it back for Sunday’s game against the Panthers, but it didn’t respond the way it needed to. 
• Glazer adds the initial prognosis for Smith was that it would be a three or four week injury. 
• Washington HC Ron Rivera was asked what he wants to see from Dwayne Haskins this week after Sunday’s disappointing performance: “Just improvement.” (Nicki Jhabvala)
• Rivera was also asked if Taylor Heinicke would start if Alex Smith can’t play next week in Philly: “We’ll have to see. We’ll have to see how Alex is doing and go from there.” (Nicki Jhabvala)