No NFC South champ until Sunday after Bucs beat Panthers

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held off the Carolina Panthers 16-14 to snap a four-game shedding streak, establishing an exciting Sunday, when the NFC South winner will likely be determined by what occurs between the New Orleans Saints and Atlanta Falcons.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has stated he was not a Saints fan, however he instructed ESPN after Saturday’s recreation that “I’m tomorrow!”

If the Saints defeat the Falcons on Sunday, the Bucs would safe the division at 8-9. It might mark the primary time a group has gained 5 straight division championships since convention realignment in 2002, and would tie the Bucs for third-most titles in league historical past for any division.

A Falcons victory would give Carolina (8-9) its first playoff berth since 2017 and first NFC South title since 2015.

Greatest shock: With vast receivers Mike Evans, Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and Jalen McMillan occupying a lot consideration from the Panthers’ protection (zero targes in three quarters for Godwin) — plus the Panthers’ zone protection and wet situations — Mayfield relied closely on tight finish Cade Otton, who hauled in seven of 9 targets for 94 yards and an 18-yard landing. Otton’s 20-yard seize with 2:12 to go additionally helped seal the win. Otton hadn’t been focused to that diploma since Week 10 towards the Patriots (12).

What to make of the quarterback efficiency: Otton’s rating was Mayfield’s first landing cross on a ball thrown 15-plus yards downfield because the Bucs’ Week 6 win over the 49ers, illustrating simply how a lot Tampa Bay has missed an aerial assault this season. Mayfield accomplished 12 of 17 passes for 146 passing yards and an interception, which occurred when he didn’t account for Christian Rozeboom, who swooped in entrance of Egbuka on a publish route on the Tampa Bay 39. That turnover arrange a Tommy Tremble landing to chop Tampa’s result in 10-7. Mayfield used his legs too, speeding for 31 yards, together with an 11-yard scramble on a third-and-3. However far too many instances, the Bucs needed to accept Chase McLaughlin area targets.

Turning level: With coach Todd Bowles calling a security blitz, sending Antoine Winfield Jr. on fourth-and-8 with 3:10 to go within the fourth quarter, rookie cornerback Jacob Parrish (beginning rather than Jamel Dean) surrendered a 40-yard reception to Tetairoa McMillan, whom Parrish tackled on the Tampa Bay 16. Then, cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who took over for the injured Zyon McCollum, gave up an 8-yard landing on a nook path to trim the Bucs’ result in 16-14. As much as that time, Parrish had allowed one catch to McMillan, and he intercepted a cross supposed for McMillan simply earlier than halftime.

Stat to know: Heading into the sport, the Bucs had surrendered 100 yards on the bottom in 4 straight video games for the primary time since 2018.They had been capable of regain management of the road of scrimmage Saturday, surrendering solely 19 speeding yards to the Panthers.

Finish of an period?: With 11:15 to go within the fourth quarter, 14-year veteran Lavonte David made what might be the final huge play of his profession. He recovered a Rico Dowdle fumble for the twenty first restoration of his profession, most amongst all lively gamers. It was additionally his thirty fifth profession takeaway, becoming a member of Corridor of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher as the one gamers with 40-plus sacks and 35-plus takeaways since at the least 1982. David’s six tackles tied him with Corridor of Famer Derrick Brooks for probably the most in franchise historical past at 1,714. — Jenna Laine

Subsequent recreation: TBD

Keep tuned. Now, the Panthers have develop into large Falcons followers.

An Atlanta victory over New Orleans on Sunday would assist the Panthers neglect how they bungled away Saturday’s recreation towards Tampa Bay. They’d win the NFC South and make the playoffs by advantage of the tiebreaker — a 3-1 report over the Bucs and Falcons.

If the banged-up Saints win, Carolina will spend the offseason haunted by its sloppy play at rain-soaked Raymond James Stadium.

There may be loads of blame for this loss, from teaching to a different subpar recreation by quarterback Bryce Young (till the fourth quarter) to an ineffective working recreation that netted 19 yards.

The Panthers now not management their future, they usually have solely themselves responsible.

Turning level: The Panthers had been being dominated 10-0 and had 27 yards of offense early within the second quarter when Rozeboom intercepted a Mayfield cross. Younger answered with a landing cross to Tremble that appeared to settle Carolina on each side of the ball.

Controversial play: Younger, underneath strain within the third quarter, threw the ball to his proper on first-and-10 from Tampa’s 34. Officers dominated it incomplete, and the play was whistled lifeless with Dowdle holding the ball. On the replay, it appeared it was a backward cross, however as a result of the whistle was blown, Dowdle could not advance the ball, and Carolina took a 7-yard loss. Ryan Fitzgerald then missed a 54-yard area purpose.

Most shocking efficiency: With the Panthers on the Bucs’ 20 and trailing 16-7, Carolina coach Dave Canales referred to as a flea-flicker on first down, however the play resulted in a fumble, which Tampa recovered. As an alternative of sustaining the drive and probably making it a one-score recreation, the dangerous name left Carolina scuffling to catch up the remainder of the sport. — David Newton

Subsequent recreation: TBD