When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 4-6 before their bye week, their chances of making the playoffs seemed pretty slim.
But they play in the NFC South, which has kept the door open.
The Atlanta Falcons could let the Buccaneers steal the division title. The Falcons lost at home to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and then the Buccaneers pulled off a 26-23 victory over the Carolina Panthers, rallying in the final 30 seconds of regulation to tie the score and then committing a huge turnover to force overtime with the Panthers in field goal range. The Buccaneers and Falcons are tied at 6-6 at the top of the NFC South.
Baker Mayfield left the game shortly after stepping on his foot following a sack in the third quarter, but returned and hit some huge passes late in the fourth quarter and again in overtime to earn the victory. He was aided by rookie running back Bucky Irving, who had a breakout performance with 152 yards rushing.
The Buccaneers don’t just live in the NFC South. They look like the best team in the division, and someone has to win it.
Buccaneers develop a fear of injury
For a while, the Buccaneers’ dreams of winning the division limped off the field.
Mayfield was sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell, and while he was on the ground, his foot was stepped on. Mayfield walked slowly to the sideline, sat on the bench for a moment and then limped badly to the medical tent.
Mayfield was replaced by backup quarterback Kyle Trask on Tampa Bay’s next drive.
The Buccaneers entered Sunday just a half-game behind the Falcons for first place in the division. However, they trailed 13-10 in the third quarter when Mayfield was injured.
Mayfield came back after Trask started the drive. Then Mayfield threw an interception on his first play back.
The Panthers played well, with Bryce Young having one of his best days as a pro. Nothing really worked offensively or defensively for the Buccaneers.
But on a day when they weren’t necessarily at their best, the Buccaneers found a way, even in the final 30 seconds when it seemed like a loss was inevitable.
Bucs takes the lead late
The Buccaneers trailed at halftime, but it looked like they would find a way to win. The defense started to make some stops, then the offense came through with the best drive of the game to take a lead.
Tampa Bay put together an 11-play, 69-yard drive that started in the third quarter and ended in the fourth quarter. Irving capped the drive with a 6-yard touchdown, giving the Buccaneers a 17–16 lead.
Carolina still had a chance and trailed 20-16 with a few minutes to go. The Panthers reached Buccaneers territory. Young continued to make plays and led a 60-yard drive, and then the Panthers took the lead with 30 seconds left on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Young to Adam Thielen.
The Buccaneers had a chance to answer, and they did. Mayfield put Tampa Bay in position for Chase McLaughlin to attempt a 51-yard field goal, and he hit it to send the game to overtime.
In overtime, the Buccaneers got the ball first, but a Mayfield sack pushed Tampa Bay back and the drive stalled. McLaughlin missed a 55-yard field goal attempt and the Panthers had a chance to win. The Panthers got into field goal range, but Chuba Hubbard lost a fumble during a punt when he was stripped by lineman Anthony Nelson, and Tampa Bay recovered. Mayfield hit Mike Evans for 21 yards and Rachaad White had a 38-yard run to set up a short game-winning field goal.
The Buccaneers had to fight to get the win against the Panthers. They’re back in a tie for first place with the Falcons, and if they win the division, they can look back on a gutsy win in Carolina as a big reason why.
