No NFC South champ until Sunday after Bucs beat Panthers

Tampa, Florida — The tampa bay buccaneers stopped the carolina panthers 16-14 looking to snap a four-game losing streak, setting up an exciting Sunday when the NFC South winner will be decided by who plays between them. New Orleans Saints And atlanta falcons,

bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield Has said he was not a Saints fan, but told ESPN after Saturday’s game that “I’m in tomorrow!”

If the Saints beat the Falcons on Sunday, the Bucs will secure the division at 8-9. This would be the first time a team has won five consecutive division championships since conference realignment in 2002, and would tie the Bucs for third-most titles in league history for any division.

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

Biggest surprise: with wide receiver mike evans, emeka egbuka, chris godwin jrAnd Jalen McMillan Drawing so much attention on the Panthers’ defense (zero targets in three quarters for Godwin) – as well as the Panthers’ field coverage and rainy conditions – Mayfield relied heavily on the tight end. cad otonWho completed seven of nine targets for 94 yards and an 18-yard touchdown. Otton’s 20-yard catch with 2:12 minutes remaining also helped seal the victory. Otton had not been targeted to that extent since Week 10 against the Patriots (12).

What is meant by quarterback performance: Otton’s score was Mayfield’s first touchdown pass on a ball thrown more than 15 yards down field since the Bucs’ Week 6 win over the 49ers, showing how much Tampa Bay has missed the air attack this season. Mayfield completed 12 of 17 passes for 146 passing yards and one interception, which occurred when he failed to account for Christian RoseboomWho pounced in front of Egbuka on a post route on the Tampa Bay 39. That turnover set up a Tommy Tremble Touchdown to cut Tampa’s lead to 10-7. Mayfield also used his legs, rushing for 31 yards, including an 11-yard run on third-and-3. But at times, the Bucs had to compromise Chase McLaughlin Field goal.

turn: Coach Todd Bowles has begun preparing for the defense and is sending antony winfield jrOn fourth-and-8 with 3:10 to go in the fourth quarter, the rookie cornerback jacob parrish (starting in place of) jamel dean) was handed a 40-yard reception. tetaroa macmillanWhich Parrish tackled in the Tampa Bay 16. Again, cornerback benjamin morrisonwho cared for the wounded zion mccallumGave up an 8-yard touchdown run on a corner route to cut the Bucs’ lead to 16–14. Up to that point, Parish had allowed McMillan to make one catch, and he intercepted a pass intended for McMillan just before halftime.

Statistics to know: Heading into the game, the Bucs had given up 100 yards on the ground in four straight games for the first time since 2018. They were able to gain control at the line of scrimmage on Saturday, surrendering just 19 rushing yards to the Panthers.

End of an era?: With 11:15 left in the fourth quarter, the 14-year veteran Lavonte David Made what may be the last big play of his career. he recovered one Rico Dowdle Scored his 21st career fumble recovery, the most among all active players. It was also the 35th takeaway of his career, joining Hall of Famers Ray Lewis and Brian Urlacher as the only players with more than 40 sacks and more than 35 takeaways since at least 1982. David’s six tackles tied him with Hall of Famer Derrick Brooks for the most in franchise history with 1,714. –Jenna Line

Next game: tbd

Stay tuned. Now, the Panthers have become big fans of the Falcons.

Atlanta’s win over New Orleans on Sunday will help the Panthers forget how they beat Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay. They would win the NFC South and make the playoffs based on tiebreakers – a 3–1 record over the Bucs and Falcons.

If the blowout Saints win, Carolina will spend the offseason reeling from its poor play in rain-soaked Raymond James Stadium.

A lot of blame is being given for this defeat, from coaching to the quarterback’s poor play. bryce young (by the fourth quarter) in an ineffective running game that allowed 19 yards.

The Panthers are no longer in control of their destiny, and they only have themselves to blame.

turn: The Panthers were dominating 10–0 and drove 27 yards early in the second quarter when Roseboom intercepted a Mayfield pass. Young answered with a touchdown pass to Tremble, settling Carolina on both sides of the ball.

Controversial Drama: Under pressure in the third quarter, Young threw the ball to his right on first-and-10 from Tampa’s 34. Officials ruled it an incompletion and the play was called with the ball in Dowdle’s possession. On replay, it appeared it was a backward pass, but due to the whistle, Dowdle could not advance the ball and Carolina suffered a 7-yard loss. Ryan Fitzgerald Then missed a 54-yard field goal.

Most Amazing Performance: When the Panthers were at the Bucs 20 and trailing 16–7, Carolina coach Dave Canales called a flea-flicker on first down, but the play resulted in a fumble, which Tampa recovered. Instead of sustaining the drive and potentially making it a one-score game, the risky call left Carolina struggling to catch up the rest of the game. –David Newton

Next game: tbd