Buccaneers make franchise history with win over Panthers
The 2022 season has not been what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers envisioned, but they are NFC South champions, nonetheless. Week 17's win marks the first time in franchise history that the Buccaneers have won back-to-back division titles since they were established in 1976. They won three division titles from 2002-2007 and didn't notch their fourth […]
The 2022 season has not been what the Tampa Bay Buccaneers envisioned, but they are NFC South champions, nonetheless.
Week 17's win marks the first time in franchise history that the Buccaneers have won back-to-back division titles since they were established in 1976. They won three division titles from 2002-2007 and didn't notch their fourth until last season.
It certainly wasn't easy. The Buccaneers had to overcome a 14-0 deficit and found themselves down 21-10 at the start of the fourth quarter. But, the Panthers couldn't keep it all together and folded down the stretch while the Buccaneers rose to the challenge and made the necessary plays to win the game.
"Every year you try to win the division and we won the division. It doesn't matter how you win the division," Todd Bowles told reporters after the game. "Now, my heart ain't got much left in it, but I feel great."
A lot of the comeback came on the backs of Tom Brady and Mike Evans, who have been largely out-of-synch in 2022. Brady threw for over 400-yards and four touchdowns and connected with Evans 10 times on 12 targets and the final result was 207-yards and three receiving touchdowns.
But it wasn't just Brady and Evans – the Buccaneers defense did its part, as well.
The unit buckled down in the fourth quarter and allowed just three more points for the rest of the game. The key play, however, was Anthony Nelson's strip-sack of Sam Darnold that gave the Buccaneers the ball at the Carolina 7 with a chance to go up two scores.
The Buccaneers converted the touchdown and that would be all she wrote. Outside of a couple of miraculous plays from Darnold, the Panthers offense never really had a chance.
Sunday's win was far from a clean victory, but the Buccaneers found enough of their old mojo to get the dub. Now, with a playoff berth locked up, it'll be interesting to see how the postseason plays out.
Featured image via Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
