TAMPA, Fla. — The Buccaneers are hiring former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to head up their offense.
Robinson is set to be announced as Tampa Bay’s newest offensive coordinator on Tuesday.
For Tampa Bay, Robinson marks the fifth OC in as many years. This comes after Dave Canales (2023) and Liam Coen (2024) took head coaching jobs and last season’s coordinator Josh Grizzard was not brought back after offensive struggles partly led to a 2-7 finish for the Bucs.
The Bucs failed to reach the postseason for the first time since 2019.
Before spending a year on Raheem Morris’ Atlanta staff, Robinson, 39, spent five seasons with the Los Angeles Rams. Under coach Sean McVay, Robinson worked as an assistant with quarterbacks and wide receivers before spending the 2022-23 seasons as the Rams’ passing coordinator and quarterbacks coach.
Current Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield worked with Robinson in 2022 when he started four games for the Rams.
Tampa Bay interviewed multiple candidates for the position, including ex-Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, who opted for the OC position with the Los Angeles Chargers.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The winner of the NFC South will have a losing record and be crowned at home watching on television.
Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday.
The Buccaneers (8-9) need New Orleans (6-10) to beat or tie Atlanta (7-9) on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title.
If the Falcons win, the Panthers (8-9) will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.
The Buccaneers hold a two-team tiebreaker over the Panthers. But Carolina holds the three-team tiebreaker over Tampa Bay if Atlanta also finishes 8-9.
Before the Buccaneers faced New Orleans in October, Mayfield accused the Saints of dirty play and said: “I do not like them.”
Now, Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes hinge on the Saints beating the Falcons on the road on Sunday.
The Buccaneers were 0-8 in games where Mayfield threw an interception before overcoming his ninth pick in the last eight games.
After McLaughlin’s 38-yard field-goal try was blocked with just over five minutes remaining, Carolina got within 16-14 on Bryce Young’s 8-yard TD pass to Jalen Coker with 2:27 left.
Mayfield tossed a short pass to Otton for a 20-yard gain on third-and-4 to extend Tampa Bay’s drive and run off more time. The Panthers got the ball back at their 3 with 18 seconds and no timeouts left. The game ended on a desperate series of laterals that resulted in a fumble.
Mayfield connected with Otton on an 18-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead as the Bucs scored a touchdown on their opening drive for the third straight game. It was Otton’s first TD of the season.
Down 10-0, the Panthers turned Christian Rozeboom’s interception into a quick score. Rozeboom returned the pick 20 yards to Tampa Bay’s 19. Young then connected with Tommy Tremble on an 8-yard TD pass to cut it to 10-7.
Jacob Parrish picked off Young late in the second half and the Buccaneers got a 36-yard field goal from McLaughlin to take a 13-7 halftime lead.
McLaughlin kicked a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth to extend Tampa Bay’s lead.
Carolina’s Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 54-yarder short on the opening drive of the third quarter.
Mayfield completed his first six passes before misfiring on a cross-field, 13-yard toss to Payne Durham, who was wide open in the end zone. The Bucs settled for McLaughlin’s 29-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead.
End of an era
Gene Deckerhoff, the voice of the Buccaneers for 37 years on radio, is retiring after the season. Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans and veteran linebacker Lavonte David could have played their last game with the Buccaneers and possibly in the NFL if they choose to retire.
David was a second-round pick in 2012, made one Pro Bowl, was a first-team All-Pro once and second team All-Pro twice.
Evans, the No. 7 overall pick in 2014, had a 1,000-yard season every year of his career until this one, when he broke his clavicle in October and missed several games.
Injuries
Panthers: DT Bobby Brown III (head) left the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
Buccaneers: LB Anthony Walker (ankle) was injured on the opening kickoff. … CB Jamel Dean (shoulder) and OLB Anthony Nelson (knee) didn’t play. … DT Calijah Kancey (pectoral) was active for the first time since Week 2.
Up next
Panthers: Host a wild-card game or start the offseason.
Buccaneers: Host a wild-card game or start the offseason.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The winner of the NFC South will have a losing record and be crowned at home watching on television.
Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday.
The Buccaneers (8-9) need New Orleans (6-10) to beat or tie Atlanta (7-9) on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title.
If the Falcons win, the Panthers (8-9) will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.
The Buccaneers hold a two-team tiebreaker over the Panthers. But Carolina holds the three-team tiebreaker over Tampa Bay if Atlanta also finishes 8-9.
Before the Buccaneers faced New Orleans in October, Mayfield accused the Saints of dirty play and said: “I do not like them.”
Now, Tampa Bay’s playoff hopes hinge on the Saints beating the Falcons on the road on Sunday.
The Buccaneers were 0-8 in games where Mayfield threw an interception before overcoming his ninth pick in the last eight games.
After McLaughlin’s 38-yard field-goal try was blocked with just over five minutes remaining, Carolina got within 16-14 on Bryce Young’s 8-yard TD pass to Jalen Coker with 2:27 left.
Mayfield tossed a short pass to Otton for a 20-yard gain on third-and-4 to extend Tampa Bay’s drive and run off more time. The Panthers got the ball back at their 3 with 18 seconds and no timeouts left. The game ended on a desperate series of laterals that resulted in a fumble.
Mayfield connected with Otton on an 18-yard TD pass for a 7-0 lead as the Bucs scored a touchdown on their opening drive for the third straight game. It was Otton’s first TD of the season.
Down 10-0, the Panthers turned Christian Rozeboom’s interception into a quick score. Rozeboom returned the pick 20 yards to Tampa Bay’s 19. Young then connected with Tommy Tremble on an 8-yard TD pass to cut it to 10-7.
Jacob Parrish picked off Young late in the second half and the Buccaneers got a 36-yard field goal from McLaughlin to take a 13-7 halftime lead.
McLaughlin kicked a 48-yard field goal early in the fourth to extend Tampa Bay’s lead.
Carolina’s Ryan Fitzgerald missed a 54-yarder short on the opening drive of the third quarter.
Mayfield completed his first six passes before misfiring on a cross-field, 13-yard toss to Payne Durham, who was wide open in the end zone. The Bucs settled for McLaughlin’s 29-yard field goal and a 10-0 lead.
End of an era
Gene Deckerhoff, the voice of the Buccaneers for 37 years on radio, is retiring after the season. Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Mike Evans and veteran linebacker Lavonte David could have played their last game with the Buccaneers and possibly in the NFL if they choose to retire.
David was a second-round pick in 2012, made one Pro Bowl, was a first-team All-Pro once and second team All-Pro twice.
Evans, the No. 7 overall pick in 2014, had a 1,000-yard season every year of his career until this one, when he broke his clavicle in October and missed several games.
Injuries
Panthers: DT Bobby Brown III (head) left the game to be evaluated for a concussion.
Buccaneers: LB Anthony Walker (ankle) was injured on the opening kickoff. … CB Jamel Dean (shoulder) and OLB Anthony Nelson (knee) didn’t play. … DT Calijah Kancey (pectoral) was active for the first time since Week 2.
Up next
Panthers: Host a wild-card game or start the offseason.
Buccaneers: Host a wild-card game or start the offseason.
TAMPA, FL – The Carolina Panthers can clinch their first division title since 2015 and first playoff berth since 2017 with a victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Saturday. They could still secure both with a loss if the Falcons beat the Saints on Sunday. Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers have collapsed in the second half, losing four in a row, seven of eight and eight of 10. The game could be the last for two Buccaneers veteran stars: linebacker Lavonte David and wide receiver Mike Evans.
Carolina (8-8) at Tampa Bay (7-9)
Saturday, 4:30 p.m. EST, ESPN
BetMGM NFL odds: Buccaneers by 2 1/2
Against the spread: Panthers 9-7; Buccaneers 5-11
Series record: Panthers lead 25-24.
Last meeting: Panthers beat Buccaneers 23-20 on Dec. 21, 2025, in Charlotte, N.C.
Last week: Panthers lost to Seahawks 27-10; Buccaneers lost to Dolphins lost 20-17.
Bryce Young. The third-year QB had one of his better games in a 23-20 win over the Bucs two weeks ago, completing 21 of 32 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, while also leading the go-ahead field-goal drive. However, Young stumbled last week and was held to 54 yards passing by the Seattle Seahawks with his longest reception going for just 8 yards.
Buccaneers player to watch
Veteran wide receiver Mike Evans could be playing his last game with the Buccaneers or in the NFL if he chooses to retire. Evans has 14 catches for 194 yards and two TDs in three games since he returned from a broken clavicle.
Key matchup
Panthers receivers vs Buccaneers secondary. Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker. McMillan had six catches for 73 yards and one touchdown in the previous matchup, beating Jamel Dean on a fade for the score. Coker had three catches for 47 yards against the Bucs. Dean is out for this one and Zyon McCollum is on injured reserve so the Bucs will be without their two starting cornerbacks.
Key injuries
Panthers: The biggest injury question is whether guard Robert Hunt, the highest-paid offensive lineman in franchise history, will return this week. Hunt has been out since Week 2 with a torn biceps, but the Panthers activated his 21-day practice window this week and he has been back on the field working as a full participant. However, coach Dave Canales hasn’t said whether Hunt will play this week against the Bucs.
Buccaneers: Dean (shoulder) and OLB Anthony Nelson (knee) won’t play. … DT Calijah Kancey (pectoral) is aiming to return for the first time since Week 2.
Series notes
The Bucs had won five straight against the Panthers — including four with Baker Mayfield at quarterback — until Carolina snapped the streak two weeks ago. Mayfield is 5-1 in his career against the Panthers.
Stats and stuff
The Panthers are 3-6 in Saturday games as a franchise. … QB Bryce Young has six touchdown passes and one interception in his past four games. … RB Rico Dowdle was a huge contributor in the running game during a stretch of games where the Panthers won four of five earlier this season. However, Dowdle hasn’t eclipsed 60 yards rushing in any of his past seven games. … RB Chuba Hubbard lost a fumble against Seattle last week leading to a Seahawks touchdown. … With their two fourth down conversions vs. Seattle, the Panthers offense now has 25 this season, the most in a season by any team since at least 1978 according to Elias. Carolina surpassed its previous franchise best of 23 in 2023, and the NFL mark of 24 by Cleveland last season. … WR Tetairoa McMillan needs 71 yards to become only the second rookie in franchise history with 1,000 yards receiving. Kelvin Benjamin holds the team record (1,008) for yards receiver by a rookie. … CB Mike Jackson leads the NFL with 19 pass breakups and had an interception last week against Sam Darnold. … Rookie K Ryan Fitzpatrick has four game-winning field goals this season. … Panthers coach Dave Canales was the Buccaneers offensive coordinator in 2023. … The Buccaneers have played in nine games decided by four or fewer points this season, most in a single season in franchise history. They’re 5-4 in those games with four straight losses. … QB Baker Mayfield has thrown eight interceptions in the past seven games after only two in the first nine. … Mayfield’s 11 300-yard passing performances since arriving in Tampa Bay are tied for the fourth most in the NFL, trailing only Jared Goff (16), Dak Prescott (13) and Joe Burrow (12). … WR Emeka Egbuka needs 70 yards to become the third rookie in club history to reach 1,000, joining Michael Clayton (1,193 in 2004) and Mike Evans (1,051 in 2014). … RB Sean Tucker leads the team with seven rushing TDs.
Fantasy tip
McMillan is facing a secondary missing its two starting cornerbacks. He’s also 1 yard behind Egbuka for the rookie lead.
“Calling Buccaneers games has been one of the greatest honors of my professional career,” said Deckerhoff. “I’ve had the fortune to form meaningful relationships with players, coaches and staff members as well as interact with thousands of Buccaneers fans everywhere in the world.
“My wife, Ann, and I are grateful to the Glazer family for allowing us to be a part of the Buccaneers organization for so many wonderful years,” he said. “I am equally thankful to all the members of the radio crew and the partners I have had with me through the years — particularly Dave Moore, who has been by my side for the past 19 years. I will miss doing what I love, but now is the right time to step away.”
Deckerhoff has spent 37 years calling Bucs games on the radio, with more than 800 games and 1,100 touchdowns.
37 seasons. 750+ games. More than 1,100 iconic “Touchdown, Tampa Bay!” calls.
The Voice of the Buccaneers, Gene Deckerhoff, will officially retire at the conclusion of our 50th season, closing out one of the longest & most distinguished broadcasting tenures in franchise & NFL… pic.twitter.com/5zIn74k0xa
His “Touchdown, Tampa Bay!” line was used in two Super Bowl victories for the Bucs.
Only two other announcers have spent more than 37 seasons with the same team.
“For 37 seasons, Gene Deckerhoff’s voice has set the scene for the most iconic moments in our franchise’s history, and his signature calls will forever resonate with Buccaneers fans,” said Buccaneers Owner/Co-Chairman Bryan Glazer.
“His passion, authenticity, and unmistakable voice created memories that have been cherished and enjoyed by countless generations of Buccaneers fans. As he closes out his extraordinary journey, we congratulate Gene on a remarkable broadcasting career and wish him a well-deserved and fulfilling retirement.”
Deckerhoff retired from doing FSU sporting events in 2022.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers showed up for practice on Tuesday for the first time since losing control of their playoff hopes.
After a major collapse, the Buccaneers need help to get in.
First, they must beat Carolina on Saturday to snap a four-game losing streak. Then, the Falcons have to lose or tie to the Saints on Sunday.
If that happens, the Buccaneers (7-9) would secure their fifth straight NFC South title and second with a losing record under coach Todd Bowles.
“We just have to win the game on Saturday and then we’ll see,” Bowles said Tuesday. “We’ve made this bed (and) we understand that. We can’t do anything on Sunday unless we win Saturday.”
For a team that started 3-0, 5-1 and was 6-2 at the bye, it’s taken a lot of poor football to reach this point. The Bucs had a soft schedule over the past month and still couldn’t beat teams with losing records. They lost at home to the Saints, blew a 14-point fourth-quarter lead at home to the Falcons, lost at Carolina and to a backup quarterback in Miami.
“I don’t think I’m stunned to be in this position — it’s disappointing, it’s frustrating and it’s part of the ebbs and (flows) of the season,” Bowles said. “This is the first season we’ve gone through something like this at the end of the season, so you try to make the best of it, and you try to come out of it. You put your head down and you keep working.”
Baker Mayfield, who played at an MVP caliber over the first month of the season, has thrown critical interceptions in the fourth quarter in each of the past three losses. He had his full complement of wide receivers in only those three games this season.
“It’s how well can you execute,” he said. “You look at the things we’ve messed up in these last few games, you’ve got to be able to do the little details, right. Everything — you never know when that play is going to really make the difference. So, be on your p’s and q’s on normal downs and distances, and obviously, third downs and red zone (we) have to be really locked in. How well can we do our jobs? That’s the goal.”
Pro Bowl left tackle Tristan Wirfs missed the previous game because of a toe injury and didn’t practice Tuesday. Cornerback Jamel Dean (shoulder), cornerback Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and linebacker Anthony Nelson (knee) also didn’t practice.
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers threw for 172 yards and two touchdowns, including a 63-yard toss for his first career score, and the Miami Dolphins beat the slumping Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20-17 on Sunday.
The Bucs (7-9) remained one game behind the Carolina Panthers (8-8) in the NFC South after the Panthers’ 27-10 loss to Seattle on Sunday. The Buccaneers would still clinch their fifth consecutive division title and sixth straight playoff berth if they beat Carolina in next week’s regular-season finale to force a two-way tie.
If Tampa Bay, Carolina and Atlanta all tie at 8-9, the Panthers would win the division.
But Tampa Bay has lost four straight games, seven of its last eight and has barely looked like a playoff team during that stretch. The Buccaneers’ last four losses have all been by one possession.
Despite three turnovers and being outgained 145-53 on the ground Sunday, Tampa Bay pulled within three after a three-play, 91-yard drive that Baker Mayfield capped with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Evans with 54 seconds left.
A busted coverage by the Dolphins defense led to a 59-yard reception by Chris Godwin that set up the score, but Miami recovered the ensuring onside kick to end Tampa Bay’s comeback attempt.
Mayfield completed 33 of 44 passes for 346 yards with a 5-yard touchdown pass to Godwin on the game’s opening drive. The former No. 1 pick has thrown an interception in each game of the Buccaneers’ losing streak, including two on Sunday. The first was an underthrow to receiver Jalen McMillan that was picked off by rookie cornerback Jason Marshall Jr.
The second came as the Buccaneers were driving down the field midway through the fourth, trailing by 10. Mayfield, one play after somehow escaping a sack attempt by Quinton Bell and completing an 11-yard pass to Evans, threw a red-zone interception to safety Ashtyn Davis.
After the Buccaneers forced a Dolphins punt, linebacker Bradley Chubb stripped Mayfield on a sack, which Bell recovered.
Ewers completed 14 of 22 passes in his second career start for the Dolphins (7-9), who have already been eliminated from the playoffs. Rookie receiver Theo Wease Jr. took Ewers’ first TD pass 63 yards into the end zone, and tight end Greg Dulcich caught an 11-yard scoring pass.
Running back De’Von Achane had 18 carries for 83 yards, averaging 4.6 yards per carry against Tampa Bay’s seventh-ranked run defense.
The Buccaneers took an early lead on a 16-play touchdown drive on their first possession of the game but gave up 17 straight points before Chase McLaughlin’s 33-yard field goal cut the deficit to seven points in the fourth.
McLaughlin had connected on 11 straight field goals from 55-plus yards entering Sunday but had a 55-yard attempt blocked late in the second.
Ewers led the Dolphins back down the field to set up Riley Patterson’s 33-yard kick that pushed the score to 20-10.
Injuries
Buccaneers: G Michael Jordon (concussion) and LB Haason Reddick (concussion) left with concussions and did not return. … CB Jamel Dean (shoulder) left early in the fourth.
Dolphins: LB Chop Robinson (concussion), LB Jordyn Brooks (hamstring) and LB KJ Britt (groin) left with injuries. … WR Jaylen Waddle was playing through a rib injury.
But there was one entity that kept getting props in the postgame locker room.
And they got brought up … colorfully.
“Shoutout to the fans,” defensive lineman Derrick Brown said postgame. “S— was rockin’ in here today. So shoutout to the fans, and don’t be afraid to travel in a few weeks.”
Carolina Panthers rookie Tetairoa McMillan celebrates with fans after scoring a touchdown Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@charlotteobserver.com
It’s without question that the Carolina Panthers’ fan base loomed large in the team’s massive win — all 73,000-plus of them. Panthers players gushed about the crowd’s strength. Bucs players acknowledged the crowd’s disruptiveness. Coaches on both sides couldn’t escape the fact that the noise played a role in the game’s result.
And the loudest contest of the season couldn’t have come at a better time: The Panthers now continue to control their own destiny as they push for their first playoff bid since 2017 — and now they just need to beat the Bucs in Week 18, or some other permutation Week 17, to make their postseason position permanent.
Everything set the table for a great crowd. It was clear and sunny at kickoff, a welcomed 58-degree December day in Charlotte. North Carolina legendary rapper Petey Pablo showed up at the official Roaring Riot tailgate. There was a pregame flyover. Active offensive lineman Austin Corbett boomed the Keep Pounding drum before the game, and legendary tight end Greg Olsen crushed the drum right before the fourth quarter.
The Grinch celebrates the play of the Carolina Panthers during action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“Bank of America Stadium was a special place today,” Canales said. “Black towels waving, all-black uniforms, the whole thing. It felt right. It felt exactly right.
“It was an advantage. There were some false starts. There were some issues with communication. We can see where they were having trouble getting the calls in, getting lined up — that’s our fan base. That’s showing up.”
Canales continued saying “it really does take all of us, and those are the little advantages and edges that we need. I’m so fortunate to be able to be here, and to feel that type of energy in the building. And then when we make big plays, they let you hear it. The guys feed off that. So there was an amazing, electric feel today in the stadium.”
A Carolina Panthers fan yells support to the team during action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
How, exactly, did the fans impact the Bucs? Take it from them
Officially, the Bucs had eight penalties that yielded 56 yards. Three were false starts. One was a delay of game. And that showing is statistically uncharacteristic for the Bucs — a team that coming into Sunday was among the Top 5 least-penalized teams in the NFL, averaging 5.4 a game, according to Team Rankings.
“It’s self-inflicted, and it’s a different kind of focus between penalties and a different kind of focus between MEs (mental errors),” Bucs head coach Todd Bowles told reporters postgame.
Added offensive lineman Luke Goedeke, who was called for two of the team’s three false starts, on what provoked the penalties: “Noise — not on the same page. Multiple things attribute to that. I just have to play better personally.”
A Carolina Panthers fan makes a plea to quarterback Bryce Young during the team’s game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
This crowd might not have been at 2015-season-conference-championship-level volume. But there was undoubtedly something special in the air: an urgency, a joy, an enthusiastic willingness to ride the ups and downs of this delightfully confusing season until its end.
That was everywhere Sunday. It helped Young play through pain. It helped keep the Bucs off balance. It fired up Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield early — as the former Panther QB stomped into the Panthers end zone after a first quarter touchdown — and then helped unravel Mayfield’s offense at the end.
The crowd noise offered a window into how much this team means to this city — a reminder of who this team is playing for.
A Carolina Panthers fan shows his support for the team by having the team name airbrushed on his forehead for the team’s matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“Imagine if they didn’t get them,” Sanders said of Tampa Bay’s penalties. “They would probably have gotten the first down in that drive or something. So it definitely all plays a part.”
But the Panthers don’t have to imagine. The fans took care of it.
This story was originally published December 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
Alex Zietlow writes about the Carolina Panthers and the ways in which sports intersect with life for The Charlotte Observer, where he has been a reporter since August 2022. Zietlow’s work has been honored by the Pro Football Writers Association, the N.C. and S.C. Press Associations, as well as the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) group. He’s earned six APSE Top 10 distinctions for his coverage on a variety of topics, from billion-dollar stadium renovations to the small moments of triumph that helped a Panthers kicker defy the steepest odds in sports. Zietlow previously wrote for The Herald in Rock Hill (S.C.) from 2019-22. Support my work with a digital subscription
December football in the NFL can be dramatic and wonderful, but Carolina Panthers fans have almost forgotten that over the past eight seasons.
Since 2017, the Panthers haven’t made the playoffs. Since 2017, we’ve usually been talking about NFL Draft position and holiday plans by the time we get to December. But on Sunday, as the Panthers edged Tampa Bay, 23-20, in a gripping cliffhanger, we saw what the end of the season can look like when the home team is still in the fight.
Carolina (8-7) took control of the NFC South over Tampa Bay (7-8) Sunday by getting some inspired play from quarterback Bryce Young and rookie safety Lathan Ransom. Young made one big play after another and led a winning field-goal drive deep in the fourth quarter; Ransom picked off Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield to clinch the game.
As Panthers head coach Dave Canales said of Ransom’s interception at the Carolina 30 with 42 seconds left and the Bucs trying to tie or win the game: “We got one, and it was the right one.”
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales holds his arms wide open to hug members of his team following their 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
This victory wasn’t enough, though. While this felt like a milestone game for a Panthers fan base that has been so often disappointed since the team’s last playoff appearance back when Cam Newton was the quarterback and Luke Kuechly patrolled the middle, there is still work to be done.
Carolina now can win the NFC South — and the accompanying first-round home playoff game in mid-January — one of two ways:
1) Carolina beats Seattle (12-3) and Tampa Bay loses to Miami (6-9) on Dec. 28.
Or, if there is any other outcome next Sunday …
2) Carolina must beat Tampa Bay again, but this time in Florida, in the Week 18 season finale.
So this isn’t done by any means, but that doesn’t detract from what a game Sunday was. This stadium has seen louder crowds over the years, and even this season has had some comparable ones. But for the past several seasons, we’ve never seen quite the same combination of game significance and fan buy-in.
“Shout-out to the fans,” Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown said. “That sh– was rocking in here today. … Lot of black and blue, less of red than I’ve seen before.”
A Carolina Panthers fan follows the instructions to get loud as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers face third-and-long during action on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
Or as Canales put it: “It was electric. Bank of America Stadium was a special place. Black towels waving. All black uniforms. The whole thing. It felt right. It felt exactly right.”
It didn’t feel right the entire day — this was a back-and-forth game that included five lead changes. Young was huge for Carolina, playing a turnover-free game and finding Tetairoa McMillan for a 22-yard score just before halftime and JT Sanders with a 6-yard, third-quarter TD that sounds pedestrian but was his best six seconds of the game. Young skipped out of a near-certain sack by two Bucs, kept the play alive and located Sanders in the back of the end zone. Canales called that Houdini act “miraculous.”
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young runs off the field smiling to head coach Dave Canales following the team’s 23-20 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
And Young was doing that on a gimpy right ankle — the same one he keeps re-injuring. This time it came due to friendly fire, as right guard Austin Corbett stepped on Young while Young took a snap from center and tried to drop back.
Corbett was funny and apologetic about this afterward. When I asked him if he knew immediately he had stepped on Young, he said he had.
“Felt bad,” Corbett said. “Not great. A lot of ‘goshdangits’ and ‘oh shoots.’ But I checked on him. He’s a tough son of a gun, and I’ll buy him dinner here for an apology. … Everybody when he was coming out (of Alabama) is just like: ‘How’s he gonna be able to handle these hits?’ And unfortunately, you don’t plan for a size 17 from your own guy stepping on you. But he’s tough. And just — I’m sorry, Bryce.”
Young said afterward when asked about the injury: “We’re all playing through something this time of the year.”
As for the game itself, in which Young led the Panthers to yet another game-winning march keyed by his 34-yard dime to Jalen Coker on Carolina’s last march, followed by a 48-yard field goal with 2:20 left from rookie kicker Ryan Fitzgerald: “Moments like that, it’s like where else would you rather be?”
It was Young’s 12th career game-winning drive, the most in the NFL since 2023 and the second-most by a QB under age 25. Only Justin Herbert, with 13, has more.
Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, left, is congratulated by quarterback Bryce Young, right, after catching a touchdown pass during action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
It was also Fitzgerald’s fourth game-winning kick of the season; his role in the Panthers’ surprising season is significant, as it has been for a number of other rookies — Ransom, McMillan and edge rusher Nic Scourton among them.
Said Young: “That rookie wall that people talk about, you don’t see that from our guys.”
The Panthers lost a game in very similar circumstances last week at New Orleans. But this time they came out ahead in a field goal game thanks to Ransom — called for a critical 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness in the fourth quarter last week that helped set up a Saints game-winning field goal — intercepting Mayfield’s final pass of the day.
Carolina Panthers safety Lathan Ransom, center, celebrates his interception of a pass by Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield with his teammates on Sunday at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers defeated the Buccaneers 23-20. JEFF SINER jsiner@charlotteobserver.com
“I understand that the game is not won or lost by one play,” Ransom said, “but people behind their phones are going to have their own opinions. I just heard all the noise — listened to it and used it as fuel for this game.”
It was the first time the Panthers had beaten Mayfield as the opposing QB — he had been 5-0. On the play, a good rush got Mayfield on the move, and he made the sort of throw he frequently did during his inept stint with the Panthers — behind his receiver at an important moment.
At Tampa Bay, Mayfield hasn’t been inept at all. He’s been … well … ept. But in this game he was held to 145 yards passing. He hurt the Panthers mostly with his legs (49 yards rushing) but not enough to keep Tampa Bay from losing for the sixth time in the past seven games.
Said Mayfield: “Too many penalties on offense today. Just keep shooting ourselves in the foot and got to finish with seven in the red zone instead of three. Same story, different day.”
For the Panthers, though, this is a different story — similar to one told long ago, but nearly forgotten given the years that have passed.
Carolina’s fans have aged since that last playoff berth. But they were forgiving of their team Sunday, for this was one for the ages.
This story was originally published December 21, 2025 at 7:21 PM.
Columnist Scott Fowler has written for The Charlotte Observer since 1994. He has earned 24 national APSE sportswriting awards and hosted The Observer’s podcast “Carruth,” which Sports Illustrated once named “Podcast of the Year.” Fowler hosts the online series and podcast “Sports Legends of the Carolinas,” which features 1-on-1 interviews with NC and SC sports icons. He also writes occasionally about non-sports subjects, such as the 5-part series “9/11/74,” which chronicled the plane crash of Eastern Air Lines Flight 212 in Charlotte in 1974. Support my work with a digital subscription
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Kirk Cousins threw three touchdown passes to Kyle Pitts Sr., and Zane Gonzalez kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired to complete the Atlanta Falcons’ rally for a 29-28 victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Thursday night.
Facing a third-and-28 on the Falcons’ final drive, Cousins completed passes of 14 yards to Pitts and 20 yards on fourth-and-14 to David Sills V to set up Gonzalez.
The Falcons (5-9) overcame a franchise-record 19 penalties and a 28-14 fourth-quarter deficit.
Baker Mayfield threw a crucial interception in the fourth quarter as the Buccaneers (7-7) lost for the fifth time in six games to fall a half-game behind Carolina in the NFC South. The four-time defending division champions face the Panthers (7-6) twice in the final three games.
Wearing their Creamsicle jerseys on the 48th anniversary of the franchise’s first win — that one came after an 0-26 start — the Buccaneers were booed off the field.
After Pitts made a leaping, acrobatic grab for a 7-yard TD with 3:34 remaining to pull the Falcons within 28-26, Cousins was pressured and threw incomplete on the 2-point conversion try.
The Falcons forced the Buccaneers to punt and got the ball at their 30 with no timeouts and 1:49 to go.
Haason Reddick sacked Cousins, forcing a fumble that the Buccaneers grabbed coming out of the pile. But officials ruled it was recovered by both team simultaneously, and the Falcons kept the ball.
Pitts finished with 11 catches for 166 yards, becoming the first tight end with 150 yards receiving and three TDs since Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe did it in 1996. Cousins went 30 of 44 for 373 yards.
Mayfield tossed a 6-yard TD pass to Devin Culp, the second-year pro’s first scoring reception in the NFL that made it 20-14.
On the ensuing drive, Sills dropped what should have been a 44-yard TD catch and the Falcons ended up punting.
Bijan Robinson fumbled on Atlanta’s next possession after taking a shot from Christian Izien and Jacob Parrish recovered at the Falcons 25.
Mayfield fired a 3-yard TD pass to Chris Godwin Jr. and the two connected for the 2-point conversion to extend the lead to 28-14.
But Robinson’s 6-yard TD run cut the deficit to 28-20 with under 10 minutes left. After the Falcons missed the 2-point try, Dee Alford picked Mayfield’s pass and Atlanta drove 67 yards for a score.
Mayfield had all of his wide receivers available for the first time this season after six-time Pro Bowl pick Mike Evans and second-year pro Jalen McMillan were activated from injured reserve. Evans broke his clavicle on Oct. 20. McMillan broken three vertebrae in his neck in the preseason.
Evans made an immediate impact, catching six passes for 132 yards and drawing several penalties.
Pitts was wide open for his first two TD catches. He caught a 17-yard pass from Cousins to give the Falcons a 14-10 lead under one minute left in the first half.
Cousins tossed an 8-yard TD pass to Pitts to tie it at 7, one play after an offside penalty on cornerback Zyon McCollum during a field goal gave Atlanta a first down.
Cousins beat the Buccaneers twice last year in his first season with Atlanta. He threw for 785 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception. He had 509 yards passing against them in one of the wins.
Chase’s leg
Tampa Bay’s Chase McLaughlin connected on field goals of 52 and 49 yards. He’s 10 for 10 from 50 yards or beyond.
Injuries
Falcons: WR Drake London (knee) was inactive. … CB Mike Hughes (ankle) left in the first quarter.
Buccaneers: McCollum (hip) left in the first half. … LG Ben Bredeson (knee) was out after being placed on injured reserve. … DB Tykee Smith (neck/shoulder), LB SirVocea Dennis (hip), TE Cade Otton (knee) and CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) were inactive.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Not playing football may have been tougher mentally on Bucky Irving than dealing with his physical injuries.
The dynamic running back is nearing a return to Tampa Bay’s lineup this week and spoke about his struggles for the first time on Wednesday. He was a full participant in practice after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries.
“It’s tough, man, (especially) your first time being hurt,” Irving said. “When I step out onto that field — like I always say — I don’t take this game for granted. I love what I do every day. I love my teammates. When I go out there, I show them that each and every time I get the ball, I’m trying to make plays and make things happen for this organization and this team to help them in any type of fashion to win football games. When God takes something away from you, He’s telling you to get closer to Him and lean on Him.”
Irving, a fourth-round pick last year, ran for 1,122 yards and scored eight touchdowns as a rookie while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He had 237 yards rushing and 19 catches for 193 yards and two scores in the first four games this season before going down.
While Rachaad White and Sean Tucker filled in nicely during Irving’s absence, the Bucs missed his playmaking abilities. He missed being out there on the field even more.
“It’s always tough not being able to be out there and go to war with your guys, but being able to go through that, learn from that and being able to move on, I’m happy to be back with my guys,” Irving said.
Irving has overcome more adversity than most. He lost his dad when he was 2, his grandmother when he was in high school and a half brother when he was a freshman in college. Both his father and half brother were victims of gun violence.
The 23-year-old leaned on his faith and team resources to help him deal with the emotional strain of being on the sideline.
“This whole organization. I can’t name everybody from this person to this person, but the people who were with me every step of the way know who they are,” Irving said. “I want to give big praise and a shout out to them for helping me throughout this process. They’ve been around and they’ve seen it before, so just being able to trust them, trust their plan and help me get back and be around my teammates. I love being around my teammates.”
Irving should provide a spark to the offense when the Buccaneers (6-5) host the Arizona Cardinals (3-8) on Sunday. Baker Mayfield is dealing with a shoulder injury and star wide receiver Mike Evans is out.
“Anytime you can get a starter back, especially a player of Bucky’s caliber and the way he prepares and the way he loves the game and how he is around his teammates, that should always elevate you,” offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard said.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers open a homestand with three games in 18 days looking to snap a three-game losing streak to stay atop the NFC South. Quarterback Baker Mayfield is dealing with a left shoulder sprain and his status is uncertain so Tampa Bay might have to face Arizona with backup Teddy Bridgewater. Cardinals backup quarterback Jacoby Brissett makes his seventh start filling in for the injured Kyler Murray. He has played well, though the Cardinals are 1-5 in his starts and have lost eight of nine overall.
Arizona (3-8) at Tampa Bay (6-5)
Sunday, 1 p.m. EST, Fox.
BetMGM NFL odds: Buccaneers by 3.
Against the spread: Buccaneers 5-6, Cardinals 5-6.
Series record: Tied 11-11.
Last meeting: Buccaneers beat the Cardinals 19-16 in OT on Dec. 25, 2022, in Glendale, Arizona.
Last week: Jaguars beat the Cardinals 27-24 in OT; Buccaneers lost to Rams 34-7.
WR Michael Wilson. He has been great as the team’s No. 1 option at receiver while Marvin Harrison Jr. is recovering from surgery for appendicitis. Wilson has caught 25 passes for 303 yards in the past two games, providing easily the best production of his three-year career. Even if Harrison returns against the Bucs, Wilson’s eye-opening performance makes him a bigger target.
Buccaneers player to watch
RB Bucky Irving. He’s expected to return after missing seven games with foot and shoulder injuries. Though he’s expected to be limited in snaps, Irving is a playmaker and a threat to go the distance every time he touches the ball.
Key matchup
Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat vs. Buccaneers left tackle Tristan Wirfs. Sweat has nine sacks in 11 games in his first season with Arizona after signing a huge deal in free agency following a 2 1/2-sack performance in the Super Bowl for Philadelphia. Wirfs is an All-Pro and they’ve battled previously. Wirfs protects Baker Mayfield’s blind side. Mayfield is dealing with a left shoulder sprain and his status is uncertain. Teddy Bridgewater would start if he can’t play.
Key injuries
Cardinals: QB Kyler Murray (foot) has to miss at least one more game on injured reserve. … Sweat (eye), LB Baron Browning (concussion), RB Emari Demercado (ankle) and S Dadrion Taylor-Demerson (ankle) were among those who didn’t practice Wednesday. … DL Walter Nolen III (knee) won’t play Sunday. … RB Trey Benson (knee) and WR Marvin Harrison Jr. (appendix) were limited at practice.
Buccaneers: Mayfield could be a game-time decision. … Irving is expected back after missing seven games. … WR Mike Evans (clavicle) and WR Jalen McMillan (neck) remain out. … OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) isn’t expected to play. … LG Ben Bredeson (hamstring), CB Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and CB Jamel Dean (hip) didn’t play last week.
Series notes
The Buccaneers have won two in a row, including the last meeting when Tom Brady led Tampa Bay to an overtime victory on Christmas Day.
Stats and stuff
The Cardinals have lost eight of their past nine games after starting the season with a 2-0 record. Six of those losses have come by four points or less. … Cardinals TE Trey McBride enters Sunday’s game with 301 career receptions. He needs one more to pass Jimmy Graham for the most in his first four seasons for a tight end in NFL history. … Arizona QB Jacoby Brissett leads the NFL with 1,887 yards passing since Week 6, providing stellar production since taking over for Murray. … The Cardinals rank second in the NFL with 10 forced fumbles. … The Cardinals have 19 players on injured reserve or non-football injury lists, which is the most in the NFL. … Cardinals DL Calais Campbell will play his 273rd career game on Sunday. That’s the third-most in NFL history behind Jim Marshall (282) and Bruce Smith (279). … Mayfield is fifth in the NFC with 18 TDs. He had 41 last season. … Irving, expected to return for the first time since Week 4, had 165 yards from scrimmage in that game. … WR Emeka Egbuka ranks first among rookies in TD catches (six) and second in yards receiving (749) this season. … Fellow rookie WR Tez Johnson has five TDs. … LB Lavonte David joined Pro Football Hall of Famer Julius Peppers as the only players since 2000 with 40 sacks, 30 forced fumbles and 10 interceptions. David has 41 1/2 sacks, 32 forced fumbles and 14 interceptions in his career. … S Antoine Winfield Jr. needs two sacks to join Jamal Adams (21 1/2) as the only defensive backs since 1982 with 20 sacks in their first six seasons. …. K Chase McLaughlin is 8 for 8 from beyond 50 yards on field goals.
Fantasy tip
McBride could have a big day facing Tampa Bay’s poor pass defense. He has had five catches in 13 straight games and leads all tight ends with 80 receptions and 797 receiving yards this season.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Surrendering big plays has cost the Tampa Bay Buccaneers two games in a row.
That’s turned a promising 6-2 start into a two-game losing streak with a trip to face the NFC West-leading Los Angeles Rams (8-2) up next.
Josh Allen threw touchdown passes of 43, 52 and 25 yards against Tampa Bay’s defense in Buffalo’s 44-32 victory on Sunday. A week ago, the Bucs allowed four plays of 50-plus yards, including three touchdowns, in a 28-23 loss to New England.
“The concerning part is when we’re covering, we’re not rushing, and when we’re rushing, we’re not covering,” coach Todd Bowles said Monday. “It’s a combination of everybody on defense — it’s not the back end, not the front end. It’s everybody combined, together. We did better stopping the run because (James) Cook is a dangerous back, but those small details on the two plays we gave up in the first half — that’s critical. Regardless of where they started field-position-wise, you can’t just give them plays. They’re already a good football team, to aid them even more is not what we’re trying to do.”
The Bucs have lost to some of the NFL’s best teams. The Eagles (8-2), Lions (6-4), Patriots (9-2) and Bills (7-3) are 30-11 combined. Only two of Tampa Bay’s six wins have been against teams that currently have a winning record. They beat the Seahawks (7-3) and 49ers (7-4) in back-to-back games last month.
Midseason struggles are nothing new for Tampa Bay under Bowles, who has won the NFC South in each of his first three seasons.
In 2022, the Bucs lost five of six after a 2-0 start and recovered to go 5-3 to clinch before resting starters in Week 18.
In 2023, they lost six of seven after a 3-1 start. The Bucs went 5-1 down the stretch and then won a playoff game.
Last season, they lost four in a row to go from 4-2 to 4-6. A 6-1 finish gave Tampa Bay its fourth straight division title.
With Carolina (6-5) closing in, the Buccaneers need to turn things around quickly.
“We need to figure it out and be really critical,” Baker Mayfield said. “We want to be a great team and we want to be a great offense. We need to be really critical of ourselves.”
What’s working
The run game. The Bucs followed up a solid game against the NFL’s No. 1 run defense last week with a season-high 202-yard performance against one of the league’s worst run-stopping units. Sean Tucker had 106 yards and two TDs. Rachaad White ran for 51 and Mayfield scrambled for 39 with a score. Tampa Bay averaged 5.2 yards per carry.
What needs help
Red zone offense. Allen gifted the Bucs an interception at the 7 on Buffalo’s first possession. The offense got 2 yards on three plays and settled for a field goal.
Stock up
Tucker has 159 yards rushing and an average of 5.7 yards per carry the past two games. He also has a 28-yard TD catch to go with two rushing TDs. Even when Bucky Irving returns, Tucker has earned an opportunity to get more touches.
Stock down
Kickoff coverage. The Bucs gave up returns of 61, 44 and 41 yards that set up Buffalo for short fields. Overall, the Bills averaged 39.5 yards per kick return.
Injuries
Irving (foot, shoulder), LG Ben Bredeson (hamstring), WR Chris Godwin (fibula), WR Mike Evans (clavicle), WR Jalen McMillan (neck) and OLB Haason Reddick (knee, ankle) didn’t play. … CB Jamel Dean left with a hip injury.
Key number
7.8 — The Bucs allowed 7.8 yards per play.
Next steps
The Buccaneers visit the Rams (8-2) on “Sunday Night Football.”
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield likes to joke about how much he looks up to Josh Allen.
What You Need To Know
Baker Mayfield and Josh Allen have mutual respect in a friendship that began in 2018, when they were among five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the NFL Draft
They face off on Sunday, when the Bills (6-3) host the Buccaneers (6-3)
The meeting on Sunday marks their third, with each splitting the first two, and comes at a critical juncture for their teams’ playoff aspirations
Kickoff is at 1 p.m.
“I have to walkie-talkie to him because he’s so damn tall,” the 6-foot-1 Mayfield said, attempting to maintain a straight face when discussing his relationship with the Bills quarterback, who stands 6-foot-5.
“So I can’t really have a face-to-face conversation with him,” Mayfield added, before suggesting Allen has small hands for his size.
Allen shot back by accusing Mayfield of wearing two gloves when he golfs, after the two were paired at a celebrity tournament this summer.
The playful banter is an indication of a mutual respect in a friendship that began in 2018, when they were among five quarterbacks selected in the first round of the draft.
The bond has grown given the career challenges they’ve overcome since, in establishing themselves as franchise-caliber players preparing to face off on Sunday, when the Bills (6-3) host the Buccaneers (6-3).
“I love the guy. He’s awesome,” Allen said. “To see how his career has progressed and the adversity he’s fought through, he’s playing some really, really dang good football right now.”
Mayfield’s rise has been gradual since being drafted first overall by the Cleveland Browns.
It took him five seasons and stops with the Carolina Panthers and the Los Angeles Rams before finally finding the right fit in Tampa Bay. This year might be Mayfield’s most impressive in working his way into the midseason NFL MVP conversation for his production overseeing an injury-depleted offense.
For Allen, drafted seventh by Buffalo, he shed knocks about his accuracy and mechanics coming out of Wyoming by transforming the Bills into an AFC power and earning MVP honors last season.
The meeting on Sunday marks just their third, with each splitting the first two, and comes at a critical juncture for their teams’ playoff aspirations.
The five-time defending AFC East champion Bills have dropped three of five and face a crisis of confidence on offense after the passing game sputtered in a 30-13 loss at Miami.
The four-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers still lead their division, but have dropped two of three following a 28-23 loss at New England. Injuries remain the biggest concern, with Tampa Bay playing much of the season without receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and running back Bucky Irving.
Mayfield refused to use injuries as an excuse by voicing concerns about the team lacking a killer instinct following the loss on Sunday.
“I’m perfectly fine with it,” coach Todd Bowles said. “When you’re one of the captains of the team, you know what it looks like. … He spoke up, and everybody took it the right way.”
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Tampa Bay edge rusher Anthony Nelson had an interception for a touchdown to go with a forced fumble and two sacks, Sean Tucker ran for a 1-yard score on fourth down and the Buccaneers beat the hapless New Orleans Saints 23-3 on Sunday.
Antoine Winfield Jr. recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass for the Buccaneers (6-2), who forced four turnovers and also played a role in forcing Saints second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler out of the game.
First-year Saints coach Kellen Moore inserted rookie QB Tyler Shough late in the third quarter, but the switch did little to improve matters for New Orleans (1-7), now tied for the worst record in the NFL with the New York Jets and Tennessee.
After saying earlier in the week that he didn’t like the Saints and did not feel they played “clean,” Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield did enough to help his team win comfortably. But the Bucs’ offense did not have the smoothest day.
The Saints managed to preserve a scoreless tie in the second quarter by stuffing four goal-to-go runs from the 1, only to give up Nelson’s defensive touchdown a couple plays later.
Rattler was rolling right and appeared to have tight end Foster Moreau open in the flat, but Nelson — who started because of Haason Reddick’s ankle and knee injuries — tipped Rattler’s pass to himself for his first career interception. The seventh-year pro then flattened the Saints QB while basically walking into the end zone to make it 7-0.
The Bucs appeared to have taken a 14-0 lead on a second defensive touchdown when Winfield recovered receiver Rashid Shaheed’s fumble on the New Orleans 47 and returned it to the end zone. But an inadvertent whistle wiped out Winfield’s return, and a few plays later, Saints defensive end Chase Young forced and recovered a fumble by Mayfield.
The Saints converted that turnover into Blake Grupe’s 48-yard field goal that made it 7-3 at halftime.
Tucker’s TD came after the Saints had stopped Mayfield and Co. three more times from the 1 in the third quarter.
Chase McLaughlin kicked three second-half field goals from 52 or more yards to help the Bucs pull away from there.
Rattler, who fell to 1-13 in career NFL starts, competed 15 of 21 passes for 136 yards. He also lost the fumble forced by Nelson.
Shough completed 17 of 30 passes for 128 yards. The second-round draft choice also was intercepted when his accurate pass to Chris Olave was ripped away by Winfield.
Injuries
Buccaneers: CB Jacob Parrish was treated on the field in the fourth quarter, but walked off on his own.
Saints: CB Alontae Taylor briefly received attention in a blue injury tent kin the fourth quarter, but remained in uniform on the sideline. … DT Bryan Bresee also received apparent concussion tests on the sideline in the final minutes, when Shaheed also hobbled off with an apparent leg injury.
Up next
Buccaneers: Have a Week 9 bye before hosting New England on Nov. 9.
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Displeased as Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers might be about the way New Orleans plays defense, that hasn’t affected Tampa Bay’s recent success rate against its division rival.
“It has not exactly been clean play from their part when we play them,” Mayfield said this week about his four games against New Orleans — three of them victories — since joining the Bucs in 2023.
What You Need To Know
Tampa Bay (5-2) at New Orleans (1-6), Sunday 4:05 p.m, FOX TV
Fresh off a frustrating loss in Detroit, the Bucs (5-2) now look to retain their perch atop the NFC South
The Buccaneers have won the past two meetings and five of the past six…The Saints are 21-13 against the Buccaneers in games played in the Superdome…The Buccaneers’ longest winning streak in the series is three games during the 2022 and 2023 seasons
Fresh off a frustrating loss in Detroit, the Bucs (5-2) now look to retain their perch atop the NFC South when they visit the struggling Saints (1-6) on Sunday.
“Not much else to say,” Mayfield added, “besides for the fact that I do not like them.”
The person least bothered by Mayfield’s characterization might have been rookie Saints coach Kellen Moore.
For one, this is Moore’s first time experiencing this matchup since New Orleans hired him after he helped the Philadelphia Eagles win last season’s Super Bowl as offensive coordinator.
And what coach doesn’t relish bulletin-board material for his locker room?
“Division games are always fun,” Moore said with a knowing grin. “They’re a little bit different. … You know each other very, very well. My understanding is this is a phenomenal rivalry.”
Since Tom Brady’s final NFL season with Tampa Bay in 2022, the Bucs have won five of six against the Saints.
New Orleans, which currently has the worst record in the NFC, has lost its previous two games this season — as well as its past two meetings with the Bucs last season.
Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles takes no comfort in that, though.
“All our division games are tough,” Bowles said, adding that the Superdome is “a tough place” for a visiting team to play.
“We’re preparing for a battle,” Bowles said.
Seeking balance
The Buccaneers passed on 54 of 66 plays in a 24-9 loss to Detroit even though the score was within reach for most of the first three quarters.
Mayfield had his worst game of the season, completing just 56% of those passes with one interception. Bowles would prefer offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard run the ball a little more.
Too much passing is “not a good formula for success; we can’t run the ball 11, 12 times and throw it 50-plus times,” Bowles said. “We’ve got to be more balanced than that. We were in the game enough — 14-3 at the half — for us to run it a little bit more. The circumstances got crazy at the end, but we’ve got to be more balanced than that and we’ve got to establish more of a run game.”
Familiar faces
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler started both of last year’s losses to Tampa Bay while since-retired QB Derek Carr was injured.
But Rattler has an entire NFL offseason under his belt at this point and took many first-team snaps throughout camp on his way to winning the starting job. He sees himself as a more prepared player.
“It’s totally different, having more games under my belt,” said Rattler, who is 1-12 in his NFL career as a starter. “I definitely have grown since that first start. … Definitely feel better coming into this game. That’s for sure.”
But Rattler’s respect for Bowles’ ability to tailor defensive game plans to each week’s matchups leaves the Saints’ second-year QB expecting some surprises.
“It’s going to be a different thing every time you play him,” Rattler said. “The looks are going to be different than last year; the looks are going to be different than last week.”
Rattler has his own issues to worry about after committing four turnovers on three interceptions and a lost fumble during a 26-14 loss to Chicago last weekend. The performance was a deviation for Rattler, who had thrown just one interception in his six previous games.
“Didn’t play how I wanted to play,” Rattler said. “It’s all fixable things. That’s what’s good.”
“Definitely don’t plan on doing that every game,” he added. “I’m not going to be scared to take shots down the field. I don’t want to play timid. So, just got to pick your spots.”
Banged-up Bucs
The Buccaneers will be missing five starters and other key players on offense, including wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and running back Bucky Irving.
They have plenty of depth and Mayfield has playmakers around him, but getting healthy during their upcoming bye week will be a priority.
“Until we just lost, nobody was complaining or moaning about it,” Mayfield said. “It is the nature of the game. You know you have a game every week until your bye. So, you figure it out and move on. … Guys know they have to get ready physically, as well as you possibly can, to play and go from there.”
DETROIT (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers receiver Mike Evans returned to the lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury and didn’t last a half against the Detroit Lions.
The six-time Pro Bowler was hurt late in the second quarter Monday night when he attempted to make a catch. He was ruled out with a concussion and shoulder injury, which coach Todd Bowles said was a broken collarbone.
“He’s going to be gone until toward the last of the season,” Bowles said after Detroit’s 24-9 win.
After the team’s medical staff evaluated Evans on the field, he slowly walked to the sideline. A cart took him to the locker room.
The Lions (5-2) bounced back from a loss as they have done flawlessly for nearly three years, extending their NFL-long streak of 51 games without dropping two straight in the regular season.
Tampa Bay (5-2) was outgained by more than 200 yards in the first half, but trailed 14-3 because Detroit had an interception, fumble, turned it over on downs and missed a field goal.
Rookie Tez Johnson had a 22-yard touchdown reception to open the second half, pulling the Bucs within five points, but they could not slow down Gibbs.
On the ensuing drive, Gibbs had a 15-yard run and a 28-yard reception to set up his second touchdown that gave the Lions a 21-9 lead late in the third quarter.
The third-year running back finished with a season-high 136 yards rushing on 17 carries and a season-high 82 yards receiving on three catches, giving him a total that trails just four performances for the franchise this century.
Gibbs is the first NFL player with at least 135 yards rushing and 80 yards receiving along with two scores on the ground since Chris Johnson pulled off the feat with Tennessee in 2009.
Detroit’s Jared Goff was 20 of 29 for 241 yards with a 27-yard touchdown pass to Amon-Ra St. Brown on the game’s opening drive. Goff, though, lost a fumble and overthrew rookie receiver Isaac TeSlaa on fourth-and-2 on the next two possessions and later threw an interception — all in Tampa Bay territory.
Baker Mayfield was 28 of 50 for 228 yards with one touchdown and one interception against a short-handed defense. Mayfield threw an incomplete pass in the end zone with 4:24 left, ending potential comeback hopes.
Gibbs took advantage of a big hole and his speed to score on a careerlong, 78-yard run late in the second quarter to put Detroit ahead 14-0.
After Detroit’s Jake Bates missed a 54-yard field goal, Chase McLaughlin made a 53-yard field goal to end the half and put the Bucs on the scoreboard.
Bates did connect on a 58-yard field goal early in the fourth, knocking it in off an upright, to give the Lions a 24-9 lead.
Up next
Bucs: Visit New Orleans on Sunday.
Lions: Bye week before hosting Minnesota on Nov. 2.
TAMPA, Fla. — Doug Martin, a former running back for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has died at the age of 36, the team confirmed on Sunday.
Martin was a first-round draft pick out of Boise State in 2012 and set several franchise records as a rookie for the Bucs.
They include most rushing touchdowns in a single game (4) and most rushing yards in a season by a rookie (1,454).
In a statement on Sunday, the Buccaneers said they were “deeply saddened to learn of the sudden and unexpected passing” of Martin.
“From his record-setting rookie season in 2012 to his multiple Pro Bowl selection during his six seasons as a Buccaneer, Doug made a lasting impact on our franchise,” the statement went on to read. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and everyone whom Doug touched throughout his life.”
Boise State also remembered Martin on Sunday, calling him “one of Boise State’s best running backs in school history.”
He was also the school’s first running back to be taken in the first round of the NFL draft.
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — Baker Mayfield’s heroics came early in the fourth quarter instead of the final minutes.
Mayfield threw two touchdown passes and had a spectacular scramble to help the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the San Francisco 49ers 30-19 on Sunday.
After winning four games with scores in the last minute, the Buccaneers (5-1) didn’t need a late comeback.
Up 20-19 early in the fourth, the Buccaneers faced a third-and-14 at their 41. Mayfield ducked away from a sack in the pocket, escaped another defender, scrambled out of trouble, eluded more tackles and dove headfirst, stretching the ball to get a first down on third-and-14.
A few plays later, Mayfield connected with Tez Johnson on a 45-yard TD pass down the middle to give the 49ers a 27-19 lead. Johnson made an outstretched leaping catch and the rookie celebrated his first career TD with an acrobatic flip.
The 49ers were driving for a potential tying score when Mac Jones threw an interception to Jamel Dean on fourth-and-5 from the Buccaneers 33 with just under six minutes left.
The turnover led to Chase McLaughlin’s 45-yard field goal that extended the lead to 30-19.
Playing through knee and oblique injuries, Jones threw for 347 yards with two picks, losing for the first time in four starts filling in for Brock Purdy.
The injury-riddled 49ers (4-2) lost four-time All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner to a serious right ankle injury in the first quarter. Warner’s ankle appeared to turn sideways after a couple of players fell into him.
Everyone on the 49ers bench came onto the field to see Warner before he left the field with an air cast on his ankle.
San Francisco already was missing star edge rusher Nick Bosa, All-Pro tight end George Kittle, and wide receivers Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall, along with Purdy and others.
The Buccaneers, who were missing star receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and running back Bucky Irving, lost rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka to a hamstring injury in the second half.
Mayfield — who finished 17 of 23 for 256 yards — connected with a wide-open Kameron Johnson for a 34-yard TD to extend Tampa Bay’s lead to 20-13 late in the first half. It was Johnson’s first career reception. The Bucs went for the 2-point conversion following a roughing-the-passer penalty on the scoring pass but Rachaad White was stopped on a run.
Sean Tucker’s 9-yard TD run put the Buccaneers ahead 14-10 in the second quarter. Mayfield connected with Egbuka for 17 yards and Cade Otton for 23 on consecutive plays during the drive.
Christian McCaffrey ran in from the 1 to give the 49ers a 10-7 lead. It was San Francisco’s first rushing TD of the season on the team’s 148th carry.
Kindle Vildor set up Tampa Bay’s first score with an interception at the 49ers 25 that could have been a pick-6, but he stumbled twice before getting tackled at the 12.
White ran in from the 2 to put the Buccaneers up 7-0.
The Niners’ Eddy Pineiro kicked field goals of 52, 54, 42 and 29 yards.
Containing Christian
McCaffrey had 54 yards rushing on 17 carries and seven catches for 57 yards. He entered the game on pace for 133 receptions.
Injury report
49ers: Purdy (toe) missed his fourth game and Pearsall (knee) sat out his second in a row.
Buccaneers: Evans (hamstring), Godwin (fibula), RBs Bucky Irving (foot/shoulder) and Josh Williams (concussion), CBs Benjamin Morrison (hamstring) and Zyon McCollum (thumb) were inactive. … Egbuka had two catches for 24 yards before going down. … RG Luke Haggard (shoulder) left in the fourth quarter.
Up next
49ers: Host the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday night.
Buccaneers: Visit the Detroit Lions next Monday night.
