Tampa, Fla. – Little has happened for Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season.
Despite their struggles, they can repeat themselves as NFC South champions and secure a home playoff game by beating the Carolina Panthers on Sunday.
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“It always means something when you’re playing for something at the end of the year,” said coach Todd Bowles after the Bucs (7-8) rebounded to take a one-game lead with a 19-16 overtime win to keep in the division in Arizona.
“They want to play good December football and play meaningful games,” Bowles added. “Next week they need it and we need it so it’s going to be a good fight.”
Had the Bucs failed to overcome a 10-point deficit against the Cardinals in the fourth quarter, they could potentially face elimination this weekend when Tampa Bay hosts Carolina, who has a previous clash between division rivals with 21-3 won.
It looks like a win over the Panthers (6-9) will give the top-seeded Bucs the title for the first time in franchise history.
A loss won’t put Tampa Bay out of contention, but Carolina would draw level overall and be in position to clinch its first NFC South title since 2015 with a win in New Orleans the following week.
“This team is very resilient,” said Brady, who was recovering from a poor game while Arizona built a 16-6 lead to level the score in the final minutes of regulation and then in overtime for his 58th career win to orchestrate .
“We’re fighting hard – 7-8, we don’t want to be there,” Brady added. “But we have a chance to win a league game next week.”
WHAT WORKS
The Bucs struggled to consistently pass ball and finished last out of 32 teams. However, RB Leonard Fournette provided a spark against Arizona, rushing for 72 yards and gaining another 90 on nine team-high receptions. Rookie RB Rachaad White made the most of limited opportunities, averaging 5 yards per carry on seven attempts and catching four passes for 17 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter.
WHAT NEEDS HELP
The low-scoring Bucs ended up with 396 yards in total offense but only produced a TD against the Cardinals. They were 6 out of 17 in third down situations, which was a well-known theme.
TOP UP
WR Russell Gage signed a three-year, $30 million contract in free agency last winter and was severely slowed by injuries in his first season with Tampa Bay. However, in the last three games he has started to make a difference. He had five catches for 65 yards against the Cardinals, with 55 of those yards coming in the second half and overtime.
STOCK DOWN
The offensive line continues to be plagued by injuries. Josh Wells is the latest casualty, with backup tackle leaving with a knee injury while filling in for injured Arizona starter Donovan Smith. If Smith and Wells can’t play Carolina, first-year pro Brandon Walton expects his first start since Week 3 against Green Bay.
INJURIES
RT Tristan Wirfs returned against the Cardinals after missing three games with a high ankle sprain. Bowles said Wirfs aggravated the injury when someone fell on the pro’s third-year ankle. However, it’s too early to tell how that might affect his availability this week. Smith’s status will also be determined later in the week.
KEY NUMBER
250 – Brady on Sunday night became the first player in NFL history with 250 career wins in the regular season. Adam Vinatieri (221), George Blanda (209), Gary Anderson (201) and Jerry Rice (194) complete the all-time top 5.
NEXT UP
Tampa Bay welcomes Carolina with a chance to win a division title for the eighth time in the club’s 47-year history.
“We know the importance of the game,” Bowles said. “You don’t have to do that to yourself.”
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