Sloppy, sloppy, sloppy. Also, victorious. Bucs beat Panthers in OT.

John Romano, Tampa Bay Times on Dec 1, 2024

Published in Football

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Do you want to talk about the interceptions?

How about the penalties? Or the missed tackles? Or the horrific punting/kickoffs?

Let’s start with the scoreboard.

Tampa Bay won. Unbelievably. Also, undeservedly. The Bucs beat the Carolina Panthers 26-23 in overtime Sunday in Charlotte, N.C., despite playing one of their worst games in memory.

It took two fourth-quarter comebacks, two missed field goals by Carolina, a stunning fumble by the Panthers in overtime and, finally, a Chase McLaughlin 30-yard field goal after missing a 55-yarder earlier in overtime.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield was banged-up and fairly ineffective but still directed two go-ahead drives and one tying drive over the fourth quarter and overtime. The defense looked soft most of the afternoon but came up with a needed turnover in the final minutes.

And now, remarkably, the Bucs have caught the Falcons in the NFC South.

At least for now.

Play of the game

There were plenty to choose from, both good and bad. But how about Anthony Nelson tearing the ball out of Chuba Hubbard’s hands in overtime? The game looked like it was over. The Panthers were in field-goal range. Nelson may have saved a season with the biggest play of his career.

Game ball

Give one ball to Bucky Irving the runner. Give another to Bucky Irving the receiver. The rookie from Oregon was finally utilized as a feature back, and he rescued the Bucs from themselves. Irving had 53 all-purpose yards on Tampa Bay’s go-ahead drive in the fourth quarter and then ripped off a 43-yard run on the next possession.

Keep an eye on

Just when you thought the pass defense was getting its act together, the Bucs let Bryce Young have one of his best days in the NFL. The pass rush barely touched him in the first three quarters, and the secondary seemed to have a hands-off philosophy while covering receivers.

It didn’t help that Jordan Whitehead went on injured reserve this week, Tykee Smith was out with a knee injury and Mike Edwards left the game with a hamstring pull. But Bryce Young? He had a 4-18 career record. He had topped 200 yards passing in only seven of his 22 previous starts, and yet he had 186 yards against the Bucs. In the first half!

The Bucs are still alive, but they will not last long if the pass rush and secondary do not tighten up.

Also, do not be surprised if you see a new punter next week.

NFC update

The Falcons gave Kirk Cousins the biggest free-agent contract of the offseason (four years, $180 million with $100 million guaranteed) in March. What did they get for it? Nothing special. Cousins, who is having his worst season in a decade, threw four interceptions in a 17-13 loss to the Chargers on Sunday. Atlanta has now lost three in a row while averaging 12 points per game. Tampa Bay (6-6) has tied the Falcons atop the division, but Atlanta (6-6) is still in control with a tiebreaker advantage.

Up next

After a bye week and two consecutive road games, the Bucs are back at Raymond James Stadium next week for the first time since Nov. 10. Better yet, they get the Las Vegas Raiders, who have the NFL’s longest current losing streak at eight in a row. Although, the way the Bucs played against the Panthers, nothing is guaranteed.

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