Another W for Tampa Bay in Week 13.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came out with a 26-23 win over the Carolina Panthers this Sunday.
It was not easy, or pretty, but a win is a win, and the Bucs now have two in a row.
The Bucs are now back up to .500 for the first time since the October 27th.
Future Hall of Famer Mike Evans had another great game, with a fantastic one handed touchdown grab to kick things off.
Sacks and penalties were both major issues in this game for Tampa Bay, as they failed to build on their lead.
And when Bucs punter Trenton Gill shanked his punt, Bryce Young capitalised running in the first Panthers touchdown.
Young was fantastic in this game and outplayed Baker Mayfield, as he continues to put his troubled rookie season behind him.
Young had 298 passing yards, the second most in his career, one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown and no interceptions on the day.
The first half ended on a Mayfield interception and another soon followed in the third quarter, as well as a Panthers field goal to put them six points up.
Tampa Bay showed signs of life in the fourth quarter, as Bucky Irving rushed down the field for a go-ahead touchdown.
Irving was a real bright spot in this Bucs win, rushing for a career high 152 yards and one touchdown.
Another field goal put Tampa 20-16 up before Young drove his team down and threw a dart to Adam Thielen in the endzone.
The Bucs were not finished though, and Mayfield worked them into field goal range to allow Chase McLaughlin to force overtime.
Overtime rollercoaster
Having already lost two games this season in overtime, it was always going to be a stressful finish for the Bucs.
Tampa won the coin toss and got into long field goal range, but McLaughlin was off target for the first time and handed the ball back to Carolina.
Young executed yet another great drive, showing his maturity in high pressure situations.
But while already in field-goal range, the Panthers decided to run the ball one more time to creep a few yards further forward.
It was a decision which proved costly, as Bucs linebacker Anthony Nelson forced a fumble which was recovered by Tampa Bay.
A few plays later and McLaughlin made amends, kicking the game-winning field goal.
Division games are always tough, even it was ‘just the Panthers’.
With the Atlanta Falcons losing, the most important thing was that the Bucs came away with the win.
The Falcons still lead the NFC South, but both teams are now on 6-6. Atlanta also have a daunting trip to Minnesota up next.
Looks like the race for the NFC South title is going down to the wire.
