Tom Brady and Bucs win NFC South with a huge comeback win over Panthers

Greg Auman

NFC South Reporter

TAMPA, Fla. — Tom Brady He threw three touchdown passes. Mike Evans, The two last rallies the Buccaneers The fourth quarter saw 11 points of decline to win the Panthers 30-24 Raymond James Stadium, where they clinched the NFC South division title.

Brady, who threw for 432 yards and led the team to a double-digit fourth quarter deficit for the third consecutive month. This was also the third time the team had overcome a double-digit deficit in less than a year. Saints Cardinals. He was down 21-10 in the fourth quarter, but he connected with Evans twice in the fourth quarter. Evans had three touchdown catches, after obtaining none in Week 4.

The Panthers (6-10) could have clinched the division title with a win next weekend, but they are now eliminated from the playoffs. With 2:32 to go, the Panthers had a chance at a tie field goal but they were eliminated. Anthony Nelson You were fired Sam Darnold It forced me to fumble. Vita Vea Carolina’s 6-yard line was reclaimed by Brady, who ran 1-yards for touchdown on a quarterback keeper to win the game.

The Bucs (8-8) have won back to back division titles for the Bucs, the first time that this franchise has done so. Brady will not be able to miss the playoffs for 20 years. They have been locked into the NFC No. They are the 4th seed so they could theoretically rest starters at Atlanta’s regular season finale. 

Brady’s 432 passing yards matches his best in three seasons at Tampa. Evans’ 207 yard total is his most since 2014, when he had 209 as a rookie.

Carolina, which was two points behind, scored a 49-yard field goal Eddy Pineiro They pulled within six points with 59 seconds to go, but their attempt at a side kick was saved by the Bucs. Cade Otton.

Carolina was able to get some separation thanks to Darnold’s third touchdown touchdown pass, which gave them a 21-10 lead in the first quarter. However, the Bucs countered with another long touchdown pass by Brady to Evans. With 13:49 remaining, they were down 21-16 after a failed two-point conversion.

Evans hadn’t found the endzone since Week 4 but found it three times Sunday. It was on the two longest plays in Tampa Bay’s season, scoring at 63 and 56 yards, respectively. Brady’s two point conversion put the Bucs up with his 30-yard touchdown at 6:47. Chris Godwin Three-point cushion

Carolina took a dominating lead in the first quarter, leading 14-0 by halftime. Darnold was 4-for-4 and gained 60 yards during the first drive. He finished with a touchdown pass of 17 yards to tighten the game. Tommy Tremble. The Bucs’ first drive ended with Godwin’s fumble. A second drive ended with a 53-yard miss field goal by Ryan Succop. Carolina extended its lead with Darnold’s second touchdown. This to receiver DJ Moore, for a 14-0 advantage.

In the last three minutes of the first half, the Bucs were awakened by Brady hitting Evans for an impressive 63-yard touchdown. Darnold was unable to field a snap, so the Bucs recovered the ball and set up a short field goal to reduce the deficit to 14-10 at halftime.

Tampa Bay had an opportunity to take the lead during the third quarter. It went all the distance from its 2-yard line following a Sean Murphy-Bunting interception. The Bucs drove to the Carolina 8 from 90 yards, but missed on two plays. Even a short field-goal attempt made by Succop by Carolina was also blocked. Yetur Gross-Matos To keep the game at 14-10

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Greg Auman is FOX Sports’ NFC South reporter, covering the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. After spending time at The Tampa Bay Times, and The Athletic, he is now in his 10th season of covering the NFL and the Bucs full-time. Follow him on Twitter @ @gregauman.

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