Bucs Clinch Second Consecutive Division Title

By Lily Belcher

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured their second consecutive division title Sunday afternoon, defeating the second place Carolina Panthers 30-24. The Bucs played into the fans’ excitement over the potential to clinch the division title at Raymond James Stadium. Wide receiver Mike Evans and teammates gave footballs to fans after almost every visit to the end zone and quarterback Tom Brady was animated on the sidelines after his three sacks and a few missed passes.

Evans ended Sunday’s start with 1124 yards, capping nine straight seasons of 1000+ yards. This mark stands alone among NFL records as no other wide receiver has as many straight seasons beginning with their rookie year.

On top of extending his record, Evans and Brady connected for three touchdown passes, two for more than 50 yards, to claim the NFC South, the 4th seed position and a home playoff game. Trailing by 14 with two minutes left in the first half, Brady completed his first touchdown pass of the game to Evans, putting Tampa Bay on the board. The 63-yard completion was Evans’ first touchdown catch since week four against the Kansas City Chiefs.

The Panthers answered in the fourth quarter with a 96-yard drive to start the fourth quarter giving Carolina their final touchdown of the day, bringing the score to 21-10.

Brady completed a 57-yard touchdown pass to Evans bringing Tampa Bay within five points after missing the extra point on the next possession

Evans caught a 30-yard pass late in the fourth quarter, capping a 92-yard drive to give the Buccaneers their first lead of the game. Leonard Fournette put the Bucs within a football’s length of the endzone after Tampa Bay recovered a fumble off a strip sack against Sam Darnold. Brady scored on the ensuing play on a quarterback keeper to put the Bucs up 30-24 with two minutes remaining in the game.

With the win against the Panthers, Brady secured his 19th division title of his career and 20th post season appearance. The Buccaneers will visit the last place Atlanta Falcons for week 18 and will host either the Philadelphia Eagles or Dallas Cowboys in the wildcard round.