WFLA

Bucs with Bowles on the plays that mattered in critical overtime win over Panthers

Dan Lucas

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — For the third time this season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a game go into overtime.

Unlike the first two extra sessions that ended in losses, Sunday’s result was a 26-23 victory over the Carolina Panthers.

The win puts the Bucs record back to .500 and pulls them even with the Atlanta Falcons atop the NFC South. The Falcons hold the tiebreaker against the Bucs if the two teams remain even at the end of the regular season.

On Monday, News Channel 8’s Dan Lucas joined Bucs’ Head Coach Todd Bowles for their weekly ‘Bucs with Bowles’ interview.

The Bucs knew what they were in for on Sunday, facing a Carolina team that has trended upward under new Head Coach Dave Canales, the Bucs’ former Offensive Coordinator. A week ago, the Panthers were less than two minutes away from forcing overtime against the Kansas City Chiefs.

A Bucs offense on high alert still endured a struggle for much of the day.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker Chase McLaughlin (4) kicks a field goal to tie the game at the end of regulation during an NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, Dec. 01, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. The Buccaneers defeated the Panthers 26-23. (AP Photo/Rusty Jones)

Quarterback Baker Mayfield was intercepted twice in the game and left temporarily after his ankle was stepped on during a quarterback sack.

Despite the day being difficult to score points, the Bucs offense enjoyed some big numbers individually.

Rookie Running Back Bucky Irving finished with 152 rushing yards and 185 total yards, both career highs.

Wide Receiver Mike Evans had 118 receiving yards on eight catches, including a critical 21-yard reception in overtime to help set up the Bucs game-winning field goal.

The play of the day, however, was on defense.

Outside Linebacker Anthony Nelson stripped Panthers Running Back Chuba Hubbard of the football during the overtime, eliminating a possible game-winning field goal attempt for Carolina.

The play put the Bucs offense on the field for the second time in overtime, setting up a 59-yard drive and Chase McLaughlin’s 30-yard field goal to win the game.