"TAMPA, Fla. -- The winner of the NFC South will have a losing record and be crowned at home watching on television. Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday. "The defense did an incredible job all game," Mayfield said in his postgame, on-field interview with Peter Schrager on ESPN. "They got a touchdown early off my interception, so, we just found a way to win.""
"The Buccaneers (8-9) need New Orleans (6-10) to beat or tie Atlanta (7-9) on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title. If the Falcons win, the Panthers (8-9) will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago. The Buccaneers hold a two-team tiebreaker over the Panthers. But Carolina holds the three-team tiebreaker over Tampa Bay if Atlanta also finishes 8-9."
Baker Mayfield connected with Cade Otton for a touchdown and Chase McLaughlin converted three field goals as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-14 in rainy conditions. Tampa Bay improved to 8-9 and kept a path to the NFC South, needing New Orleans to beat or tie Atlanta to clinch the division. Carolina also sits at 8-9 and could win the division if Atlanta prevails. Tampa Bay's defense produced a touchdown off an interception, and Mayfield overcame another pick to help preserve the win.
Read at ESPN.com
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