Tom Brady, Bucs beat Panthers 30-24 to win NFC South

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) – Tom Brady threw for 432 yards and three lengthy touchdowns to Mike Evans, serving to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers win their second straight NFC South championship with a 30-24 victory over the Carolina Panthers. Sunday.

Evans completed with 10 catches for 207 yards, scores of 63, 57 and 30 yards, and have become the primary participant in NFL historical past to start out a profession with 9 consecutive seasons of 1,000-plus yards.

The Panthers (6-10) led 14-0 early and 21-10 after Sam Darnold’s third TD move of the day 10 seconds into the fourth quarter.

It was all Bucs from there, with Evans beating cornerback CJ Henderson twice and Darnold shedding on a sack inside his personal 10. 58 left.

The Bucs (8-8) can end the common season with a profitable report by beating Atlanta on the highway subsequent weekend. As division champions, they’re assured of beginning the playoffs with a house sport in two weeks.

The Panthers, who had gained 4 of six to get again into playoff competition after firing coach Matt Rhule and star working again Christian McCaffrey, may clinch their first NFC South title since 2015 by beating the Bucs after which in New Orleans.

Darnold threw for 341 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. He additionally misplaced two shutouts in a 3-2 loss as Carolina’s starter over the Thanksgiving weekend.

Per week after dashing for 320 yards and three touchdowns in a 37-23 win over Detroit, the Panthers rode Darnold to an early 14-0 lead and had been in full management till Brady discovered Evans working down the proper sideline for a 63-yard catch. -and run to get Bucks going.

Two performs later, Darnold misfired in a shotgun formation and compounded the error by fumbling as he tried to choose up the ball, leaving linebacker Devin White to get well the fumble on the Carolina 13.

Ryan Succop’s 22-yard subject purpose lower Tampa Bay’s result in 14-10 simply earlier than halftime, however the Bucs squandered an opportunity to get shut or presumably take the lead when a 90-yard drive stalled contained in the Panthers 10. , and Succop crashed. 26-yard subject purpose try is blocked.

Darnold accomplished 23 of 37 passes — 17 yards to Tommy Tremblay, 24 yards to DJ Moore and 19 yards to Shea Smith — the latter giving Carolina a 21-10 lead. In the meantime, the Panthers rushed for simply 74 yards on 22 makes an attempt as D’Onta Foreman was restricted to 35 yards on 13 carries.

RING OF HONOR

Retired coach Bruce Arians, who helped recruit Brady earlier than main Tampa Bay to its second Tremendous Bowl championship two years in the past, was inducted into the Bucs’ Ring of Honor through the halftime ceremony.

Arians is the most recent addition to a choose group that features Corridor of Famers Tony Dungy, Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks, John Lynch and Lee Roy Selmon, together with Rond Barber, Mike Alstott, Doug Williams, Jimmy Giles, John McKay, Paul Gruber. , Monte Kiffin and Malcolm Glazer.

Accidents

Panthers. Okay.B. Jaycee Horn is out with a damaged wrist, Keith Taylor is off to Carolina.

Buccaneers. CB Carlton Davis (shoulder) and LB. Carl Nassib (pectoral) was inactive. Rookie RB Rachaad White left the sport within the third quarter with what gave the impression to be a hand harm. He returned within the fourth quarter.

NEXT

“Panthers”. common season finale in New Orleans subsequent Sunday.

Buccaneers. In Atlanta subsequent weekend.