It got here right down to the wire, however the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the New Orleans Saints in a thriller, 27-19, to win the NFC South.
Coming into this contest, the Bucs knew they’d a win-and-in place, because the Atlanta Falcons wanted to defeat the Carolina Panthers and hope for a Tampa Bay loss to sneak into the playoffs because the division winner.
However Tampa Bay is heading to the playoffs because the No. 4 seed within the NFC, and they’ll await who they may host within the wild-card spherical with the loser of the Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings recreation on Sunday evening ending the seeding within the convention.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers huge receiver Mike Evans receives a move towards the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos)
It might need been a jubilation at Raymond James Stadium on the ultimate whistle, however there have been quite a lot of nervous Bucs followers when halftime got here round and the Spencer Rattler-led Saints owned a 16-6 lead.
The Saints have been taking part in of their first recreation because the mindless act of violence came about in New Orleans’ French Quarter within the wee hours of New Yr’s Day, a terror assault that killed 14 and left many extra injured.
A second of silence was held for all these within the New Orleans group earlier than kickoff, the place a real present of patriotism was captured on the Fox Sports activities broadcast.
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And it was all New Orleans to start out this recreation, as they scored on every of their first 4 drives – three subject targets and a landing move by Rattler to Dante Pettis.
In the meantime, Baker Mayfield and the Bucs have been looking for one thing, they usually acquired precisely what they wanted to start the second half. Mayfield orchestrated a 10-play, 72-yard drive that resulted in a Peyton Durham landing to lastly get the Bucs a landing on the day. The 16-13 deficit was greater than manageable.
Nonetheless, the Saints’ protection wasn’t serving to issues, as they have been pesky and compelled a Mayfield interception regardless of the Bucs’ protection getting a three-and-out after their landing.
New Orleans Saints huge receiver Dante Pettis celebrates with tight finish Juwan Johnson after catching a landing move towards the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium. (Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Photos)
After including one other subject aim, the Saints owned a 19-13 lead heading into the fourth quarter the place the Bucs entered desperation mode. Fortunately for them, Mayfield wasn’t fazed.
Early within the fourth quarter, Mayfield stepped up in a collapsing pocket and delivered an absolute strike to Jalen McMillan, who stored two toes within the entrance proper of the tip zone for a 32-yard landing to present the Bucs a 20-19 lead after the additional level.
Then, the icing on the cake was a damaged play that resulted in a Bucky Irving 11-yard rush for the landing.
The Bucs in the end turned the Saints over on downs on their ultimate drive, and with simply seconds left to play, Tampa Bay and its fan base have been celebrating the division title and the victory.
However what made this win much more particular was what the Bucs did with their ultimate snap of the sport, as veteran receiver Mike Evans wanted 5 catches and 85 yards to achieve a $3 million incentive whereas additionally turning into the primary participant in NFL historical past to have reached 1,000 receiving yards in his first 11 seasons.
Evans, who was caught at eight catches for 80 yards, caught a move for 9 yards from Mayfield and he launched the ball within the air after getting tackled, figuring out he simply made NFL historical past and $3 million.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield drops again to move towards the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Photos)
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Trying on the stat sheet, Mayfield completed 21-of-32 for 221 yards with two touchdowns and an interception, with Evans catching 9 passes for 89 yards. Irving completed with 89 dashing yards on 19 carries.
For the Saints, Rattler was 26-for-42 for 240 yards along with his one landing move, whereas tight finish Juwan Johnson led the best way with six catches for 80 yards.
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