Everything felt heavy in Tampa on Saturday. The rain was coming down in sheets, the kind of Florida downpour that turns a football field into a slip-and-slide. If you were looking for a clean answer on who's winning the bucs game as the clock ticked down against the Carolina Panthers, you weren't going to find it in the box score early on. It was a grind. A muddy, ugly, beautiful mess of a football game that eventually saw the Tampa Bay Buccaneers scrape out a 16-14 win.
But here is the kicker: winning didn't feel like winning for long.
Because the NFL is cruel, the Bucs spent the rest of their weekend glued to the TV, rooting for the New Orleans Saints of all people. They needed a Saints win over Atlanta to secure the NFC South. It didn't happen. The Falcons took care of business, and just like that, Tampa's season evaporated despite the victory. They finished 8-9. It’s a weird spot to be in—winning the battle but losing the entire war.
The Gritty Details: How the Bucs Beat Carolina
The game itself was a defensive slugfest. Baker Mayfield wasn't exactly lighting up the scoreboard, but he did enough. He finished with 292 passing yards, which sounds impressive until you realize how many of those came from short, desperate check-downs in the rain.
His favorite target? Cade Otton.
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The tight end was basically the only person who could catch a wet ball consistently. He hauled in an 18-yard touchdown in the first quarter to set the tone. It was a pinpoint throw from Baker, one of the few "pro-bowl" caliber moments in a game defined by drops and slips.
Why the Scoreboard Lied
If you just looked at the final of 16-14, you’d think it was a back-and-forth thriller. Honestly, it wasn't. Tampa dominated the first half. They led 10-0, then 13-7. Chase McLaughlin was the real MVP, drilling field goals from 29, 36, and 48 yards. When you’re playing in a swamp, you pray for a kicker who doesn't pull a hamstring. McLaughlin delivered.
The Panthers, led by Bryce Young, looked stagnant for three quarters. Then, the fourth quarter happened.
- The Blocked Kick: With five minutes left, McLaughlin had a chance to put the game away. The kick was blocked. Suddenly, the energy in Raymond James Stadium shifted from "we got this" to "oh no, not again."
- The Young Rally: Bryce Young found Tetairoa McMillan for a massive 40-yard gain. Then he hit Jalen Coker for a touchdown. 16-14.
- The Final Chaos: Carolina got the ball back with 18 seconds left on their own 3-yard line. They tried the "Music City Miracle" style laterals. It was frantic. It was desperate. Benjamin Morrison finally forced a fumble, and the Bucs recovered as time expired.
Understanding the NFC South Tiebreaker Mess
The question of who's winning the bucs game was settled on the field, but the season was settled in the standings. Both the Bucs and Panthers finished 8-9.
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This is where it gets nerdy.
The Bucs held the head-to-head tiebreaker over Carolina. However, because the Falcons also finished with a decent record, it turned into a three-way tiebreaker. If the Saints had beaten Atlanta, the Bucs would be prepping for a playoff game right now. Instead, the Falcons won, the Panthers won the three-way tiebreaker based on divisional records, and Tampa Bay is officially heading into the offseason.
It’s the first time since 2021 that the Bucs won't be playing a "first-place" schedule next year. That's a small silver lining, I guess?
The End of an Era?
There was a lot of emotion on the sidelines during the final minutes. You could see it on the faces of the veterans.
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- Lavonte David: A franchise icon. He’s been the heartbeat of this defense since 2012. Is he coming back? He hasn't said.
- Mike Evans: The streak is over. For the first time in his legendary career, Evans didn't hit 1,000 yards. He broke his clavicle in October, and the offense never really recovered its explosive edge.
- Gene Deckerhoff: The legendary "Voice of the Buccaneers" is hanging up the headset. For 37 years, he's been the soundtrack to Tampa Bay football. Seeing him sign off felt more final than the actual score.
What's Next for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers?
The offseason started roughly ten minutes after the Falcons-Saints game ended on Sunday. The front office has some massive decisions to make. Baker Mayfield is technically under contract, but after a season of highs and lows (mostly lows in the middle stretch), do they stick with him?
The 2026 schedule is already out, and it’s a gauntlet. They have home games against the Packers, Steelers, and both Los Angeles teams (Rams and Chargers). They also have to travel to Dallas.
Actionable Steps for the Offseason
If you’re a fan trying to figure out what happens now that the games have stopped, here is what to keep an eye on:
- Monitor the Retirement News: Watch the wires for Lavonte David and Mike Evans. Their decisions will dictate whether the Bucs are in "rebuild" mode or "retool" mode.
- Draft Position: Since they finished 8-9 and missed the playoffs, they’ll likely have a mid-round pick. They desperately need edge rush help and a consistent WR2 to take the pressure off Chris Godwin if Evans doesn't return.
- Salary Cap: The Bucs are in a better spot than they were three years ago, but they aren't exactly swimming in cash. Expect some veteran cuts or restructures by March.
The win over Carolina provided a brief moment of hope, but the reality is that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are entering a period of significant transition. The 16-14 victory was a gritty way to end a frustrating year, proving that while they can win the tough games, they couldn't quite win the ones that mattered most for the postseason.