TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — It’s not a week where coach Todd Bowles feels he has to find the right words…
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — It’s not a week where coach Todd Bowles feels he has to find the right words to make sure his Tampa Bay Buccaneers are motivated to take on the last-place Carolina Panthers in place.
The Bucs (8-7) have won eight of the last nine meetings between the NFC South rivals, including the last three with Baker Mayfield at quarterback.
It didn’t exactly go smoothly against the Panthers (4-11), however, for the three-time defending division champions.
And, with at least a share of first place on the line Sunday, Bowles and his players say they’re focused solely on bouncing back from last week’s disappointing loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
“We know it will be a difficult match. There was an extension last time. They are very well trained; they’re playing really hard,” Bowles said, referring to Tampa Bay’s 26-23 win over Carolina on Dec. 1.
“We know what is at stake for us. There is no need to talk about it. Everyone understands that,” Bowles added. “We have to fix our own mistakes and play a mistake-free football match.”
The Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South, but the Falcons (8-7) hold the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams.
To win a fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay must win the remaining home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints, while Atlanta loses at least once in the final two weeks of the regular season.
If the Falcons hold on to win the South, the Bucs can secure a playoff berth if they win and the Washington Commanders lose twice.
Mayfield, who has rekindled his career since being released by Carolina two years ago, encapsulated the attitude of a resilient locker room.
The Bucs have won four of five games after a four-game losing streak threatened their playoff hopes.
“I keep saying it, this team has the mental makeup of a great team. We just have to keep fighting and find ways to win,” the quarterback said. “If we don’t take business, we won’t be in the playoffs.”
Chuba’s Revenge
Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard cost his team the game four weeks ago against Tampa Bay when he missed on the second possession in overtime just after Carolina reached field goal range.
Mayfield responded by driving the Bucs back down the field for the game-winning field goal.
The loss was devastating to Hubbard at the time, but he promised himself that when the opportunity presented itself again, he would make the most of it. He did it last Sunday, when he carried twice for 49 yards, including a 21-yard touchdown in which he made two tackles, in overtime to lift the Panthers to a 36-30 victory over the Arizona, eliminating the Cardinals. playoff hunt.
“I would let it go, but it’s definitely on my mind a little bit,” Hubbard said. “Like I said, when the next opportunity presented itself, I told myself I was going to get it back for them. To be able to have them trust me again in this opportunity, and to have it in this way is a blessing from God.
Young’s development
Bryce Young has shown solid progress in his decision-making, especially when the pocket starts to collapse. Last week, the second-year QB had a career-high 68 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown run.
Young was benched after two games this season, but since returning to the lineup he has played better, restoring some confidence that perhaps the No. 1 overall pick in 2023 can be the team’s quarterback of the future.
“Just time in the system and time as a team for us to come together,” Young said of why he’s improved. “For me, being able to have reps and hang out with everyone. It’s just that we can all feed off each other, and that’s set us in the right direction.
Horrible against the run
The Panthers have been terrible against the run, allowing nearly 200 yards per game on the ground over the last seven games. Last game against Tampa Bay, Bucky Irving had a career-high 152 yards and a touchdown, so Carolina’s defense has a good idea of what’s to come on Sunday.
Close calls
Mayfield has beaten Carolina three times since joining the Bucs in 2023. However, all of the meetings have been close, with the Panthers twice losing by three points and Tampa Bay settling for three field goals in a 9-0 regular season-ending victory. won its third straight NFC South championship last January.
“We know them well. They know us well,” Mayfield said.
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AP Sports Writer Steve Reed in Charlotte, North Carolina, contributed to this report.
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