Tom Brady put in an incredible performance to lead the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the playoffs as they clinched the NFC South division title with their epic comeback win over the Carolina Panthers.
On Sunday, the Buccaneers secured their second straight division title as they came from behind to defeat the Panthers 30-24 at Raymond James Stadium. Brady starred with 432 yards and three touchdowns - all deep balls to receiver Mike Evans - without a turnover while he also pulled off a quarterback sneak to score and kick off 2023 in style.
Evans, like most of the Buccaneers, has struggled during the current campaign but he put up his best performance of the season so far with 10 catches for 207 yards along with three touchdowns. The 29-year-old scored on receptions of 63, 57 and 30 yards to become the first player in NFL history to begin a career with nine consecutive seasons with 1,000-plus yards receiving.
In a must-win game for the Bucs to clinch the postseason, Brady produced a classic fourth-quarter comeback to secure his 14th straight playoff appearance and the 19th divisional title of his illustrious career. The 45-year-old has missed the postseason just once in his iconic 21-year career as a starting quarterback.
In the postseason, the Buccaneers will host a home game in a few weeks where they will play either the Dallas Cowboys or the Philadelphia Eagles. The 12-4 Cowboys are closing in on the NFC-leading Eagles, who have dropped successive matches to slip to 13-3 while quarterback Jalen Hurts has dealt with injury.
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The victory on New Years Day means the Bucs improve to 8-8 and secure a spot in the postseason, while the Panthers slip to 6-10. Carolina led 14-0 early and even moved to a 21-10 lead in the fourth quarter as quarterback Sam Darnold threw his third touchdown of the day.
Tom Brady spiked the ball during a passionate celebration after scoring late in the fourth quarter against the Carolina Panthers (Getty Images)However, Tampa Bay hit back as Evans scorched cornerback C.J. Henderson for a pair of touchdowns before Darnold - who threw for 341 yards, three touchdowns and an interception - lost a fumble inside his own 10. The short field allowed Brady to score on a one-yard sneak, putting the game to bed with just under two minutes remaining.
The Buccaneers can finish the regular season with a winning record by defeating the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium this Sunday. Tampa may rest starters in their clash against the Falcons as their place in the playoffs is already confirmed.
Meanwhile, the Panthers - who had won four of six matches to climb back into playoff contention - could have clinched their first NFC South title since 2015 by securing successive victories against the Bucs and New Orleans Saints. Instead, Carolina will travel to the Big Easy with nothing more than pride and draft order position on the line.
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