Buccaneers outlast Panthers, stay alive in NFC South race - ESPN

TAMPA, Fla. — The winner of the NFC South will have a losing record and be crowned at home watching on television.

Baker Mayfield threw a touchdown pass to Cade Otton, Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers avoided elimination with a sloppy 16-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on a rain-soaked Saturday.

«The defense did an incredible job all game,» Mayfield said in his postgame, on-field interview with Peter Schrager on ESPN. «They got a touchdown early off my interception, so, we just found a way to win.»

The Buccaneers (8-9) need New Orleans (6-10) to beat or tie Atlanta (7-9) on Sunday to clinch a fifth straight NFC South title.

If the Falcons win, the Panthers (8-9) will secure their first division championship since coach Ron Rivera and quarterback Cam Newton led them to a 15-1 record and a Super Bowl appearance 10 years ago.

The Buccaneers hold a two-team tiebreaker over the Panthers. But Carolina holds the three-team tiebreaker over Tampa Bay if Atlanta also finishes 8-9.

«They're a tough divisional opponent, and we did everything we could today,» Mayfield said of the Panthers. «Now, we'll sit back and see what happens tomorrow.»

Before the Buccaneers faced New Orleans in October, Mayfield accused the Saints of dirty play and said: «I do not like them.» In his interview with Schrager, he added to that comment, saying «I do tomorrow.»

Indeed, Tampa Bay's playoff hopes hinge on the Saints beating the Falcons on the road on Sunday.

The Buccaneers were 0-8 in games where Mayfield threw an interception before overcoming his ninth pick in the past eight games.

«Just stay in it, one play at a time,» Mayfield said. «Sometimes, it's not going to be pretty.»

After McLaughlin's 38-yard