Buccaneers shut out Panthers to win third straight NFC South title

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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, in its first year without Tom Brady at quarterback, have won the NFC South for the third straight season after defeating the Carolina Panthers, 9-0. 

Much like their entire season with Brady's replacement, Baker Mayfield, at the helm, it wasn't the prettiest of victories with no touchdowns scored for either team. 

But a win is a win, and the Buccaneers are the No. 4 seed in the NFC as playoffs begin next week. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers' win means the Atlanta Falcons, no matter the results against the New Orleans Saints, are out of the playoffs. 

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Baker Mayfield of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throws a pass against the Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 7, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

As mentioned, no one was able to find the colored paint with both defenses playing a solid game. The Panthers, owning the worst record in the league, didn’t have any incentive to play for other than pride and a high note heading into 2024. 

Yet, the Buccaneers held their own fate in their hands, while the Panthers looked to potentially play spoiler. 

We didn’t see points on the scoreboard for the Bucs until 4:13 left in the second quarter, as the game began with seven punts in the first eight drives with a fumble by Carolina in the middle of them. 

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That fumble was actually a touchback recovered by the Buccaneers in the end zone after Panthers receiver D.J. Chark Jr. tried to reach past the goal line, but couldn’t hang on to the ball. 

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