CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — When Baker Mayfield felt Jadeveon Clowney step on the again of his proper ankle within the third quarter, he feared he’d torn his Achilles tendon.
For a quick second, he anxious his season was over.
Fortunately for the Buccaneers, it turned out to be a lot much less critical.
Mayfield returned to the sport after lacking simply two performs and led 4 extra scoring drives, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers beat the Carolina Panthers 26-23 in extra time on a 30-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin on Sunday to maneuver right into a tie for first place within the NFC South.
“Actually, it scared the daylights out of me,” Mayfield stated. “I’ve seen some individuals pop their Achilles earlier than and so they say it feels such as you get cleated within the again. Clearly not realizing what had occurred, I assumed that’s what I did. It was a little bit painful however I obtained taped up once more and went again on the market.”
Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 152 yards and a landing for the Bucs (6-6), who caught Atlanta atop the division.
-
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield is damage towards the Carolina Panthers through the second half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Picture/Jacob Kupferman) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield passes towards the Carolina Panthers through the first half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Picture/Jacob Kupferman) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers place kicker Chase McLaughlin watches his subject aim towards the Carolina Panthers through the second half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Picture/Jacob Kupferman) -
Carolina Panthers cornerback Jaycee Horn breaks up a move supposed for Tampa Bay Buccaneers extensive receiver Sterling Shepard through the first half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Picture/Jacob Kupferman) -
Tampa Bay Buccaneers operating again Bucky Irving is tackled by the Carolina Panthers through the first half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Picture/Rusty Jones) -
Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Younger runs previous Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive deal with Calijah Kancey through the first half of an NFL soccer sport, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2024, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Picture/Jacob Kupferman)
Mayfield completed 21 of 33 for 235 yards with a landing and two interceptions to enhance to 4-0 towards the Panthers, who minimize him in 2022. Mike Evans had 5 catches for 118 yards, together with a one-handed grab on a 1-yard touchdown catch for Tampa Bay.
“Mike’s a grown man,” Mayfield stated. “I don’t how he caught that ball. He’s confirmed time and time once more for 11 years that he can do it.”
Bryce Younger and the Panthers have been shifting into place for a game-winning rating in extra time when Adam Thielen hauled in a one-handed seize to achieve Tampa Bay territory. However Chuba Hubbard fumbled on the following play and Mayfield took over.
He linked with Evans for 21 yards, and Rashaad White broke free for a 38-yard run to achieve the Carolina 10 and arrange McLaughlin’s fourth subject aim of the sport.
“The soccer gods have been variety to us,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles stated. “The primary half of the season, we wouldn’t have completed that one out. We did a heck of a job preventing again all sport. It was a tricky sport. They performed robust. We performed robust. We made errors within the first half of the season and, this sport, we pulled it out. We discovered some psychological toughness.”
The loss assured the Panthers (3-9) of their seventh straight dropping season.
A dejected Hubbard sat on the Carolina bench for a number of minutes after the sport whereas his teammates headed to the locker room.
“I maintain myself to a excessive customary and we try to alter issues round right here and that is not serving to with something,” Hubbard stated. “So I’ve obtained to be higher and all I can do is simply work. It occurred and I’ve to develop from it.”
Younger was 26 of 46 passing for 298 yards and led a 60-yard drive that concluded on a 25-yard scoring toss to Thielen with 30 seconds left in regulation to briefly give Carolina a 23-20 lead, leaving Financial institution of America Stadium shaking.
Nonetheless, Younger didn’t attempt to bounce on the Hubbard’s fumble in extra time, a gaffe harking back to Cam Newton’s expensive determination in Carolina’s Tremendous Bowl 50 loss to the Denver Broncos.
“It was a response,” Younger stated with out additional rationalization.
Panthers coach Dave Canales stated he is thrilled with Younger’s development, however lamented the workforce’s errors in its newest loss.
“We have now to place collectively a full complement of quarters, a full 4 quarters to grow to be the workforce that we wish to grow to be,” Canales stated.
Stats and streaks
Carolina’s Eddy Pineiro entered the sport as probably the most correct subject aim kicker in NFL historical past earlier than a disastrous second quarter through which he missed from 38 and 45 yards. The misses got here after Pineiro tied a franchise file along with his forty first straight made subject aim at dwelling.
Accidents
The Buccaneers misplaced LB Ok.J. Britt (ankle) and S Mike Edwards (hamstring) to accidents within the first half, whereas Panthers TE Stephen Sullivan (knee) left within the second half.
Umpire Carl Paganelli was injured 45 seconds into the game and needed to go away on a cart, leaving a six-man officiating crew.
Up subsequent
Buccaneers: Host Las Vegas subsequent Sunday.
Panthers: At Philadelphia subsequent Sunday.
___
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
