Buccaneers clinch NFC South with ugly win at Panthers

Field Level Media|published: Sun 7th January, 16:05 2024

Jan 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers running back Chuba Hubbard (30) is tackled by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Devin White (45) in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. credits: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports

Chase McLaughlin kicked three field goals and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinched the NFC South for the third season in a row by defeating the host Carolina Panthers 9-0 on Sunday afternoon at Charlotte, N.C.

The Buccaneers (9-8) won five of their last six games in the regular season.

Carolina (2-15) finished with the worst record in the NFL. The Panthers were shutout victims in each of their last two games, gaining 199 yards of total offense in the finale.

Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield, who began last season playing for Carolina, was 20-for-32 for 137 passing yards as The Buccaneers completed the season sweep.

Panthers rookie quarterback Bryce Young, the No. 1 overall pick in last spring's draft was 11-for-18 for 94 yards and sacked three times. Running back Chubba Hubbard gained 83 yards on 23 carries.

McLaughlin kicked second-quarter field goals from 36 and 57 yards, the latter on the final play of the first half. His fourth-quarter field goal from 39 yards out came with 10:18 remaining.

Tampa Bay's defense was led by safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who set a single-season franchise record for tackles by a defensive back with 117.

The Panthers had a few scoring chances, but twice turnovers intervened.

Matt Wright, who was in his first game with the team because of an injury to kicker Eddy Pineiro, missed wide on a 52-yard field goal late in the third quarter. That came after a third-down sack pushed the Panthers back.

Carolina's best opportunity came on their third possession. Young's long pass to DJ Chark Jr. appeared to result in a touchdown, but replay review revealed that Chark lost possession of the ball before crossing the end goal line, with the Buccaneers recovering the fumble for a touchback.

Then trailing 9-0, the Panthers reached Tampa Bay territory after converting on a fourth-down play. But after reaching the Tampa Bay 28 and having a would-be touchdown called back because of an illegal formation penalty, Young was sacked and fumbled, thwarting that drive.

This was the second time in the final four weeks of the regular season that the winning team at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium failed to score a touchdown. The Panthers beat the Atlanta Falcons 9-7 on Dec. 17.

—Field Level Media

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