The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t exactly light up the scoreboard on Sunday, but they got the job done - and at this point in the season, that’s what matters. Their 20-17 win over the Arizona Cardinals wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty, and it came with a couple of notable moments that could carry some weight moving forward.
For starters, rookie running back Bucky Irving found the end zone in his return from injury, a much-needed boost to a backfield that’s been looking for consistent production. But the real surprise came from offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who hauled in a rare receiving touchdown - yes, you read that right.
The big man got his moment, and the sideline erupted. It was the kind of play that injects some energy into a team grinding through the late-season stretch.
With that win, the Bucs moved to 7-5 on the year, holding their ground atop a tight NFC South race. But they’ve got company - and not the kind they can ignore.
The Carolina Panthers, who’ve been up and down all season, just pulled off a stunner by knocking off the Los Angeles Rams. That win put Carolina at 7-6, just a half-game behind Tampa Bay.
Now here’s where things get spicy.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales, who Bucs fans will remember as their offensive coordinator just last season, had some words after the win. Speaking to his team, he reportedly said, “We’ve seen the Rams’ best football. They haven’t seen ours yet.”
That’s the kind of quote that gets circled in red ink in locker rooms. It’s confident, maybe even a little bold - and it adds fuel to a rivalry that’s about to take center stage in the NFC South.
Canales, of course, is no stranger to Tampa. He spent the 2023 season helping shape the Bucs' offense before taking the top job in Carolina.
And now, with both teams eyeing the division crown, his words carry extra weight. The Panthers and Buccaneers are set to face off twice in the final three weeks - in Week 16 and again in Week 18.
Those matchups could very well decide who walks away with the division and a home playoff game.
The Panthers are in a position to make noise, but consistency has been their Achilles’ heel. One week they’re taking down a contender like the Rams, the next they’re getting steamrolled by a team like the 49ers. That volatility makes them dangerous - and unpredictable.
Meanwhile, Tampa Bay has a golden opportunity in front of them. Their final five games are about as favorable as you could ask for in a playoff push. In addition to the two showdowns with Carolina, they’ll face the Atlanta Falcons, who just lost to the New York Jets on a last-second field goal; the New Orleans Saints, sitting at 2-10; and the Miami Dolphins, who needed a late push to survive against those same Saints.
If the Bucs can stay focused and take care of business, the path to a fifth straight NFC South title is right there for the taking.
Carolina’s win over the Rams was impressive, no doubt. But their biggest tests are still ahead - and they come in the form of a Bucs team that knows how to win when it matters. The division’s heating up, and with two head-to-head matchups still on the calendar, the NFC South could come down to who keeps their cool - and who backs up their words when the lights are brightest.