Tampa Bay Buccaneers claimed the NFC South title with a 32-6 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, capturing their first division title since 2007 and giving them back-to-back 11-win seasons for the first time in franchise history.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers was coach Bruce Arians excited with the success and stated that he is proud with the group that played the game.
“We wanted to hang three banners this year,” coach Bruce Arians said. “We don’t have one of those division banners up there for a long time. It feels great. This is what we focused on to win our division. Our guys did it today. Can’t be more prouder of the group that played today.”
Pro Bowl wide receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin and running back Leonard Fournette missed out on the game due to injury. On defense, they were without outside linebacker Jason Pierre-Paul, inside linebacker Lavonte David and safety Antoine Winfield Jr.
They also lost Pro Bowl outside linebacker Shaq Barrett to a knee injury in the third quarter. Initial indications are that Barrett suffered an MCL sprain and “nothing long term,” a source told reporters. Further testing will be conducted on Monday.
“It looks like a minor MCL … right now,” Arians said. “Hopefully we don’t lose Shaq.”
Grayson, who had just one catch for the season for the Buccaneers prior to Sunday and two in his career, hauled in three catches for 81 yards.
“We had so many guys that stepped up and stepped in. We had a lot of trust in them,” Arians said, pointing out Grayson’s speed, “ferocious blocking” and ability to step up in big moments as what earned him the opportunity.
“He’s gotten so much better. If there was a ‘most improved player’ in the last two years, he’s worked harder than anybody we’ve had on our practice squad.”
In the second quarter, Brady found Cameron Brate on a slant route for a 4-yard touchdown to make it 19-6, with the Bucs showing far heavier tight end usage after one of the unit’s worst performances of the season last week. Jones added the team’s third touchdown on a 7-yard run in the third quarter.
“We lost a lot. We lost a lot,” Brady said of the injuries. “And I don’t think you just make up for it overnight. We’re gonna have to learn each other. We’re gonna have to do some different things for the guys that are in there — guys are gonna have to keep getting better and making improvements. Hopefully we can get some guys back this week and then get a bit stronger at these positions.”
Speaking to reporters for the first time since his suspension, Brown quipped “next question” when asked about what it meant that Arians stood in his corner despite the coach making it clear that there would be no second chances.
An NFL investigation determined that Brown and teammate Mike Edwards used fake COVID-19 vaccination cards.
“We just want to talk about this game. We don’t want to waste no time with you guys writing,” Brown said. “I don’t want to talk about that. You guys is all about drama. This is all about football. We just talk about Carolina or I don’t want to talk to you guys.
“I’m just here to do my job, man. I can’t control what people write, how people try to frame me or people try to bring me down. And life is about obstacles and persevering and doing what’s right and getting the right outcome. I’m standing here before you guys grateful, humble, thankful and excited to be a part of a big win with my team. It’s not about what I did, but what all the guys in there did collectively together, and that’s it.
“It’s a lot of drama. A lot of drama you guys create. A lot of drama that people create who want something from me. But that’s just a part of life. It’s a part of being in the position that I’m in. I can’t control what people want from me. I can’t control what people write about me. I can’t control what people say about me. All I can do get up every day and be the best person I can be and when I get a chance to do my job, do my job the best way I can do it, and that’s what we had today.”
Source: ESPN
