Greg Auman
NFC South Reporter
From a 4-7 report to division champs and even a playoff win, the Bucs noticed the wheels come off within the fourth quarter Sunday, going from a tie sport to a 31-23 loss to the Lions at Ford Area.
Tampa Bay, whose protection pitched a shutout two weeks in the past to get to the playoffs and held the Eagles to 9 factors final week, could not pull off the identical towards a gifted Lions offense. Jared Goff threw for 276 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Jahmyr Gibbs went 31 yards for the go-ahead rating within the fourth quarter.
Detroit is headed to the NFC Championship Recreation subsequent Sunday (6:30 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports activities app) for the primary time since 1992 and simply the second time within the Tremendous Bowl period. The Bucs fought to the tip — down 14 within the fourth quarter, Baker Mayfield threw his third landing of the sport, to Mike Evans with 4:37 left to get again inside a rating. Mayfield, ending a formidable comeback season in his first 12 months in Tampa, threw for 349 yards and three scores. Prior to now two weeks, he has the one 300-yard, three-touchdown passing video games in Bucs’ playoff historical past.
Tampa received the ball again with 1:59 left, needing to go 90 yards for a possible tying landing, however Mayfield was picked off by Lions linebacker Derrick Barnes to seal the win.
“It sucks. I really feel like my coronary heart simply received ripped out,” Mayfield stated postgame.
The ultimate outcome was disappointing, however the Bucs’ turnaround from a 4-7 report to ending 10-9 was a exceptional end for a group that some pundits anticipated to be among the many worst within the league. It means Todd Bowles can be again as head coach for a 3rd season, and all expectations are that Mayfield will get a long-term extension to remain as their quarterback.
Mayfield is not the one free agent the Bucs should make a giant resolution on. Evans, who has performed in Tampa for his complete 10-year profession, could be one of many league’s most coveted gamers at any place if he hits the open market. If that was his final sport with Tampa, he went out blazing, setting a franchise playoff report with 147 receiving yards.Â
Mayfield stated he would like to return to Tampa on a brand new contract, and he hopes that Evans could be re-signed as effectively.Â
“He is a stud. That man hasn’t regressed in any respect,” Mayfield stated of the 30-year-old Evans. “As a lot as everyone desires to speak about his age, I feel he had one in all his greatest years. He makes my life straightforward. He did all 12 months. He did it as we speak, again and again. To get everyone again, there should be sacrifices made. This group’s about profitable. We’ve got a bunch of men who’re all about that. If I am again, I would like Mike again.”
The Bucs additionally need to hold security Antoine Winfield, a first-team All-Professional choice and a core chief in 4 playoff appearances in his 4 seasons. Linebackers Lavonte David and Devin White are each free brokers as effectively.
Greg Auman is FOX Sports activities’ NFC South reporter, overlaying the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. He’s in his tenth season overlaying the Bucs and the NFL full-time, having frolicked on the Tampa Bay Occasions and The Athletic. You may comply with him on Twitter at @gregauman.
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