TAMPA, Fla. – It wasn’t pretty, but the Bucs won the NFC South for the fourth year in a row after coming from behind to beat the Saints 27-19 at Raymond James Stadium Sunday. Bucs wide receiver Mike Evans went over 1,000 yards for the 11th consecutive year, tying Jerry Rice for the most seasons in a row with 1,000 yards.
“I can’t pass up history,” Evans said. “I’m happy that they had me go out there and get that. It’s been hard to do. Eleven straight years and to be tied with, if not one of the greatest receivers of all time, it means a lot to me.”
The Saints scored on their first four possessions. Saints QB Spencer Rattler was 21 of 28 for 151 yards in the first half, and New Orleans took a 16-6 lead into the locker room. Bucs head coach Todd Bowles said the team calmed down and stopped making mistakes in the second half.
READ: Buccaneers’ Mike Evans Ties Jerry Rice For Consecutive 1,000-Yard Receiving Seasons
Bowles admitted it was a trying year.
“We went through a lot of ups and downs this year,a lot of injuries, ” Bowles said. “Guys fought hard. We went through a hurricane by the way. With a lot of guys missing on both sides of the ball, it’s even more gratifying.”
Tampa Bay was behind for most of the game and didn’t go ahead until the fourth quarter. Baker Mayfield engineered a 12-play 82-yard drive capped off with a 33-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan to take a 20-19 lead. Mayfield threw for 212 yards and two touchdowns. Mayfield also ran for 68 yards, which was a career-high for him.
READ: Tampa Bay Buccaneers Clinch Fourth Consecutive NFC South Title
“Win, or you’re going on vacation,” Mayfield said. “Nobody in this locker room wants to go on vacation. We knew it was going to be a scrappy ballgame. It’s a division rival and the Saints came here, we had a chance to clinch in Week 17 as well and they beat the brakes off us.”
It’s the fifth straight playoff appearance for the Buccaneers. Tom Brady was calling the game for Fox up in the booth. Brady picked Mayfield as his Player of the Game.
The Bucs will have a home playoff game next weekend.
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