Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers clinch NFC South title with 9-0 win over Panthers

Bucs clinch third straight NFC South title; Panthers fail to score; Mayfield leads Tampa Bay to 9-0 win.

Baker Mayfield, former Sooner and Heisman-winning quarterback, is making a return to the NFL Playoffs with the Cleveland Browns for the first time since 2020. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers secured their third consecutive NFC South title with a 9-0 win over the Carolina Panthers, thanks to three field goals kicked by Chase McLaughlin and a strong defensive performance.

Entering the game, the Buccaneers faced a do-or-die situation where a win would clinch a playoff spot, and a loss would result in elimination. Despite a lackluster offensive showing with Mayfield held to 137 yards in his return to Carolina, the Buccaneers' defense, aided by Carolina's errors, managed to keep the Panthers off the board.

The Panthers made history by failing to run a single play while leading in the fourth quarter of a game, and both of their wins this season came from field goals at the end of regulation while trailing. They were also the first team to be shut out in back-to-back games since the Cleveland Browns in 2008.

The Panthers finished with the NFL's worst record and the franchise's second-worst winning percentage, but they won't have the No. 1 overall draft pick due to a trade with the Chicago Bears for Bryce Young. Mayfield, who spent last season with the Panthers, completed 20 of 32 passes and played through sore ribs.

The Bucs clinched the fourth seed in the NFC and will host either the Philadelphia Eagles or the Dallas Cowboys in the playoffs. The game against the Panthers was marked by key mistakes from Carolina, including a fumble by DJ Chark, a missed field goal by Matthew Wright, and a touchdown run called back due to an illegal formation.

Injuries were also a factor, with Panthers tight end Tommy Tremble leaving the game in the first half with a back injury. Rachaad White ran for 75 yards for Tampa Bay, and McLaughlin kicked field goals of 36, 57, and 39 yards. The Bucs will now prepare to face off against either the Eagles or the Cowboys in the playoffs.

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