Bucs clinch playoff berth with monster games from Brady, Evans

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans. Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Bucs clinch playoff berth with monster games from Tom Brady, Mike Evans

By Max Steele | Last updated 1/1/23

The Tom Brady, Mike Evans connection is back, and the Buccaneers are heading to the playoffs.

Despite trailing 21-10 at the start of the the fourth quarter, Tampa Bay rallied to defeat the Carolina Panthers 30-24 for the NFC South title and clinched their third consecutive postseason berth.

Brady recorded his best performance of the season, completing 34-of-45 attempts for a season-high 432 yards and four total touchdowns.

Mike Evans, who hadn't scored since Week 4, was on the other end of three of those touchdowns, including a 63-yarder, 57-yarder and 30-yarder.

His 207-yard game put him over 1,000 receiving yards for the ninth consecutive season.

BRADY. EVANS. THIRD TD TODAY!

: #CARvsTB on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/iBHCs5kpjA pic.twitter.com/wcb9HTR7yH
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023

The Bucs only had an 11.2% chance to win with 14:32 minutes left in the game, according to ESPN Analytics.

Tampa Bay would go on to rally three fourth quarter touchdowns, set up by a crucial strip-sack fumble from linebacker Anthony Nelson and recovery from tackle Vita Vea.

Bucs defense comes through with the strip sack!

: #CARvsTB on FOX
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/iBHCs5kpjA pic.twitter.com/xmfKscLAbV
— NFL (@NFL) January 1, 2023

The Bucs (8-8) are back-to-back NFC South champions for the first time in franchise history, regardless of the relatively lackluster season. Brady will return to the playoffs for the 20th time in his career.

"Really proud of our guys," Brady said. "We battled through a lot of tough things this year. Happy to win the division."

Tampa Bay secured the No. 4 playoff seed are set to host the first round, which will likely be against the Dallas Cowboys (12-4), who they beat 19-3 in Week 1.

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