Brock Purdy secures Niners victory in Week 17
USAT’s Joe Rivera and Chris Bumbaka take down Brock Purdy’s clutch play and elite QB performance.
take sports seriously
- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Carolina Panthers 16-14 in the final game of the regular season.
- Both teams’ playoff hopes depend on the outcome of the Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints game.
- The Buccaneers need a win or a tie for the Saints to win the NFC South and advance to the playoffs.
Carolina Panthers head coach Dave Canales wore a hat that read “OPPORTUNITY” during the team’s Week 18 game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
That’s ironic.
Both teams enter the final day of the regular season with no control over their respective playoff fates. Any chance of the Atlanta Falcons defeating the New Orleans Saints on Sunday, Jan. 4 would negate the Buccaneers’ 16-14 victory in poor conditions in Tampa on Jan. 3. However, if the Saints win (or tie), the Bucks will advance as the No. 4 seed in the NFC and their fifth straight NFC South champion.
The Panthers smashed through the sliding door scenario window. A win would automatically clinch Carolina’s division title, and a win for the Falcons would still make the playoffs.
“Hey, we’re all going to be watching the game on the edge of our seats (Sunday), hoping for a result and hoping the Falcons come out on top,” Canales told reporters after the game. “At the same time, at least we have hope to look.”
Baker Mayfield ‘hates’ the Saints, but plans to pull for them on Sunday
It’s a bit of an awkward situation for Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield, who made headlines earlier this season for professing his hatred for the Saints.
“We’re all committed to New Orleans,” Mayfield told reporters.
Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David began his postgame press conference by thanking everyone who has been there for the last 14 years, but the question arose: “Is this the end of it?”
“No,” he answered. “I’m going to see what the Saints do tomorrow.”
He never thought the day would come when he would have to cheer for the Saints.
“We’ve put together some people we can contact to make sure we take care of business,” he said.
Mayfield was quick to point out that the Bucks could also make the playoffs if the score is tied. He said group texts could be sent for watch parties among teammates.
“We find ourselves in this situation.”
Carolina signal caller Bryce Young said he never thought about the Falcons’ matchup with the Saints. It’s disgusting that we missed the opportunity to take on the division ourselves and now it’s in someone else’s hands.
“To be honest, I might not watch it,” he told reporters.
Tampa Bay head coach Todd Bowles said all both teams can do is wait.
“If we don’t win today, we can’t wait for tomorrow,” Bowles told reporters. “Give yourself a chance. That’s all we can ask for.”
He plans to watch the 1 p.m. ET kickoff from home. Bowles said he could have made “a ton” of plays in the second half as his team saw its season turn around after a 5-1 start. But dwelling on the past won’t change things, he said.
“Today was disappointing. Tomorrow could be jubilant,” Bowles said. “If tomorrow doesn’t happen, we’ll be disappointed. We’ve put ourselves in this situation. We’re grown men about it.”
Mayfield agreed with everything Bowles said. The focus was always on winning against the Panthers and allowing them to let the chips fall.
“Honestly, I thought it was really good to get back in the win column and just focus on the special game and control what we can control. It’s just about ourselves right now. Execute to the highest level we can and find a way to win.”
Mayfield was asked about his thoughts if the Bucks advance.
“I feel good,” he said with a smile that said more than anything that actually came out of Mayfield’s mouth. “It feels good when you enter.”
The “what if” on the final day of the season is an unpleasant reality.
