If the Buccaneers are going to clinch the NFC South in Week 17, they’re going to need some big-time Tom Brady magic.
They’ve at least gotten on the right path early in the fourth quarter with a 57-yard touchdown from Brady to receiver Mike Evans.
Tampa Bay was down 21-10 after quarterback Sam Darnold hit Shi Smith for his third touchdown pass of the game with 14:50 left in the final period. But it took about a minute of game time for the Buccaneers to respond.
On third-and-6, Brady dropped back and found Evans streaking down the right sideline. Evans put a hand up as he easily got past Panthers cornerback CJ Henderson.
Evans now has eight catches for 170 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
The Bucs went for two but Brady’s pass to receiver Chris Godwin fell incomplete, keeping the score at 21-16.
The three-play drive took just 1:01 off the clock.
Carolina and Tampa Bay are now poised for an interesting finish in Sunday’s matchup that will help determine the outcome of the NFC South.