|
|
CAR |
TB |
Bucs hold off Panthers 17-16, finish with winning record
TAMPA, Fla. (AP) Jameis Winston has helped the Tampa Bay Buccaneers become relevant again.
The team's first winning season in six years, capped by Sunday's 17-16 victory over Carolina, didn't produce a playoff berth. Nevertheless, finishing 9-7 after stumbling to a 3-5 start is clearly a step in the right direction for a franchise that hasn't qualified for the postseason since 2007 .
''We're not where we want to be,'' coach Dirk Koetter said, ''but we're getting better.''
Winston is just one of the reasons.
The No. 1 overall pick from the 2015 draft threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Mike Evans to snap a fourth-quarter tie and became the first player in NFL history to start his career with consecutive 4,000-yard seasons. The 22-year-old also broke club single-season records for passing yards and touchdowns, while falling 64 yards short of Andrew Luck's league standard of 8,196 for the first two years of a career.
''I wanted to make it to the playoffs,'' said Winston, who finished 20 of 35 with one interception and a fumble. He broke Josh Freeman's team records for passing yards and touchdowns in a season, finishing with 4,090 yards and 28 TDs.
''My individual statistics don't mean a lot,'' Winston added. ''Maybe when I get older, maybe I'll look back and laugh at it with my grandkids. Right now ... I just want to continue to get better.''
Tampa Bay entered the regular-season finale clinging to extremely slim playoff hopes, needing to beat the Panthers and have six other games end with favorable results, including Washington finishing with a tie against the New York Giants.
They didn't get the necessary help, but Koetter wasn't discouraged.
''`I'm not the most patient person in the world. I think we have to remind ourselves, this is a tough league where every team has really good players and really good coaches,'' the Bucs coach said. ''I believe a team is judged on how close they come to achieving up to their talent level. I'll be honest with you, I think this team did a pretty good job in that area.''
Winston's TD pass to Evans put the Bucs up 17-10 with 3:10 remaining. Newton, however, moved the Panthers (6-10) right down the field, with help of a 47-yard pass to Kelvin Benjamin and two fourth-down passes to set up a 5-yard scoring pass to trim Carolina's deficit to one with 17 seconds left.
Instead of kicking the extra point, the defending NFC champions opted to go for 2 points. Newton's pass intended for Greg Olsen was batted away by safety Bradley McDougald as the Panthers tight end slipped in the end zone.
Newton, who played the entire game despite aggravating a shoulder injury, completed 18 of 32 passes for 237 yards, but was intercepted three times. Brent Grimes returned one of the picks 31 yards for a touchdown, and the Bucs also sacked Newton three times.
''They asked me if I could go, and I said I could,'' Newton said, adding that injury did affect his throwing. ''As a leader of the team, it's important to show I'm willing to leave it all out on the field. I take pride in putting a good product out there. Today wasn't good enough, but at the end of the day I could say I gave it my all.''
The Panthers forced a pair of turnovers by Winston in the first half, but couldn't convert them into points. Graham Gano missed three field goals, including a 36-yarder that would have given Carolina a 13-10 lead with just over six minutes remaining.
Carolina coach Ron Rivera said he didn't give any consideration to not attempting a 2-point conversion.
''We were going for it. We didn't come here to tie and see what happens. We came here to win the football game, and with 17 seconds left thought we had a great opportunity,'' Rivera said. ''Unfortunately, Greg (Olsen) slipped coming out the break. As you saw, the ball was on the money.''
WINNING RECORD
The Bucs snapped a two-game losing streak to finish with their first winning record since 2010, when Tampa Bay went 10-6 but failed to earn a playoff berth.
INJURIES
Panthers: LB Luke Kuechly missed his sixth consecutive game, even though he had been cleared from the NFL concussion protocol.
Buccaneers: RT Demar Dotson returned to the lineup after missing three games with a concussion. C Joe Hawley (thumb) and G Kevin Pamphile (foot) left in the second quarter and returned. DE Noah Spencer (shoulder) and long snapper Andrew DePaola were hurt in the third quarter and did not return.
UP NEXT
Panthers: The Panthers' season is over after they went 17-1 a year ago before losing in the Super Bowl. Six of their 10 losses were by three or fewer points .
Buccaneers: Offseason decisions on how to improve a team that doesn't have a postseason win since its Super Bowl run in 2002.
---
For more NFL coverage: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL
Copyright 2017 by STATS LLC. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC is strictly prohibited.
K. Benjamin
85 WR 93 ReYds, ReTD, 6 RECs |
15
FPTS
|
|
J. Winston
2 QB 202 PaYds, PaTD, INT, 18 RuYds |
11
FPTS
|
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
Time of Pos | - | - |
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Red Zone Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Goal to Go Eff. | 0-0 -0% | 0-0 -0% |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
C. NewtonĀ
1 QB
9 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 18/32 | 237 | 1 | 3 | 9 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. StewartĀ
28 RB
12 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 20 | 65 | 1 | 13 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. TolbertĀ
35 FB
2 FPTS
|
M. Tolbert | 3 | 24 | 0 | 14 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnĀ
19 WR
8 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 2 | 24 | 0 | 17 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerĀ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 4 | 9 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. NewtonĀ
1 QB
9 FPTS
|
C. Newton | 3 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 9 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
K. BenjaminĀ
13 WR
15 FPTS
|
K. Benjamin | 7 | 6 | 93 | 1 | 47 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
T. GinnĀ
19 WR
8 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 7 | 4 | 69 | 0 | 39 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
G. OlsenĀ
88 TE
2 FPTS
|
G. Olsen | 4 | 3 | 22 | 0 | 13 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. BrownĀ
10 WR
2 FPTS
|
C. Brown | 3 | 2 | 20 | 0 | 17 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ByrdĀ
18 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 1 | 1 | 16 | 0 | 16 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. BersinĀ
11 WR
1 FPTS
|
B. Bersin | 5 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. StewartĀ
28 RB
12 FPTS
|
J. Stewart | 2 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. TolbertĀ
35 FB
2 FPTS
|
M. Tolbert | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
E. DicksonĀ
84 TE
0 FPTS
|
E. Dickson | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
M. GriffinĀ
22 FS
|
M. Griffin | 8-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BradberryĀ
24 CB
|
J. Bradberry | 6-0 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ColemanĀ
20 SS
|
K. Coleman | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MayoĀ
55 LB
|
D. Mayo | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. Green-ThompsonĀ
54 OLB
|
S. Green-Thompson | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WorleyĀ
26 CB
|
D. Worley | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AddisonĀ
97 DE
|
M. Addison | 3-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. ShortĀ
99 DT
|
K. Short | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. LoveĀ
77 DT
|
K. Love | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. DicksonĀ
84 TE
|
E. Dickson | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. EalyĀ
94 DE
|
K. Ealy | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisĀ
58 OLB
|
T. Davis | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BrownĀ
10 WR
|
C. Brown | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. WebsterĀ
75 DE
|
L. Webster | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. HortonĀ
96 DE
|
W. Horton | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. JohnsonĀ
23 DB
|
L. Johnson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. NorrisĀ
52 ILB
|
J. Norris | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DixonĀ
30 DB
|
T. Dixon | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LotuleleiĀ
98 DT
|
S. Lotulelei | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. GanoĀ
9 K
0 FPTS
|
G. Gano | 1/4 | 54 | 1/1 | 4 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. PalardyĀ
5 P
|
M. Palardy | 4 | 41.0 | 1 | 47 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. ByrdĀ
18 WR
1 FPTS
|
D. Byrd | 1 | 31.0 | 31 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. WhittakerĀ
43 RB
0 FPTS
|
F. Whittaker | 1 | 35.0 | 35 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
T. GinnĀ 19 WR
8 FPTS
|
T. Ginn | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT | FPTS |
J. WinstonĀ
3 QB
11 FPTS
|
J. Winston | 20/35 | 202 | 1 | 1 | 11 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
J. RodgersĀ
32 RB
7 FPTS
|
J. Rodgers | 17 | 75 | 0 | 26 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. BarberĀ
43 RB
1 FPTS
|
P. Barber | 5 | 19 | 0 | 6 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. WinstonĀ
3 QB
11 FPTS
|
J. Winston | 3 | 18 | 0 | 10 | 11 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG | FPTS |
A. HumphriesĀ
11 WR
9 FPTS
|
A. Humphries | 13 | 10 | 94 | 0 | 28 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
M. EvansĀ
13 WR
12 FPTS
|
M. Evans | 11 | 5 | 65 | 1 | 22 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
R. ShepardĀ
89 WR
2 FPTS
|
R. Shepard | 7 | 2 | 29 | 0 | 20 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
F. MartinoĀ
16 WR
0 FPTS
|
F. Martino | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
J. RodgersĀ
32 RB
7 FPTS
|
J. Rodgers | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. StockerĀ
88 TE
0 FPTS
|
L. Stocker | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. CrossĀ
45 RB
0 FPTS
|
A. Cross | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT | FF |
K. TandyĀ
37 SS
|
K. Tandy | 10-2 | 0.0 | 2 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. AlexanderĀ
58 MLB
|
K. Alexander | 6-4 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. McDougaldĀ
30 FS
|
B. McDougald | 6-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. DavidĀ
54 OLB
|
L. David | 5-1 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. McCoyĀ
93 DT
|
G. McCoy | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
V. HargreavesĀ
28 CB
|
V. Hargreaves | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. GrimesĀ
24 CB
|
B. Grimes | 3-1 | 0.0 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. SpenceĀ
57 DE
|
N. Spence | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. AyersĀ
91 DE
|
R. Ayers | 2-1 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. ConteĀ
23 SS
|
C. Conte | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LambertĀ
75 DE
|
D. Lambert | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Da. SmithĀ
51 OLB
|
Da. Smith | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. PamphileĀ
64 G
|
K. Pamphile | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. McDonaldĀ
98 DT
|
C. McDonald | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. AngerĀ
9 P
|
B. Anger | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. VernerĀ
21 CB
|
A. Verner | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ElliottĀ
35 DB
|
J. Elliott | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. RussellĀ
99 DE
|
R. Russell | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
R. AguayoĀ
19 K
0 FPTS
|
R. Aguayo | 1/3 | 33 | 2/2 | 5 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. AngerĀ
9 P
|
B. Anger | 5 | 45.8 | 5 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. HumphriesĀ 11 WR
9 FPTS
|
A. Humphries | 2 | 3.5 | 7 | 0 |