ESPN.com · Jan 4
No NFC South champ until Sunday after Bucs beat Panthers
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TAMPA, Fla. -- The Tampa Bay Buccaneers held off the Carolina Panthers 16-14 to snap a four-game losing streak, setting up a thrilling Sunday, when the NFC South winner will be decided by what happens between the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield had been on record saying he was not a Saints fan, but he told ESPN after the game, "I am tomorrow!"
If the Saints defeat the Falcons Sunday, the Bucs would secure the division at 8-9. It would mark the first time a team has won five straight division titles since conference realignment in 2002, and would tie them for third most in league history for any division.