These Buccaneers just silenced every critic in Week 13 win over Cardinals

Much to the relief of fans who have been living through hell the last few weeks, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers snapped a three-game losing streak on Sunday.

It was hardly a perfect victory, as barely beating a bad Cardinals team leaves a lot to be desired, but you can only eat an elephant one bite at a time. Despite how uninspiring the Bucs looked at times, they are just three wins away from clinching a fifth straight NFC South title.

The win had massive implications, as a loss would've seen the Bucs fall to second place in the NFC South. So which Buccaneers played the biggest role in the team coming away victorious in a must-win game?

Buccaneers players who deserve the most praise after Week 13 win over Cardinals

Antoine Winfield Jr., S

Winfield wasted no time putting his stamp on this game, forcing a turnover on the Cardinals' opening drive. Arizona marched down the field with ease, but Winfield took points off the board by coming away with a clutch red zone interception off a deflection by Jamel Dean.

In a game that Tampa Bay only won by three points, that interception in the red zone ultimately proved to be the difference. Winfield added yet another game-changing play to his highlight reel, and continues to be a superhero in the secondary that the Buccaneers can always count on to make a huge play when the team needs him most.

Chase McLaughlin, K

McLaughlin went 2-for-2 on field goals and also nailed both of his extra point attempts in a game where every point counted. He drilled a 57-yard field goal in the fourth quarter to extend the Bucs' lead to 10 points, which proved to ultimately be the difference in the game. A miss there would've allowed Arizona to tie the game, and the outcome could've been very different.

McLaughlin being so reliable from long distance has been a huge asset for the Buccaneers. He is currently a perfect 9-for-9 on 50+ yard field goals this season, setting a new franchise record for kicks made from beyond 50 yards.

Baker Mayfield, QB

Just a week removed from suffering a sprained shoulder, Baker Mayfield toughed it out to appear in a crucial game for his team.

He delivered a solid outing on Sunday, throwing for 194 yards and a touchdown, while overcoming drop issues from his receiving corps. He also added 27 rushing yards, including a crucial 21-yard scramble on third down that extended Tampa Bay’s first touchdown drive of the day.

Most importantly, Mayfield protected the football and avoided turning the ball over. The stat sheet won't blow anyone away, but he did everything the team needed him to do to help pull of a huge win.