3 Buccaneers who deserve the most praise after nail biter win over Panthers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered Week 18 with their backs against the wall and the season on the line. 

The odds were, and remain, stacked against them. A loss against the Carolina Panthers would automatically eliminate the Bucs from playoff contention. And even with a win, Tampa Bay still needs to root for the New Orleans Saints to beat the Atlanta Falcons on Sunday, as a Falcons win will send the Panthers to the playoffs.

All the Bucs could do was control what they could control in order to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they did just that, defeating the Panthers 16-14 thanks to big performances from a few unexpected heroes. 

3 Buccaneers who deserve the most praise after Week 18 win over Panthers 

Cade Otton 

Otton saved his best for last, recording 7 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown in the regular season finale. 

It was his best performance of the season including his first touchdown reception of the year, and it couldn’t have come at a better time.

Otton was consistently Baker Mayfield’s most reliable weapon throughout the game, and the cherry on top was a crucial 3rd-and-4 conversion late in the fourth quarter that allowed Tampa Bay to milk the clock. 

The Bucs wouldn’t have won without Otton’s impact, and he just did himself a huge favor as an impending free agent allowing to secure a contract extension to remain in Tampa Bay. 

Riley Dixon 

Like Otton, Dixon saved his best for last, delivering his strongest performance of the season when it mattered most.

Dixon was called on to punt just three times, and all three pinned the Panthers’ offense inside the 20-yard line, including two that landed inside the 10.

His best punt came in the most critical moment of the game. With 26 seconds remaining and Carolina needing only a field goal to win and eliminate the Bucs, Dixon delivered a perfect punt with enough hang time to burn valuable seconds and pin the Panthers at the 3-yard line.

Dixon did the Buccaneers’ defense a huge favor and played a pivotal role in Tampa Bay securing the win.

Chase McLaughlin 

McLaughlin converted three of his four field goal attempts, with his lone miss coming on a block by the Panthers.

He has been the Buccaneers’ most reliable asset all season, consistently delivering in crucial moments and putting must-have points on the board.

Drilling three field goals in brutal rainy conditions was no small feat, and it made all the difference in a game the Bucs won by just two points.