Winner: Trey Palmer
While Kancey stepped up in big ways to lead the rookie class on Monday, he wasn't the only guy who left his mark. All season it seems we've been waiting for Trey Palmer to break out, and while he showed flashes of doing nothing was bigger than what he did against the Eagles in the Wild Card.
Palmer ignited the Bucs offense with a 56-yard catch-and-run that gave him his first postseason touchdown and extended Tampa Bay's lead to 16 points. It came on the heels of the defense getting a key safety that made it a two-score game and was the dagger that essentially put the win away for the Bucs.
The reality of this play: Rookie burner Trey Palmer beat 30-year-old James Bradberry in coverage, then ran right by 31-year-old Bradley Roby and 30-year-old Kevin Byard on the way to the end zone.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 16, 2024
Age of the Philly back 7 has been a problem. Still is one. pic.twitter.com/1pjO3YHHx7
He had some big catches this year, including the last offensive touchdown of the regular season for the Bucs. Unfortunately, that came in Week 17 and the Bucs failed to find the endzone again until Monday night, but Palmer's touchdown was more than just a big play. All season long we've seen the Bucs find ways to shoot themselves in the foot, and even with all of the momentum on Tampa Bay's side it still felt like an 18-9 lead wasn't enough.
Palmer blew the game wide open and the Bucs never looked back. We've been waiting for the rookie to leave his mark and he picked the perfect time to do so.