Bucs bolster postseason hopes behind comeback OT win in Arizona

Greg Auman

NFC South Reporter

Down 10 factors within the fourth quarter, Tom Brady rallied the Buccaneers to pressure time beyond regulation, then completed the comeback with a drive to arrange Ryan Succop's 40-yard subject purpose and a 19-16 comeback win over the Arizona Cardinals on Christmas.

Brady accomplished six straight passes for 69 yards in time beyond regulation to get to the 19-yard line, and Succop's kick gave the Bucs a win in a sport the place their offense had executed little or no getting into the fourth quarter. Brady completed with 281 yards.

The Bucs (7-8) have set themselves up effectively, such {that a} win at dwelling towards Carolina subsequent week would clinch the NFC South title. Had they misplaced Sunday, the Panthers might have eradicated the Bucs with a win in Tampa. 

Down 16-6 within the fourth quarter, the Bucs offense awakened, with Leonard Fournette taking a display screen go for a 44-yard acquire. Brady went 6-for-7 for 67 yards on the drive, ending in on third-and-goal with a 3-yard landing go to rookie operating again Rachaad White to get inside three factors.

Then the Cardinals fumbled on an possibility pitch, with Bucs defensive lineman Will Gholston leaping on the free ball. That arrange one other Succop subject purpose to tie the sport at 16 with 2:27 remaining.

The Bucs protection held Arizona's offense in verify for many of the evening, however a 47-yard go from Hint McSorley to receiver Hollywood Brown arrange a 39-yard Matt Prater subject purpose to present the Cardinals their first lead at 9-6 with 14:07 left.

That drive began after Brady's second interception of the sport, each by Arizona's Marco Wilson. Brady had simply three interceptions within the first 12 video games of this season, however now has two every within the final three video games, giving him 9 on the 12 months.

The 2 groups struggled offensively on the best way to a 6-6 tie at halftime, with Arizona getting a 53-yard subject purpose from Prater simply earlier than the half to tie the sport.

The Bucs obtained 48 yards on their first two performs — a go interference flag and an 18-yard White run — however that drive stalled on the Arizona 20, resulting in a subject purpose. The Bucs protection answered with a turnover, as outdoors linebacker Anthony Nelson sacked McSorley and compelled a fumble that linebacker Devin White recovered for the Bucs. That turnover did not yield as any factors, because the Bucs went for it on fourth-and-1 on the Arizona 48 and Fournette was stopped brief for a turnover on downs. 

A 56-yard subject purpose by Prater tied the sport at 3-3, and one other Bucs drive stalled within the purple zone, with a landing negated by an unlawful shift penalty, adopted by a maintain, establishing one other Ryan Succop subject purpose. Brady struggled to maneuver the chains with any consistency, with one other drive ending with an interception when he threw as he was getting hit.

Brady was simply 12-for-20 for 87 yards within the first half, 5 of these completions on dumpoffs to Fournette. McSorley, making his first NFL begin after accidents to Kyler Murray and backup Colt McCoy, was 10-for-21 for 79 yards.

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Greg Auman is FOX Sports activities’ NFC South reporter, overlaying the Buccaneers, Falcons, Panthers and Saints. He's in his tenth season overlaying the Bucs and the NFL full-time, having frolicked on the Tampa Bay Instances and The Athletic. You may observe him on Twitter at @gregauman.

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