Coach Todd Bowles doesn’t feel the need to say much to motivate his Tampa Bay Buccaneers for their game against the last-place Carolina Panthers.
The Bucs (8-7) have won eight of the last nine matchups with their NFC South rivals, including the past three with Baker Mayfield as quarterback.
However, it hasn’t been easy for the three-time defending division champions to beat the Panthers (4-11).
With at least a share of first place on the line Sunday, Bowles and his players say they are focused on bouncing back from last week’s tough loss to the Dallas Cowboys.
“We know it’s going to be a tough ballgame. It went overtime last time. They’re coached very well; they play very hard,” Bowles said, referring to Tampa Bay’s 26-23 win in Carolina on December 1.
“We know what’s at stake for us. It doesn’t need to be talked about. Everybody understands that,” Bowles added. “We’ve got to clean up our own mistakes, and we’ve got to play an error-free football game.”
The Bucs are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC South, but the Falcons (8-7) have the tiebreaker after sweeping the season series between the teams.
To win a fourth straight division title, Tampa Bay needs to win their remaining home games against the Panthers and New Orleans Saints, while Atlanta needs to lose at least once in the last two weeks of the season.
If the Falcons win the division, the Bucs can still make the playoffs by winning their remaining games and hoping the Washington Commanders lose twice.
Mayfield, who has revived his career after being released by Carolina two years ago, described the attitude in the determined locker room.
The Bucs have won four of their last five games after a four-game losing streak put their playoff hopes in danger.
“I keep saying it, this team has the mental makeup of a great team. We just have to continue to fight and find ways to win,” said Mayfield. “If we don’t take care of business, we won’t be in the playoffs.”
