CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- "By any means necessary" -- a phrase used in recent weeks by Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles and quarterback Baker Mayfield -- proved to be a viable strategy in defeating the Carolina Panthers 9-0 on Sunday to earn their third consecutive NFC South title.
It was also the second for head coach Todd Bowles and the first in the Bucs' post-Tom Brady era, finishing with a 9-8 record.
Mayfield fought through a rib injury that disrupted the synchronicity of the offense, but he led three field goal drives with Chase McLaughlin -- signed this offseason in the post-Brady purge -- hitting 36, 57 and 39-yard kicks while the defense, led by safety Antoine Winfield Jr.