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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers appeared dead in the water against the Carolina Panthers on Sunday. The Bucs trailed 21-13 with just over a minute left, and they had to travel 80 yards with no timeouts. Then, they had to convert the two-point conversion to tie it up. The Bucs somehow managed to do just that, and wound up winning the game 27-21 in overtime.
It was a thrilling victory for the Bucs and has them smack in the middle of the NFC playoff chase. And while it may not have been the prettiest of wins, SB Nation Bucs blog Bucs Nation says it does not matter how you win games, it just matters if you win:
There are no ugly wins in the NFL. The Bucs played well in the first quarter, then the game turned on that pick- six by Captain Munnerlyn. Carolina had the momentum throughout the next 3 1/2 quarters. The fact that the Bucs were able to get off the mat and find a way to win a game they had no business winning was impressive. The Bucs weren't the only team on upset alert. Jacksonville nearly shocked Houston. Atlanta had to overcome six turnovers to beat Arizona. Dallas got a scare at home from Cleveland. It was that kind of week in the NFL. The teams that contend for playoff spots find ways to win these types of games.
With parity around the league and so few regular season games, it's hard to argue with this notion. If a team is in the middle of a playoff chase, it's hard to complain too much about any type of victory, even if the team does not look good doing it.
Tampa Bay is now 6-4 and although they remain three games back of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South, the Bucs are currently tied with several other teams for the second NFC Wild Card spot. The Bucs face the Falcons in Week 12.