The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Arizona Cardinals, 20-17, on Sunday to snap a three-game losing skid and maintain possession of first place in the NFC South. The victory wasn'tsealed until linebacker SirVocea Dennis denied Jacoby Brissett's fourth-and-two pass attempt to Michael Wilson with 52 seconds left in regulation.

That marked the fifth Tampa Bay game decided by three points or fewer in the 2025 season so far, and the Buccaneers have won all of them after going 1-2 in such contests in 2024. The Buccaneers and their division rivals, the Carolina Panthers, are the only teams in the NFL this season to win at least five games by three points or fewer without any losses by the same margin.

Best Records in Games Decided by Three or Fewer Points, NFL, 2025

The Buccaneers have prevailed in close games largely due to an ability to protect a lead, as opposed to a string of late-game comebacks. In 2025, the Bucs are 2-0 when leading after the first quarter, 6-0 when leading after the first half and 7-0 when leading after the third quarter. Tampa Bay led 10-3 at halftime over Arizona and 17-10 after three quarters.

The shared strong record in close games has the 7-5 Buccaneers and the 7-6 Panthers in a tight battle for the top spot in the NFC South. Tampa Bay's half-game lead means it has now had at least a share of that lead in the division in 71 of the last 85 in-season weeks, dating back to the 2021 campaign.

The Buccaneers are also hoping that Sunday's victory at Raymond James Stadium is the start of another late-season surge, something that has propelled the team to five straight playoff appearances and four straight NFC South titles. Since the 2020 season, Tampa Bay is 23-6 in games played in Week 13 or later, the second-best mark by any team in the NFL.

Best Records, Week 13 and Later, NFL, 2020-25

The Buccaneers are also 7-2 this season when they have an equal or positive turnover ratio, and 4-0 when that ratio is plus-two or better. That was the case against the Cardinals, as a first-quarter interception by safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and a third-quarter fumble recovery by safety Tykee Smith were the only turnovers of Sunday's game. Neither led to points for Tampa Bay but both ended drives that had reached Buccaneer territory.Winfield's interception was the ninth of his career and Smith's fumble recovery was the second of his career. Smith is currently the only player in the NFL with 75-plus tackles, multiple sacks and three or more takeaways.

With the Week 13 game between New England and the New York Giants still to go, the Buccaneers are tied for second in the NFL with a plus-nine turnover differential. Their 18 total takeaways are tied for sixth.

In addition to those two takeaways, the Buccaneers' defense also sacked Brissett twice, hit him seven times and, according to NFL Next Gen Stats, generated pressure on 53.3% of the Cardinals' dropbacks, their second-highest single-game rate of the season. That combination of results marked the fifth time this season that the Buccaneers have produced multiple takeaways and multiple sacks in the same game, tied for the most by any team in the league this season.

The sacks were produced by nose tackle Vita Vea and outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. Diaby's sack was his sixth of the season, which leads the team, while Vea improved his season total to 3.5.

Vea's sack also broke a tie on the Buccaneers' all-time list of sack leaders, as he moved into sole possession of ninth place, moving ahead of Brad Culpepper and Jason Pierre-Paul. Withone more sack he would pass Chidi Ahanotu for eighth place.

Most Sacks, Buccaneers History

Diaby now has 18.0 career sacks through his first 46 games. That is tied for the third-highest sack total for a Tampa Bay player through his first 46 games, trailing only Warren Sapp (22.5) and Style G. White (19.5).

The Buccaneers scored the game's first touchdown on Sunday in surprising fashion, with quarterback Baker Mayfield throwing a two-yard touchdown pass to left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who had slid out to a tackle-eligible spot on the play with Charlie Heck occupying left tackle. It was the first career reception for Wirfs, though he did previously record nine receiving yards on a play where the ball was pitched around to several different players at the end of a half (at New Orleans, Oct. 13, 2024). It was Wirfs' first career touchdown and the first scored by an offensive lineman in the NFL this season. Wirfs became the fifth offensive lineman in 50 years of Buccaneers football to catch a touchdown pass, joining Ron Heller, Randall McDaniel, Donald Penn and Leonard Wester.

Second-year running back Bucky Irving scored the Buccaneers' other touchdown in the third quarter on a 13-yard run, marking his third score of the season and his first on the ground. Irving played for the first time since Week Four after overcoming shoulder and foot injuries and quickly returned to a prominent role in the Bucs' offense. In addition to his score he contributed a team-leading 81 yards from scrimmage, giving the 2024 fourth-round draft pick 2,025 yards from scrimmage in 22 career games played. He joined Warrick Dunn and Doug Martin as the only players in franchise history to surpass 2,000 yards from scrimmage in 25 career games or fewer. Of the 144 running backs drafted from 2018-24, only Irving, Saquon Barkley, Jahmyr Gibbs, Josh Jacobs and Jonathan Taylor were able to reach 2,000 yards from scrimmage in their first 22 career games.

Wide receiver Chris Godwin played in his second game after missing five with a fibula injury and led the Buccaneers with 78 receiving yards on three catches. All three receptions went for more than 20 yards, including the team's two longest plays of the game. Rookie wide receiver Emeka Egbuka added four catches for 42 yards and continues to lead the team with 52receptions for 791 yards and six touchdowns. Among all NFL rookies, he ranks first in touchdown catches, second in receiving yards and third in receptions.

Most Receiving Yards, NFL Rookies, 2025

1. Tetairoa McMillan, Panthers: 826

2. Emeka Egbuka, Buccaneers: 791

3. Tyler Warren (TE), Colts: 684

4. Oronde Gadsden II (TE), Chargers: 534

5. Harold Fannin (TE), Browns: 505

The Buccaneers also got standout contributions from their kicking duo. Placekicker Chase McLaughlin nailed both of his field goal attempts, including one from 57 yards in the fourth quarter that proved to be the game's winning points. Punter Riley Dixon punted five times for a 48.0-yard gross average, with an excellent net average of 46.8 yards and three punts downedinside the 20 versus no touchbacks. Two of those were downed inside Arizona's 10-yard line, including the one that pushed Arizona back deep to start their final possession of the game.

McLaughlin continues to be a deadly long-range weapon, as he has made all nine of his field goal attempts from 50 yards and beyond this season, including six that were 54 yards or farther. McLaughlin has the most successful 50-plus yard field goals of any kicker in the NFL in 2025 without a miss from that range. He has made 24 of 27 attempts from that range since joining the Buccaneers in 2023 and is 41 of 48 in his career. McLaughlin continues to rank second in NFL history in field goal percentage from 50 yards and beyond.

Highest Field Goal Success Rate, 50-Plus Yards, NFL History

(minimum 25 attempts)

(* McLaughlin has played for the Buccaneers, Colts, Browns, Chargers, Jaguars, 49ers and Jets. Prater has played for the Lions, Broncos, Cardinals, Bills and Falcons.)