When the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were 4-6 heading into their bye week, their chances of making the playoffs seemed pretty slim.

But they played in the NFC South, which kept the door open.

The Atlanta Falcons could let the Buccaneers steal the division title. The Falcons lost at home to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday, and then the Buccaneers earned a 26-23 overtime win against the Carolina Panthers, rallied to tie the game in the final 30 seconds of regulation and then forced one in overtime Big loss of possession with the Panthers in field goal range. The Buccaneers and Falcons sit atop the NFC South at 6-6.

Mayfield briefly left the game after stepping on his foot following a sack in the third quarter, but came back and hit some big passes late on fourth down and again in overtime to earn the win. He was supported by rookie running back Bucky Irving, who showed an outstanding performance with 152 yards rushing.

The Buccaneers aren’t just alive in the NFC South. They appear to be the best team in the division and someone has to win them.

Buccaneers get injury scares

For a while, the Buccaneers’ dreams of winning a division faded off the field.

Mayfield was sacked by Carolina Panthers linebacker Josey Jewell and had his foot kicked while he was on the ground. Mayfield walked slowly to the sideline, sat briefly on the bench and then walked to the medical tent with a severe limp.

Mayfield was replaced by backup quarterback Kyle Trask on Tampa Bay’s next drive.

The Buccaneers entered the game just half a game behind the Falcons for first place in the division. However, they trailed 13-10 in the third quarter when Mayfield was injured.

Mayfield returned after Trask started the drive. Then Mayfield threw an interception on his first play of the game.

The Panthers played well and Bryce Young had one of his best days as a pro. Nothing really worked for the Buccaneers offensively or defensively.

But on a day when they weren’t necessarily at their best, the Buccaneers found a way, even in the final 30 seconds when it seemed like defeat was inevitable.

Bucs take a late lead

The Buccaneers trailed at halftime, but it seemed like they would find a way to win. The defense started making some stops and then the offense came through with its best performance of the game and took the lead.

The Buccaneers completed an 11-play, 69-yard drive that began in the third quarter and ended in the fourth quarter. Irving capped the drive with a 6-yard touchdown, giving the Buccaneers a 17-16 lead.

The Panthers still had a chance and were down 20-16 with a few minutes left. The Panthers entered Buccaneers territory. Young continued to make plays, leading a 60-yard drive, and then the Panthers took the lead with 30 seconds left on a 25-yard touchdown pass from Young to Adam Thielen.

The Buccaneers had a chance to respond and did so. Mayfield put Tampa Bay in position for Chase McLaughlin to attempt a 51-yard field goal, and he hit it to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, the Buccaneers got the ball first, but a Mayfield sack pushed Tampa Bay back and the drive stalled. McLaughlin missed a 55-yard field goal attempt and the Panthers had a chance to win. The Panthers moved within field goal range, but Chuba Hubbard lost a fumble on a run when he was stripped by lineman Anthony Nelson and Tampa Bay recovered. Mayfield hit Mike Evans for 21 yards and Rachaad White had a 38-yard run for a short game-winning field goal.

The Buccaneers had to fight to get the win against the Panthers. They’re back in first place with the Falcons, and if they win the division, they can look to a gutsy win at Carolina as a big reason why.