The Tampa Bay Buccaneers kept their playoff hopes alive with a 16-14 win over the Carolina Panthers in Week 18. Lavonte David stepped up in the must-win divisional clash. The veteran linebacker led the Buccaneers with six total tackles. And David came up with a crucial fumble recovery after the Panthers attempted an ill-advised flea flicker.
David made franchise history with his last tackle in the regular season finale. He tied Derrick Brooks as Tampa Bay’s all-time leading tackler, according to Buccaneers Communications on X. And Todd Bowles praised David following the team’s Week 18 victory.
“He always comes up with a big play when you need it,” Bowles said, per FOX Sports’ Greg Auman. “If this was it for him, he went out in true Lavonte fashion. He did a heck of a job. I can’t say enough good things about him. His work speaks for itself. What he means to the team, the organization as a whole, you can’t replace.”
Lavonte David leads Buccaneers to Week 18 win
David signed a one-year deal with the Bucs over the offseason. It’s unclear if he’ll return for a 15th season in 2026. But he’s carved out a remarkable career with 1,714 tackles in Tampa Bay.
On Saturday, David had one of three Buccaneers takeaways. Tampa Bay’s defense held Carolina to seven points through three quarters of play. Trailing by two scores, the Panthers attempted a flea flicker at the Buccaneers 20-yard line. Rico Dowdle took the handoff but he slipped while planting and his pitch back to Bryce Young bounced off the turf. David jumped on the ball and the Bucs took over with 11 minutes remaining.
Young eventually found Jalen Coker for a late touchdown that cut the Buccaneers’ lead to two points. But Tampa Bay ran down the clock on the ensuing possession and the Panthers ran out of time.
The Bucs faced elimination in the regular season finale. But the 16-14 win keeps the team’s playoff hopes alive. For now. The division rivals are tied at 8-9 and the NFC South title will come down to the Atlanta Falcons-New Orleans Saints matchup on Sunday. The Buccaneers are rooting for the Saints as a New Orleans victory will clinch the division for Tampa Bay.
