Monday, 4 a.m.
It wasn't pretty. It wasn't slick. It wasn't dominating.
But after a three-game losing streak, it was good enough.
The Tampa Bay Bucs held onto first place in the NFC South with a 20-17 victory over the Arizona Cardinals at Raymond James Stadium Sunday.
"It's finally good to get on the winning side of the ball after a couple of weeks," Bucs' coach Todd Bowles said. "It's tough to win in this league. It was a gutsy, grind-out win, so I'm glad we came out of the other end."
The Bucs sputtered for most of the game, but made the big play defensively when it mattered the most. Arizona decided to go for a first down on fourth-and-one at their own 39.
The call can be questioned. The Cardinals had just driven 72 yards for the first touchdown and seemed to have the momentum. But when Bam Knight ran to his right, Bucs' linebacker Anthony Nelson knifed in and held him to no gain.
"The guys did a hell of a job coming through there," Bowls said. "We kind of knew what the route would was; they did a hell of a job jumping the route knowing it was going to come up short."
Four plays later, Chase McLaughlin kicked a 57-yard field goal. It was McLaughlin's ninth field goal of more than 50 yards.
The Bucs also sored on a pass from Baker Mayfield to tackle Tristan Wirfs.
"As soon as he came off the field, he asked me for the numbere 87," Bowles said. "Had Payne (Durham) not caught a ball, I might have considered it."
The Bucs held on by stopping Arizona on four straight plays in the final minute.
It was a work-them-back-in day for the Bucs. Bucky Irvin finally returned and gaind 62 yards on 17 carries. Chris Godwin, a recent addition, had 78 yards on three carries.
Mayfield played with a sprained left shoulder.
"Honestly, it's just part of the game," Mayfield said. "Everyone is banged up. You have to go through certain things. Luckily, I have a physiotherapist I've worked with for eight years."
Arizona quarterback Jacobi Brissett threw for 301 yards and two scores.
The Bucs are now 7-5 on the season. They are home against the Saints Sunday at 1 p.m.