Quick, name the only NFL team this year to defeat both Detroit and Philadelphia. It’s the Buccaneers with a rookie running back tearing up the league. Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix might squeeze out all contenders for the Offensive Rookie of the Year award, but the Buccaneers got the steal of the draft in Bucky Irving, who surpassed 1,000 scrimmage yards in catalyzing Tampa Bay to a 26-23 overtime win at Carolina on Sunday.
“I mean, this guy’s a pinball machine,” said former Tampa Bay head coach Jon Gruden in naming Irving his No. 1 Gruden Grinder for Week 13. “He’s flying around here. 152 yards rushing. He has 732 yards this season. If you keep it up, Bucky, you’ll be one of the top running backs in franchise history.”
NFL teams drafted five running backs before Tampa Bay (6-6) snagged Irving toward the back end of the fourth round. He leads all rookies in rushing yards (732), average per carry (5.50) and scrimmage yards (1,017), and is tied with Daniels in rushing touchdowns (six). But Sunday was his most impressive game.
Rebounding from a hip injury on a kickoff return, Irving pounded Carolina in the second half. Despite missing a good portion of the third quarter, he got 120 of his 152 rushing yards after halftime, averaging 7.5 yards on 16 carries.
At his best during a go-ahead drive early in the fourth quarter, Irving led off the series by touching the ball on five consecutive snaps. Irving finished the possession with 53 of the Bucs’ 69 scrimmage yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run to give Tampa Bay a 17-16 lead with 8:53 remaining. On the next possession, he busted through the middle for 43 yards to set up an important field goal before Baker Mayfield, Mike Evans, Rachaad White and Sterling Shepard pushed the game into overtime and, eventually, into the win column.
Don’t look now but Irving and Mayfield have come out of their bye on a two-game winning streak. They’re tied atop the NFC South with Atlanta heading into a home game against Las Vegas (2-10) on Sunday.
For more information on the Buccaneers and Panthers, visit the Tampa Bay and Carolina team pages at ProFootballPost.com.
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