Jake Camarda, a rookie punter, uses his wild, head-up play to save Bucs. This is Tom Brady’s 14th consecutive playoff berth

Tom Brady Mike Evans These were the stars of Sunday.

Jake Camarda, a rookie punter, played a supporting role and made a wild play to save the day. Tampa Bay Buccaneers‘ season.

As the finals approached, Brady and Evans were connected for three touchdowns. Bucs rallied past the Carolina Panthers to win the NFC South. Camarda’s athletic, head-up play with the division at stake made the effort worthwhile.

In the final minute of the game, Tampa Bay was leading by 30-24. The Bucs lined up to kick from midfield. The snap was very low and bounced off of the turf. Camarda didn’t panic. Camarda was able to catch the ball off the bounce and then sprint left to avoid the Panthers’ kick rushers. Then he managed to get a punt off — and it was a good one.

Camarda punted the ball while he was approaching the line for scrimmage, with three Carolina defenders in converging. Camarda received the kick off right before linebacker Corey Littleton shoved the ball to the ground out of bounds. The punt was kept in bounds, but it was not in the end zone. Tampa Bay’s coverage team took it within the 2-yard line.

The Bucs were not happy with the outcome of the punt. They were flagged downfield for an illegal man and forced to punt it again. The potential for disaster that was avoided was saved in full. Camarda’s play would have ensured the Panthers prime field position, and could have scored a touchdown on the fumble.

Camarda, however, pinned the Panthers within the 10-yard mark on the next play. The Panthers’s last-gasp rally failed to materialize. Brady and the Bucs are both back in the playoffs.