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Bereft of edge-rushing depth for the third consecutive game, the Bucs got a performance equally tireless and timely from fourth-year outside linebacker Anthony Nelson.
The 6-foot-7 former backup strip-sacked Sam Darnold at his own 3-yard line with 2:24 to play in the fourth quarter, his third forced fumble in four games and second strip-sack in as many contests.
Vita Vea recovered, and Tom Brady followed with a 1-yard scoring sneak with 1:58 to play, giving the Bucs a 30-21 lead. "Unreal," said right tackle Tristan Wirfs, Nelson's former teammate at Iowa. "He was a freak. ... He was awesome (Sunday). I was so happy for him. He came up huge."
Thrust into a starting role by a series of injuries at outside linebacker, Nelson has played every defensive snap the last three contests after making only four starts his first three seasons.
"Exhausted," Nelson said following Sunday's triumph. "But it's always a little better when you win and clinch your division. I mean, I'm good. I'm happy. We fought for that win."
His stat line during that three-game stretch: 12 tackles, two strip-sacks, three quarterback hits. "He looks innocent, but underneath it all, he's a heck of a football player," Bowles said. "He's a gangly looking guy, and he's got a little swag to him that you don't know about, so we have a lot of confidence in him."
Joey Knight, The Tampa Bay Times, published 2 January 2023
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