TAMPA, Fla. — The offense was sluggish. The defense struggled against the pass again. Special teams gave up another long kickoff return.

Still, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won a game to end a three-game losing streak. They were lucky they were facing the lowly Arizona Cardinals.

The Bucs have to play better to be a playoff team.

After a 17-3 lead dissolved, the defense held on for a 20-17 victory on Sunday. It was Tampa Bay’s first victory in a month and just the second in six games. At 7-5, the four-time defending NFC South champions have a half-game lead over the Panthers (7-6) following Carolina’s stunning 31-28 upset over the Los Angeles Rams.

The Buccaneers and Panthers will meet twice in the final three weeks to determine the division winner.

First, Tampa Bay hosts New Orleans (2-1

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