Buccaneers' Lavonte David discusses silencing doubters post-Tom Brady

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David understandably enjoyed somewhat of a victory lap after the team clinched the NFC South division title and a home playoff game via Sunday's 9-0 win at the Carolina Panthers.

"We don’t really listen to outsiders," David told Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated shortly after Sunday's victory. "(Head coach Todd Bowles) does a great job of keeping us away, just trying to make sure everything that happens in the locker room stays in the locker room, and won’t get out of the locker room. That’s who we’re rocking with. We know the guys we got, and we know what we’re capable of. We were able to seize that moment today."

Buccaneers players such as cornerback Carlton Davis, left tackle Tristan Wirfs, wide receiver Mike Evans and quarterback Baker Mayfield left no doubt before and early into the season they understood many within the NFL community believed the Buccaneers would plummet toward the bottom of the overall league standings following the retirement of living legend Tom Brady. Brady joined Tampa Bay as a free agent in March 2020 and guided the club to a Super Bowl title and two straight division crowns. 

Bowles acknowledged ahead of the new year that those associated with the franchise "would have some sort of satisfaction" winning a division title after many suggested this past summer the Buccaneers were "tanking" the season with a rebuild in mind. 

"The past four years, it’s been that way, and I’m loving it," David added about enjoying successes with the only NFL home he's had since the 2012 draft. "It’s been the best to be with one team this whole time. It just shows the respect they have for me and my craft and how I am in the locker room. I’m definitely proud to be a part of it and to see the change."

As of Monday afternoon, DraftKings Sportsbook listed the 9-8 Buccaneers as three-point home underdogs for next Monday's wild-card matchup versus the 11-6 Philadelphia Eagles. David didn't directly say so, but it sounds like he and others inside the Tampa Bay locker room will pay close attention to the game's line throughout the week.