BY IRA KAUFMAN

That’s a wrap.

In the end, Sunday’s matchup wasn’t pretty. It wasn’t particularly artistic, either, and nobody will be talking about it Monday morning on the NFL Network.

But like the bulk of Tampa Bay’s season, it was successful.

The defense returned to its ball-hawking ways, carrying the Bucs for much of the afternoon as the offense struggled. Cam Newton helped with ill-advised throws and Buc fans helped with some passionate support.

After five years with a basement view in the NFC South, Tampa Bay moved up to second place. That’s the kind of step most embattled franchises have to take before crashing through with a breakthrough season.

The Bucs aren’t one of 12 NFL teams still competing for the Vince Lombardi Trophy, but 9-7 is a very solid debut for a rookie head coach, offering a promising foundation for a young team to build on next fall.

Here’s 10 takeaways to dwell on until the 2017 Bucs gather again to generate spring fever in Tampa Bay:

* Brent Grimes saved the best for last. The veteran corner showed his professionalism throughout the season as a savvy free-agent addition. So take a bow, Miko. On Sunday, Grimes made Newton look foolish for testing him, defending four passes and returning an interception 31 yards for a score on the second snap of the second half. In my book, Grimes was Tampa Bay’s best defensive player in 2016.

“You can never take anything away from that guy,” Panthers WR Ted Ginn said, referring to Grimes. “He’s been a top guy in this league for many, many years.”

* I’ve been talking up Bryan Anger all season for his punting prowess, but I had no idea he could turn into Ray Lewis when needed. The proof came on a critical play early in the fourth quarter when linebacker Shaq Thompson blocked Roberto Aguayo’s FG try and started to rumble down the left sidelines. Anger, who held on the snap, hustled across the field to drop Thompson at the Carolina 49 and the Panthers eventually missed a FG attempt to keep the score tied 10-10.

* The Associated Press wants my All-Pro ballot by the middle of this week and I’m leaning toward Mike Evans as my No. 2 wide receiver opposite Antonio Brown. Evans wasn’t stellar today, but his 12th TD catch of the season makes it easier to list him slightly above Julio Jones and Odell Beckham Jr. Evans looked like a different player from the start this year — more mature, more focused and far more productive.

* It was an awful day for Aguayo and Carolina kicker Graham Gano. Aguayo was wide left from 46 yards out and his 48-yard try was blocked. Gano was understandably short on a 58-yard attempt, but he also missed from 36 and 45 yards. Aguayo finished 18-for-20 from inside the 40 in his rookie season, but any kick beyond that range gave Buc fans a giant case of agita. He has to be more reliable next fall because the Bucs won’t be nearly as patient with his foibles.

* Give it up to Carolina coach Ron Rivera for going for the win with a two-point conversion try at the end of the season finale. The defending NFC champs finished 6-10, but Rivera made the right call by avoiding overtime and showing faith in a team that will be heard from in 2017.

* Lavonte David ended with a rush, dropping Newton twice to close with five sacks. He also registered two QB hits and three tackles for losses, leading the Bucs with 17 TFLs on the season. David’s skills as a pass rusher, underutilized in recent years, are now obvious to Dirk Koetter’s staff. Buc fans have known it for awhile.

* Adam Humphries was responsible for half of Winston’s 20 completions and he has a knack for knowing how to get open. Those instincts will prove even more fruitful next year if the Bucs bring in a speedy No. 2 target opposite Evans. Add tight end Cameron Brate to the equation and the Bucs have the makings of a potent passing game … if they can find that missing piece.

* The Bucs improved to 12-1 with Winston when they win the turnover battle. They have won only three of the past 25 games when they are on the short end of the turnover stick. Is there any wonder why Dirk Koetter stresses the turnover chart every week?

* We’ll have more on this topic later in the week, but it’s obvious the Bucs are a tight-knit bunch that cares about each other. Although you can’t quantify the impact of team chemistry, camaraderie has played a significant role in Tampa Bay’s most satisfying season since 2010.

* Before he’s done, Winston likely will own every significant franchise record at the quarterback position. The one he covets above all — most Super Bowl victories — belongs to another former FSU standout, Brad Johnson. I’m not betting against Winston, who turns all of 23 on Friday.

Ira works year-round for JoeBucsFan.com. He’s some seasonal rental. Enjoy Ira’s columns every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and his Tuesday and Thursday podcasts. This offseason will be a wild ride.