SEATTLE -- Russell Wilson added to his MVP candidacy and his résumé of game-winning drives while bailing out the Seattle Seahawks' defense and their kicker, Jason Myers.

Most importantly for Seattle, Wilson's latest brilliant performance kept his team from losing precious ground in the NFC West race heading into its Monday night showdown with the unbeaten San Francisco 49ers.

Wilson tied his career high with five touchdown passes Sunday, the last of which gave the Seahawks (7-2) a 40-34 overtime win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-6).

"With Russell back there, it don't matter, you've got a chance," coach Pete Carroll said. "You've got a chance no matter what's going on. He played phenomenal football today."

Wilson put the Seahawks in position to win by driving them 53 yards into field goal range on their final possession of regulation, but the game went into overtime when Myers missed from 40 yards out. Seattle won the OT coin toss and drove 75 yards before winning the game on a 10-yard touchdown throw from Wilson to tight end Jacob Hollister, which held up upon review.

Hollister and Tyler Lockett each scored two touchdowns, and rookie DK Metcalf had the other. Lockett caught 13 passes on 18 targets -- both career highs -- for 152 yards.

In Seattle's final three possessions, Wilson went 9-of-13 for 166 yards and two touchdowns, plus a 21-yard scramble. He finished with 378 yards on 29-of-43 passing for a 133.7 rating.

Wilson gave a nod postgame to his backup, Geno Smith, who was at midfield for the OT coin toss.

"Geno was the man of the night for winning the coin toss. We felt great about it and felt like we could find a way to win the game, and guys just made some clutch plays," Wilson said. "DK came up big there at the end. And then Hollister, man, he just showed up. That was sweet. It was a tough battle all game, back and forth, back and forth. We found a way to win."

It was Wilson's 27th game-winning drive in the fourth quarter or overtime, according to ESPN Stats & Information. That's the second-most in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford's 28 since Wilson's rookie season in 2012. Drew Brees is next, with 22 in that span.

"Russ has done this so many times," Carroll said. "You can't have a better guy, almost in the history of ball, doing it."

Wilson tied Dave Krieg's franchise record with his third career five-touchdown performance. The other two were 2015 wins over Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

The Seahawks needed all of them, with their defense getting carved up by Jameis Winston to the tune of 335 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions on 29-of-44 passing. He found Mike Evans 12 times for 180 yards and one of his TDs. Winston also converted a fourth-and-5 with a 5-yard scramble with two minutes left. That extended a drive that ended with a touchdown to tie the game at 34.

The Seahawks' lone sack came from Bobby Wagner on a blitz, which was one of only three official hits on Winston. He lost a fumble when Mychal Kendricks pushed an offensive lineman into the quarterback, knocking the ball out of his hands before it was recovered by Rasheem Green in the fourth quarter.

"We struggled quite a bit," Carroll said of Seattle's defense. "We thought we would find more ways to get to the quarterback, and we only got him a couple times -- crucial times."

In addition to his 40-yarder that would have won the game in regulation, Myers missed a 47-yard attempt and an extra point. He hit from 37 and 22 yards out and is now 12-of-17 on field goal tries after returning to Seattle on a four-year deal worth $15.45 million after his Pro Bowl season with the New York Jets.

"He's our kicker," Carroll said, volunteering his support for Myers in his opening remarks. "It didn't go right today for him, but it's going to."

This was about as important a win as there can be in early November. ESPN's Football Power Index listed the Seahawks with 21% playoff leverage, which is the difference between their chances of making the postseason with a win Sunday versus a loss.

Hollister's two touchdowns were the first of his career. He caught four passes for 37 yards in what marked his breakout game with Seattle, which promoted him from the practice squad earlier this season. The Seahawks acquired Hollister in a trade with the New England Patriots after the draft. They claimed another former Patriot on Friday in receiver Josh Gordon, with the hope that he could be the big target in the middle of the field that the offense has missed since tight end Will Dissly went down two weeks ago. Hollister provided that Sunday.

Wilson has thrown 22 touchdown passes this season (plus three rushing scores) against only one interception, with a passer rating of at least 100 in seven of Seattle's eight games.

"He's the MVP this year," left tackle Duane Brown said. "I think he's been showing it all year, and he continued to do it today ... I'm glad he's under center. I'm glad I'm on the team with him. He's a phenomenal talent, a great leader and just consistent. I talk about it the same every week. He threw five touchdowns. I can't say too much more than that."