TAMPA, Fla. – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers left no doubt who was the better team Sunday beating the Carolina Panthers 48-14 to keep their playoff hopes alive. QB Baker Mayfield threw five touchdown passes in the rout.
“It starts with the guys up front,” Mayfield said. “They protected extremely well. Obviously, our pass game had guys pretty wide open. Everybody was detailed. Guys were on point.”
Mayfield through the air was 27 of 32 for 359 yards. Running back Bucky Irving rushed for 113 yards and added 77 yards receiving. The Bucs also had Rachaad White ready, but Bucs head coach Todd Bowles knows just how much of a weapon Irving gives this offense.
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“We knew we were going to start him in this ballgame and he knew that and everybody else knew that,” Bowles said. “We were going to try and get him off to a fast start and let him go. He did a good job.”
Mayfield spread the football around with Mike Evans and Jalen McMillan on the receiving end with two touchdowns apiece. Mayfield seemed to make the right decisions all day long. Bowles thinks it was one of his best games.
“He (Mayfield) really played a ;heck of a ballgame,” Bowles said. “We didn’t turn it over offensively. We were very good on third down and he controlled the ball. Spread it around, got everybody touches and played a good ballgame.”
The Bucs in a must win situation, came out fired up Sunday against the Carolina Panthers scoring on a 70 yard drive capped off by a Baker Mayfield to Mike Evans touchdown. But as was the case pretty much all season the Bucs defense couldn’t make a stop allowing Bryce Young to march the Panthers down the field capped off with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Adam Thielen.Tampa Bay came right back with a field goal to take a 10-7 lead.
The Bucky Irving Show once again on display. In the second quarter Irving was carrying the load., Tampa Bay went on an 81-yard drive, culminating in another Mayfield to Evans touchdown.
Just before the half, the Bucs went up by 20 off a 64 yard 11 play drive with Mayfield hitting Jalen McMillan for a 10 yard touchdown.
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“The biggest thing for him, you look for any rookie is progression through the year,” Mayfield said. “That’s what he’s done. He’s continued to ride the ebbs and flows of the season, but continued to be detailed and progress in that manner. You see him taking advantage of his opportunities.”
Third quarter, the Bucs up 27-14 took it 91 yards with Mayfield hitting a wide open Payne Durham in the corner of the end zone. The Bucs go up 34-14. The Bucs defense came up big. Joe Tryon-shoyinka with a blocked punt and JJ Russel scoops it up and runs it in. Bucs up 41-14. Does guaranteeing a winning season mean anything to Bowles?
“No, we’re just trying to get to the playoffs.” Bowles said. “If we can win next week and get a little help, that will mean a lot to me.”
The Bucs gave themselves a chance at the postseason. It’s another must win next week for the Bucs hosting the New Orleans Saints.
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