TAMPA, Fla. – The Bucs beat the Las Vegas Raiders 28-13 in an underwhelming performance behind quarterback Baker Mayfield’s 295 yards passing and three touchdowns. With the win the Bucs take over sole possession of first place in the NFC South.,
“It doesn’t have to be pretty,” Mayfield said after the game. “There’s personally a lot of things I’d like to have back. But it’s a resilient group. We play for each other.”
Mayfield had three turnovers in the first half, which allowed the Raiders to keep it close. After Mayfield’s fumble in the second quarter on an Amari Burney sack and fumble recovery, Raiders quarterback Aiden O’Connel punched it in from 1-yard out to cut the Buc’s lead to 14-7.
“Turnovers didn’t help, we shot ourselves in the foot,” Todd Bowles, the Bucs head coach, said. “A couple of penalties right there, and they (Raiders) stoned us at the line of scrimmage a couple of times. We didn’t play well overall. We made some plays in the second half and got it done.”
READ: Bucs Facing A Raiders Team That Hasn’t Quit
The Bucs jumped out to a 14-0 lead on two Baker Mayfield touchdown passes. A 15-yard strike to Jalen McMillan and a 5-yard pass to Rachaad White. But 14 points was all the Bucs could muster until the fourth quarter. White scored on a 3-yard run, capping off an 80-yard drive to put the Bucs up 21-10. Mayfield found Jalen McMillan for the rookie’s second touchdown, capping off an 80-yard drive,e and the Bucs got their 7th win of the season.
“We just fight, continue to fight,” McMillan said. “Regardless of the outcome, we’re going to keep throwing punches. I love this team.”
The Raiders (2-11) have lost nine games in a row and lost O’Connell to a knee injury
stemming from a shove by Bucs defensive lineman Calijah Kancey after O
Connell threw a pass. There was no penalty on the play.
Bucs running back Bucky Irving went out with a back injury. White stepped up, rushing for 90 yards on 17 carries, and even Sean Tucker got some playing time reeling off a 32-yard run. Mayfield said it’s a luxury to have three quality running backs and will need all three going forward.
Tampa Bay travels to LA next week to face the Chargers on Sunday at 4:25 pm.
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