Once again, the NFC South division title will be on the line for all four teams involved, meaning a win for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the leaders entering Week 17, was crucial on Sunday.
Baker Mayfield was up to the task.
Mayfield delivered five touchdown passes, including two to reliable receiver Mike Evans, to lead the Bucs over the Carolina Panthers, 48-14, at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield passes again against the Carolina Panthers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Images by Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn)
The Bucs improved to 9-7 on the season, and will be watching “Sunday Night Football” closely as the Atlanta Falcons, who trail them in the division at 8-7, are on the road against the Washington Commanders.
Mayfield was having one of those days where it seemed like it didn’t matter where the ball needed to be for his receivers, he was getting it there with pinpoint precision and strength.
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He completed 27 of 32 passes for 359 yards with his five touchdown passes beginning immediately when Evans capped the opening drive with a quick tip into the end zone for six points. Evans had eight receptions for 97 yards to lead the Bucs through the air.
But Mayfield also found rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan for two touchdowns in the second half, as he continues to prove in this second half of the season that his quarterback can trust him in his inaugural season. He had five receptions for 51 yards with the two scores.
And finally, Payne Durham, one of the tight ends who took over for the injured Cade Otton, found paid dirt with one of his two receptions of the day.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. (Images by Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn)
No one could get on the field for the Bucs, but it was Bucky Irving who led the charge there with 113 yards on 20 carries to set the tone.
The day also saw some special teams magic when the Bucs blocked a Panthers punt that JJ Russell scooped up and ran back for a touchdown as part of Tampa Bay’s 21-0 second-half rout of its division foe .
Bryce Young and the Panthers initially matched the Bucs’ firepower to start the game, when Adam Thielen caught a touchdown pass on his first drive to make the game 7-7. Thielen would receive another from Young later in the game as part of his five-catch, 110-yard day.
However, Tampa Bay’s defense turned around in the second half, stopping any attempt by the Panthers to get back into the game.
Overall, Young finished 15 of 28 through the air for 203 yards with his two touchdowns coming to Thielen.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield goes down again against the Carolina Panthers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Images by Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn)
The Bucs head into Week 18 to face a depleted New Orleans Saints team, and hope the Falcons can take a loss at some point in the next two weeks with Atlanta dominating the season tiebreaker over them.
