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Once again, the NFC South Division title will be crucial for the four teams involved, which means a win for them Tampa Bay Buccaneers — the front-runners entering Week 17 — was crucial Sunday.
Baker Mayfield was up to the task.
Mayfield delivered five touchdown passes, including two to the trusty receiver Mike Evansto lead the Bucs to a 48-14 victory over the Carolina Panthers on Sunday at Raymond James Stadium.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield drops back to pass against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images)
The Bucs improved to 9-7 this season and will be watching “Sunday Night Football” closely while the Atlanta Falcons, who trail them at 8-7 in the division, play the Bucs on the road Washington commanders.
Mayfield was having one of those days where it seemed like no matter where the ball needed to be for his receivers, he got them there with pinpoint accuracy and power.
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He was 27 of 32 through the air for 359 yards with his five touchdown passes and started right away when Evans capped the first drive with a quick slant into the end zone for six points. Evans had eight catches for 97 yards and led the Bucs through the air.
But Mayfield also found rookie wideout Jalen McMillan for two second-half touchdowns as he continues to prove in this second half of the season that his quarterback can trust him in his first season. He had five catches for 51 yards and two scores.
Finally, Payne Durham, one of the tight ends filling in for the injured Cade Otton, made one of his two catches on the day.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield throws the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
No one was able to be on the ground for the Bucs, but it was Bucky Irving who led the attack with 113 yards on 20 carries and set the tone.
The day also saw special teams magic as the Bucs blocked a Panthers punt that JJ Russell caught and ran back for a touchdown in the second half as part of Tampa Bay’s 21-0 win over their division opponent.
Early in the game, Bryce Young and the Panthers were initially able to keep up with the Bucs’ firepower as Adam Thielen caught a touchdown pass on their first drive and the game ended 7-7. Thielen would get another one from Young later in the game as part of his five-catch, 110-yard day.
However, in the second half, Tampa Bay’s defense turned up the heat and stopped 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 against Thielen.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield falls behind in the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium. (Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images)
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The Bucs face a weakened New Orleans Saints team in Week 18, hoping the Falcons can take a loss somewhere in the next two weeks with Atlanta holding the season tiebreaker.
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