The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have taken a significant step towards claiming their third consecutive division title in the NFC South. With a 40-17 victory over the Los Angeles Chargers, they’ve reduced their magic number to clinch the division to three.
Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 288 yards and four touchdowns, while the defense shut down Justin Herbert and the Chargers offense. The team’s second-half revival has been impressive, with two consecutive wins following a four-game losing streak in the middle of the season.
One notable play from the game saw Mike Evans make an incredible touchdown catch, bouncing off a defender and running into the end zone for a 5-yard score. Rachaad White also contributed to the win with 117 yards rushing and a crucial 54-yard gain in the third quarter.
The Buccaneers’ defense has been impressive lately, yielding only 15 points per game since their bye week. While it’s difficult to gauge how much of this is due to facing weaker opponents, a shut-down of an 8-6 Chargers team suggests that the Bucs are on track.
Tampa Bay has struggled in games outside of the division, with a 15-17 record over the past three seasons. However, their performance in the NFC South has been remarkable, with a 30-63 record against non-division opponents.
The Buccaneers face a challenging test next Sunday night in Dallas against Mike McCarthy’s Cowboys. The team will need to maintain their momentum if they hope to secure their fourth consecutive division title.
Source: https://www.tampabay.com/sports/bucs/2024/12/15/chargers-mike-evans-baker-mayfield-bucky-irving-nfc-south-playoffs