This was a playoff-like game for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but you wouldn't have known it as Todd Bowles' team obliterated the Carolina Panthers 48-14 at Raymond James Stadium.
Baker Mayfield was on fire, going 27 for 35 for 359 yards and five touchdowns, while Bucky Irving surpassed 1,000 rushing yards on the year with a 113-yard performance while also having 77 receiving yards.
The Buccaneers had 551 yards of total offense, while the defense stifled the Panthers' offense, keeping them to just 204 total yards.
For Mayfield, the credit for the win starts with the offensive line.
“Really starts with the guys up front,” Mayfield said. “Thought they protected extremely well and then our pass scheme had some guys running pretty open. So [that] goes to the staff and then guys making plays, everybody was detailed, obviously would like to have a few more touchdowns in the first half and settling for field goals, but guys were guys were on point.”
With the win, the Buccaneers move back into first place in the NFC South, with the Atlanta Falcons now having to beat the Washington Commanders on Sunday Night Football to retake the lead.
The Buccaneers knew what was at stake in this clash, and a loss would be devastating to their playoff chances, but Bowles' team came out breathing fire. When there was a chance to put the foot on the throat and end Carolina's resistance early, they did it.
The offense was rolling, and the defense was flying around with the Buccaneers winning their ninth game, and doing it in style.
Onto Week 18.
