Two years ago, Baker Mayfield was trying to turn his career around in Southern California. On Sunday, he made a strong return in his 100th career start and led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a dominant second-half performance against one of the NFL’s top defenses.
Mayfield threw for 288 yards and four touchdown passes, helping the Buccaneers win 40-17 over the Los Angeles Chargers. The NFC South-leading Buccaneers (8-6) were down 17-10 late in the second quarter, but scored on six straight drives, including five in the second half.
“We came into halftime and said if the offense didn’t hurt ourselves we will be all right,” Mayfield said after completing 22 of 27 passes. “The defense came out and stopped them and the offensive line took over. It was a complementary football game.”
Mike Evans had a standout game with a season-high 159 yards receiving and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard touchdown catch that gave the Bucs the lead early in the third quarter.
On second-and-13 at their own 43-yard line, Mayfield avoided pressure, scrambled to the left, and found Evans for the touchdown that put Tampa Bay up 20-17 with 10:23 left in the third quarter.
Evans, who lined up as the outside receiver on the right, ran across the field, caught the ball at the Chargers’ 35-yard line, shook off a shoulder tackle attempt from rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still, and managed to stay balanced along the sideline before scoring.
“Baker did a great job, they forced him out to the left and I ran with him,” Evans said. “With scrambling quarterbacks, you have to run and get in their vision. He threw a great ball to me, stayed on the sideline and made a play.”
Evans also caught a 35-yard pass late in the third quarter, which helped extend the lead to 30-17. This marked his 14th game with at least 150 yards receiving, the second most among active players. Miami’s Tyreek Hill leads with 16.
Rachaad White added an 11-yard reception on a screen pass that made it 37-17 midway through the fourth quarter.
Mayfield reached 30 touchdown passes for the first time in his seven-year career in the stadium where he had a brief career revival. He played the final five games of the 2022 season for the Rams and helped them win two games, including a comeback win over Las Vegas just two days after being signed.
“I have always had self confidence,” Mayfield said. “There were ups and downs, but that’s just the journey of the NFL career. I just wanted to get in the right spot and Tampa Bay has been that for me from the jump.”
Tampa Bay totaled over 400 yards of offense and rushed for at least 150 yards for the fourth straight game. The Buccaneers did not punt in 10 possessions against a Los Angeles defense that had allowed the fewest points in the league at 15.9 per game.
Tampa Bay outgained the Chargers 506-206, including a 223-32 advantage in rushing yards.
“I can only imagine for a defensive coordinator what it is like to scheme against us with the personnel changes and we have a lot of plays off plays in the same formation. It’s tough to defend that,” Mayfield said.
Rookie Bucky Irving rushed for 117 yards, including a 54-yard run in the third quarter that set up the second of Chase McLaughlin’s four field goals.
“That’s huge. It’s December football, you know,” said Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles. “We’re trying to stop the run, and we’re trying to run the football. Today, we did a good job.”
The Chargers (8-6) remain in a playoff spot but have now lost three of their last four games, including their worst loss in coach Jim Harbaugh’s first year.
Justin Herbert completed 21 of 33 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted for the first time since Week 2 in the third quarter, ending a streak of 357 attempts without a pick.
“It was pretty thorough. Very thorough. And now we’re staring at that adversity, and it’s (about) how we respond,” Harbaugh said. “All phases, just wasn’t good enough today.”
Both teams scored on their opening drives. Mayfield connected with Jalen McMillan for a 26-yard touchdown, and Los Angeles responded with a 10-play drive that ended with Herbert finding Ladd McConkey for a 7-yard touchdown.
The teams traded field goals before the Chargers took a 17-10 lead midway through the second quarter on Quentin Johnston’s eighth touchdown catch of the season.
