Tag: Tampa bay buccaneers

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NFL (American Football)

The Chargers are struggling after their defeat to the Buccaneers, with a crucial game against the Broncos upcoming

Mike Evans Jr. scores a touchdown in the 2nd half

Playoff-contending teams would like to be on a winning streak as they head into the final three games of the regular season.

But instead, the Los Angeles Chargers are struggling after their 40-17 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday, with little time to recover before their next big game.

“You play a game in the National Football League, give up 40 points and 500 yards, there’s a high level of concern,” said defensive coordinator Jesse Minter on Monday. “I think you look to your foundation and what you’ve built over time and hope that your foundation allows you to rebound from a game like that. You hope that it’s only a one-off.”

The only positive for the Chargers as they prepare for Thursday night’s game against AFC West rival Denver is that they have an 83% chance of making the playoffs, according to the NFL.

Los Angeles (8-6), which has lost three of its last four games, holds the last wild-card spot in the AFC and has a two-game lead over Indianapolis, Miami, and Cincinnati.

A win against Denver would give the Chargers the season sweep and the tiebreaker if both teams have the same record at the end of the season. No one wants to be the seventh seed because it would likely mean a first-round game against either Buffalo or Kansas City.

Justin Herbert in the 1st half

However, the loss to the Buccaneers highlighted areas where the Chargers are still struggling.

The offense has become one-dimensional since running back J.K. Dobbins suffered a knee injury against Baltimore on November 25.

The Chargers had a balanced attack for most of the season but have been running the ball on only 33.1% of their plays over the past three games since Dobbins was placed on injured reserve. The league average during the same period is 39.1%.

The Chargers gained a season-low 32 rushing yards against Tampa Bay and are averaging just 60.7 yards on the ground in their last three games, which is far below their season average of 105.8 yards.

At the same time, the defense has struggled to stop the run.

Tampa Bay’s 223 rushing yards were the second time in four games that the Chargers allowed at least 200 yards rushing. Teams are averaging 4.7 yards per carry against them.

“You’re probably not going to reinvent the wheel this week with the guys in terms of what you’re doing. So you don’t want to really do too much new stuff,” said offensive coordinator Greg Roman. “The great thing is we got a lot of stuff that we haven’t done yet that we’ve been working on.”

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NFL (American Football)

Buccaneers take control in the second half to defeat the Chargers 40-17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers players celebrate in the 2nd half

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.

Tarheeb Still celebrates in the 1st half

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.

Baker Mayfield leaves the field after winning

“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.”

Baker Mayfield throws a pass in the 1st half

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.

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Mayfield says the Buccaneers, currently on a winning streak, must improve their performance in the final games to secure a playoff spot

Baker Mayfield looks to throw in the 2nd half

Baker Mayfield has already tied his career high for touchdown passes in a season, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have won three straight games, moving to the top of the NFC South standings.

Mayfield is working to lead the Buccaneers (7-6) to their fourth consecutive division title, but he believes they will need to play even better in the coming weeks, not just to secure a playoff spot, but to make a strong run in the postseason.

“We will take wins. I don’t really care how it looks,” Mayfield said after a messy 28-13 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders, which put Tampa Bay back above .500 after struggling through a stretch where they lost five of six games.

“But offensively, we will have to be a lot more consistent for us to be able to make this push that we want to do, and we know that,” Mayfield added. “There is a lot of ball left, and we have to continue to get better.”

Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns against the Raiders but also committed three turnovers in the first half, which allowed Las Vegas to stay close until the fourth quarter.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his touchdown in the 1st half

This is the third straight season the Buccaneers have needed a strong finish to recover from a midseason slump and give themselves a chance to return to the playoffs.

Mayfield has thrown for 28 touchdowns, matching the total he achieved last year while revitalizing his career with Tampa Bay.

The Bucs, with a 7-1 record in December/January games dating back to last season, are the only NFC team to make the playoffs in each of the last four seasons.

“We’ve got four weeks to play. We’re happy to be playing meaningful football in December. We understand what that means,” coach Todd Bowles said. “We have to go out every week and try to squeeze out these games, but it feels good.”

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NFL (American Football)

Raiders quarterback O’Connell exits game versus Buccaneers due to knee injury

Aidan O’Connell is taken off the field after an injury

Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell was taken off the field on a cart after injuring his knee in the second half of Sunday’s 28-13 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The injury occurred after O’Connell threw an 8-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers on third down. Bucs defensive lineman Calijah Kancey chased O’Connell out of the pocket and pushed him from behind after the pass was thrown. Kancey was not penalized for the hit.

The Raiders have not commented on the severity of the injury. “It doesn’t look good… We asked (the medical staff) per usual… and will see what (the report) comes back like on Monday or Tuesday,” said Raiders coach Antonio Pierce about O’Connell’s status. “Prayers to him. I pray for a speedy recovery,” Kancey added. “I hope everything’s good on their end. I definitely took a knee and prayed for him.”

O’Connell left the game with the Raiders trailing 14-10, and Desmond Ridder replaced him on the next series. O’Connell, who had a career-high 340 yards and two touchdowns the previous week, was 11 of 19 for 104 yards and threw a costly interception on a 16-play drive in the third quarter. He also scored the Raiders’ only touchdown on a 1-yard run in the second quarter.

Aidan O’Connell is taken off the field after an injury1

Ridder led the Raiders on a field-goal drive in the fourth quarter and finished the game 12 of 18 for 101 yards. With O’Connell’s injury uncertain, Ridder may be the starting quarterback for the Raiders’ next game on Monday, Dec. 16, at home against his former team, the Atlanta Falcons.

“I’m excited and ready to go. … We’ve got to find a way to go out there and be able to execute on offense, defense, and special teams to be able to go out there and get a win,” Ridder said.

Las Vegas (2-11) has lost nine consecutive games. “I’m grateful for any time I’m able to be in this position… We know it’s a Monday Night game. We know, for myself personally, what the game will mean,” Ridder said. “But I’m excited and ready to get back to work.”

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NFL (American Football)

Baker Mayfield throws three touchdown passes as the Buccaneers claim the top spot in the NFC South with a 28-13 victory over the Raiders

Baker Mayfield passes in the 2nd half

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back above .500 and are aiming for their fourth straight NFC South title. They hope to continue their success with a three-game winning streak that has brought them to the top of the division after a tough stretch where they lost five out of six games.

“It’s one thing getting to first place. It’s a whole other thing staying there,” said coach Todd Bowles after a 28-13 win over the struggling Las Vegas Raiders on Sunday. “We’ve got four games left. It’s going to be a battle all the way through. We have to come ready every week.”

Baker Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, leading the Buccaneers to their third straight win against a last-place team, putting them ahead of the fading Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South. The Falcons, who hold a tiebreaker advantage over the Bucs after sweeping their season series, have now lost four games in a row.

“It doesn’t have to be pretty. Obviously, there are a lot of things that I would personally like to have back, but it’s a resilient group. We play for each other,” Mayfield said. “Guys step up when other people go down and that’s what football is all about. It teaches you life lessons.”

Aidan O’Connell passes the ball in the 1st half

Mayfield threw touchdown passes of 15 yards and 29 yards to rookie Jalen McMillan. Rachaad White also scored on a 5-yard reception and a 3-yard run. The Buccaneers pulled away in the second half after Raiders quarterback Aidan O’Connell left the game with a knee injury that coach Antonio Pierce described as serious. O’Connell was carted off the field after being knocked to the ground by Buccaneers defensive lineman Calijah Kancey late in the third quarter.

O’Connell had just completed an 8-yard pass to Jakobi Meyers when Kancey chased him out of the pocket and shoved him from behind. Kancey was not penalized for a late hit.

“Prayers to him. I pray for a speedy recovery,” Kancey said. “I hope everything’s good on their end. I definitely took a knee and prayed for him.”

White rushed for 90 yards on 17 carries, including a touchdown run in the fourth quarter that put Tampa Bay up 21-10. McMillan’s second touchdown, following an 80-yard drive, made the game out of reach after the Raiders managed a field goal to make it 21-13 with three minutes left.

The Raiders, now on a nine-game losing streak, have the most losses in the NFL.

“I appreciate the effort, the grit, the fight,” Pierce said. “Listen, it’s tough. And these guys, they’re not flinching or blinking. They still believe. … All of those guys are fighting until the very end. Proud of the effort.”

Jalen McMillan runs into the endzone in 2nd half

Mayfield had a rough first half, turning the ball over three times, which allowed the Raiders to stay close. O’Connell fumbled one play after Mayfield threw his first interception. However, a few plays later, Raiders linebacker Amari Burney sacked Mayfield and forced another fumble, which led to a 1-yard touchdown run by O’Connell, cutting the Bucs’ lead to 14-7.

The fumble recovery by Tre’von Moehrig was the first of the season for the Raiders’ defense. Jack Jones also intercepted Mayfield in the end zone, denying him a chance to extend the lead before halftime.

Raiders tight end Brock Bowers, who came into the game leading the NFL in receptions with 84, had three catches for 49 yards and broke the record for receptions in a season by a rookie tight end. Sam LaPorta had 86 catches for the Detroit Lions in 2023.

“It’s cool, but it would be cooler with some more wins,” Bowers said.

“He’s having a great individual year,” Pierce added. “I wish it could lead to more success for our team.”

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NFL (American Football)

Mike Evans’ One-Handed Touchdown Sparks Buccaneers’ Pivotal Win Against Panthers in NFC South Matchup

Mike Evans
Mike Evans (NFL)

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ offense had a slower start compared to the previous week, beginning with an unproductive opening drive that led to a punt. However, their fortunes changed during their second possession, as they methodically advanced down the field with a determined effort. The drive set the tone for what would become a pivotal performance in their NFC South matchup against the Carolina Panthers.

A crucial moment came when the Buccaneers faced a 4th-and-1 situation deep in Panthers territory. Head coach Todd Bowles decided to gamble, opting to go for the first down. The move paid off as running back Rachaad White leaped over the defensive line to secure a new set of downs, bringing the Bucs closer to the end zone and maintaining the momentum of their drive.

Mike Evans
Mike Evans (NFL)

The Panthers appeared poised to hold firm on defense, but wide receiver Mike Evans drew a defensive pass interference (DPI) penalty that placed the ball just short of the goal line. Shortly after, Evans found himself in single coverage. Quarterback Baker Mayfield seized the opportunity, targeting Evans, who made a spectacular play to capitalize on the advantageous matchup.

Evans showcased his elite athleticism and body control, making an acrobatic one-handed touchdown catch to give the Buccaneers an early lead. The stunning grab highlighted Evans’ immense talent and provided a key spark for Tampa Bay in a game with significant playoff implications.

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NFL (American Football)

McLaughlin’s overtime field goal lifts the Bucs to a 26-23 victory over the Panthers

Baker Mayfield passes in the 1st half

Baker Mayfield was scared he had torn his Achilles tendon when Jadeveon Clowney stepped on the back of his right ankle in the third quarter. For a moment, he thought his season might be over.

Fortunately for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, it turned out to be less serious. Mayfield returned to the game after missing only two plays, leading four more scoring drives. The Bucs won 26-23 in overtime against the Carolina Panthers, thanks to a 30-yard field goal from Chase McLaughlin. With the win, the Buccaneers moved into a tie for first place in the NFC South.

“Honestly, it scared the daylights out of me,” Mayfield said. “I’ve seen some people pop their Achilles before and they say it feels like you get cleated in the back. Obviously not knowing what had happened, I thought that’s what I did. It was a little painful, but I got taped up again and went back out there.”

Bucky Irving ran for a career-high 152 yards and a touchdown for the Bucs (6-6), who are now tied with Atlanta at the top of the division. Mayfield finished the game 21 of 33 for 235 yards, with one touchdown and two interceptions.

Carolina Panthers players celebrate after scoring in the 1st half

He improved to 4-0 against the Panthers, the team that cut him in 2022. Mike Evans had five catches for 118 yards, including a one-handed grab for a 1-yard touchdown catch.

“Mike’s a grown man,” Mayfield said. “I don’t know how he caught that ball. He’s proven time and time again for 11 years that he can do it.”

In overtime, the Panthers, led by Bryce Young, were moving into position for a game-winning score. Adam Thielen made a one-handed grab to get into Tampa Bay territory. However, on the next play, Chuba Hubbard fumbled, and Mayfield took over.

Mayfield connected with Evans for 21 yards, and then Rashaad White ran for 38 yards to the Carolina 10-yard line, setting up McLaughlin’s fourth field goal of the game.

“The football gods were kind to us,” Bucs coach Todd Bowles said. “The first half of the season, we wouldn’t have finished that one out. We did a heck of a job fighting back all game. It was a tough game. They played tough. We played tough. We made mistakes in the first half of the season and, this game, we pulled it out. We learned some mental toughness.”

The loss guaranteed the Panthers (3-9) their seventh straight losing season. A disappointed Hubbard sat on the Carolina bench for several minutes after the game while his teammates headed to the locker room.

“I hold myself to a high standard and we are trying to change things around here and that’s not helping with anything,” Hubbard said. “So I’ve got to be better and all I can do is just work. It happened and I have to grow from it.”

Young was 26 of 46 passing for 298 yards. He led a 60-yard drive, ending with a 25-yard touchdown pass to Thielen, which gave the Panthers a 23-20 lead with 30 seconds left in regulation. The stadium was buzzing with excitement.

Bryce Young passes in the 1st half

However, in overtime, Young didn’t attempt to jump on Hubbard’s fumble, which was a mistake similar to a costly decision by Cam Newton in the Panthers’ Super Bowl 50 loss to the Denver Broncos.

“It was a reaction,” Young said, offering no further explanation.

Panthers coach Dave Canales said he’s happy with Young’s progress but noted the team’s mistakes in the loss.

“We have to put together a full complement of quarters, a full four quarters to become the team that we want to become,” Canales said.

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NFL (American Football)

Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers aim to maintain their momentum as they face the Panthers and former coordinator Dave Canales

Baker Mayfield passes in the 2nd half

Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are hoping to make a push for their fourth straight NFC South title.

But former offensive coordinator Dave Canales is standing in their way.

The Buccaneers (5-6) are one game behind the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL’s weakest division, heading into Sunday’s matchup against the Carolina Panthers (3-8). The Panthers hired Canales as their head coach after he helped revive Mayfield’s career last season.

“Dave, being the optimist bully that he is, just always ‘the sun is going to shine again’ and has that belief in the next play,” Mayfield said. “It was weird. It was rare that you see a coach that actually embodied that ‘next play is the most important one’ we’re-never-out-of-the-fight type mentality. He took that literal, day to day, so it was a different kind of energy than I think anybody had been around but it was good for everybody.”

The Buccaneers are coming off a 30-7 win over the New York Giants and now have star wide receiver Mike Evans back, which will boost their passing game. The Bucs lost their other top wide receiver, Chris Godwin, earlier this year to a season-ending dislocated left ankle.

Dave Canales talsk to Bryce Young in the 2nd half of the game

Mayfield, who played for the Panthers in 2022 before being released midseason, led the Buccaneers to a sweep of Carolina last year.

The Panthers hired Canales to help develop young quarterback Bryce Young.

Canales benched Young two weeks into the season, but the 2023 No. 1 NFL pick regained the starting job after veteran Andy Dalton went down with a thumb injury and has played better since. The Panthers won two straight games and last Sunday nearly defeated the two-time Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs, losing 30-27.

Canales still hasn’t committed to Young as the team’s long-term quarterback but has been encouraged by his recent progress.

“Just the progress that we’re looking for as he continues to earn these moments, then, yeah, he’ll be in there,” Canales said. “And that’s what I’ve been most excited about is, is that there’s weekly growth that’s happening. And so, we’re just taking it a week at a time. I know that’s been my language, but he’s really taking responsibility for it and pushing us that way.

“And so, the bottom line is, he’s giving us a chance to win.”

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NFL (American Football)

The confident Buccaneers prepare for the final stretch of the season with an easier schedule ahead

Baker Mayfield celebrates with fans after an NFL football game

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are focused on staying grounded and not getting ahead of themselves.

Sunday’s 30-7 win over the New York Giants kicked off a seven-game stretch to end the regular season, where the Bucs (5-6) will face six teams with losing records.

The victory after their bye week ended a four-game losing streak and brought the three-time defending NFC South champions to within one game of first-place Atlanta in the division.

Since the Falcons swept the season series, the Bucs are effectively two games behind Atlanta with six games remaining.

While they’re in a good spot to chase their fifth straight playoff appearance, they can’t take it for granted just because they have an easier schedule ahead.

“We’re hoping it builds confidence. We have belief that we’re still sitting and controlling our own destiny,” quarterback Baker Mayfield said about the win over the Giants.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his touchdown in the 1st half

“But it’s not just going to happen,” Mayfield added. “So, we have to take it one week at a time. And you find the recipe for success within your work week. … You try to emulate that week after week and continue to build it.”

The Los Angeles Chargers, who entered Monday night’s game against Baltimore with a 7-3 record, are the only team left on Tampa Bay’s schedule with a winning record.

The Bucs will play division rival Carolina (3-8) twice in the next six weeks. They’ll also host Las Vegas (2-9) and New Orleans (4-7) and travel to play the Chargers and Dallas Cowboys (4-7).

“We can’t get comfortable,” rookie running back Bucky Irving said. “We just got to keep our foot on the gas and keep running.”

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NFL (American Football)

Baker Mayfield taunts Tommy DeVito’s celebration as the Buccaneers dominate the Giants 30-7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers celebrates his touchdown in the 1st half

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield embarrassed the struggling Giants with both his passing and running. To make matters worse for New York, he also mocked Tommy DeVito, a fan favorite for the Giants, by copying his celebratory dance after scoring a touchdown.

Mayfield dashed into the end zone on a stunning 10-yard scramble, one of Tampa Bay’s four rushing touchdowns, as the Buccaneers defeated the Giants and their new starting quarterback, DeVito, 30-7 on Sunday. This win ended a four-game losing streak for the Buccaneers, while New York extended its losing streak to six.

Before the game, both teams were underperforming and coming off bye weeks. Much of the attention had been on the Giants’ decision to bench and release quarterback Daniel Jones. DeVito, a confident and outspoken player, was named the starter, hoping to provide a spark for coach Brian Daboll’s team as he did last season.

Tommy DeVito throws a pass in the 1st half

However, it was Mayfield who brought the energy, both with his impressive play and his mocking of DeVito.

“Tribute to Tommy,” said Mayfield with a serious face, after completing 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. “He’s a good dude, that’s why. Most of the time, I don’t know what I’m going to do. It’s spontaneous.”

Mayfield was asked multiple times about the celebration and admitted he wanted to give Giants fans something they could relate to. He also mentioned meeting DeVito at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas in February.

“He had his chain blinged out, swag walking through the casino. It was awesome,” Mayfield said. “It was like a movie scene, honestly.”

DeVito, on the other hand, failed to spark the NFL’s lowest-scoring offense. He threw for 189 yards, mostly in the second half, as New York was well on its way to another loss at home, where they have yet to win this season.

Meanwhile, the Buccaneers dominated every part of the game in a near-perfect performance. They had touchdown runs of 1 yard by Sean Tucker, 6 yards by Bucky Irving, and another 1-yard run by Rachaad White. After losing to the Ravens, 49ers, and Chiefs, Tampa Bay (5-6) closed the gap to just one game behind Atlanta in the NFC South.

“We’re hoping it builds confidence,” Mayfield said. “We have a belief that we are still sitting and controlling our own destiny.”

Tampa Bay scored on five of their first six possessions, jumping to a 30-0 lead. None was more exciting than Mayfield’s touchdown run with just 12 seconds left in the first half. On a second-and-goal from the 10-yard line, he avoided pressure and sprinted for the end zone. He was hit by Cor’Dale Flott low and Dru Phillips high around the 2-yard line, but he stayed airborne as he crossed the goal line. The ball came loose when he hit the ground, but Mayfield jumped up and flexed his muscles in DeVito’s style as the Buccaneers took a 23-0 lead.

DeVito said that players discussed the celebration in the locker room, but he did not see it himself.

Coach Brian Daboll was asked about Mayfield’s celebration and said Mayfield played well, but he insisted that the Giants’ poor performance had nothing to do with Jones being released.

Sean Tucker celebrates in the 1st half

“No excuse on that,” Daboll said, with his job on the line despite making the playoffs in 2022. “We just didn’t do a good enough job.”

“We played soft, and they beat the (expletive) out of us,” defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence added.

Mayfield’s top target, Mike Evans, returned to the lineup after missing three games with a hamstring injury. He caught five passes for 68 yards. Bucky Irving also had a strong game, rushing for 87 yards and catching six passes for 64 yards.

The Buccaneers defense limited the Giants to just three first downs and 45 yards in the first half, finishing with 450 yards to the Giants’ 245.

DeVito had a 17-yard run in the fourth quarter to set up a 1-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary. The bold New Jersey native was sacked four times, including once in the fourth quarter, forcing him to leave the game for one play.

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NFL (American Football)

Mayfield Leads Buccaneers to Christmas Victory, NFC South Title within Reach

Mayfield Leads Buccaneers to Christmas Victory, NFC South Title within Reach
Mayfield Leads Buccaneers to Christmas Victory, NFC South Title within Reach (Credits: The Boston Globe)

Fresh off a 30-12 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Christmas Eve, marking their fourth consecutive win, Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield expressed his satisfaction with the team’s rapidly improving offense, which has averaged 31 points per game over the past three weeks. Reflecting on the team’s recent success, Mayfield remarked, “It’s a hell of a lot better than the last five years. I can say that.”

Mayfield’s stellar performance included 283 passing yards and three touchdowns, propelling the Buccaneers to an 8-7 record and placing them one victory away from securing an NFC South title. This unexpected turn of events adds an exciting twist to Mayfield’s career, which saw him play for four different teams in the last calendar year, culminating in a one-year, prove-it signing with the Buccaneers last offseason. Both the team, striving to fill the void left by Tom Brady, and Mayfield, eager to revive his once-promising career, seem to be emerging as big winners.

Mayfield
Mayfield

Expressing his desire to continue with the Buccaneers, Mayfield praised the city, the team, and the organization. However, discussions about a contract extension have not taken place yet, according to sources. Mayfield acknowledged the importance of winning games and hinted that contract discussions would likely happen after the season.

Coach Todd Bowles commended Mayfield’s outstanding performance, especially in December, emphasizing the significance of a quarterback playing well during a crucial period in the season. Mayfield’s connection with receiver Mike Evans has been a highlight throughout the season, and against the Jaguars, seven different receiving targets caught passes, showcasing the quarterback’s growing comfort in airing out the ball.

The defense, operating at full strength, delivered one of its best performances of the season. Safety Antoine Winfield Jr. achieved a rare feat by recording a sack, interception, and a fumble recovery in a single game, while rookie outside linebacker YaYa Diaby stood out with 1.5 sacks, two tackles for a loss, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Inside linebackers Devin White and Lavonte David also made impactful contributions.

With the Buccaneers’ playoff chances dramatically improving from 23% to 84%, they now have a strong opportunity to not only secure a playoff spot but also clinch the NFC South title. A potential division-clinching game awaits against the New Orleans Saints, and due to the Saints’ recent loss to the Los Angeles Rams, the Buccaneers only need to win one of their remaining games to seal the division. Mayfield emphasized the team’s strong focus on closing out the season, starting with the upcoming game against the Saints.

While Mayfield admitted to breaking his own rule by asking Santa Claus for a win, he expressed gratitude for the victory and looked forward to another one. Coach Bowles, equally pleased with the team’s performance, humorously stated that it’s shaping up to be a “great Christmas” and joked about avoiding cookies to stay focused on the team’s success.

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NFL (American Football)

Nick Sirianni Says the Eagles are Still Getting Better Even though They’ve Won All Three of their Games

Nick Sirianni Says the Eagles are Still Getting Better Even though They've Won All Three of their Games
Eagles coach Nick Sirianni (Credits: NJ.com)

On Monday night, the Philadelphia Eagles won a match they played with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a score of 25-11. The Eagles got a total of 472 yards, including 201 from running the ball, and they got 27 first downs. Even though they did well, some people still have concerns about their offense.

The Eagles had a very difficult time getting touchdowns. On their first try, they got stuck at the 14-yard line and could not score. Then, on their next try, they only tried to get a field goal when they were at the 18-yard line.

They struggled when they were close to the end zone, and the passing part of their game was up and down. Even though Jalen Hurts wasn’t feeling well with flu-like symptoms, he threw two passes that got caught by the other team.

Nick Sirianni Says the Eagles are Still Getting Better Even though They've Won All Three of their Games
Nick Sirianni (Credits: Cleveland)

It is a sign of a monster program that Philadelphia can dismantle opponents even though they have not played their best for three weeks. “It’s a growing process. “We are not there yet,” Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni said after Monday’s game. “Right now, everyone wants us to be a finished product, but it’s growth.”

We only play our best football at the beginning of the season because we want to improve every day. We still have work to do and growth to do. If you really have the mindset of getting better every day, and I know we’re on this team, if you really have the mindset of getting better every day, you’re going to keep growing… We will continue to get better and better.

Great NFL teams spend the first part of the season understanding what their lineup does best that year and then freeze over time. Top clubs rack up wins.

I am Happy with Where We Are

“Are we playing our best attacking football right now? No, it should not happen yet. It’s growth,” Sirianni added. “Every team is improving, but no one is playing the best football they should be playing right now.” I am happy with where we are.

The Eagles are built to dominate in the trenches. Week after week, they dominated the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. The rest of the D-line, including rookies Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Josh Sweat, and Brandon Graham, crushed the Bucks on Monday night.

I am Happy with Where We are
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (Credits: NFL)

The O-line, including Jason Kelce, Lane Johnson, Cam Jurgens, and Jordan Mailata, controlled the game, finishing the game with a ridiculous 15-play, 9-minute, 22-second drive.

The ability to win against big, ugly opponents masks injuries in the secondary and issues with a passing attack that has not really taken off yet.

“Win or lose, I do not think I’ll ever be satisfied,” Hurts said Monday. “That is always the mentality. So no matter if you win, lose, or draw, there’s always the drive to get better.”

Philadelphia has won all three of their games so far this season, just like two other teams. And guess what? They can still get even better. That might make the other teams in their group a little nervous.