Baker Mayfield, Bucs redeem themselves by embarrassing Panthers in Week 17
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in complete control of its playoff destiny at this point a week ago and then they laid an egg on national TV against the Dallas Cowboys.Not only did it drop the Bucs to No. 2 in the NFC South race, it dropped them completely out of the playoff hunt. It was […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were in complete control of its playoff destiny at this point a week ago and then they laid an egg on national TV against the Dallas Cowboys.
Not only did it drop the Bucs to No. 2 in the NFC South race, it dropped them completely out of the playoff hunt. It was a disappointing loss that could end up keeping the Bucs out of the playoffs when it's all said and done and it also left them with a must-win matchup against the Carolina Panthers in Week 17.
The Panthers gave the Bucs all sorts of hell back in Week 13 and frankly, they should've won the game. So Sunday's game was no guaranteed, even if Tampa Bay was favored by more than a touchdown at home.
Well, after a good but also shaky first half, the Bucs absolutely throttled the Panthers in Raymond James Stadium. It was an all-around effort, too. Baker Mayfield and the offense went off for 41-points and 551 total net yards on 74 plays, which came out to an average of 7.4 yards per play. The defense shut out Bryce Young and co. in the second half and allowed just 204 total net yards while sacking Young five times and holding the offense to 2-of-9 on third down.
Even the special teams got in on the fun by blocking a punt and returning it for a touchdown. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka came flying in from the defensive left and completely foiled Johnny Hekker's attempt by laying out and blocking it with his arms. The moment occurred as a duck landed on the field of play, which made the moment even more entertaining than it already was.
Baker Mayfield just ripped the Panthers defense to shreds
Both sides of the ball stood out on Sunday, but it was Mayfield who shined the brightest. He finished the game 27-of-32 for 359-yards and five touchdowns. It was a clinic in terms of quarterback play and he finished with a 153.0 QB rating on top of completing passes to nine different players – four of which recorded 50 or more receiving yards.
"It starts with the guys up front. I thought they protected extremely well. And then, obviously, our passing game we had some guys running pretty open. So [credit] goes to the staff, and then guys were making plays," Mayfield told reporters after the game.
"So everybody was detailed. You know, obviously we'd like to have a few more touchdowns in the first half instead of settling for field goals. But yeah, guys were on point."
Bucs rookies play a huge role in the win
Man, does this draft class have the potential to be Jason Licht's second-best class since he's been general manager of the Bucs. I don't think anything will top the Tristan Wirfs-Antoine Winfield Jr. pairing of 2020, but from top-to-bottom, this one certainly has potential to finish at the top.
Bucky Irving has been a star since pretty much the first week of the regular season and continues to provide a playmaking spark that we haven't seen from a Bucs running back in quite some time. Tykee Smith locked up the nickel job before the year started. Graham Barton should be a quality starter for the foreseeable future and Jalen McMillan is getting better each and every week.
Even Devin Culp and Chris Braswell made plays against the Panthers and showed why the Bucs drafted them back in March. Culp caught three passes for 52-yards on four targets and Braswell recorded his first career sack.
If the Bucs make the playoffs, these guys will have to make plays if they want to win a game or make a run.
The Bucs put together one of their best all-around efforts of the year on Sunday, but still need help when it comes to accomplishing the overall goal of winning the division and making the playoffs.
We'll see if the Commanders can give them a hand on Sunday night when they play the Falcons.
