The Bucs are flying towards the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeated the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17 on Sunday to continue their playoff push.
It is almost impossible to believe that just a few weeks ago, Tampa Bay was 4-6 and almost down and out of the playoffs.
The high flying Atlanta Falcons were 6-3, before losing four straight games, during which time the Bucs won four straight.
The Bucs are on a hot streak, and as Pat McAfee said: “This Buccaneers team could beat anybody.”
The game started off well, with an opening drive touchdown for the Bucs, their seventh of the season – tied for most in the NFL with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Chargers responded with a touchdown of their own, and then the issues started to plague the Bucs.
Another Baker Mayfield interception and a fumble meant the Chargers were up 17-13 at half time.
It seemed like it was going to be another one of those games for the Bucs. Start off strong, then slowly drop off a cliff.
This was nowhere near true however, as the Bucs scored 23-straight points and shut out the Chargers in the second half.
The number one defence in the NFL, the Chargers, had not conceded more than 30 points all season.
Against the Bucs, they conceded 40. More than in their previous two games combined.
Mayfield, Evans and Irving shine again
Mike Evans had himself one of his best games in recent years, with 159 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 17.7 yards per catch.
If he can get average roughly 84 yards per game in his last three games, he will once again break 1,000 yards receiving on the season, for the 11th straight year.
Rookie Bucky Irving was also very impressive, with another 100+ yard rushing game, bringing his total on the year to 852 yards.
He needs just under 50 yards a game to get over 1,000 yards in his first NFL season, and he is turning out to be one of the biggest bargains of the 2024 Draft.
Mayfield threw for another four touchdowns, bringing his total on the year up to 32, just behind Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow.
At 8-6, the Bucs are now in a very solid position to make the playoffs. The tables have truly turned.
Kirk Cousins once again looked shaky in the Falcons’ win over the hapless Las Vegas Raiders. Atlanta did squeak out a 15-9 win, but almost lost the game in the final seconds.
The Falcons now have just a 36% chance of making the playoffs according to the NFL. The New York Times gives them a 24% chance.
Conversely, the Bucs have better odds at 83% according to the NFL, and 87% according to the New York Times.
The Bucs still have their destiny in their own hands, and a win against the Dallas Cowboys next week will all-but secure the division once again.
