Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers appear to be rolling toward the NFC South title. Mayfield completed 25 of 34 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns for a 116.3 rating as the Buccaneers cruised to a 30-12 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars in a battle of first-place teams.
Tampa Bay leads the NFC South by a game over the Atlanta Falcons and New Orleans Saints with two games to play, looking more than the best team in a poor division. The Buccaneers scored on their first six possessions (not counting the end of the half) and took a commanding 30-0 lead in a game that was essentially decided when Mayfield found Mike Evans on a 2-yard pass early in the second quarter to put Tampa Bay up double digits.
The Buccaneers made life miserable for Trevor Lawrence, who had two interceptions in the first half and a fumble in the third quarter. Lawrence left the game with a shoulder injury (he was essentially a game-time decision with a high ankle sprain), adding even more trouble for a quarterback that has eight giveaways in his last three games. The Buccaneers defense forced three turnovers and allowed only 305 yards of offense, the majority coming after Lawrence left the game in the second half.
The Jaguars lead the AFC South by tiebreaker, but have lost four in a row with their season spiraling out of control. Tampa Bay will have some NFC South-clinching scenarios next week with its fourth straight win.
Takeaways and a recap of this game are included in the live blog below!
A completely dominant effort by the Buccaneers on offense and defense. The offense scored on its first six possessions (not counting end of half) as Baker Mayfield went 22 of 29 for 238 yards and two touchdowns (122.5 rating) in the first three quarters. Mayfield was certainly protected has he wasn't sacked and had a clean pocket throughout the game.
The Buccaneers forced three turnovers and allowed 214 yards to the Jaguars during that stretch, with Jacksonville not scoring until it was 30-0. The game was already out of hand by that point.
Tampa Bay just dominated on both sides of the ball against a beaten up Jacksonville team.
Trevor Lawrence and his giveaway issues are becoming a major concern. Lawrence threw two interceptions in the first half that led to two touchdowns for the Buccaneers — a 14-point swing for Tampa Bay in what was a dominant first half for the Buccaneers defense. His fumble on a YaYa Diaby sack in the third quarterback also led to a Buccaneers touchdown — that's 21 points off giveaways.
Lawrence has eight giveaways (five interceptions and three fumbles in his last three games) and has 19 turnovers in 15 games. Unacceptable for a franchise quarterback.
Trevor Lawrence threw his first interception on third-and-15 on the Buccaneers' 47-yard line on Jacksonville's first possession with 4:09 left in the first quarter, a pass Devin White easily read that set the tone for the Jaguars defense — and Lawrence's day.
Lawrence actually had a fumble two plays earlier that resulted in a 5-yard loss, putting the Jaguars in that third-and-15 situation. Lawrence had plenty of giveaways on the day — and was clearly banged up heading into the game. The fumble and interception on the first possession was an indicator of Lawrence's day.
Baker Mayfield's second touchdown to Mike Evans was one of his best throws of the season, as the Buccaneers quarterback was running the two-minute drill and found Evans in double coverage for the score to put Tampa Bay up 20-0.
Mayfield was 6 of 7 for 70 yards on the two-minute offense as Tampa Bay was looking to extend its lead before half. Getting the snap off quick, Mayfield went to his first read and found a leaping Evans in the red zone for the touchdown.
Mayfield went 18 of 23 for 189 yards and two touchdowns while Evans had six catches for 76 yards and two scores in the first half. Their chemistry has bene on point all season, but Sunday may have been their finest performance.
"We gotta close out better. Complementary football, singular defense. That's how it needs to be. ... We're getting hot at the right time. We gotta take care of business." -- Baker Mayfield to CBS' Melanie Collins after the Buccaneers' victory.
The Buccaneers (8-7) play host to the Saints in Week 17 while the Jaguars host the Panthers (2-13). Both games are next Sunday.
That will do it from Tampa. The Buccaneers dominated in every phase of this game in a commanding 30-12 victory. This game actually wasn't as close as the score indicated, but Tampa bay has won four in a row and can clinch the NFC South next week (with some help). Jacksonville leads the AFC South, but has lost four straight.
Mayfield still in after CJ Beathard threw his first TD since 2020. Just been all dominance by Tampa Bay today, who will win its 4th straight. Jacksonville will still lead the AFC South, but will drop 4 in a row.
Kyle Trask might be in for Baker Mayfield, who appears to have a sore neck. It's 30-6 so no need to risk Mayfield at this point. Mayfield is 24 of 33 for 257 yards and two touchdowns. Phenomenal day.
Trevor Lawrence now has a shoulder injury and is ruled questionable to return. CJ Beathard is in for Jacksonville.
Another Lawrence turnover leads to another TD. 3 giveaways lead to 21 points for TB. This thing might be over. It's 27-0.
Yaya Diaby with a fumble recovery. Trevor Lawrence has three turnovers today -- looking like this will lead to more Tampa Bay points.
In his last six quarters, Baker Mayfield has completed 78.4% of his passes for 570 yards with 6 TD and 0 INT -- 11.2 YPA.
Mayfield is 18 of 23 for 189 yards and two touchdowns while Evans has six catches for 76 yards and two scores at halftime. The Jaguars were shut out in first half in back-to-back games for first time since Weeks 5-7 of the 2018 season (3 games). This is their largest halftime deficit in the Doug Pederson era.
The Buccaneers have scored on all three possessions thus far. Baker Mayfield is 12-of-16 for 119 yards and a touchdown as the team has 155 yards of offense. Tampa Bay has been efficient to this point.
Trevor Lawrence with his sixth giveaway in his last three games. Devin White, who has been criticized throughout the year, with the INT to stall that drive for JAX. Massive takeaway for TB.
Chase McLaughlin with the 24-yard FG to get the Buccaneers on the board. Mayfield was 5 of 6 for 59 yards on the opening drive. TB up 3-0.
That 22-yard pass from Baker Mayfield to Chris Godwin got Tampa Bay into the red zone. Good first drive thus far.
Tampa Bay gets the ball to start this one.
Calvin Ridley has 60 receptions on 109 targets this season (55% catch rate) - that's the 4th-lowest catch rate in the NFL (min. 100 targets). The Jaguars have to be more efficient in getting him the ball.
Baker Mayfield has completed 60.6% of his passes with 6 TD and 6 INT at home. Significantly different than on the road (65.6%, 15 TD, 3 INT). Buccaneers probably wish this was a road game.
Mike Evans needs 117 more receiving yards in his career to pass Calvin Johnson (11,619) on the all-time receiving yards list. Chris Godwin is also coming off his first 100-yard game last week. Both of Tampa's biggest playmakers are getting hot at the right time.
The Jaguars have to get their defense straightened out if they want to get back on the winning track. They have allowed 29.3 PPG & 425.3 Total YPG in their last 3 games (0-3 record).
Allowed 20.5 PPG & 342.4 Total YPG in first 11 games (8-3 record). Good thing they are 6-1 away form Jacksonville this year.
The Buccaneers inactives are also in:
QB John Wolford (3rd QB), LB J.J. Russell, DT Deadrin Senat, OLB Markees Watts, OL Brandon Walton.
Tampa Bay, on a 3-game win streak, is at full strength.
The Jaguars inactives are in!
WR Zay Jones, CB Gregory Junior, OLB Yasir Abdullah, OL Chandler Brewer, DT Angelo Blackson.
Yes as expected, Trevor Lawrence will play.
