About a month in the past, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield famous that Mike Evans’ 1,000-yard streak was necessary to the group, however Evans cares about profitable.
Mayfield leaned on Evans throughout Sunday’s recreation in opposition to the Chargers and it labored out nicely, as Tampa Bay defeated Los Angeles 40-17.
Evans completed the sport with 159 yards on 9 catches with two touchdowns. That provides him 749 yards on the season with three video games left.
Both scores got here within the third quarter — the primary a 57-yard catch-and-run, the second a 35-yard seed from Mayfield that Evans caught in the long run zone.
It was one of the best day any group has had in opposition to the Chargers’ protection this season, with Los Angeles surrendering a season-high 40 factors. The membership beforehand hadn’t allowed greater than 30 factors all yr.
Mayfield completed 22-of-27 for 288 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception. Bucky Irving had 117 yards on 15 carries whereas Rachaad White had 64 yards on 15 carries.
Though the Chargers led 17-10 halfway by way of the second quarter, the remainder of the sport was all Buccaneers, scoring the sport’s ultimate 30 factors. Tampa Bay ended the day with 505 complete yards, 24 first downs, and 9-of-15 on third down.
On the opposite aspect, Justin Herbert was closely pressured within the second half and ultimately was taken out of the sport within the fourth quarter as Los Angeles has a brief week upcoming. Herbert completed 21-of-33 for 195 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was his first choose since Week 2, going 357 passing makes an attempt with out throwing one.
The Chargers couldn’t run the ball both, ending with simply 32 yards within the class.
Los Angeles had simply 14 first downs, 207 complete yards, and had been 0-of-6 on third down.
The 8-6 Buccaneers are nonetheless in first place within the NFC South and are set to tackle the Cowboys subsequent Sunday night time on the highway.
Also at 8-6, the Chargers will host the division-rival Broncos on Thursday night time in an necessary recreation for the AFC playoff race.
