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BY IRA KAUFMAN

Look out, Atlanta.

With Sunday’s dominant effort at the Meadowlands, the Buccaneers announced their intentions of chasing down the slumping Falcons atop the NFC South. The rest of the schedule appears favorable for Tampa Bay, although the upcoming Panthers are playing some good football.

If the Bucs win five of their remaining six games to finish 10-7, the Falcons will need to go at least 4-2 to win the division. Given Atlanta’s shaky play in recent weeks, that looks like a stretch.

The Bucs took command early in the swamps of Jersey and made quick work of the 2-9 Giants. The offense and defense took turns squeezing the life out of New York — sending frustrated Giant fans speeding toward the exits.

It was a complete performance, snapping a 4-game losing streak and giving the Bucs added confidence they can make a late-season surge for the second consecutive year.

Baker Mayfield was virtually flawless, Mike Evans made his presence felt and rookie Bucky Irving was sensational. The offensive line provided sturdy protection and opened up big holes as Tampa Bay rolled up 450 yards.

Not to be outdone, a beleaguered defense was not going to suffer a letdown against Tommy DeVito, who was sacked four times and hit on nine occasions.

Vita Vea, Calijah Kancey, YaYa Diaby and Anthony Nelson were dynamic up front while the arrival of Mike Edwards seemed to have a calming effect on a secondary that played with more physicality and precision.

The Bucs delivered a first-half clinic that left no doubt about the outcome.

En route to a 23-0 halftime lead, Tampa Bay owned a 17-3 advantage in first downs and a 290-45 difference in total yards while limiting the Giants to a mere 18 snaps.

Eighteen.

All this without stud left tackle Tristan Wirfs, who might be ready for Carolina.

It may have been one of the best halves of Buccaneer football since the opening 30 minutes of the 2003 Super Bowl against the Raiders. Liam Coen kept New York’s defense off balance while the bye week gave Todd Bowles an opportunity to self-scout his defensive woes.

The improvement was startling.

DeVito never had a chance as a strong pass rush threw off his rhythm. Bowles timed his blitzes well and New York’s suspect offensive line was overwhelmed.

Meanwhile, Mayfield had ample time to survey the field and go through his progressions. On the few occasions protection broke down, Mayfield used his legs and toughness to punish the Giants, highlighted by an acrobatic TD run.

The Giants are a lousy team going through the motions, but that doesn’t diminish how well the visitors played on a crisp fall afternoon.

You want to quibble? Here’s one: why was Mayfield still in the game late in the fourth quarter, especially after he was dinged up in a collision with Luke Goedeke?

That’s right, you really have to nitpick if you’re looking for things that need to be corrected before the Bucs head off to Charlotte.

Here’s how the Bucs returned to the winning track with a 30-7 rout that surely grabbed the attention of the 6-5 Falcons:

* I pleaded for Irving to receive 18 touches from scrimmage — and 18 touches he was granted. All he did was gain 87 yards on the ground and catch all six passes sent his way for an additional 64 yards. You want big plays? How about a 56-yard run and a 32-yard reception? This kid makes the kind of sharp cuts you can’t teach … and he’s only getting started. Mark him down for 1,000 rushing yards in 2025. On second thought, he may get there this year.

* It’s not easy to find a Buccaneer who didn’t play well. Chris Izien led all Tampa Bay defenders with 10 tackles and Zyon McCollum also had a good day. Mayfield probably deserved the game ball, but he had plenty of competition.

* Memo to Sean Tucker: Work on those new kickoff rules.

* Even with Wirfs sidelined, the Bucs built a secure pocket for Mayfield. He threw 30 passes and wasn’t sacked. Heck, he was hit only twice. Don’t look now, but Goedeke deserves Pro Bowl consideration at right tackle.

* Remember when the Bucs had major issues scoring touchdowns in the opening half? Those days are OVER.

* We’ll never know for sure, but the return of Evans seemed to open things up for some big plays. The Bucs gained at least 26 yards on six different snaps Sunday while the offensively challenged Giants had only two snaps that went for more than 17 yards.

* Even the most ardent Bowles skeptics have to admit the Bucs were geeked to play well coming off the bye. Tampa Bay fans deserved a laugher after a grim month.

* Besides his scoring run, Mayfield led the downfield blocking on Irving’s 56-yard burst. His enthusiasm for the game is contagious. He may not have Josh Allen’s arm, but Mayfield plays with the same abandon. He’s the leader of this team, period.

* The Giants have scored the fewest points in the league and DeVito gets sacked a lot, but Tampa Bay’s defense played with noticeably more energy and aggression. They’ll have to maintain that attitude the rest of the way to have any chance for a fourth consecutive NFC South title.

* The Falcons hear those pewter footsteps rumbling up I-75. Raheem Morris often talks about a “Race to 10” in describing what it will take to make the playoffs. Count the Bucs out at your own peril.