Ira Kaufman’s 10 Takeaways From Bucs-Chargers
December 15th, 2024
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BY IRA KAUFMAN
It’s all about the streaks.
Where shall we start? How about Mike Evans? He entered Sunday’s matchup needing to average 102.5 yards in the final four games to keep his 1,000-yard streak alive.
With 159 yards and two TDs on his nine catches against the Chargers, Evans now needs to average 83.7 yards against the Cowboys, Panthers and Saints to reach 1,000 once again. That’s a far more manageable number for the future Hall of Famer.
Then we come to the strange case of Jamel Dean, who caught a Justin Herbert floater. That set off a celebration with teammates who perhaps had no idea that Dean had gone 37 consecutive games without an interception.
With those two streaks out of the way, we come to the most important one of all — a four-game run that lifted Tampa Bay to 8-6 and guarantees the Bucs will remain atop the NFC South for at least another week.
This 40-17 beatdown was a huge victory, but it wasn’t a shocking upset because the Bucs were only a slight underdog. What WAS shocking was how thoroughly Tampa Bay embarrassed a solid opponent in its own stadium, using a second-half blitz to send Charger fans back to La La Land wondering what they had just witnessed.
For the second time this season, both on the road, the Bucs won the second half 27-0, erasing deficits at New Orleans and at Los Angeles.
Baker Mayfield shook off a second-quarter pick to throw for four scores, posting a nifty passer rating of 135.3.
It marked the seventh time in 14 games that Mayfield has thrown at least three TD passes. His timing with Evans was exquisite and he added a few timely scrambles as well.
Jalen McMillan continued his late-season surge with five catches for 75 yards and a score while a marauding ground game bullied the NFL’s No. 1 scoring defense into submission.
Tampa Bay’s second-half defense, led by Lavonte David, suffocated Herbert and sent a fair-weather fan base scurrying for the clogged freeways.
Guess what? They had already seen enough wreckage.
Special teams joined the fun as Chase McLaughlin kicked four field goals and the Bucs, who have struggled to find a decent punter, didn’t need one.
They never punted in 11 possessions.
Down and seemingly out at 4-6, trailing Atlanta by essentially three games with only seven games remaining, the Bucs now have the look of a very dangerous team.
Behind a nasty, physical offensive line, they have proven they can run the ball effectively on anyone.
They overcame a pair of second-quarter giveaways and never flinched. The camaraderie of this young group is inspiring and Todd Bowles deserves credit for never flinching during a midseason tailspin.
Is it enough to silence the Bowles skeptics? Maybe not, but the Glazers sign the checks and they have to be impressed with a head coach who has his team playing winning football in December for the second consecutive season.
Here’s how the Bucs won the day in convincing style and amped up the pressure on the reeling Falcons, who play tomorrow night at the Raiders:
* Mayfield’s interception was poorly thrown amid poor judgment, but he more than made up for the gaffe with a spectacular TD pass to Evans down the left sidelines, Drifting to his left, Mayfield kept his eyes downfield and found Evans unguarded at the Chargers 35. Evans did the rest, bouncing off a defender and going the distance. Mayfield’s second scoring strike to Evans was one of his best throws of the season.
* An embattled defense is showing its pride and poise. During the 4-game winning streak, Tampa Bay has allowed only six touchdowns. On Sunday, the Chargers went 0-for-6 on third down and finished with 206 yards. Herbert was dropped three times and took a beating all afternoon before Jim Harbaugh mercifully pulled him.
* David was all over the field with 12 tackles, 1 1/2 sacks and three QB hits. If David wants to play in 2025, there’s no way the Bucs won’t bring him back. He’s far too valuable — on and off the field.
* Rookie center Graham Barton is struggling a bit but the rest of the O-line has been stellar. Joey Bosa and Khalil Mack just combined for three tackles and ZERO QB hits. Next up, Micah Parsons, who led a Dallas pass rush rush that just terrorized Bryce Young.
* Kudos to Bucky Irving, who shook off back and hip soreness to gouge the Chargers for 117 yards. Yes, the rookie seems to break off a long run in every game when he’s healthy. Rachaad White is also playing well in a Liam Coen offense that just rolled up 298 yards in the second half alone.
* Tykee Smith has a bright future, but he has missed some critical tackles on wide receivers this season, resulting in scores. He’ll need to clean up his technique the rest of the way.
* The Bucs averaged 7.6 yards on their 67 snaps against the Chargers. That’s a big number and Mayfield led the way by averaging almost 11 yards on his 27 pass attempts.
* Every Buc player got into the game and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone who didn’t contribute to a lopsided victory. Even Logan Hall came up big with 1 1/2 sacks.
* Even eight penalties for 83 yards couldn’t slow down this express train. It was the worst home setback for the Chargers since a 38-10 loss to the Jaguars in Week 3 of the 2022 season.
* Harbaugh appeared stunned during a brief appearance at the post-game podium. He didn’t quite know what to say, so he kept things simple. “We didn’t play well enough and we didn’t coach well enough,” he said. “It was pretty thorough … very thorough.”
Down the hall, the Bucs were proud of their effort, their character and their focus. Somewhere on their flight home, perhaps deep in the heart of Texas, players and coaches toasted to a job well done.
Buc Nation likely did the same.
December 15th, 2024 at 10:42 pm
you forgot about the human victory cigar kyle trask
December 15th, 2024 at 10:58 pm
Best team in NFC, that’s right I said it.
December 15th, 2024 at 11:04 pm
It’s been mentioned before but I still don’t think it’s mentioned enough: Bowles is terrific at defensive halftime adjustments. He figured out that Herbert couldn’t move at all, and had his rushers all rush to a point seven yards behind center, and not worry at all about contain.
It made it so easy for all the blitzers and edge rushers. Herbert couldn’t escape, so he had no choice but to throw to hot reads, which Bowles made sure there were defenders nearby to either defense them or tackle the receiver before the sticks.
As soon as it was obvious the Chargers could not run the ball, they simply had no answer.
December 15th, 2024 at 11:06 pm
It was fun to see one of the worst comers in the NFL get an interception. I think he also stoped a completion. Maybe his best game in two years.
December 15th, 2024 at 11:10 pm
How great was Baker on third downs
December 15th, 2024 at 11:15 pm
The best effort of the season so far. Baker has the ability to shake off a pic , and go right back to slingin it. Thats confidence in himself, and his teammates. Coen’s confidence in Baker also is evident in the play calling. If we avoid playing down to the remaining competition, good things will come. Very pleased for Bowles tonight. His smoke and mirrors defense has done well of late.
December 15th, 2024 at 11:27 pm
Liam Cohen looks like the best offensive coordinator the bucs have had since Joe hibbs ( Chuck and Bruce were head coaches). We’re gonna miss him
December 15th, 2024 at 11:27 pm
I meant joe gibbs
December 15th, 2024 at 11:39 pm
We got this….just chill, be on your game and we got it….one game at a time…remember, we’re nothing until we prove we’re something….
December 15th, 2024 at 11:55 pm
The Bucs showed up BIG in the second half playing all phases of the game exceptionally. The Chargers have a good defense and they were also outcoached. Todd Bowles deserves a game ball as the Buc defense finally played as well as the offense.
When the Bucs run the ball with Bucky it sparks the entire team. He was playing hurt but for a young player he has a tremendous amount of enthusiasm.
December 16th, 2024 at 12:05 am
Glazers need to pay Liam Coen, we need to keep him, keep all of this team and keep drafting well.
December 16th, 2024 at 12:10 am
Read that Carlton Davis got injured in the Lions/Bills game and Lions coach thinks it’s a season ending injury…
Hmmmmmm…
December 16th, 2024 at 12:13 am
Also Alim McNeal, the talented nose-tackle for the Lions also may have sustained season-ending injury….
Detroit’s defensive talent is decreasing by the numbers….
December 16th, 2024 at 12:51 am
Four REALLY BADDDD Offenses.
December 16th, 2024 at 12:55 am
Nice column Ira. Hell of a win, but so.ething Ive noticed, Hey, whats with the Bucs and the obligatory 2nd quater melt down? Remember the Saints game? Happens a lot.
December 16th, 2024 at 2:05 am
You know you are kicking ass and taking names when people on message boards start complaining that you had one bad quarter lol.
December 16th, 2024 at 4:50 am
Well said, Ira.
It was a fabulous team effort. Great game!
December 16th, 2024 at 7:16 am
Be nice if we keep stomping our way to the playoffs. O line is playing real well. Even with the few gaffs, Barton is moving people. Have to believe he’s been a big reason for some of the success we’re having on the ground. Bucky, and White behind that line hitting it too. Let’s keep it up, go Bucs!
December 16th, 2024 at 7:39 am
Hainsey played just the one game, absolutely KILLED it at center, a full 30 pff thingies above his norm. I believe it’s the scheme
December 16th, 2024 at 7:59 am
It is so much fun having a good running game.
And Mike Evans is just a pleasure to watch. His route running and instant lateral acceleration is incredible.
December 16th, 2024 at 8:30 am
So far so good! One game at a time! The next one will be tough. Dallas is playing their best lately.
December 16th, 2024 at 8:56 am
How bout that Kyle Trask performance in mop up duty yesterday. Got to sign this guy long term. . .
December 16th, 2024 at 9:04 am
I was wrong going into that game.
Trip to the left coast against a stout D? Recipe for an egg.
I am happy to be wrong.
Well played, boys. The Sparks didn’t know what hit them…
December 16th, 2024 at 9:15 am
Good column Ira and dead on. Yes, think we all must give Bowles some credit!!!. I don’t think he is retiring or being fired at this point. I hope the Glazers can pay Coen enough to keep him. Hopefully he does like Ben Johnson and decides to stay put for awhile.I don’tthinki t would hurt him to fine tune this offense.
While the Chargers are not a high octane offense, the defense throttled them. Dean with an interception?. I had to play it back 3 times, thought I was seeing things and was saying , well replay likely to kill it, something. I mean Dean with an interception is like, well snow in Tampa
December 16th, 2024 at 9:41 am
When Todd doesn’t coach passive this team Wins, too bad he doesn’t attack this way every game