The Tampa Bay Buccaneers took another big step towards securing both the NFC South title and a playoff spot, running over the Green Bay Packers 34-20. With an explosive performance by Baker Mayfield and the offense, the Bucs maintain their lead on the division and have started to look possibly frisky in the playoff picture.
In their second biggest offensive performance of the season, Tampa Bay was firing on all cylinders in the pass game. Baker Mayfield found a rhythm and dropped bombs all over the field, going 22-of-28 for 381 yards and four touchdowns while averaging a season-high 13.6 yards per attempt. Wide receiver Chris Godwin also had his biggest game of the year, catching 10 passes for 144 yards. Rachaad White had another strong performance, adding 139 total yards and a touchdown.
The Packers had their moments, but Jordan Love and the offense was simply too undermanned to keep up with the Bucs. Love went 29-of-39 for 284 yards and two touchdowns. He got little help from the run game, which was held to just 60 yards.
On the Packers’ first offensive drive, they worked down to Tampa Bay’s 4-yard line but failed to convert, turning the ball over on downs. However, they got the ball right back when Baker Mayfield was strip-sacked by Kingsley Enagbare. Tight end Tucker Kraft scored two players later, putting Green Bay up 7-3.
The Bucs responded in kind on the following drive, scoring on a 19-yard Mike Evans touchdown catch:
Mike Evans’ 9️⃣2️⃣nd career receiving TD gives the @Buccaneers the lead!
📺: #TBvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/GwPPhASGzv— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
The Packers managed a field goal on their next drive, tying the game up at 10-10. After trading punts, the Bucs managed a field goal just before the end of the half.
After halftime, the Bucs came out swinging. First, they force a quick three-and-out on the Packers’ opening drive. Then, they orchestrated a 66-yard touchdown drive capped by a Rachaad White 26-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
Baker threads the needle to Rachaad White for the TD 🪡
📺: #TBvsGB on CBS
📱: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/kw7mays4qU pic.twitter.com/BV9u17ZEls— NFL (@NFL) December 17, 2023
This set off an exchange of scoring drives, with the Packers scoring off a 17-yard touchdown pass from Jordan Love to Jayden Reed. Tampa Bay came right back with another touchdown drive in which tight end Ko Kieft made his first catch of the year…
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