The Tampa Bay Buccaneers dominated the Los Angeles Chargers in exciting fashion 40:17. The Bucs overcame two turnovers and a second-quarter lull by scoring 30 unanswered points in the second half and totaling 505 net yards against the NFL’s top-scoring defense. Tampa Bay gained 222 yards on the ground, becoming just the second team in 2024 to rush for over 200 yards (after Baltimore) against LA. Baker Mayfield completed 22 of 27 attempts for 288 yards, four touchdowns and one interception for a 135.3 rating. Mike Evans led the aerial attack with 159 yards and two touchdowns, and rookie Bucky Irving had 117 yards on the ground, including a 54-yard run. Lavonte David led the defense with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks.

The Buccaneers marched down the field on their first offensive possession, culminating in a 26-yard touchdown by Jalen McMillan off a scratch route. The 70-yard drive gave the visiting team an early 7-0 lead at SoFi Stadium. Los Angeles responded with a 70-yard scoring drive, tying the game 7-0. Justin Herbert rolled out of the pocket and connected with Ladd McConkey for a seven-yard touchdown. A 22-yard field goal by Chase McLaughlin on the ensuing drive gave Tampa Bay a 10-7 lead early in the second quarter. The Chargers then tied it at 10 on a 41-yarder by Cameron Dicker. An 11-yard sack by Lavonte David put the Chargers in trouble, setting up second-and-21 on the aforementioned drive.

The Chargers then capitalized on a Baker Mayfield interception with a 13-yard Quentin Johnston touchdown. Tarheeb Still’s 18-yard interception return at the Tampa Bay 27-yard line gave the home team a 17-10 lead. McLaughlin hit a 37-yard field goal late in the second half and Logan Hall ended the first half with a five-yard sack of Herbert, increasing his career high to 4.0. The Bucs were five of eight on third down in the first two frames, while the Chargers were 0-2 on third down.

Coming out of halftime, Baker Mayfield rolled out of the pocket and found Mike Evans for a 57-yard score. On the play, Evans surpassed 100 yards receiving on the day, giving Tampa Bay a 20-17 lead. Bucky Irving became the catalyst of the drive, driving downhill on the left end with an 18-yard pickup. Irving surpassed the 100-yard rushing mark on the next drive with a 54-yard gain. Ko Kieft served as the puller and delivered a key block to free Irving for the explosive gain. An unsportsmanlike conduct penalty forced a 42-yard field goal by McLaughlin.

On the Chargers’ next possession, Jamel Dean intercepted Herbert with a floater at the 42-yard line, sending Mayfield and Co. back down the field. The Bucs capitalized with a four-play, 42-yard scoring drive, ending with a 35-yard touchdown from Evans. He used a subtle move to put Kristian Fulton ahead and give Tampa Bay a 30-17 lead at the end of the third period.

In the fourth, Mayfield threw his fourth touchdown pass, a screen to Rachaad White for an 11-yard score. The Bucs took a 37-17 lead against a defense that entered Week 15 as the league’s best unit. With just over two minutes left in the game, McLaughlin’s 43-yard field goal put the exclamation point on the Bucs’ 40-17 lead.