The Buccaneers suffered a costly deficit against the Cowboys last Sunday, but they appear to be back on track this weekend.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield hit wide receiver Jalen McMillian for a 10-yard touchdown with 1:11 to play in the first half, sending the Bucs into halftime with a 27-7 lead over the visiting Panthers. It was Mayfield’s third touchdown pass of the afternoon and he has now thrown 37 touchdowns this season.

Mayfield’s first two touchdown passes went to wide receiver Mike Evans, who has scored as many as 11 touchdowns this season. He had six catches for 48 yards and is now at 866 yards, attempting to reach the 1,000-yard mark for the 11th straight year.

Mayfield is 16 of 20 for 225 yards and running back Bucky Irving has posted 137 yards from scrimmage against a Panthers defense that looks overwhelmed without linebacker Josey Jewell and cornerback Jaycee Horn on the field. Bryce Young was able to get them to a touchdown on their first possession of the day, but they weren’t able to gain another lead in the first half until there was less than a minute left in the half.

Young followed that first down with a 40-yard bomb to Adam Thielen for a touchdown, and a three-and-out on the ensuing possession allowed the Panthers to get into position for a 53-yard field goal attempt by Eddy Pineiro bring. The kick went wide left and the overall package still has the Bucs in a good position to get their ninth win of the year. If they finish the job, they have a chance to win the NFC South in Week 18.