INGLEWOOD, Calif. — Two years ago, Baker Mayfield tried to salvage his career at Southern Cal.
Mayfield made a triumphant return in his 100th career start on Sunday and took charge of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers offense, making a strong statement against one of the NFL’s best defenses.
Mayfield threw for 288 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Buccaneers dominate the second half and beat the Los Angeles Chargers 40-17.
The NFC South-leading Buccaneers (8-6) trailed 17-10 late in the second quarter but scored on six consecutive drives, including five in the second half.
“We went into halftime saying, if the offense doesn’t hurt ourselves, we’ll be fine,” said Mayfield, who completed 22 of 27 passes. “The defense came out and stopped them, and the offensive line took over. “It’s a complementary football game. “
Mike Evans had a season-high 159 yards receiving and two scores, including one that gave the Buccaneers the lead early in the third quarter.
On second-and-13 from their own 43-yard line, Mayfield evaded pressure, sprinted to his left and found Evans for a 57-yard touchdown, giving Tampa 10:23 left in the third quarter. The Bay leads 20-17.
Evans plays wide receiver on the right side of the formation and then runs across the field. He caught the ball at the Chargers’ 35, shook off rookie cornerback Tarheeb Still’s shoulder tackle, balanced himself near the sideline, and scored.
“Baker did a great job, they pushed him to the left and I ran with him,” said Evans, who has caught nine catches. “With quarterbacks scrambling, you have to run and get in their sights. He threw a great ball to me, stayed on the sideline and finished the game.”
Evans also completed a 35-yard pass late in the third quarter to extend the lead to 30-17. It was the veteran wide receiver’s 14th game with at least 150 yards receiving, second-most among active players. Miami’s Tyreek Hill led the way with 16 points.
Rachaad White had an 11-yard catch on a screen pass to make it 37-17 midway through the fourth quarter.
Mayfield threw 30 touchdown passes for the first time in his seven-year career at the stadium, where he experienced a career renaissance. Mayfield played the final five games of the 2022 season for the Rams and led them to two wins, including a come-from-behind victory over Las Vegas two days after signing.
Mayfield took advantage of this and signed with the Buccaneers in March 2023.
“I’ve always been confident,” Mayfield said just steps from the Rams’ locker room at SoFi Stadium. “There have been ups and downs, but it’s just the journey of an NFL career. I just wanted to get to the right place, and Tampa Bay was the right fit for me from the beginning.”
For the fourth straight game, Tampa Bay had over 400 yards of total offense and at least 150 yards rushing. The Buccaneers have not given up a goal in 10 games against a Los Angeles defense that has allowed a league-low 15.9 points in 12 games.
Tampa Bay outgained the Chargers 506-206, including a 223-32 advantage in rushing yards.
“I can only imagine what it would be like for a defensive coordinator to go through personnel changes against us and we play a lot of games in the same formation. It’s hard to defend that,” Mayfield said.
Rookie Bucky Irvin rushed for 117 yards, including a 54-yard run from right guard for Chase McLaughlin’s second of four field goals in the third quarter.
“That was huge. You know, this is December football,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “We’re trying to stop the run, we’re trying to run the football. Today, we did a good job.”
Los Angeles (8-6) remains in the playoff picture but has lost three of four games and suffered its worst loss in Jim Harbaugh’s first year as coach.
Justin Herbert completed 21 of 33 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns. It was the first time he was picked off in the third quarter since Week 2, ending a streak of 357 consecutive undrafted games.
“It’s very thorough. It’s very thorough. Now that we’re facing this adversity, this is how we deal with it,” Harbaugh said. “All stages, just not good enough today.”
Both teams scored early in the game.
Mayfield connected with Jalen McMillan for a 26-yard touchdown. Los Angeles responded quickly with a 10-play drive, with Herbert rolling to his right and finding Ladd McConkey for a 7-yard score.
The two teams exchanged field goals, and the Chargers took a 17-10 advantage midway through the second quarter thanks to Quentin Johnston’s eighth touchdown of the season.
Herbert’s streak without an interception came to an end when he kicked out on second-and-10 from the Los Angeles 10. As Johnston tried to chase the ball, it floated. As the ball was passed outside, Johnston cut inside, allowing Jamel Dean to pick up his first pick of the season at the Chargers 42.
“That’s it. I always try to protect the ball and do whatever I can to keep our team out of harm’s way. Unfortunately, that guy got away from me,” Herbert said. His 357 attempts without an interception are the fifth-longest streak in league history.
Chargers: CB Cam Hart suffered a concussion in the second quarter and did not return. …G Zion Johnson suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter.
Buccaneers: At Dallas next Sunday.
Chargers: Host Denver on Thursday.
