TAMPA – The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-7) took down the Jacksonville Jaguars (8-7) at Raymond James stadium on a Christmas Eve 30-12 blowout in a battle of first-place teams.
Baker Mayfield, coming off of being named NFC Offensive Player of the Week, went 25 for 35 for two touchdowns, a 116. QB rating.
The Buccaneers scored on their first six possessions (not counting the end of the half) and took a commanding 30-0 lead in a game that was essentially decided when Mayfield found Mike Evans on a 2-yard pass early in the second quarter to put Tampa Bay up double digits.
Mayfield set the tone early in the game with tough quarterback rushes, running into the fray, rushing five times, once for a long of seven yards.
His passing was effective as well, hitting Tampa legend Mike Evans for two scores in the game.
Jacksonville struggled to make headway against the Tampa defense.
The Buccaneers made life miserable for Trevor Lawrence, who had two interceptions in the first half and a fumble in the third quarter. Lawrence left the game with a shoulder injury (he was essentially a game-time decision with a high ankle sprain), adding even more trouble for a quarterback that has eight giveaways in his last three games. The Buccaneers defense forced three turnovers and allowed only 305 yards of offense, the majority coming after Lawrence left the game in the second half.
Tampa Bay just dominated on both sides of the ball against a beaten up Jacksonville team.
“It’s the kind of football that you want to play in December” Said Bucs Head Coach Todd Bowles ” The defense got turnovers, Offense cashed in. We kept the ball most of the first half, and gave the defense some rest. It was good football.”
The Buccaneers next host the New Orleans Saints at Raymond James Stadium, another tough in-division matchup, on Sunday December 31st.
