The Tampa Bay Buccaneers entered playoff mode ahead of they hoped to after a four-game skid dropped them to 4-6 heading into their bye week.
To date they’ve peaked beneath the strain.
Tampa Bay has rattled off 4 straight wins following its bye to vault atop the NFC South with three regular-season video games to go.
The Buccaneers will enter subsequent week’s recreation at Dallas a minimum of one recreation forward of second-place Atlanta, which performs at Las Vegas on Monday, however no person in Tampa Bay’s locker room is trying too far forward.
“Playoffs are down the highway for us,” quarterback Baker Mayfield mentioned. “We nonetheless need to take it one recreation at a time. … We’ve been in playoff mode for a number of weeks now. That’s the mentality we now have to have.”
Frankly, the Buccaneers had no excuse to not make a late push after dropping 4 straight. Their first three video games out of the bye week had been in opposition to groups presently projected to carry a top-five choose in subsequent yr’s NFL draft (New York Giants, Carolina and Las Vegas).
Tampa Bay expectedly dealt with these three bottom-feeders earlier than notching maybe its most spectacular win of the season in Week 15, shredding the Chargers’ top-ranked scoring protection in a 40-17 rout in Los Angeles on Sunday.
Mayfield accomplished 22 of 27 throws for 288 yards with 4 touchdowns and an interception, whereas Mike Evans hauled in 9 passes for a season-high 159 yards and a pair of scores. The Buccaneers outscored the Chargers 27-0 within the second half.
“We understood the project,” Tampa Bay coach Todd Bowles mentioned. “It exhibits the expansion from the second half of the season as a group, how we are able to come again and never panic within the second half.”
The Buccaneers’ stout second half on protection emblemized one of many keys to the group’s turnaround this season. Tampa Bay has allowed 60 factors throughout its present win streak.
The distinction between earlier than and after the bye week?
“Simply the focus and the main focus,” Bowles mentioned. “All people speaking with one another. They’re taking part in for one another and understanding what they’re taking a look at.”
Maybe probably the most spectacular half concerning the Buccaneers’ current defensive efficiency has been the unit’s depth. Tampa Bay saved the Chargers in verify although three safeties sat out with accidents, as did linebacker Okay.J. Britt.
Offensively, Mayfield has flourished beneath heart, nevertheless it helps having a famous person in Evans lined up on the skin. The veteran receiver is on tempo for his Eleventh straight 1,000-yard season, which might tie Corridor of Fame wideout Jerry Rice for the NFL file.
“You may’t put a worth on what he does for this group,” Bowles mentioned of Evans, an Eleventh-year professional.
“… He’s all the pieces {that a} participant aspires to be… We will’t ask for something greater than what he’s giving us proper now.”
Evans will stay a focus of the offense down the stretch because the Buccaneers chase their fourth straight division title.
Tampa Bay can’t earn the NFC’s first-round bye, however the Buccaneers shall be a reliable menace no matter the place they find yourself within the playoff seeding. They’ve victories this season over each Detroit and Philadelphia, who’re tied atop the convention standings at 12-2.
With Mayfield and Evans main an offense that enhances a resurgent protection, Tampa Bay is well-positioned to clinch one other playoff berth. The Buccaneers shall be hungry to avenge final season’s loss at Detroit within the divisional spherical.
However whereas it seems poised to stitch up one other division title, Tampa Bay is aware of simply how rapidly the season can flip. Now immediately atop the NFL South, the Buccaneers are intent on staying there.
“We management our personal future,” Bowles mentioned.