Win vs. Carolina a display of how potent the Bucs offense can be

John Romano, Tampa Bay Times on Dec 29, 2024

Published in Football

By clicking submit, I authorize Arcamax and its affiliates to: (1) use, sell, and share my information for marketing purposes, including cross-context behavioral advertising, as described in our Privacy Policy , (2) add to information that I provide with other information like interests inferred from web page views, or data lawfully obtained from data brokers, such as past purchase or location data, or publicly available data, (3) contact me or enable others to contact me by email or other means with offers for different types of goods and services, and (4) retain my information while I am engaging with marketing messages that I receive and for a reasonable amount of time thereafter. I understand I can opt out at any time through an email that I receive, or by clicking here

TAMPA, Fla. — This is the game to remember. No matter what else happens the rest of the way, this is the game that best represents who the Bucs were in 2024.

With a new offensive coordinator and rookies at running back, receiver and center, the Bucs transformed from a mediocre offense into one of the most potent scoring machines in the NFL in 2024.

With their playoff hopes still alive coming into the afternoon, the Bucs were nearly flawless on offense in a 48-14 victory against the Panthers at Raymond James Stadium.

Bucky Irving became the first Tampa Bay rookie with more than 1,000 yards rushing since Doug Martin in 2012, and Jalen McMillan continued this late-season surge with two more touchdown receptions to give him six in his last four games.

The Bucs finished with 551 total yards, which is the most they’ve gained in a non-overtime game since getting 604 yards against the Giants in 2012.

Game ball

Mayfield threw for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Irving had 190 yards from scrimmage. McMillan scored two more touchdowns. Pffft! It was Nondescript Tight End Day at Raymond James Stadium and we’re giving a pair of game balls to Devin Culp and Payne Durham.

Culp, a seventh-round pick from Washington in April, had played only five snaps from scrimmage in Tampa Bay’s first 15 games. He had his first three NFL receptions for 52 yards. Durham, a fifth-round pick in 2013, came in with 12 career receptions and caught two passes for 36 yards, including his first NFL touchdown.

Play of the day

Hard to find a turning point in a 48-14 game. So instead we’ll go with Joe Tryon-Shoyinka’s blocked punt. He hasn’t quite lived up to expectations as a first-round pick, and he may be nearing the end of his tenure in Tampa Bay with his rookie contract set to expire, so it was nice to see Tryon-Shoyinka get a little love on Sunday.

Keep an eye on

We interrupt all of the back-slapping with this public service announcement: the secondary has a new limp. Along with Antoine Winfield Jr., who is out with a knee injury, and Christian Izien, who went on injured reserve this past week, cornerback Jamel Dean left Sunday’s game with a knee problem. Dean missed four games earlier this season with a hamstring pull. Considering Tampa Bay came into the weekend ranked No. 30 in pass defense, that’s not a good sign with the playoffs looming.

NFC South update

The Bucs won the NFC South at 8-9 in 2022. They won it with a 9-8 record last season. They’re doing even better this season at 9-7, but their fate is not yet determined. Tampa Bay needs Atlanta to lose one of its remaining two games, which includes a date later Sunday night against Washington, to win the division. Oh yeah, the Bucs also need to win next week against New Orleans.

Up next

A 10-win season is not only within Tampa Bay’s grasp, it is practically gift-wrapped. The Bucs finish the regular season at home against the Saints. New Orleans is on the way to its worst season in nearly 20 years.