Bucs Gameday

Rookie Continues to Shine as Bucs Strike First in Huge Game vs. Chargers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasted no time finding the endzone in a huge matchup vs. the Los Angeles Chargers.

Collin Haalboom

Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (15) celebrates with center Graham Barton (62) after he scored a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Dec 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Jalen McMillan (15) celebrates with center Graham Barton (62) after he scored a touchdown against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images / Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have developed a great habit of starting games with successful offensive possessions. That trend continued on Sunday, as the Buccaneers wasted no time getting to work vs. the number one scoring defense in the NFL in the Los Angeles Chargers.

Coming off his best game of the season where he scored two touchdowns vs. the Raiders, rookie receiver Jalen McMillan provided the first big play for the Bucs when he hauled in a 19-yard reception to move the Bucs toward midfield.

READ MORE: Bucky Irving Playing Status Revealed for Buccaneers vs. Chargers on Sunday

It wouldn't be his only contribution to Tampa Bay's opening drive, however.

Just a few plays later, the Bucs executed a beautifully designed rub play that tangled up several Chargers defenders, ultimately leaving McMillan wide open up the seam, which Baker Mayfield recognized immediately before finding the talented rookie for a a 26-yard TD reception.

The touchdown reception is McMillan's third in his last five quarters of football, and the recent production has been a massive boost to an offense that has been searching for a playmaker since Week 7 when Chris Godwin went down with a season-ending injury.

McMillan now has 4 receiving touchdowns on the season, which is the most for a Bucs rookie since O.J. Howard had 6 back in 2017

Stick with BucsGameday for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2024 season.

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Collin Haalboom
COLLIN HAALBOOM

Prior to joining BucsGameday and Sports Illustrated, Collin's written content was provided through Bucs Banter, and NFL Draft Lounge. He is also the creator and host of the Bucs Banter Podcast. He is a graduate of the Communication Studies program at McMaster University, where he was also a varsity basketball player, and later an advanced scout. He lives with his wife and two children in Hamilton, ON. You can follow Collin on YouTube and Twitter.

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