Tampa Bay Buccaneers 'Piecing it Together' During Late-Season Push
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers came away with a huge 30-12 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16 that was big in more ways than one.
Obviously, the 18-point margin of victory is nice to see, and so too was the 283-yard, two-touchdown performance by Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Adding to it all, however, is that Tampa Bay is just one win away from clinching the NFC South Division title for the second year in a row. And for the record, the Bucs will have a winning record heading into that division-clinching game against the New Orleans Saints next weekend.
"We’re piecing it together – everybody’s playing for each other," coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday's victory. "Everybody is locked in and we’re trying to get in [to the playoffs]. We’re clawing, we’re scrapping, we’re doing everything we can. Those guys have great attitudes – the leaders have been great for us getting us through tough times, coming out on the other side, and we know it’s not over.”
Not too long ago this Buccaneers team was considered one that might fall into the postseason to become Wild Card Round bait for whichever deserving team gets to visit Raymond James Stadium in mid-January.
Now, however, after a perfect and near-perfect performance in back-to-back weeks from Mayfield and improvements on the defense, nobody in the NFL wants to see this Tampa Bay squad in the playoffs.
“He’s been outstanding," Bowles said of Mayfield. "That’s what you want from your quarterback in December. Everybody knows each other’s plays right about now, but when you’re trying to make a push and your quarterback is playing great, it gives you a chance.”
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) celebrates the touchdown against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports
It wasn't long ago that Mayfield was counted out by many of the same people who once elevated him to the No. 1 overall pick in his NFL Draft class. Now, talks of extension are heating up between him and the Bucs.
Similarly, linebacker Devin White is someone who has gone from being celebrated as a franchise hero to cast aside as a zero in more recent times.
In his return to the field after a drama-filled absence from the team's Week 15 win over the Green Bay Packers, White had a key interception early in the game and finished with four tackles and half a sack while playing 95 percent of the snaps on defense.
"That's just what a healthy Devin White [does] – go out there and make plays, get to the ball and find the ball," White said after the game. "So, I'm just excited that they held it down while I was out, but I'm even more excited to be back out there making those plays with them and celebrating when they make those plays.”
White is certainly feeling good following this Buccaneers win, as is Mayfield, and the fan base.
Nothing short of a Super Bowl makes Tampa Bay fans happier than sending the Saints home with a loss though, and doing it in Week 17 to clinch the division title would be the biggest cherry on top of the most delicious sundae a Floridian could eat on New Year's Eve.
They say winning cures anything. Right now, the Bucs are finding a whole lot of medicine for what ailed them earlier this season.
Stick with BucsGameday and the Locked On Bucs podcast for more coverage of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers throughout the 2023 season.
