Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Chargers Fourth Quarter Live Game Updates

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a one-game lead over the Atlanta Falcons for the top spot in the NFC South but will need a strong finish to round out the regular season if they hope to make the playoffs. The Bucs are on a three-game winning streak and will now head West to take on the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Buccaneers are dealing with a multitude of injuries, mainly on the defensive side of the ball, and will need to come together on that side if they plan to stop the efficient Chargers' offense. The Bucs' offense has looked great this season behind one of the best run games in the league and will have to be creative in this one as the Chargers boast one of the NFL's best defenses headed by a formidable defensive line and elite playmaker on the backend in Derwin James.
Follow along with us here at BucsGameday as we bring you up-to-the-minute live game updates of today's matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Los Angeles Chargers.
READ MORE: Keys To Cannon Fire: How The Bucs Can Beat The Chargers
PREGAME:
- Bucs' Inactives: S Mike Edwards, S Antoine Winfield Jr., OLB Jose Ramirez, LB K.J. Britt, OL Royce Newman, TE Devin Culp, DL Earnest Brown IV
- Chargers' Inactives: QB Easton Stick, LB Denzel Perryman, OL Brenden Jaimes, OL Jordan McFadden, TE Will Dissly, DL Justin Eboigbe
Baker is in the building. 📍 pic.twitter.com/DseoWtc91Y
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 15, 2024
Greatness has arrived.
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 15, 2024
1 repost = 1 #ProBowlVote #WPMOYChallenge for @MikeEvans13_ pic.twitter.com/CyMAQsuLQ3
Pregame link with the Krewe 🤝✔️ pic.twitter.com/bUgZrhmKPV
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 15, 2024
Ready to Bake on the West Coast.#WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/bAcwcehig4
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 15, 2024
1st Quarter:
- The Buccaneers win the coin toss and elect to receive. The Chargers will start the second half with the ball.
- Rachaad White gets the first snap of the game and rushes for a gain of two.
- Mayfield connects with Jalen McMillan for a gain of 19 yards and a first down.
- White rushes for a gain of five, and then Mayfield finds Cade Otton for a gain of 11 yards and another first down.
- Baker connects with Mike Evans for a gain of seven yards, and then Baker finds Jalen McMillan for 26 yards for the score. Bucs take an early 7-0 lead over the Chargers.
- Herbert opens the game with a seven yard pass to Ladd McConkey.
- Herbert finds McConkey again for 13 yards and a first down.
- Herbert connects with Jonston for a gain of 13 yards and another first down.
- Gus Edwards rushes for the first time today for a gain of 8 yards, and then picks up a first down with a gain of four.
- On 3rd and 10, Christian Izien is called for a pass interference and the Chargers will have a first down at the Bucs' 12-yard line.
- Encroachment on Joe Tryon-Shoyinka will give the Chargers five free yards. 2nd and 5 from the 7.
- Herbert finds McConkey for a 7-yard touchdown and the Chargers have tied the game up with the Buccaneers at 7.
- Baker finds Evans for a gain of five, and then Bucky Irving picks up two to bring up third and three.
- On 3rd and 3, Baker connects with Evans for a gain of 12 yards and a first down.
- Baker finds Sterling Shepard for a gain of 16 yards and another first down.
- Irving rushes for a gain of six, and then a holding on Graham Barton will back the Bucs up 10 yards to bring up 2nd and 14.
- On third down, Mayfield finds McMillan for a gain of 21 yards and a first down.
- Irving rushes for a gain of five yards, and then a defensive offside will give the Bucs first and goal from the Chargers' six-yard line.
- At the end of the first quarter, the Buccaneers and Chargers are tied 7-7.
2nd Quarter:
- Mayfield scrambles for three yards on third down and it will be fourth and goal from the four for Tampa Bay.
- McLaughlin comes on and his 22-yard FG is GOOD and the Bucs lead the Chargers 10-7 early in the second quarter.
- Herbert connects with Fisk for a gain of 7 yards, and then finds McConkey for a gain of 20 yards and a first down.
- Herbert finds Smartt for a gain of 31 yards and another first down.
- Herbert is sacked for a loss of 11 by Lavonte David.
- An illegal formation on the Chargers will back them up another five yards to bring up 2nd and 26.
- On 3rd and 26, Vidal rushes for a gain of seven and the Chargers will be forced into a field goal attempt.
- Dicker's 41-yard FG is GOOD and the Chargers and Bucs are tied 10-10.
- Mayfield is intercepted and the Chargers will take over at the Bucs' 27-yard line.
- Edwards rushes for a gain of seven, and then Herbert finds Smartt for a gain of seven and a first down.
- Herbert connects with Johnston for the 13-yard touchdown and the Chargers retake the lead over the Bucs 17-10.
- White carries for a gain of five, and then Mayfield finds McMillan for a gain of four to bring up third and one.
- On 3rd and 1, White fumbles and the Chargers will take over at their own 49-yard line.
- Defensive holding on Zyon McCollum will give the Chargers five free yards and an automatic first down.
- On 3rd and 10, Herbert finds Smartt for a gain of four yards but short of the line to gain to bring up fourth down. The Chargers will punt after a delay of game.
- Illegal use of hands after a four yard run by Irving will give the Bucs a first down.
- Baker connects with Evans for a gain of nine, and then Baker is sacked for a loss of five to bring up third and six. Two-minute warning.
- Mayfield connects with Evans for a gain of 8 yards and a first down.
- Mayfield finds McMillan for five yards, and then, on third down, Baker scrambles for a gain of 21 yards and another first down.
- White rushes for a gain of 11 yards and another first down.
- On 3rd and 7, Baker's pass is incomplete and the Bucs will send on the field goal unit.
- McLaughlin's 37-yard FG is GOOD and the Buccaneers trail the Chargers 17-13 with just over 30 seconds remaining in the half.
- Herbert connects with Josh Palmer for a gain of five yards, and then Herbert is sacked by Logan Hall and that will end the half.
HALFTIME: Chargers 17, Buccaneers 13
3rd Quarter:
- Herber's third down pass is incomplete and the Chargers will be forced to punt.
- Irving rushes for a gain of six yards, and then picks up the first down with a carry of five yards.
- Irving rushes for a gain of 18 and another first down.
- Baker connects with Mike Evans for a 57-yard touchdown and the Buccaneers have gone ahead of the Chargers 20-17.
- Herbert connects with Vidal for a gain of 10 yards and a first down.
- On 3rd and 6, Herbert's pass is incomplete and the Chargers will be forced to punt.
- Fair catch interference on the Chargers will give the Bucs the ball at their own 30-yard line.
- Irving rushes for a gain of 54 yards and a first down.
- On 3rd and 9, Baker finds White for a gain of six and that will bring up fourth down. An unsportsmanlike conduct on McMillan will back the Bucs up 15 yards and the field goal unit will come on.
- McLaughlin's 42-yard FG is GOOD and the Buccaneers extend their lead over the Chargers 23-17.
- Herbert throws it up and Jamel Dean picks off the pass. The Bucs will take over at the Chargers' 42-yard line.
- Irving rushes for a gain of four, and then a holding on Barton will back the Bucs up 10 yards to bring up 2nd and 16.
- Roughing the passer on the Chargers will give the Bucs an automatic first down.
- Irving rushes for a gain of five, and then a gain of three to bring up third and two.
- On 3rd and 2, Baker scrambles for a first down but a holding on Ben Bredeson will bring it back. 3rd and 12.
- Baker connects with Mike Evans for a 35-yard touchdown, his second of the day. The Buccaneers extend their lead over the Chargers 30-17.
- Herbert finds McConkey for a gain of 11 yards and a first down.
- Herbert connects with Palmer for five yards and that will end the third quarter. Bucs lead the Lions 30-17.
4th Quarter:
- On 3rd and 6, Herbert's pass is incomplete and the Chargers will go for it on fourth down.
- Herbert's fourth down pass is incomplete and the Bucs will take over at their own 34-yard line.
- White rushes for a gain of five, and then a gain of two to bring up third and three.
- On 3rd and 3, Baker connects with Evans for a gain of 23 yards and a first down.
- White rushes for four yards, and then Irving picks up three to bring up third and three.
- On 3rd and 3, White picks up five yards on the ground for another first down.
- Baker connects with Cade Otton for a gain of 13 yards and another first down.
- Baker finds White for an 11-yard touchdown and the Bucs take a commanding 37-17 lead over the Chargers.
- Defensive pass interference on Tykee Smith will give the Chargers 18 yards and a first down.
- Herbert is sacked for the second time by Lavonte David for a loss of nine yards.
- Herbert finds Chark for a gain of 12 yards to bring up 3rd and 7.
- On 3rd and 7, Herbert's pass is incomplete and the Chargers will go for it.
- Herbert's pass is complete to Chark but he is well short of a first down and the Bucs will take over at their own 45-yard line.
- White rushes for a gain of nine yards, and then picks up the first down with a gain of eight.
- White rushes for a gain of 7 yards, and then a loss of one to bring up third and four.
- On 3rd and 4, Sean Tucker sees his first carry and picks up another first down with a gain of four. Chargers use their first timeout with 3:50 left in the game.
- On 3rd and 8, Mayfield finds Ryan Miller for one yard and it will be fourth down.
- McLaughlin's 43-yard FG is GOOD and the Bucs lead the Chargers 40-17.
- Smartt fumbles the ball and Merriweather recovers it for the Bucs. Tampa Bay will take over at the Chargers 35-yard line.
- Trask has entered the game for Baker Mayfield. Two-minute warning.
- Tucker rushes for two yards to bring up third and six.
- On 3rd and 6, Tucker rushes for three and it will be fourth down.
- The Bucs go for it on fourth down and Tucker picks up the first down and that will end the game.
FINAL: Buccaneers 40, Chargers 17
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