Buccaneers rout Jaguars to stay on top in division race

Field Level Media|published: Sun 24th December, 19:19 2023

Dec 24, 2023; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) makes the catch against Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Tyson Campbell (32) in the second quarter for the touchdown at Raymond James Stadium. credits: Jeremy Reper-USA TODAY Sports

Baker Mayfield threw two touchdown passes to Mike Evans and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers took advantage of Jacksonville's offensive follies to beat the visiting Jaguars 30-12 on Sunday.

Mayfield was 26-for-35 for 283 yards, including seven completions to Evans for 86 yards. Chase McLaughlin made three field goals for Tampa Bay (8-7), including a 51-yarder in the third quarter.

Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who cleared concussion protocol after a week of uncertainty, was 17-for-29 for 211 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions in three quarters. C.J. Beathard replaced Lawrence in the fourth quarter after he was ruled out with a right shoulder injury.

Evan Engram caught 10 passes for 95 yards and Calvin Ridley had six receptions for 90 yards and both of Jacksonville's touchdowns.

The Jaguars (8-7), who trailed 30-0 late in the third quarter, fell into a tie for first place with Indianapolis and Houston in the AFC South.

In the NFC South, Tampa Bay holds a one-game lead on New Orleans and Atlanta with two weeks left.

The Buccaneers used up more than half of the first quarter before the Jaguars even took a snap. A 14-play drive that consumed 7:38 resulted in McLaughlin's 24-yard field goal. Mayfield threw for 59 yards on the drive that included three third-down conversions.

Tampa Bay went up 10-0 when Mayfield hooked up with Evans on a 3-yard touchdown. Then, McLaughlin was good from 31 yards out to stretch the lead with 2:27 to play in the first half.

The second touchdown for Evans came on a 22-yard play with 45 seconds left in the half, which ended with a 20-0 Bucs lead.

Jacksonville had four first-half possessions, with those ending in an interception by Devin White, Brandon McManus' miss on a 52-yard field goal, an interception by Antoine Winfield Jr. and a punt.

The Jaguars got the ball to begin the second half and fumbled three plays later.

The Buccaneers needed to go only 37 yards to stretch their lead to 27-0 on Rachaad White's 2-yard run.

Trailing by 30, the Jaguars finally scored in final minute of the third quarter on Lawrence's 18-yard pass to Ridley. Beathard found Ridley for a 1-yard score late in the fourth.

—Field Level Media