This was a game the Buccaneers had to have, if they are going to make the playoffs this season.  Boy, did they ever.  Tampa Bay blew out Carolina, 48-14.

Here’s a snapshot of what happened at Ray-Jay:

*Baker Mayfield threw five touchdown passes

*The Bucs had 551 yards of total offense.

*Bucky Irving has a 1,000-yard season in his rookie year.  He had 113 rushing, 77 receiving.  He seemed to get the bulk of the carries today.  Did it really take them 17 games to make him their #1 running back?

*Mike Evans had 97 yards receiving and two touchdowns.  He needs 85 yards next week for another 1,000-yard season.

*The Bucs blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown.  That hasn’t happened in over a decade.

*Before the blocked punt, there was a duck on the field.  He had a birds-eye view of the big play on special teams.  The crowd chanted “Buc-ky” and “Duc-ky” at different times.  Can the duck play special teams or defense all the time?  We can use the help in both areas.

Bottom line: the Bucs are now 9-7.  Now they need the Commanders to beat the Falcons tonight.  If Atlanta loses, the Buccaneers would move back into first place in the NFC South.

Photo courtesy: Tampa Bay Buccaneers