That’ll do it. The Buccaneers moved to 9-7 on the season with a 48-14 win over the Panthers (4-12). Now, they’ll see how Sunday Night Football between the Commanders and Falcons unfold. 

 Kyle Trask is in at quarterback for the Buccaneers. Baker Mayfield’s dominant day is done. He finishes with 359 yards and five touchdowns while completing 27 of his 32 pass attempts. 

 One of the more hilarious side-stories from this game: 

 As a reminder: The Buccaneers need to win this game and Week 18 to keep themselves in the playoff hunt. On top of that, they’d need the Falcons to lose one of their final two games to win the NFC South. Meanwhile, if the Commanders drop their final two games and the Bucs win out, Tampa Bay would sneak in as the No. 7 seed. So, all eyes will soon shift to Sunday Night Football. 

 Baker Mayfield: 5 pass TD ties a Buccaneers franchise record (Done 7 other times)

 Most Pass TD in a Season

Buccaneers History

2021 Tom Brady 432020 Tom Brady 40

2024 Baker Mayfield  39

2019 Jameis Winston  33

 This 48-point explosion is tied for the third most points scored in a game in franchise history for Tampa Bay. 

 That’s five passing touchdowns for Baker Mayfield today! He’s found rookie Jalen McMillan for his second score of the day to go along with his five receptions for 51 yards. Dominant. 

 Mike Evans is now up to 97 yards on eight catches today. Also has two receiving touchdowns. 

 That’s the Buccaneers first blocked punt returned for a touchdown since 2012. 

 The Buccaneers have scored 40+ points in two of their last three games.

 Dagger. J.J. Russell scoops up the blocked punt and returns it for a Buccaneers touchdown. It’s now a 41-14 lead for Tampa Bay. Joe Tryon-Shoyinka got in there for the block. 

 Baker Mayfield has tied Lamar Jackson for the most four passing touchdown games this season with four. 

 That was Payne Durham’s first career touchdown. 

 Buccaneers say CB Jamel Dean (knees) has been downgraded to OUT. Was initially listed as questionable to return. 

 That’s four passing touchdowns for Baker Mayfield today. The Bucs QB has been surgical, completing 23 of his 27 pass attempts for 309 yards to go with those scores. 

 McMillan is going to be a good player for the Buccaneers. The rookie wideout has caught all three of his targets for 34 yards and a touchdown. 

 Mike Evans came into this game with 818 yards receiving on the season. He has 82 yards so far today, so he’s again threatening for another 1,000-yard season. 

 The field seems to be slick at Raymond James Stadium. There have been several occasions when Bryce Young has slipped on his dropbacks, including that recent sack. 

 Bryce Young’s knee looked down before releasing the ball. Should be ruled a sack. 

 Adam Thielen is the first Panthers player with 100+ receiving yards and two touchdowns in a first half since D.J. Moore in 2021. 

 Eddy Pineiro’s kick is wide left and it’s a 27-14 Buccaneers lead over the Panthers at the half. 

 Another fantastic throw from Young to Thielen and they are now on the doorstep of field goal range. 

 From CBS Research: The five passing touchdowns in this Bucs-Panthers game is tied for the most in a first half in any game this season. 

 What a throw from Bryce Young! He throws a rainbow to Adam Thielen for a 40-yard touchdown. Carolina is still hanging around.