Bucs dominate Giants for easy win

by Gary Shelton on November 25, 2024

in general

Irving had 151 yards of offense./TIM WIRT

Monday, 4 a.m.

Maybe. Just maybe.

The Tampa Bay Bucs didn’t overtake Atlanta on Sunday. They didn’t clinch the playoffs. They didn’t heal off their injured players.

On the other hand, they allowed their followers to think about the possibilities.

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That’s how overwhelming their 30-7 victory over the horrid New York Giants was. They dominated the game, enabling their fans to think about another late-season rush into the  post-season. They took a 23-0 halftime lead and coasted, spending much of the second half allowing the clock to run.

For the Bucs, it was a Sunday spent approaching plateaus.

— Baker Mayfield hit 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards. It was his fifth game of the year with a rating above 100.0. However, he didn’t throw for a touchdown for the first time all season. He hit 11 different targets.

— Bucky Irving rushed for 87 yards and caught six passes for 64 yards. His 151 yards of total offense was a personal high.

—- Receiver Mike Evans returned and caught five passes for 68 yards.

— The Bucs had four sacks, including three in the first half. They allowed just 245 yards to the Giants. Perhaps the Giants should chase down the released Daniel Jones in the parking lot.

— The Bucs’ offensive line — playing without Tristan Wirfs — smothered the Giants’ vaunted defensive line. Coming in, Dexter Lawrence and Brian Burns had 15 sacks. Against the Bucs, they had none.

"I would have liked to have finished a little better," Bucs' coach Todd Bowles said, "but they came back mentally tougher."

It puts the Bucs in position to make a run. In their remaining games, they play Carolina twice, the Raiders, the Cowboys, the Chargers and the Saints. Only the Chargers have a winning record.

One of the key players in battling that schedule is Mayfield, who had another one of his scrambling, twirling efforts. He’ll be remembered for a block on Irving’s 58-yard run. He’ll be remembered for his spinning touchdown, and the celebration that followed.

“Baker just plays ball,” said Bowles.

Mayfield called his celebration “a tribute” to Giants’ quarterback Tommy DeVito.

The Bucs also welcomed back Evans, who drew a 23-yard pass interference flag to set up a score.

“I thought he looked like he did before he was hurt,” Bowles said.

The Bucs are at Carolina on Sunday at 1 p.m.

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