Greg Auman
NFC South Reporter
TAMPA, Fla. – The Bucs’ late-season resurrection has extended into the playoffs.
Baker Mayfield threw for three touchdowns and the Bucs defense stifled Jalen Hurts, with Tampa Bay eliminating the defending NFC champs with a 32-9 win at Raymond James Stadium. Once 4-7, the Bucs are now one of eight NFL teams still alive. They advance to play at the third-seeded Lions on Sunday in the divisional round.
Mayfield finished with the first 300-yard, three-touchdown passing game in Bucs playoff history. His 337 passing yards rank as the third-most ever in a Bucs playoff game, behind two by Tom Brady.
Philadelphia lost five of six to finish the regular season and trailed the Bucs 16-3, allowing scores on Tampa Bay’s first four drives. They had the ball down seven late in the third quarter, but the Bucs pulled away with nine points in a span of three plays late in the third quarter.
On a third-down play from the Eagles’ 14-yard line, the Bucs defense pressured Hurts back into the end zone. As Anthony Nelson brought him down for what would have been a sack, he tossed the ball away, resulting in an intentional grounding penalty and a safety for an 18-9 lead.
Two plays later, Mayfield threw a short screen to rookie receiver Trey Palmer, and after Eagles cornerback James Bradberry missed a tackle, Palmer sped off for a 56-yard touchdown and a 25-9 lead with 1:19 left in the third quarter.
The Bucs, dominated by the Eagles in a 25-11 loss in Week 3, came out strong, scoring on their first four drives for a 16-3 lead. Three times, they had drives stall and settled for Chase McLaughlin field goals, from 28, 54 and 48 yards. The lone touchdown of the half saw backup receiver David Moore weave through the Eagles defense for a 44-yard score.
Mayfield threw for 174 yards in the first half, but it could have been much more, with a half-dozen catchable passes going off the hands of his targets, including a…
Source link : https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/bucs-eliminate-eagles-in-32-9-rout-advance-to-face-lions-in-divisional-round
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Publish date : 2024-01-16 04:21:12
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