Jacksonville, FL– Christmas came early for Tampa Bay fans as they came into this in-state matchup as winners of three in a row, as they steamrolled past the Jaguars 30-12 in week 16.
It was a game that was dominant from start to finish for Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers. Tampa came out of the gates firing on all cylinders as they scored on their first four offensive possessions and forced two Jacksonville turnovers in the first half.
Tampa Bay had a very strong opening drive as they went 14 plays for 69 yards before having to settle for an early field goal. On the ensuing possession, Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw an interception on third down that was intended for Parker Washington and Devin White made an incredible play on the ball getting the pick.
Baker Mayfield and the offense took advantage of their opportunity off the turnover and went 56 yards down the field. Baker connected with Mike Evans for a three-yard touchdown on Tyson Campbell. Jacksonville did their best to answer back but after their following drive stalled, they missed a 52-yard field goal attempt, as Brandon McManus has now missed his last three field goal attempts.
The Buccaneers would continue to pour it on in the first half after they got another field goal to extend their lead to 13-0. The defense would follow that up with another big play. Trevor Lawrence would throw his second interception as his pass over the middle was intended for Evan Engram and Antoine Winfield Jr got the interception.
Baker Mayfield and the Bucs offense went right down the field as he hooked up with Mike Evans for a 22-yard touchdown grab over Tyson Campbell yet again. Tampa would limit the Jaguars in the first half to minus three yards rushing, and 84 total yards of offense, and the Buccaneers would lead this game 20-0 going into the half.
Jacksonville continued to have their second-half woes as Trevor Lawrence was sacked and he fumbled on their first possession of the half. Tampa would take advantage of the short field going 37 yards and they converted with a two-yard touchdown to Rachaad White.
It was too little, too late by the time the Jaguars got onto the board late in the third quarter as they went 10 plays for 75 yards as Trevor Lawrence scrambled right and hit Calvin Ridley for 18 yards in the endzone for their first six points of the game.
Trevor Lawrence wouldn’t return to the game after that drive. He suffered a shoulder injury and is still being evaluated for his injury. They have been stacking up on Trevor week in and week out as he has suffered the high ankle sprain, just got out of the concussion protocol, and now has this shoulder injury.
Baker Mayfield led all passers completing 26-of-35 passes for 283 yards and two touchdowns. Mike Evans torched Tyson Campbell in that first half with seven receptions for 86 yards and he had two touchdowns. Tampa’s defense forced four total turnovers and limited the Jaguars to just 305 yards of total offense.
An overall dominating performance by Tampa Bay as they have now won their fourth straight game, whereas the Jaguars have now lost their fourth consecutive game in a row, and still maintain the first seed in the AFC South.
Jacksonville will have to re-evaluate the health and status of Trevor Lawrence as the week progresses and they will look to make amends next week as they play host to the Carolina Panthers.