Los Angeles Chargers (8-6) – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-6): 17-40
40 points conceded by the Chargers defense we didn't really see it coming. Tampa Bay took a while to get going. But once the Baker Mayfield – Mike Evans connection was re-established, the visitors were unstoppable! 27 points scored without response, drives concluded each time with points, just that. For their part, the Chargers once again suffered from a poor ground game with 32 small yards in total. Result, Justin Herbert threw his first interception in 11 games and did not convert a single 3e attempt of the match. The league's best points defense has never existed in this game.
Things are going badly for Tampa
Without the turnovers in the first half, Tampa could have been more comfortable more quickly. But at the break, the Chargers lead 17-13 despite weaker possession. The fault of two consecutive losses of balls by the Bucs. First Baker Mayfield (22/27, 288 yards, 4 TD, 1 int) was intercepted by the now inevitable Tarheeb Still. This is the 3e rookie interception in three games. Then Rachaad White (15 races, 164 yards) lost the ball on a good tackle from Joey Bosa, the ball recovered by the Chargers.
Los Angeles, however, will only score 7 points from these two turnovers. And that will be all for tonight. Both teams started off well, scoring a touchdown and a field goal each in quick succession. Behind, the Bucs machine stalled, allowing the locals to take a relative lead. It didn't last long.
27-0, it’s a blast Jim!
Returning from the break, Tampa will continue again but in a positive way: a 54-yard touchdown for the indestructible Mike Evans (9 rec, 159 yards, 2 TD), then a 54-yard run from Bucky Irving (15 races , 117 yards) following the Chargers' punt, to allow a Tampa field. In less than six minutes, the Bucs scored 10 points, while the Chargers gained only 20 yards in two possessions.
The pattern repeats itself throughout the second half: Tampa Bay scores points, Los Angeles misses third (and fourth!) attempts. The issue being dead and buried at the end of the match, Jim Harbaugh even took Justin Herbert off the field for the last plays. The quarterback, not spared from physical problems this year, was already badly damaged before the match, the 9 pressures including 3 sacks suffered must not have helped. Rather than seeing Taylor Heinicke vainly attempt to rekindle the suspense of this match, the Buccaneers will immediately cause another fumble, definitively sealing the outcome of the match.
Both teams are almost guaranteed to go to the playoffs. But the dynamic is much better on the Tampa side. Especially since the Chargers have a big piece by hosting the Broncos on Thursday night to ensure they are ahead of them at the end of the season. For Tampa, a small trip to the Cowboys will allow Mike Evans to continue his quest for 1000 yards.
