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Once again, the NFC South division title will be on the line for all four teams involved. This means that a victory for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers – the leaders entering Week 17 – is extremely important on Sunday.
Baker Mayfield is up to the task.
Mayfield threw five touchdown passes, including two to reliable receiver Mike Evans. To lead the Bucks to a 48-14 win over the Carolina Panthers at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield returns to pass for Carolina. Panthers in the first quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Nathan Ray Seebeck-Image)
The Bucs improved to 9-7 on the season, and they will be intently watching “Sunday Night Football” as the Atlanta Falcons, who sit behind them in the division at 8-7, are on the road battling the Commander Washington
Mayfield had one of those days where it seemed like wherever the ball had to go was for his receivers. He got there with precision and strength.
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He went 27-of-32 through the air for 359 yards with five touchdown passes, which began immediately when Evans capped the opening drive with a quick slant into the end zone for six points. Evans had eight catches for 97 yards to lead the Bucs through the air.
But Mayfield still found Jalen. Rookie McMillan scored two touchdowns in the second half. As he continues to prove in the second half of this season that his defenders can trust him in his first season. He had five catches for 51 yards for two scores.
And finally, Payne Durham, one of the tight ends, picked up the slack from injured Cade Otton. It was discovered that he had to pay with one of his two catches that day.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield passes the ball against the Carolina Panthers during the second half at Raymond James Field. (Photo Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn)
No one was able to get on the field for the Bucs, but Bucky Irving led the offense there with 113 yards on 20 carries to set the tone.
The day also saw some special teams magic as the Bucs blocked a Panthers punt on J.J. Russell picked up and ran it back for a touchdown as part of Tampa Bay’s 21-0 second half rout.
At first Bryce Young and the Panthers matched the Bucks’ firepower to start the game, as Adam Thielen scored a touchdown on the game’s opening drive to make it a 7-7 ballgame. Thielen would get another one. from Young later in the game as part of his five-day, 110-yard catch.
However, Tampa Bay’s defense turned it around in the second half, stopping any attempt by the Panthers to get back into the game.
Overall, Young finished 15 of 28 through the air for 203 yards with two touchdowns to Thielen.

Baker Mayfield, quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, returns against Carolina. Panthers during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. (Photo Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn)
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The Bucks head into Week 18 to face a depleted New Orleans Saints team, and they’ll hope the Falcons pick up a loss somewhere in the next two weeks. ahead, with Atlanta owning the season’s tiebreaker over them.
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