With a whole lot of playoff implications on the line in Week 15, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a chance to once again keep hold of the top spot in the NFC South. After coming back to overtake the Atlanta Falcons thanks to their three-straight losses, the Bucs rolled into their matchup with the L.A. Chargers.
In what figured to be a close game featuring two current playoff teams, something had to give. The Bucs, on one hand, sported one of the league's top scoring offenses going into this one. Meanwhile, the Chargers found themselves atop the NFL on defense, as the league's number one scoring defense prior to Week 15.
Before they faced the Bucs, L.A. had only given up 30 points on one occasions this season, and that was done courtesy of the Baltimore Ravens in a 30-23 loss just a few weeks ago. Through Week 14, though, the Chargers were only allowing 15.9 points per game.
Tampa Bay set out to more than double that number on Sunday afternoon behind a monstrous game from a couple of players in particular. While the Bucs didn't necessarily put a full first half together, things started to get rolling after the intermission.
Mike Evans helped the Bucs pour it on the league's top scoring defense in Week 15
The Bucs not only scored the most points any team has scored against the Chargers, but wide receiver Mike Evans put himself right back into the conversation of being able to extend his streak of 1,000-yard seasons.
Going into this game, Evans needed 490 yards to make it happen. That was certainly doable, but seemed like a stretch.
More Bucs news:
He put all doubts to rest with what ended up being a huge day, catching nine of 11 targets for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
Evans was catching passes from an on-fire Baker Mayfield, who finished the day going 22-of-27 for 288 yards, four touchdowns and only one interception. Mayfield is now sitting at 32 passing touchdown on the season, and is well on his way of shattering his career-high (28) set last year.
Fortunately, Tampa Bay now gets to finish out their season with a softer three-week stretch, with destiny in their own hands. In Week 16, the Bucs have a Sunday night matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, followed by ending the year against the Saints and Panthers.
As long as the Bucs keep the momentum going, their outpouring against the Chargers defense just proved this team has the talent to compete with anybody when they're firing on all cylinders.