Streaking Bucs control playoff fate with four games left
The Bucs (7-6) have won three in a row and are finally above .500 for the first time since they were 4-3 heading into Week 8. Even more importantly -- they have grabbed first place in the NFC South division, thanks to the Atlanta Falcons' fourth straight loss, and now control their own destiny for the playoffs. If they win out, they will win the division.
But the Chargers (8-5) are arguably the Bucs' toughest remaining opponent. They are the only team left with a winning record remaining on the Bucs' schedule currently. Tampa Bay is well aware of how quickly things can change given that they too had their own four-game losing streak this season.
Coach Todd Bowles reminded them, "It's one thing getting to first place -- it's a whole [other] thing staying there. We got four games left. It's going to be a battle all the way through. We have to come ready every week."
Some positives did emerge from their last win:
They scored on their first two possessions to jump out to a 14-0 lead after struggling in the red zone through much of their Week 13 game at the Carolina Panthers (they scored on their second possession, but did not score their second offensive touchdown until the fourth quarter).
Against the Raiders, running back Rachaad White recorded both a rushing and receiving touchdown while handling the bulk of touches for an injured Bucky Irving.
Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan had his most productive game as a pro, hauling in two touchdowns and 59 yards on four catches, while Sterling Shepard had a season-high 63 receiving yards.
The Bucs have very much needed another wide receiver to step up outside of Mike Evans, and both delivered to help fill the void left by the absence of Chris Godwin -- who went on injured reserve in Week 8.
"You've gotta dig yourself out of some holes sometimes throughout the season," Shepard said. "You're gonna face adversity, and you've gotta know that going into the season. It's just good to have a group of guys that hold their head [high] through the adversity."
McMillan felt like it marked a turning point with him and for Mayfield.
"There's definitely more chemistry," McMillan said. "But there's always work to put in, and there's always just room for growth, and I'm ready for the growth and I'm just excited to see the year take off."
On defense, nickelback Tykee Smith punctuated his return from a three-week knee injury with his second career interception, and veteran inside linebacker Lavonte David recorded a sack and a fumble recovery while tied for a league-leading seven tackles.
But quarterback Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions and called himself "probably the worst player on offense" that day. He's now thrown four picks in a span of two weeks.
"We will take wins," Mayfield said. "I don't really care how it looks, but offensively, we will have to be a lot more consistent for us to able to make this push that we want to do, and we know that. That's why there are more games left. There is a lot of ball left, and we have to continue to get better."
Against the Chargers, they'll be without All-Pro safety Antoine Winfield Jr., who suffered a knee sprain Sunday, and the availability of safety Mike Edwards is still up in the air because of a hamstring injury. So is the status of Irving -- who leads the team, and all rookies, in scrimmage yards -- who is dealing with back tightness.
On top of that, the Chargers have given up just 21 touchdowns all season -- the fewest in the NFL. Their 13 touchdowns given up in the red zone are also the fewest. And they're giving up just 1.7 yards per rush in the red zone -- the best of any team in the league. Their four rushing touchdowns given up in the red zone this year is tied for fewest allowed, while the Bucs give up the fifth most in that department with 14.