The Carolina Panthers wanted to play spoiler – again.
After knocking the Arizona Cardinals out of the NFL playoffs in Week 16, the Panthers entered Week 17 with an opportunity to ruin the season of the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
But quarterback Baker Mayfield appeared to toy with the Panthers’ injury-depleted defense, throwing five touchdown passes in a 48-14 victory at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday.
The three-time defending NFC South regular-season champion Bucs need a Week 18 win and a loss by the Atlanta Falcons, who were scheduled to face the Washington Commanders on Sunday night, to take control of the division – again.
In a season where the Panthers have used an NFL-high 87 players, Mayfield, who the Panthers gave up on following the 2022 season, threw for at least four touchdown passes in a game for the fourth time this season. During his first six seasons, the 2017 Heisman Trophy winner registered just four outings with at least four TD passes.
As Mayfield guides the Buccaneers (9-7) to another must-win game next Sunday, the Panthers (4-12) are forced to regroup – again. The franchise has dropped 10 or more games for six consecutive playoffs-less campaigns.
X (Twitter) users responded to Mayfield and the Buccaneers compiling 551 total yards in the dismantling of the Panthers’ defense …
🚨‼️Baker Mayfield now has 41 total touchdowns and 38 passing TDS.
Baker Mayfield is a top three QB in the NFL and I am laughing at all the Baker Mayfield haters—-that told me he was a bust five years ago.
Baker Mayfield is absolutely incredible and we love him in Tampa Bay.… pic.twitter.com/bsTwpsHNfE
— Joshua Tully (@ThaJungleKiDD) December 29, 2024
Mayfield looked ready to snap into action …
It all comes down to this. #WeAreTheKrewe pic.twitter.com/aUBJPZYD6a
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024
The master of opening-drive touchdowns this season, Mayfield hit Mike Evans for his 10th receiving score this season. The Bucs rolled 70 yards on six plays during its first series as Evans reached double-digits in TDs for the fourth time in five seasons …
FIRE THE CANNONS 💣💥
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/eh77V1iShq
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024
Coming back strong, the Panthers tied the Bucs with a opening-drive TD of their own. Quarterback Byrce Young to wide receiver Adam Thielen to tie it up early. It was the ninth straight game with at least one TD pass …
That Young to Thielen connection
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/J5KCFGvSQS
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 29, 2024
The Bucs scored on their opening three possessions, outgaining the Panthers, 185-61, after each team completed three offensive series. They settled for field goals on consecutive series, claiming a 13-7 lead …
Chase McLaughlin tacks on a 34-yard FG
The Bucs lead the Panthers 13-7 with 10:31 left in the 2nd quarter#WeAreTheKrewe #KeepPounding pic.twitter.com/rBoMUptL38
— 95.3 WDAE & AM620 (@953WDAE) December 29, 2024
Evans beat cornerback Caleb Farley, a former first-round draft pick, for the second time in the first half, scoring with 8:19 left in the second quarter on a fade route …
MIKE EVANS DOING MIKE EVANS THINGS
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS pic.twitter.com/oSrf3iKnN5
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024
Wide receiver Jalen McMillan hauled in a 10-yard TD pass with 1:11 left in the first half, extending the Bucs’ lead to 27-7. It was the rookie’s fourth-straight game with a score, tying the fourth-longest streak in NFL history …
HAVE A DAY 🤝
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS
🎉: @BudLight #EasyToCelebrate pic.twitter.com/izUPucj16B— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024
After the Panthers’ offense endured three consecutive three-and-outs, Young, who connected on his first three passes before missing on his next five, engineered a four-play, 70-yard drive in 21 seconds. The drive was capped by Thielen beating Tykee Smith and Jordan Whitehead for a 40-yard score …
Definition of a DIME
📺: CBS pic.twitter.com/9tpkNgcrNF
— Carolina Panthers (@Panthers) December 29, 2024
On the Bucs’ first second-half possession, Mayfield connected with Payne Durham on a wide-open 5-yard TD pass …
.@bakermayfield's 4th game with 4+ pass TDs this season 🔥 @FedEx
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/HkKw7uXVnt pic.twitter.com/3QIbUfQv3q— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
With a duck wondering the field, the game officially turned into a rout when Joe Tyron-Shoyinka blocked Johnny Hekker’s punt right off his foot and J.J. Russell returned it 23 yards for a TD …
WHAT THE DUCK JUST HAPPENED?! 🦆🤯 https://t.co/E2o02NnCzZ pic.twitter.com/c5Vhjnyt8V
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024
Make that No. 5 for Mayfield …
FIVE TDS FOR BAKER
📺: #CARvsTB on CBS/Paramount+
📱: https://t.co/waVpO8ZBqG pic.twitter.com/YHrfLWTIal— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
Final score: Buccaneers 48, Panthers 14 …
WHAT A DUCKIN' GOOD WIN 🦆😁 pic.twitter.com/g4D8P6RENk
— Tampa Bay Buccaneers (@Buccaneers) December 29, 2024
