Mike Evans goes for 159, Buccaneers overwhelm Chargers 40-17

About a month ago, Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield noted that Mike Evans’ 1,000-yard streak was important to the team, but Evans cares about winning.

Mayfield leaned on Evans during Sunday’s game against the Chargers and it worked out well, as Tampa Bay defeated Los Angeles 40-17.

Evans finished the game with 159 yards on nine catches with two touchdowns. That gives him 749 yards on the season with three games left.

Both scores came in the third quarter — the first a 57-yard catch-and-run, the second a 35-yard seed from Mayfield that Evans caught in the end zone.

It was the best day any team has had against the Chargers’ defense this season, with Los Angeles surrendering a season-high 40 points. The club previously hadn’t allowed more than 30 points all year.

Mayfield finished 22-of-27 for 288 yards with four touchdowns and an interception. Bucky Irving had 117 yards on 15 carries while Rachaad White had 64 yards on 15 carries.

Though the Chargers led 17-10 midway through the second quarter, the rest of the game was all Buccaneers, scoring the game’s final 30 points. Tampa Bay ended the day with 505 total yards, 24 first downs, and 9-of-15 on third down.

On the other side, Justin Herbert was heavily pressured in the second half and eventually was taken out of the game in the fourth quarter as Los Angeles has a short week upcoming. Herbert finished 21-of-33 for 195 yards with two touchdowns and one interception. It was his first pick since Week 2, going 357 passing attempts without throwing one.

The Chargers couldn’t run the ball either, finishing with just 32 yards in the category.

Los Angeles had just 14 first downs, 207 total yards, and were 0-of-6 on third down.

The 8-6 Buccaneers are still in first place in the NFC South and are set to take on the Cowboys next Sunday night on the road.

Also at 8-6, the Chargers will host the division-rival Broncos on Thursday night in an important game for the AFC playoff race.