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Mayfield lifts Buccaneers to NFC South title in fightback win
Rob Maaddi • January 6th, 2025 12:00 pm
Photo: AP
With predecessor Tom Brady watching from the television booth, Baker Mayfield has steered the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to a fourth straight NFC South title in a 27-19 home victory over the New Orleans Saints.
Playing on the final day of the regular season, Mayfield fired a 32-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan for the go-ahead score and then scrambled 28 yards for a crucial first down on the next drive.
He also ensured teammate Mike Evans surpassed 1000 yards for the 11th straight season, tying Jerry Rice for the most in NFL history.
Evans caught a 9-yard pass on the final play to reach the milestone, sparking wild celebration.
Mayfield threw for 212 yards and two TDs and had a career-high 68 yards rushing as the Buccaneers (10-7) rallied from a 10-point halftime deficit to the Saints (5-12) and made sure they didn't need Atlanta to lose to Carolina to win the division.
The Buccaneers secured their fifth straight playoff appearance. The streak began in 2020 when NFL legend Brady left the Patriots to join Tampa Bay and led the Buccaneers to the franchise's second Super Bowl title.
Mayfield stepped in last year after Brady retired, revived his career and helped the Buccaneers advance to the divisional round.
Mayfield had a career year this season, throwing 41 TD passes.
- AP
