When the Buccaneers were 4-7, a division title didn’t appear to be a likely destination but the last four weeks have changed everything in Tampa.
Mike Evans caught two touchdowns and the Bucs defense forced four turnovers as they rolled over the Jaguars for a 30-12 home win. The victory, which was their fourth in a row, moves them to 8-7 and they will win the division for the third straight year as long as they win one of their next two games. They host the Saints in Week 17 and visit the Panthers in Week 18.
Evans scored both of his touchdowns in the first half as the Bucs used their veteran receiver and three takeaways on defense to take a 20-0 lead after 30 minutes of play. Evans finished the day with seven catches for 86 yards and quarterback Baker Mayfield continued his own hot streak by going 26-of-35 for 283 yards.
Linebacker Devin White put a tumultuous week behind him with an interception that set up White’s first score and a half-sack. Safety Antoine Winfield had an interception and a sack, but his condition will be something to monitor after he left for a concussion evaluation in the second half.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence returned from a concussion of his own to start on Sunday, but he didn’t look like he was quite 100 percent. He threw both interceptions and lost a fumble before leaving the game with a shoulder injury with the Jags down 30-6 in the second half. It’s the third straight week with an injury for Lawrence — he had a high-ankle sprain in Week 14 — and the fourth straight loss for the reeling Jaguars.
They are now 8-6, which leaves them with the same record as the Colts and Texans. They have a home date against the 2-13 Panthers next week and that would usually elicit a sigh of relief, but there’s little about the Jaguars right now to suggest that they can be considered a safe bet to win any game.
Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence was taken out in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers with a shoulder injury.
Lawrence is called questionable to return. The Jags are down 30-6, however, and it seems likely that C.J. Beathard will be handling the quarterbacking duties for the rest of the game.
Beathard completed two straight passes to tight end Evan Engram after entering the game, but Engram lost a fumble on the second one to continue a miserable day in Tampa for the Jaguars. The turnover was the fourth of the day by the Jaguars and Lawrence was responsible for three of them.
He threw two interceptions in the first half and then lost a fumble on a sack by linebacker Yaya Diaby in the third quarter. He threw a touchdown to Calvin Ridley to get the Jaguars on the board, but that’s small consolation as the Jags head for their fourth straight loss.
UPDATE 6:36 p.m. ET: Lawrence has now been ruled out for the rest of the game.
It’s been all Buccaneers through 30 minutes of play in Tampa on Sunday.
Baker Mayfield has thrown two touchdowns to wide receiver Mike Evans, Trevor Lawrence has thrown a pair of interceptions and the Bucs are up 20-0 on the Jags at halftime.
Evans made a spectacular catch of a 22-yard bullet from Mayfield with 45 seconds left to play in the half to stretch Tampa’s lead to 20 points and the veteran wideout has six catches for 76 yards already. He is also up to 13 touchdown catches on the season, which leaves him one away from tying his career high and he might get there before the day is out if the Jags don’t get their act together.
Lawrence cleared the concussion protocol on Saturday, but his first half work may have some wondering if he’s 100 percent. He is 10-of-13 for 103 yards outside the interceptions, but those interceptions and the two sacks he’s taken have done a lot to get the Bucs to halftime with such a big lead. Bucs safety Antoine Winfield has continued his excellent season with one interception and one sack, and the Bucs defense will be able to tee off on Lawrence now that the Jaguars have to try to mount such a big comeback.
Linebacker Devin White didn’t play last week and the reasons for his absence from the Buccaneers lineup were a talking point all week, but he’s back on the field this Sunday and the Bucs were happy to have him in the first quarter against the Jaguars.
White picked off a Trevor Lawrence pass to end Jacksonville’s first possession and returned the ball near midfield. The Buccaneers were able to make that play pay off in a major way.
Quarterback Baker Mayfield hit wide receiver Mike Evans for a three-yard touchdown with just under 13 minutes to play in the second quarter and the Bucs lead 10-0 as a result.
Evans has three catches for 27 yards and Mayfield is 10-of-12 for 97 yards as the Bucs work to maintain sole control of first place in the NFC South.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence is playing for the Jaguars on Sunday, but he’ll be missing one of his top targets.
The Jaguars announced on Saturday that Lawrence cleared the concussion protocol and he is officially active in Tampa. Lawrence was injured last Sunday night in a loss to the Ravens and he returned to practice late in the week.
Wide receiver Zay Jones will not be joining him in the lineup. He is inactive due to a hamstring injury and the Jags were already missing Christian Kirk so they are thin at wideout as they try to take another step toward an AFC South title.
Cornerback Gregory Junior, linebacker Yasir Abdullah, offensive lineman Chandler Brewer, and defensive tackle Angelo Blackson are also inactive.
Quarterback John Wolford, linebacker J.J. Russell, defensive tackle Deadrin Senat, linebacker Markees Watts, and offensive lineman Brandon Walton are inactive for the Buccaneers.
