Tag: Buccaneers

Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs as Carolina Panthers safety Jordan Fuller (20) defends in overtime at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Bucs bid to continue win streak in encounter vs. reeling Raiders

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Suddenly back in the hunt to win the NFC South, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will try for their third straight victory on Sunday when they host the Las Vegas Raiders.

Tampa Bay (6-6) lost four in a row before returning from a bye to post a 30-7 win over the New York Giants on Nov. 24 and a 26-23 overtime victory against the Carolina Panthers last Sunday.

The Atlanta Falcons (6-6), in turn, have lost three games in row to reside tied with the Buccaneers atop the division. The Falcons, however, swept the season series with Tampa Bay.

The Raiders (2-10), losers of eight games in a row, arrive at an opportune time for Tampa Bay. The Raiders were poised to attempt a game-winning, 49-yard field goal with 15 seconds left against Kansas City last week, but a botched snap on the set-up play was recovered by the Chiefs to secure the latter’s 19-17 win.

Tampa Bay is paced by the emotionally charged play of quarterback Baker Mayfield, who is third in the NFL with 25 touchdown passes.

Concurrently, the Bucs’ running game has rounded into a multi-faceted force, averaging 5.1 yards per carry behind Week 13 NFC Offensive Player of the Week Bucky Irving (732 yards, six touchdowns), Rachaad White (419, two) and Sean Tucker (189, 2). Mayfield is the Bucs’ third-leading rusher with 229 yards and three touchdowns.

Irving has set personal bests in rushing and scrimmage yards each of the last two weeks. His 152 rushing yards were the most in the NFL in Week 13 as he became the first Bucs rookie to record 180-plus scrimmage yards in a game since wide receiver Mike Evans in Week 11 of the 2014 season.

“He’s getting more comfortable with the offense,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said of Irving. “The more comfortable he gets, the more you can give him, the more he can do. … Bucky has a skill you can’t teach: He can make people miss in the hole. He’s tough on the inside. Rachaad had a big run at the end of the game, as well. Using them both together seems to be working out for us.”

Irving did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, however, after sustaining a hip/back injury that Bowles deemed a non-issue on Monday. Evans, safety Mike Edwards (hamstring), offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs (foot, knee), and linebackers K.J. Britt (ankle) and Anthony Nelson (shoulder) also did not participate in Wednesday’s practice.

Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers, who has 84 catches, needs 116 yards to reach 1,000. With three receptions, he would pass Detroit’s Sam LaPorta for the most catches by a rookie tight end in league history.

“This guy is different,” Raiders coach Antonio Pierce said. “It’s different, because when you get matched up on the number one corner, when you’re getting double teamed throughout the field, and they know we’re going to throw him the ball, and we’re going to keep throwing him the ball, and he’s winning those matchups.”

The Raiders signed running back Sincere McCormick from the practice to the active roster on Tuesday. McCormick was active the Raiders’ last two games with Alexander Mattison (ankle) and Zamir White (quad) out.

Mattison was limited in Wednesday’s practice while White joined cornerback Nate Hobbs (ankle) in being unable to participate.

–Field Level Media

Dec 1, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Bucky Irving (7) runs for yardage against the Carolina Panthers during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Buccaneers force OT on late kick, beat Panthers on field goal

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Chase McLaughlin had a second chance in overtime and kicked a 30-yard field goal with 2:50 left in the session as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers escaped with a 26-23 victory against the host Carolina Panthers on Sunday in Charlotte.

McLaughlin forced overtime with a 51-yarder on the last play of regulation, but he missed from 55 yards on the first possession of overtime. The Panthers reached the Tampa Bay 30 on the ensuing possession but lost the ball on Chuba Hubbard’s fumble before Tampa Bay’s winning drive.

Carolina’s Bryce Young threw 25 yards to Adam Thielen for a go-ahead touchdown with 30 seconds left in regulation. That was enough time for the Buccaneers to drive for a tying field goal and force overtime.

Bucky Irving ran for 152 yards and a touchdown and Baker Mayfield threw for 235 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions for the Buccaneers (6-6).

Young ran for a touchdown and threw for 298 yards on 26-for-46 passing, but first-year coach Dave Canales didn’t come away with a victory against the team he served as offensive coordinator for last season.

Carolina’s Eddy Pineiro made three field goals and had a couple of rare misses in the first meeting of the season between the NFC South teams.

The Panthers (3-9) produced a total of two first downs on their first four possessions of the second half until the late drive. Carolina drove 60 yards on nine plays, while twice converting on third downs, leading to Thielen’s touchdown.

Irving, who had 25 carries, reached the 90-yard mark on the ground for the first time this season.

The Buccaneers went ahead 17-16 on Irving’s 6-yard run and an extra point with 8:53 remaining in regulation, using 11 plays to move 69 yards. That gave Tampa Bay three scoring drives of more than 60 yards, while at the time the longest drive for points by the Panthers was at 49 yards.

Mayfield left for a couple of plays in the third quarter after his ankle or foot was stepped on.

Following Tampa Bay’s go-ahead drive, Irving had the big play on the Buccaneers’ next possession with a 43-yard run to the Carolina 11. But a third-and-1 play from the 2 was botched and the Buccaneers settled for McLaughlin’s 26-yard field goal and a 20-16 lead with 3:05 left.

Tampa Bay began the scoring on Mayfield’s 2-yard pass to Mike Evans in the first quarter.

The Panthers took their first lead, with Young running for a 10-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter. McLaughlin kicked a 27-yard field goal.

But Carolina put together a drive that resulted in Pineiro’s 27-yard field goal with 5 seconds left in the half for a 13-10 lead. His 22-yarder in the final minute of the third quarter stretched the margin to 16-10. The score followed an interception and 33-yard return by Xavier Woods gave the Panthers the ball at the Tampa Bay 20.

With his first attempt of the game, Pineiro tied the franchise record with 41 consecutive successful field goals in home games. That streak ended when he hooked a 38-yarder in the second quarter. He missed two in a row when he was off the mark from 45 yards later in the quarter.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ -- November 24, 2024 -- Baker Mayfield of Tampa Bay after scoring a TD in the first half as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to MetLife Stadium and defeated the New York Giants 30-7.

No secrets as Bucs visit Dave Canales, Panthers for NFC South showdown

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The connections are clear between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers, longtime NFC South rivals.

The teams get together for a meeting on Sunday in Charlotte and showed recent signs they can play with any team.

“It’s an NFC South battle,” Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles said. “All of them are going to be hard, none of them (are) going to be easy. … They’re playing pretty good football. They missed some games here and there, but they’re playing very good football. It’s going to be a tough battle.”

Few introductions are needed on Sunday, as first-year Panthers coach Dave Canales came to Carolina after serving as Buccaneers offensive coordinator a season ago. Canales’ prized pupil last season, Tampa Bay quarterback Baker Mayfield was with the Panthers for part of the 2022 campaign.

“There’s some familiarity,” Canales said of his connection to the Buccaneers. “Knowing coach Bowles, he’s got a really sophisticated system and he attacks each team with a specific game plan. There’s some principles that carry over. I know that he’s going to have some things up his sleeve.”

The Buccaneers (5-6) playing a division opponent for the first time since an Oct. 27 loss to the Atlanta Falcons. The goal will be notching back-to-back wins for the first time since the first two weeks of the season.

Four different ball-carriers, including Mayfield, found the end zone on the ground during a 30-7 drubbing of the New York Giants last Sunday. Mayfield also completed 24 of 30 passes for 294 yards.

“For me, the biggest thing was blocking and tackling,” Bowles said of what his team did well last weekend. “We cleaned up the fundamental and technique part of it.”

Star wideout Mike Evans was back in action for Tampa Bay following a three-game absence due to a hamstring injury. He finished with five receptions for 68 yards against the Giants and now gets a crack at a Carolina team allowing a league-high 30.9 points per game this season.

However, the Panthers have tightened up their play as of late, winning two games in a row before hanging with the two-time defending champion Kansas City Chiefs in a 30-27 setback last Sunday.

The outing against Kansas City may have been the most efficient performance of Panthers quarterback Bryce Young’s two-year career. Young completed 21 of 35 passes for 263 yards and one score without throwing a pick.

“It’s not all Bryce, it’s the whole unit,” Canales said. “It’s a collective effort, but he certainly needs to be the voice and driver of that.”

Wide receiver Jalen Coker (quadriceps), tight end Ja’Tavion Sanders (neck) and safety Lonnie Johnson (personal) were all missing from practice on Wednesday for Carolina. Defensive end LaBryan Ray is dealing with a hand issue and was among those limited.

Safety Jordan Whitehead (pectoral) was one of four Buccaneers to miss practice on Wednesday. Evans practiced in full.

Carolina and Tampa Bay might as well get used to each other, as the two teams will collide again in Week 17.

–Field Level Media

East Rutherford, NJ -- November 24, 2024 -- Baker Mayfield of Tampa Bay runs for a TD late in the first half as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers came to MetLife Stadium to play the New York Giants.

Reports: Baker Mayfield suing father’s company for $12M

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has filed a federal lawsuit against his father’s company, claiming that his dad, James, stole millions from him and his wife without reimbursing the couple, multiple media outlets reported Tuesday.

Mayfield and his wife, Emily, filed the suit on Friday, and the two are looking for nearly $12 million in damages. Camwood Capital Management Group, which was founded by Mayfield’s father, is the defendant in the case.

According to the lawsuit, Camwood Capital transferred over $12.2 million from Mayfield and his wife “without authorization” for years (2018-21). The two sides agreed to a settlement that required James Mayfield’s business to dish out $11.7 million to the plaintiffs, but not a single payment for that settlement has been made.

Multiple companies are being sued, as they are considered “a collection of interconnected entities with common ownership.” Texas Contracting Manufacturing Group, Unitech Tool & Machine, Apex Machining and Lor-Van Manufacturing join Camwood Capital on the defense.

Baker Mayfield and his wife are claiming that those entities breached contract following the settlement.

“Once Plaintiffs began to uncover Defendants’ misconduct and sought answers to explain the taking of their assets, Defendants attempted to obscure the relevant information, avoided Plaintiffs’ inquiries, and invented fictional explanations for their actions,” the lawsuit reads.

The first payment of the settlement — $250,000 — had a Sept. 30 deadline that was never met. None of the companies involved answered the Mayfields when they were reached out to regarding the missed payment.

Baker Mayfield, 29, is currently on a three-year, $100 million deal with Tampa Bay.

–Field Level Media

Sep 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Jordan Whitehead (3) against the Philadelphia Eagles during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Report: Bucs fear torn pec for S Jordan Whitehead

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fear starting safety Jordan Whitehead tore a pectoral muscle Sunday and will miss the rest of the season, NFL Network reported Monday.

The team is awaiting MRI results to confirm the injury, which occurred during the fourth quarter of the Bucs’ 30-7 road win against the New York Giants.

Whitehead, 27, has started all 11 games since rejoining the Bucs this season, notching 76 tackles and three passes defensed.

He has 554 tackles and 11 interceptions in 104 games (100 starts) with Tampa Bay (2018-21, 2024) and the New York Jets (2022-23). The Buccaneers drafted him in the fourth round in 2018.

A potential replacement is already on the roster after the Bucs claimed veteran safety Mike Edwards off waivers from the Buffalo Bills last week.

The Buccaneers (5-6) are only a game behind the NFC South-leading Atlanta Falcons heading into a Week 13 road game against the Carolina Panthers (3-8).

–Field Level Media

Nov 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) is sacked by Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea (50) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

Buccaneers snap skid, keep Giants on losing string

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw for 294 yards on 24-for-30 passing on Sunday as the Buccaneers ended a four-game losing streak with a 30-7 rout of the host New York Giants in East Rutherford, N.J.

Coming off a bye week after a brutal stretch of losses against Baltimore, Atlanta, Kansas City and San Francisco, the Bucs improved to 5-6 as they attempt to stay close to the Falcons (6-5), leaders of the NFC South.

New York fell to 2-9 with its sixth consecutive defeat.

Second-year pro and local boy Tommy DeVito was ineffective in his seventh career start and first of this season after the surprise benching and then release of veteran quarterback Daniel Jones. Pressured mercilessly — and sacked four times — DeVito finished 21-for-31 for 189 yards, much of it after the Bucs had settled the issue.

The Bucs led 23-0 at the end of the first half and outgained New York 290-45 in total yardage. DeVito lost not only the booing home crowd but his signature “pinched fingers” touchdown celebration. Mayfield vigorously brandished the gesture after clattering into the end zone from the 10-yard line with 12 seconds left in the half.

Sean Tucker’s 1-yard run gave the Buccaneers a 7-0 lead on an opening drive of the game that consumed 14 plays and nearly nine minutes.

Chase McLaughlin’s 23-yard field goal increased the margin to 10-0 with 12:03 left in the half. Bucky Irving added a 6-yard scoring run about six minutes later for a 17-0 cushion.

The Giants began the second half with a promising drive to the Tampa Bay 5, but running back Tyrone Tracy fumbled on a first-and-goal rush. It was the Giants’ seventh red zone turnover this season.

Tampa Bay then drove 95 yards, culminating with Rachaad White’s 1-yard touchdown run for a 30-0 lead.

The Giants responded with Devin Singletary’s 1-yard score to make it 30-7 with 11:28 remaining.

Star wide receiver Mike Evans returned after missing three games with a hamstring injury to lead the Bucs with five receptions for 68 yards on six targets. Irving rushed 12 times for 87 yards and a score, and caught six passes for 64 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 21, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is helped off the field by trainers against the Baltimore Ravens in the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Bucs WR Mike Evans expected to return from injury Sunday

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Tampa Bay wide receiver Mike Evans will likely return from a hamstring injury Sunday against the New York Giants, according to Evans and Bucs coach Todd Bowles on Friday.

The franchise’s all-time leading scorer, Evans was diagnosed with a moderate hamstring strain after suffering the injury in the second quarter of a 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 7. He has missed three games since, tying the longest stretch of absences in his 11-year career.

Evans, 31, will play against the Giants “as long as he’s healthy and fresh,” Bowles said Friday. He was a limited participant in practice Wednesday and Friday but a full participant on Thursday.

However, given that Evans’ Week 7 injury was an aggravation of an existing hamstring injury, he may have a short leash, especially given that Tampa Bay’s top wide receivers are already banged up.

The Bucs are without their No. 2 wide receiver for likely the rest of the season, as Chris Godwin suffered a dislocated left ankle in the same game as Evans’ hamstring injury. Tampa Bay’s No. 3 wide receiver, rookie Jalen McMillan, also suffered a hamstring injury but has fully participated in practice every day this week.

“If he needs to be in there, he’ll be in there,” Bowles said of Evans, “but we’ll get him out when we have to.”

For his part, Evans seems ready to take the field.

“This week definitely built my confidence, and last week, going through all the conditioning I had to do,” Evans said. “I feel really good. Like I said, I feel better than I did going into the Ravens game. I was a little hobbled going into that game. I probably should have sat that one out, but I always try to tough it through. This time off definitely helped me, so I’m confident.”

The Bucs have struggled in Evans’ and Godwin’s absence, losing four straight after a 4-2 start.

“It hurt to see your team out there fighting in really tough, close games that we could have won,” Evans said. “I wish I could (have been) out there to help them. I’m excited for this week.”

In seven games (all starts) this season, Evans has 26 receptions for 335 yards and six TDs.

He jumps back into the lineup as the team’s leader with six touchdown receptions. However, his 10-season streak of 1,000-yard campaigns is in peril. Evans will need to average 95 yards per game in the final seven games.

–Field Level Media

Aug 24, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Giants quarterback Tommy DeVito (15) jogs off the field following the game against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-Imagn Images

Buccaneers try to end four-game losing streak against host Giants

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With a merciless stretch of the schedule concluded and a bye week to freshen up, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers go on the road Sunday and will attempt to end a four-game losing streak against a New York Giants team either in transition or a freefall.

Tampa Bay (4-6) was two games over .500 and challenging for the NFC South lead a month ago before falling in succession against Baltimore (41-31), Atlanta (31-26), Kansas City (30-24 in overtime) and San Francisco (23-20).

The Giants (2-8) have lost five in a row and are also coming off a bye.

Quarterback Tommy DeVito will make his first start of the season and seventh of his two-year career after the Giants announced the benching of Daniel Jones this week after an overtime loss to the woeful Panthers.

“Tommy Cutlets” has a career passer rating of 89.2, with eight touchdowns and three interceptions. The 2023 undrafted free agent is 3-3 as a starter.

“Those are never easy conversations,” Giants coach Brian Daboll said. “[I’ve] got a lot of respect for all three of those guys. After evaluating a bunch of things and looking at a lot of tape and being around Tommy last year where he created a little bit of a spark for us, that’s the reason why we’re going with Tommy.”

DeVito had been the third-string quarterback but Daboll chose him over backup Drew Lock.

Tampa Bay’s potent offense figures to heap even more pressure on DeVito and running back Tyrone Tracy, who has 545 yards and three rushing touchdowns as the Giants’ only viable option.

Rookie Malik Nabers (607 receiving yards, 3 touchdowns) and Darius Slayton (469, 1) could provide inviting targets for DeVito against a Bucs pass defense that has allowed 20 aerial scores this season, which ranks fifth worst in the NFL.

The Giants, meanwhile, have excelled in red-zone defense and rank second in sacks (36).

Tampa Bay (4-6) is the only team in the NFL to pass for more than 300 yards and rush for 100 more on four different occasions. The Bucs, led by a committee of Bucky Irving (492 yards, four touchdowns), Rachaad White (306; 1) and Sean Tucker (186; 1) have rushed for more than 100 yards seven times.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield has been an offensive dynamo. Fourth among Bucs rushers with 192 yards and two scores, he’s third in the NFL in touchdown passes (24), total touchdowns (26) and fifth in passer rating (103.6).

Mayfield could get back a key contributor on Sunday. Wide receiver Mike Evans, who went down with a hamstring injury in Week 7, returned to practice on Wednesday. Evans had 335 yards and six receiving touchdowns before the injury.

Slayton was a full participant on Wednesday as he recovers from a concussion. The wide receiver left the Giants’ Week 9 loss to the Commanders and wasn’t able to gain clearance to travel to the Giants’ Week 10 loss in Germany to the Panthers.

Bucs cornerback Zyon McCollum, who departed the 49ers loss with a hamstring injury, did not practice on Wednesday.

All-Pro left tackle Tristin Wirfs, who sprained an MCL in the loss to the 49ers, worked on the sideline with trainers.

Bucs coach Todd Bowles said it is “going to be close” for both players to play on Sunday.

Giants outside linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux (wrist) was a limited participant on Wednesday.

–Field Level Media

Sep 8, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans (13) is congratulated by quarterback Baker Mayfield (6) and wide receiver Jalen McMillan (15) after he scored a touchdown against the Washington Commanders during the first half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Bucs WR Mike Evans (hamstring) on track to return

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Buccaneers wide receiver Mike Evans participated in parts of practice on Wednesday and is planning to suit up Sunday for the first time since a Week 7 hamstring injury.

Evans and Chris Godwin (ankle) were injured in the same 41-31 loss to the Baltimore Ravens on Oct. 21. Godwin, still the team leader with 50 receptions, is out for the year.

Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said Evans looked good and is positive about his chances of getting back in the lineup this week when the Buccaneers (4-6) play at the New York Giants (2-8).

“You guys know: Mike’s a pro. He’s going to do everything he can to get back out there with us and fight for this team as we take it one game at a time,” Mayfield said Wednesday.

Evans jumps back into the lineup as the team’s leader with six touchdown receptions. However, his 10-season streak of 1,000-yard campaigns is in peril.

With 336 yards in 2024, he’ll need to average 95 yards per game in the final seven games.

“The streak, yeah, it’s important to us, but he cares about winning,” Mayfield said. “He’s a huge part of this offense when he’s there, so I think that’ll come naturally. But I’ve been in the situation where you’re trying to force-feed the ball to a guy and that’s not how this offense works especially.

–Field Level Media

Sep 15, 2024; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean (35) looks on after their game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Eamon Horwedel-Imagn Images

Bucs designate CB Jamel Dean to return from IR

Posted on | by Field Level Media

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers designated cornerback Jamel Dean for return from injured reserve on Monday.

Dean, 28, sustained a hamstring injury during a Week 6 win at New Orleans and landed on IR on Oct. 21.

His 21-day practice window is open and he could play Sunday when the Bucs (4-6) visit the New York Giants (2-8).

Dean totaled 43 tackles and four passes defensed in six starts prior to the injury.

The 2019 third-round pick has seven interceptions and 297 tackles in 76 career games (57 starts) for Tampa Bay.

–Field Level Media