The Bucs offense experienced quite the scoring lull during the team’s 28-13 win over the Raiders. Looking at the final score, one would think that Tampa Bay’s offense had no problem moving the ball down the field and putting points on the scoreboard.

Quite the contrary.

Outside of the two opening and closing drives that resulted in all four touchdowns, the offense had trouble moving the ball or getting into any rhythm.

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

Six plays, 19 yards (interception)

Four plays, 10 yards (fumble)

Three plays, -1 yard (punt)

Seven plays, 49 yards (interception)

Five plays, 20 yards (punt)

Six plays, 20 yards (punt)

This allowed Las Vegas to stay in the game, and overcoming this took grit and contributions from players on both sides of the ball. Thanks to the defense keeping them in the game, the offense put it away and plenty of offensive players spoke after about finishing strong.

Baker Mayfield: “That’s What Football In December Is All About”

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield and Raiders DE Maxx Crosby – Photo by: USA Today

Baker Mayfield would be the first to tell you he did not play well against the Raiders. Mayfield did not see himself in any position to toot his own horn, so he took the time during his postgame press conference to speak highly of his own guys.

“Yeah, we’ll take wins,” Mayfield said. “It’s hard in this league and the way our guys executed late in the game to be able to really put the dagger home… Mike [Evans’] big third-down conversion, leaping over a guy, doing that, and then obviously we finished that [drive] with a touchdown.

“Then coming back, Liam [Coen] calling a play-action shot when they ran cover zero again, Cade Otton making a great play and then, obviously, ‘J-Mac’ [Jalen McMillan] on a screen. So, guys executed in critical moments and that’s what football in December is all about.”

Like Mayfield did last week in the fourth quarter and in overtime against the Panthers, the veteran quarterback bounced back again and connected with his playmakers for big plays and letting them do the rest.

That included rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan.

Bucs WR Jalen McMillan – Photo by: USA Today

McMillan had a career game, hauling in four catches for 59 receiving yards, which included two touchdowns. Sunday served as not only a victory for him, but for the team as well. Things may not always go his or the offense’s way, but he knows they will fight to come out on top.

“Our identity is just fighting,” McMillan said. “We just fight and continue to fight and, I mean, regardless of the outcome we’re going to continue throwing punches. So, I love this team and I just love the community.”

Running back Rachaad White shared afterward that it was a collective win, and the defense gave them a chance to redeem themselves. White filled in admirably for rookie running back Bucky Irving after he left with a back injury, finishing the game with 17 carries for 90 rushing yards and a touchdown while also adding a 5-yard receiving touchdown to open the game.

“Yeah, obviously we felt like we made some mistakes and we felt like we got behind the sticks a little bit, so that kind of changes playcalls and things like that, or what you can do with certain situations, but I mean once we [stopped] doing that and shooting ourselves in the foot, we got going,” White said. “Obviously, the defense got us the ball in good field position and good situations. I’ve got to talk to [those] guys about going to celebrate if it’s not a pick – we’ve got to work on that [laughs]. Other than that, it was collectively a good win, and like you said, in the second half we were putting things together.”

Bucs Credit A “Never Count Yourself Out” Mentality For Resilent Finish

Bucs RB Rachaad White – Photo by: USA Today

At this time last year, the Bucs were in a similar spot. Many counted them out after losing six out of seven names to fall to 4-7. Tampa Bay went then got hot at the right time, winning five of their last six games and used that momentum to beat the Eagles and stay competitive with the Lions in the playoffs. This time around, they have won three straight games after sitting at 4-6 to flip the script and get to 7-6 and back atop the NFC South.

What has the team learned after going through last year and attempting to pull off a repeat this year? They are not counting themselves out of anything.

“I think “Never count yourself out,” Wirfs said on what the team has learned between last year and this year. “We kind of felt the same way last year. We were in a big lull. And the same thing happened this year, we were in a big lull. But now we are in first place.

“So, a lot of the young guys have been here now because of last year, been to the playoffs, been to the dance. Knowing what it takes. You have to execute at a high level when you get there. You have to execute at a high level for the rest of the regular season too, so we’ve just got to do our best to get better and go on a little run here.”

The team has started to get on a run, and their ability to execute will be put to the test next Sunday in Los Angeles facing a formidable Chargers team that has an efficient offense and stingy defense. They have established a winning culture during their first season led by head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Although the Bucs are still learning how to stack wins and play consistently well, their culture is centered around overcoming the obstacles they face.

“It’s just culture and being able to stay together and be resilient,” Barton told Pewter Report about the team’s resolve to score two touchdowns in the fourth quarter. “That’s what we did. Obviously, we had the ebbs and flows there in the second and third quarter that – we stayed together. No one was losing their emotions; everyone stayed calm and knew it would come together. We just had to be patient and rely on our defense a little bit. They came up with some big plays. That’s what happens, you play complimentary football late in the season, you win games and that’s what we did today.”