On an overcast Sunday in Tampa Bay, the Tom Brady-led Bucs were able to overcome a 24-7 first half deficit and outduel rookie quarterback Justin Herbert for a 38-31 victory against the Los Angeles Chargers.

After a flawless opening drive, giving Tampa Bay an early 7-0 lead, the Chargers answered back quickly with a 53-yard touchdown to Tyron Johnson. Then a pick-six from defensive back Michael Davis. Then a 97-yard touchdown drive led by Herbert. In a flash the Bucs backed into a corner and trailing by 14 in the second quarter. Ryan Succop would miss a 44-yard field goal and Los Angeles would add a field goal of their own to presumably take a 24-7 lead into the locker room but a late fumble by running back Joshua Kelley gave the ball back to the Bucs inside of the Chargers’ 10-yard line just seconds before the second half ended. Brady would find Evans for a touchdown and bring the game within 10 points at halftime.

The Bucs would go on to outscore the Chargers 24-7 in the second half, led by 369 passing yards and five passing touchdowns from Brady and sealed with an interception from Carlton Davis just before the two-minute warning, to capture their third victory of the year and move to 3-1 on the season. Despite a win over Detroit for New Orleans, Tampa Bay will head into their Thursday night match-up against Chicago with the sole lead in the NFC South.