As 2024 comes to a close, the Bucs finished the year off with a bang.

Facing the Panthers in a must-win game, Tampa Bay wasted no time coming out and putting together a dominant performance at home. Offensively, the unit did what they liked against Carolina’s defense en route to a 48-14 win. Baker Mayfield baked, Bucky Irving ran wild, and the rest of the crew did their part in an all-around impressive victory.

They even received a contribution from a lucky duck.

Here is a full rundown of everything impressive from Sunday’s win.

QB Baker Mayfield

Bucs QB Baker Mayfield – Photo by: USA Today

After a disappointing game for the Bucs in Dallas, quarterback Baker Mayfield and the rest of the offense responded in the first half against the Panthers. Mayfield was dialed in through the air, completing 14 of 17 passes for 217 passing yards and three touchdowns in the first 30 minutes of action.

He and wide receiver Mike Evans built a strong connection in the red zone, connecting for two touchdowns. Rookie wide receiver Jalen McMillan joined the action as Mayfield found him in the back of the end zone to make it a 27-7 lead.

Poised and in control, Mayfield conducted Liam Coen’s offense to perfection, as evidenced by his perfect 158.3 passer rating he held until the end of the first half.

Mayfield put the finishing touches on one of his best NFL games, later connecting with tight end Payne Durham and McMillan (again). On the day, he completed 27 of his 32 passes for 359 passing yards and five passing touchdowns, tying a career high.

This was simply a masterful performance where he was baking throughout. It put him in elite company this season with MVP frontrunner Lamar Jackson.

RB Bucky Irving

Bucs RB Bucky Irving – Photo by: USA Today

The dynamic rookie running back was a playmaking machine — and he also made some team history in the process. Whether he was getting carries or catching passes from Baker Mayfield, Bucky Irving piled up yards in bunches. In particular, he took over one second-quarter drive displaying his full set of skills.

Irving made a couple of defenders miss down the right sideline and then hit the acceleration button to rip off a 34-yard run. There was no time to catch his breath as on the next play, he caught a short pass from Mayfield and dashed down the left sideline 42 yards all the way to the 1-yard line.

Another week, another BIG game for Irving. He finished the day with 20 carries for 113 rushing yards, adding in four catches for 77 receiving yards for good measure.

WR Mike Evans

Mike Evans is looking to hit his yearly 1,000-yard quota, but he also made sure to pad his season touchdown total in this one. Baker Mayfield found him for a two-yard score to begin the game and Evans’ scoring. It was M1K3’s 10th touchdown reception of the season.

Then, after Bucky Irving’s 76 yards across two electric plays, Evans found paydirt again, this time from a yard away that got the Raymond James Stadium crowd fired up. He finished the game with eight receptions for 97 receiving yards and the two scores and now is only 85 receiving yards away from 1,000 with one game left.

Bucs Backup TEs Payne Durham And Devin Culp

Bucs TE Devin Culp – Photo by: USA Today

Without tight end Cade Otton, the Bucs offense still made it work with the duo of backup tight ends behind him. Payne Durham hauled in a 31-yard catch over the middle on the game’s opening drive that set up a 2-yard touchdown catch by wide receiver Mike Evans. Then it was Devin Culp, the team’s seventh-round pick, who started to make an impact.

Culp first had a 26-yard catch, the first of his career, to put the team in field goal range. He then had a 17-yarder to put the team in a similar position at the 2-yard line, but they had to settle for a field goal.

Still, both tight ends made an impact early and continued to as the game went on. Durham caught his first NFL touchdown in the third quarter. Between them, they combined for five catches for 88 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Special Teams, Featuring A Lucky Duck

The Bucs special teams made a big play in the third quarter. The players on the field were not the only ones who contributed. Before the play, a duck emerged on the field as outside linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka blocked Johnny Hekker’s punt. Inside linebacker J.J. Russell scooped it up and ran it in 23 yards for the touchdown. Between the touchdown and the lucky duck, Bucs fans were amped up.

When the duck was taken off the field, ‘Ducky, Ducky, Ducky’ chants broke out. An electric play was made even more exciting.

Bucs Pass Rush

The Bucs’ pass rush came alive as five different players got sacks. Everyone was getting after Panthers quarterback Bryce Young, from outside linebackers Yaya Diaby, Anthony Nelson, and Chris Braswell to defensive tackles Calijah Kancey and Logan Hall. It was the second-most sacks the unit has had this year, one shy of the six sacks they had against the Eagles back in Week 4.

Diaby getting a sack has been weeks in the making as he has consistently applied pressure but has failed to see that yield results. That changed, and it was encouraging to see someone like Braswell get his first full sack in the fourth quarter. Kancey’s takedown of Young came on a big third down play to end the first quarter. Hall continues to put together a solid season and is now up to 5.5 sacks.

DT Calijah Kancey

Say what you will about the lack of the Bucs’ outside pass rush this season, but the defensive line has had no trouble putting up impressive sack totals throughout the season. That continued on Sunday, with defensive tackle Calijah Kancey making a statement with a sack on third down to end the first quarter on a high note.

Kancey extended his team lead in the sack department with 7.5 sacks and he played a crucial role in plugging up running lanes and factoring in as a presence on passing downs.

K Chase McLaughlin

While he did not need to test his range on Sunday afternoon, Chase McLaughlin was still a key, contributing to putting points on the scoreboard for the Bucs. McLaughlin made both of his field goal attempts, connecting from 23 and 34 yards out. After this game, Money McLaughlin has now connected on 28 of his 30 field goal attempts this season (93.3%). It goes underrated, but one should not discount the impact of an accurate kicker with a strong leg on deciding the outcome of games.

Bucs Run Defense

A lot of the attention will go toward the offense for their showing, but a shoutout should also be given to the defensive side of the football for how they prevented the Panthers from getting into much of an offensive rhythm. That started with the front seven stuffing the running lanes. Raheem Blackshear filled in for Chuba Hubbard and had just eight carries for 20 rushing yards.