Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs Los Angeles Chargers Match Player Stats (Dec 15, 2024)
Tampa Bay delivered a statement performance in Week 15 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, rolling up 506 total yards while limiting Los Angeles to just 206 yards. The 40-17 final score actually understates how completely the Buccaneers controlled this December 15th matchup once they got rolling.
Table of Contents
Fast Facts: Key Statistics at a Glance
Quick Stats Summary:
- Final Score: Tampa Bay 40, Los Angeles 17
- Total Yards: TB 506, LAC 206
- Third Downs: TB 9/15 (60%), LAC 0/6 (0%)
- Time of Possession: TB 36:48, LAC 23:12
- Turnovers: 2 each
- Attendance: 69,496 at SoFi Stadium
How the Game Unfolded: Quarter-by-Quarter Scoring
The scoring summary shows exactly when Tampa Bay took control:
| Quarter | Time | Team | Scoring Play | TB | LAC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 11:14 | TB | J. McMillan 26 yd pass from Mayfield (McLaughlin kick) | 7 | 0 |
| 1st | 6:18 | LAC | L. McConkey 7 yd pass from Herbert (Dicker kick) | 7 | 7 |
| 2nd | 13:41 | TB | McLaughlin 22 yd FG | 10 | 7 |
| 2nd | 8:47 | LAC | Dicker 41 yd FG | 10 | 10 |
| 2nd | 7:12 | LAC | Q. Johnston 13 yd pass from Herbert (Dicker kick) | 10 | 17 |
| 2nd | 0:33 | TB | McLaughlin 37 yd FG | 13 | 17 |
| 3rd | 10:23 | TB | M. Evans 57 yd pass from Mayfield (McLaughlin kick) | 20 | 17 |
| 3rd | 5:06 | TB | McLaughlin 42 yd FG | 23 | 17 |
| 3rd | 1:36 | TB | M. Evans 35 yd pass from Mayfield (McLaughlin kick) | 30 | 17 |
| 4th | 7:37 | TB | R. White 11 yd pass from Mayfield (McLaughlin kick) | 37 | 17 |
| 4th | 2:51 | TB | McLaughlin 43 yd FG | 40 | 17 |
Here’s the wild part: Tampa Bay never punted once but still trailed 17-13 at halftime. Two costly turnovers gave the Chargers short fields. Tarheeb Still picked off Mayfield and returned it to the Tampa Bay 27-yard line, while Elijah Molden recovered Rachaad White’s fumble. Those two plays led directly to 10 Chargers points.
Quarterback Statistics: Mayfield Outclasses Herbert
Baker Mayfield’s 100th Career Start
Mayfield picked the perfect time for one of his best performances:
| Baker Mayfield Stats | Performance |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 22/27 |
| Passing Yards | 288 |
| Completion Percentage | 81.5% |
| Touchdowns | 4 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 10.7 |
| Passer Rating | 135.3 |
| Sacks Taken | 1 |
Mayfield reached 30 touchdown passes for the first time in his career, spreading the ball to three different receivers in the end zone. His 81.5% completion rate came against a defense that entered the game allowing just 15.9 points per game.
Justin Herbert’s Rough Afternoon
The Chargers quarterback couldn’t find any rhythm:
| Justin Herbert Stats | Performance |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 21/33 |
| Passing Yards | 195 |
| Completion Percentage | 63.6% |
| Touchdowns | 2 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Yards Per Attempt | 5.9 |
| Passer Rating | 87.3 |
| Sacks Taken | 3 |
That third-quarter interception stings extra — it ended Herbert’s streak of 357 passes without a pick, which ranked fifth-longest in NFL history. Lavonte David hit him as he threw, and Jamel Dean made the play.
Running Game Statistics
Tampa Bay’s Ground Attack Sets Records
The Buccaneers established a new franchise mark by topping 150 rushing yards for the fourth consecutive game:
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucky Irving | 15 | 117 | 7.8 | 54 | 0 |
| Rachaad White | 15 | 64 | 4.3 | 11 | 0 |
| Baker Mayfield | 2 | 25 | 12.5 | 21 | 0 |
| Sean Tucker | 7 | 17 | 2.4 | 4 | 0 |
| Team Total | 39 | 223 | 5.7 | 54 | 0 |
Irving’s 54-yard explosion deserves a replay. On a counter play, guard Ben Bredeson trapped Joey Bosa while tight end Ko Kieft pulled around to seal the linebacker. Irving hit the hole and was gone — the longest run the Chargers had given up all year. The rookie did this while playing through back and hip injuries.
Chargers Can’t Get Started
Los Angeles posted season-low rushing numbers:
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gus Edwards | 8 | 23 | 2.9 | 8 | 0 |
| Kimani Vidal | 3 | 9 | 3.0 | 7 | 0 |
| Team Total | 11 | 32 | 2.9 | 8 | 0 |
Receiving Statistics: Box Score Breakdown
Tampa Bay’s Air Attack
Mike Evans turned back the clock with his 38th career 100-yard game:
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Evans | 11 | 9 | 159 | 17.7 | 57 | 2 |
| Jalen McMillan | 6 | 5 | 75 | 15.0 | 26 | 1 |
| Cade Otton | 3 | 2 | 24 | 12.0 | 13 | 0 |
| Rachaad White | 2 | 2 | 17 | 8.5 | 11 | 1 |
| Sterling Shepard | 1 | 1 | 16 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 |
| Ryan Miller | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
| Bucky Irving | 2 | 2 | -4 | -2.0 | -1 | 0 |
Evans’ 57-yard score flipped the entire game. Mayfield scrambled right, Evans saw it developing and worked back across the field. One broken tackle later, Tampa Bay had its first lead since the opening quarter.
Chargers Receiving Corps Contained
Los Angeles couldn’t create explosive plays:
| Player | Targets | Receptions | Yards | Average | Long | TDs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladd McConkey | 5 | 5 | 58 | 11.6 | 20 | 1 |
| Stone Smartt | 5 | 5 | 50 | 10.0 | 31 | 0 |
| Quentin Johnston | 6 | 4 | 45 | 9.0 | 13 | 1 |
| DJ Chark Jr. | 2 | 2 | 16 | 8.0 | 12 | 0 |
| Kimani Vidal | 2 | 2 | 13 | 6.5 | 10 | 0 |
| Joshua Palmer | 3 | 2 | 10 | 5.0 | 5 | 0 |
| Tucker Fisk | 5 | 1 | 7 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 |
Defensive Statistics: Second-Half Lockdown
Tampa Bay’s Defense Slams the Door
After allowing 17 first-half points, the Buccaneers gave up just 64 total yards in the final 30 minutes:
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits | Key Play |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lavonte David | 12 | 8 | 1.5 | 1.0 | 3 | Pressure caused Dean INT |
| Logan Hall | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 0 | 1 | Career-high sack total |
| Jamel Dean | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | First INT of 2024 season |
| Vi Jones | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Forced fumble on Smartt |
| Kaevon Merriweather | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Recovered Jones’ forced fumble |
The turning point came when David hammered Herbert on third down. The wobbly pass floated right to Dean, who had been waiting all season for his first pick. Todd Bowles kept it simple about the halftime adjustments: “We just play more aggressive in the second half once they see things. In the second half they bottled down and the communication was great and everybody understood the assignment.”
Check out the second-half Chargers possessions: punt, punt, interception, turnover on downs, turnover on downs, fumble. That’s a complete shutdown.
Los Angeles Defensive Numbers
The Chargers defense fought hard but couldn’t stop the bleeding:
| Player | Total Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | Notable Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Troy Dye | 9 | 5 | 1.0 | 0 | Led team in tackles |
| Daiyan Henley | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Junior Colson | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – |
| Derwin James Jr. | 5 | 5 | 0 | 1.0 | “They punched us in the mouth” |
| Tarheeb Still | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | INT returned 18 yards |
Critical Situational Statistics
Down-and-Distance Performance
The third-down numbers alone explain this game:
| Category | Tampa Bay | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Third Down Conversions | 9/15 (60%) | 0/6 (0%) |
| Fourth Down Conversions | 1/1 (100%) | 0/2 (0%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 1/1 (100%) | 2/3 (67%) |
| Punts | 0 | 3 |
| First Downs | 24 | 14 |
| – Passing | 12 | 10 |
| – Rushing | 9 | 1 |
| – Penalty | 3 | 3 |
Going 0-for-6 on third down is how you get blown out. The Chargers couldn’t sustain anything, and their 0-for-2 on fourth down sealed their fate.
Clock Control
| Half | Tampa Bay | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| First Half | 17:23 | 12:37 |
| Second Half | 19:25 | 10:35 |
| Total | 36:48 | 23:12 |
Halftime Numbers That Matter
The scoreboard lied at halftime. Despite trailing 17-13, check out these first-half stats:
- Total Yards: TB 208, LAC 142
- First Downs: TB 13, LAC 10
- Third Downs: TB 5/8 (62.5%), LAC 0/2 (0%)
Tampa Bay then went touchdown, field goal, touchdown, touchdown, field goal on their first five second-half drives. Mayfield kept it simple about the halftime talk: “As long as we don’t hurt ourselves we’ll be alright.”
Special Teams Performance
| Category | Tampa Bay | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Field Goals | McLaughlin 4/4 (100%) | Dicker 1/1 (100%) |
| FG Distances | 22, 37, 42, 43 yards | 41 yards |
| Extra Points | 4/4 | 2/2 |
| Kicking Points | 16 | 5 |
| Punts | None needed | Scott: 3 for 141 yards (47.0 avg) |
| Kickoff Returns | Tucker: 1 for 37 yards | Davis: 7 for 182 yards (26.0 avg) |
Chase McLaughlin was money, hitting from 22, 37, 42, and 43 yards without a miss. Jake Camarda never saw the field because Tampa Bay’s offense kept moving. Meanwhile, JK Scott punted three times for the Chargers, including a 57-yarder.
Penalty Report
Terry Brown’s crew called a relatively clean game:
| Team | Penalties | Yards | Biggest Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tampa Bay | 8 | 83 | McMillan’s unsportsmanlike conduct |
| Los Angeles | 7 | 60 | Roughing the passer on key drive |
McMillan’s celebration penalty hurt — it knocked Tampa Bay out of the red zone in the third quarter, turning a potential touchdown into a 42-yard field goal attempt.
Milestones and Records Set
This Week 15 contest produced several notable achievements:
- Mayfield’s 100th career start saw him reach 30 passing TDs for the first time
- Tampa Bay rushed for 150+ yards in four straight games (franchise record)
- Herbert’s INT-free streak ended at 357 attempts (5th-longest in NFL history)
- Chargers’ 206 total yards marked their 2024 season low
- Evans recorded his 38th career 100-yard game
- Irving’s 54-yard run was the longest given up by LA’s defense all year
Advanced Analytics
The EPA numbers backed up what everyone saw on the field. Pro Football Reference’s detailed tracking shows the gap:
- Passing EPA: Buccaneers +15.2, Chargers -8.4
- Rushing EPA: Buccaneers +7.8, Chargers -6.1
- Success Rate: Buccaneers 52%, Chargers 29%
Basically, Tampa Bay stayed ahead of the chains all game while Los Angeles played from behind the sticks.
Three Plays That Changed Everything
1. Mike Evans’ 57-Yard Scramble Drill Score (3rd Quarter, 10:23)
Down 17-13, Mayfield escaped the pocket and Evans adjusted. The broken tackle and sprint to the end zone gave Tampa Bay their first lead since 7-0.
2. Jamel Dean’s First Interception (3rd Quarter)
David’s hit on Herbert caused the floater. Dean grabbed it at the LA 42, ending Herbert’s historic streak. Three plays later: Evans again for six.
3. Bucky Irving’s 54-Yard Counter (3rd Quarter)
The perfectly blocked play demoralized the Chargers defense. Bredeson trapped Bosa, Kieft sealed the edge, and Irving was off to the races.
Playoff Picture Impact
Tampa Bay improved to 8-6 and tightened their grip on the NFC South. Next Gen Stats gave them an 81% chance to win the division after this performance. They proved they can hang with anyone by shredding the league’s top scoring defense.
The 8-6 Chargers took a devastating hit to their wild card hopes. Derwin James Jr. summed it up: “They punched us in the mouth.” Coach Jim Harbaugh called it “thorough” and “uncharacteristic” — harsh words from a coach who preaches physicality. Their Thursday night game against Denver became do-or-die.
Looking at Similar Matchups
For more Tampa Bay offensive explosions, check the Buccaneers vs Chiefs player statistics from their earlier meeting. The Chargers faced similar struggles in their matchup with Arizona.
Game Officials
Referee Crew: Terry Brown (Referee), Terrence Miles, David Meslow, Scott Novak, Mark Pellis, Mark Stewart, Brian Sakowski
The box score from Tampa Bay’s 40-17 Week 15 victory captured individual brilliance across the roster. Mike Evans hauled in 159 yards and two scores, Bucky Irving rushed for 117 yards including that backbreaking 54-yarder, and Lavonte David’s 12-tackle, game-wrecking performance anchored a defense that pitched a second-half shutout. With 506 total yards, 60% third-down efficiency, and zero punts, the Buccaneers demonstrated they’re peaking at the perfect time for a playoff run.
