MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

(Inglewood) – The Chargers were outscored 27-0 in the second half and fell to Tampa Bay 40-17 Sunday before 69,496 fans at SoFi Stadium.

The Chargers were up 17-13 at halftime but the Buccaneers scored early in the third quarter to take the lead and took control from there. The Chargers last score came mid-way through the second quarter and they were shut out the rest of the way.

Tampa Bay got on the board first taking the opening kickoff and driving 70 yards on 7 plays to take a 7-0 lead. Baker Mayfield hit Jalen McMillan for a 26-yard touchdown pass.

But the Chargers immediately responded with a 10-play, 70-yard drive. Justin Herbert connected with Ladd McConkey on 7-yard touchdown strike to even it up.

Chase Mclaughlin booted a 22-yard field goal for the Buccaneers early in the second quarter after their drive stalled at the Charger 3-yard line. Tampa Bay took a 10-7 lead.

Cameron Dicker “The Kicker” booted a 42-yard field goal on the Chargers next series to tie it at 10.

On Tampa Bay’s next possession Tarheeb Still intercepted Mayfield and returned it to the Buccaneer 27 yard line. Three plays later Herbert found Quentin Johnston on a 13-yard touchdown pass to give the Chargers a 17-10 lead. that was the last scoring highlight for LA.

Tampa Bay turned it over again on the next series as Elijah Molden recovered a fumble for the Chargers at the Bucs 49 yard line. But they were unable to take advantage and were forced to punt.

McLaughlin kicked a 37-yard field goal with 33 seconds left in the second quarter to cut the Chargers lead to 17-13. LA took the four-point lead into halftime.

Then the Buccaneers took over. Early in the third quarter Mayfield hit Mike Evans and after a missed tackle Evans raced down the sideline 57 yards for a touchdown and a 20-17 Tampa Bay lead with 10:23 left in the third.

After the Chargers punted it away McLaughlin kicked a 42-yard field goal to increase the Bucs lead to 23-17.

Herbert was picked off by Jamel Dean on the Chargers next possession and Tampa Bay was back in business at the LA 42.

The turnover led to a 35-yard touchdown strike from Mayfield to Evans to put the Buccaneers up 30-17 with 1:36 left in the third quarter.

In the fourth quarter the Bucs marched 66 yards on 9 plays. Mayfield threw a swing pass to Rachaad White who went 11 yards for the score. The Bucs were up 37-17 with 7:37 left.

McLaughlin added a 43-yard field with 2:51 left to increase the Tampa Bay lead to 40-17.

After another Chargers turnover the Buccaneers ran out the clock.

For the Chargers Hebert completed 21 of 33 for 195 yards and two touchdowns with an interception. McConkey caught 5 passes for 58 yards and a score and Johnston had 5 receptions for 49 yards and a touchdown. The Chargers had only 32 total yards on the ground.

For Tampa Bay Mayfield was 22 of 27 for 288 yards and 4 touchdowns with an interception. Evans was his favorite target with 9 catches for 159 yards and 2 scores. Bucky Irving led the rushing attack with 117 yards in 15 carries and White ran for 64 yards on 15 carries. White also had a touchdown receiving.

The Buccaneers improved to 8-6 with the victory while the Chargers dropped to 8-6.

Next up for the Chargers is a home game against the Denver Broncos on Thursday Night Football.