Mayfield and Bucs are confident they can turn season around after beating division-leading Panthers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, trailing the NFC South-leading Carolina Panthers, bounced back with a dominant 43-13 victory on Sunday. Quarterback Baker Mayfield, returning from injury, threw for 64 yards and a touchdown in his first action since dislocating his right thumb in September. The team's ground game, led by Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, and Sean Tucker, allowed Mayfield to focus on protecting the pocket and situating his offense.

The Bucs' defense sacked Bryce Young five times and forced four turnovers, including a 32-yard fumble return by Calijah Kancey and a block of an extra-point attempt that turned into 2 points. Mayfield praised the team's performance, stating it exemplifies their potential. Despite a recent string of one-score games, Tampa Bay remains far from out of the NFC South race, with five division games still to come.