Baker Mayfield shrugged off the “MVP!” chants echoing through Raymond James Stadium the same way he slipped away from would-be tacklers all afternoon. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback delivered yet another signature performance, throwing two touchdown passes and orchestrating a highlight-reel scramble that helped seal a 30-19 victory over the injury-depleted San Francisco 49ers on Sunday.
After four straight wins featuring last-minute heroics, the four-time defending NFC South champion Buccaneers (5-1) didn’t need any late drama this time. Mayfield’s biggest moment came early in the fourth quarter, with Tampa Bay clinging to a 20-19 lead and facing third-and-14 from its own 41-yard line.
Mayfield ducked away from pressure in the pocket, spun out of another tackle, scrambled toward the sideline, and dove headfirst — stretching the ball just beyond the marker for a first down. The stadium erupted, and a few plays later, Mayfield rewarded the crowd’s energy by connecting with rookie receiver Tez Johnson on a 45-yard touchdown strike down the middle.
Johnson made a spectacular leaping catch for his first career touchdown, then punctuated it with an acrobatic flip as Tampa Bay extended its lead to 27-19.
The 49ers (4-2) were driving for a potential tying score late in the fourth quarter when Mac Jones — starting again for injured Brock Purdy — was intercepted by Jamel Dean on fourth-and-5 from the Buccaneers’ 33-yard line with just under six minutes remaining. The turnover set up Chase McLaughlin’s 45-yard field goal that put the game out of reach.
Mayfield finished 17 of 23 for 256 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions — a steady, efficient outing despite missing top receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and losing rookie wideout Emeka Egbuka to a hamstring injury in the second half.
“Baker just refuses to go down,” Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said. “That play on third down — that’s who he is. He’s got the whole team believing.”
Jones, playing through knee and oblique injuries, threw for 347 yards and two interceptions in his first loss in four starts filling in for Purdy. His effort was overshadowed by a devastating injury to All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner, who suffered a broken and dislocated ankle in the first quarter. Head coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed after the game that Warner will undergo season-ending surgery.
The 49ers were already without several key stars — including Nick Bosa, George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall, and Purdy — and wideout Jauan Jennings played through an ankle sprain and five fractured ribs.
Running back Christian McCaffrey managed 54 yards on 17 carries and added seven receptions for 57 yards, scoring San Francisco’s first rushing touchdown of the season on the team’s 148th carry. Kicker Eddy Pineiro accounted for much of the 49ers’ scoring with field goals from 52, 54, 42, and 29 yards.
For Tampa Bay, Rachaad White opened the scoring with a 2-yard touchdown run following Kindle Vildor’s interception return to the San Francisco 12-yard line. Sean Tucker added a 9-yard rushing score in the second quarter, while Kameron Johnson — on his first career reception — hauled in a 34-yard touchdown from Mayfield late in the first half to make it 20-13.
As fans filed out of the stadium, chants of “MVP! MVP!” still echoed in the warm Florida air — a reflection of Mayfield’s growing legend in Tampa Bay.
“He’s leading this team like he’s been here for years,” said receiver Cade Otton. “When he makes those kinds of plays, we all feel unstoppable.”
49ers: Host the Atlanta Falcons next Sunday night. Buccaneers: Visit the Detroit Lions on Monday Night Football.
