MVP-caliber Mayfield lifts Bucs to 30-19 win over 49ers

TAMPA, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-1) defeated the San Francisco 49ers (4-2) 30-19 on Sunday afternoon.

M-V-P chants echoed through Raymond James Stadium on Sunday as quarterback Baker Mayfield added another chapter to his MVP-caliber 2025 season.

Mayfield completed 17 of 23 passes for 256 yards and two touchdowns. He leads the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio with 12 passing touchdowns and just one interception this season.

Mayfield kept up his efficiency without the Bucs’ top rusher, Bucky Irving, and Pro Bowl receivers Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. Standout rookie receiver Emeka Egbuka also left the game with a hamstring injury and missed the entire second half.

Still, Mayfield continues to lead the Bucs to wins no matter who is breaking the huddle with him. He made the play of the game in the third quarter when he broke four tackles and stretched out his body like Superman to convert on third-and-14. Next Gen Stats gave Mayfield a 3.7% chance of picking up the first down on the play.

“It was huge. Every time something negative happens, he makes it a positive. He does something to give everyone hope, and that run was one of them,” head coach Todd Bowles said.

Later in the drive, rookie Tez Johnson caught a 45-yard touchdown. Mayfield has three touchdown passes of 40 yards or more this season — the most in the league.

Second-year receiver Kameron Johnson had four receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown. It was the first career catch and touchdown for Johnson, who has spent most of his time with Tampa Bay returning kicks.

Veteran receiver Sterling Shepard and tight end Cade Otton both had 51 receiving yards. Running back Rachaad White added 65 yards rushing, 21 yards receiving and a rushing touchdown.

The Bucs are 5-1 for the first time since 2021 and just the sixth time in franchise history. It’s also the first time Tampa Bay has won a game without a game-winning drive in the final minute. The win snapped the Bucs’ four-game losing streak against the 49ers and marked Mayfield’s first career win over San Francisco.

Quarterback Mac Jones started for San Francisco with Brock Purdy injured. Jones completed 27 of 39 passes for 347 yards. The Bucs have allowed 637 passing yards in their last two games.

Jones was intercepted twice. Cornerback Kindle Vildor picked off Jones on the 49ers’ first possession — his first interception as a Buccaneer. Cornerback Jamel Dean intercepted Jones in the fourth quarter, his second interception of the season.

The Bucs have recorded multiple takeaways in three of their last four games and lead the league with 38 tackles for loss this season.

Tampa Bay swarmed Jones all day, recording six sacks and 10 quarterback hits. Linebacker Yaya Diaby had two sacks — the second multi-sack game of his career. Defensive lineman Vita Vea, Elijah Roberts, C.J. Brewer and linebackers Lavonte David and Haason Reddick all recorded at least half a sack. Dean also recorded his first career sack.

Kicker Chase McLaughlin’s 45-yard field goal put the game on ice late in the fourth quarter. McLaughlin redeemed himself after missing a 49-yard attempt on the previous possession. The missed kick was his first since his game-winner against the Jets.

Running back Christian McCaffrey had 54 rushing yards, 57 receiving yards and a rushing touchdown. Receiver Kendrick Bourne led all players with 142 receiving yards.

The 49ers dealt with their own injury struggles. Receiver Ricky Pearsall, tight end George Kittle and defensive end Nick Bosa all missed the game. All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner went down with a gruesome ankle injury in the first quarter and has been ruled out for the season.

Under Bowles, horror movies haven’t been the most frightening thing for Tampa Bay in October. In Bowles’ first three years, the Bucs had a ghastly 3-9 record in the month. But Tampa Bay is conquering its fears in 2025, with two wins in a row to start October.

The Bucs’ 5-1 record is the best in the NFC and tied for the best in the NFL. They hold a two-game lead in the NFC South over the second-place Carolina Panthers.

Up next, the Bucs head to Detroit for a heavyweight bout on Monday Night Football against the Lions.