Baker Mayfield: Chargers want to be physical, we flipped the script on them

The Chargers have eight wins this season because they’ve been able to wear down opposing teams, but they weren’t able to follow that formula in Tampa on Sunday.

After building a 17-13 lead in the first half, the bottom fell out for the Chargers in the second half. The Bucs ran for 155 yards after halftime and outscored the Chargers 27-0 in the final 30 minutes for a 40-17 victory. The Chargers managed just 32 rushing yards for the game, and Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield said after the game that it was important for the Bucs to show they can win a game like that.

“It’s a physical football team,” Mayfield said via the team’s website. “That’s what they pride themselves on, is rushing the ball and being physical. So on flip the script on that is huge for us.”

The Bucs have won four straight games since their bye week, posting at least 152 rushing yards in each of those wins. It’s changed the narrative of what kind of team the Bucs are this season, and it’s happened at the right time for them to be a tough contender in the postseason.