The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will take their longest trip of the season in Week 15, jetting to Los Angeles to take on the Chargers at SoFi Stadium on Sunday, December 15. Kickoff will come at 1:25 p.m. local time, 4:25 p.m. back in Tampa. The 7-6 Buccaneers will be trying to extend a three-game winning streak and, in the process, make sure they remain ahead of the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC South. The 8-5 Chargers will be looking to solidify their hold on one of the AFC Wild Card spots.

The Buccaneers hopes to come out of their Week 11 bye on a hot streak have come to fruition so far and they are looking for another late-season run that has become common since their current streak of four straight playoff seasons (working on number five) started in 2020. Since that season, the Buccaneers are 19-5 in regular-season games played in December or January, with the second-most wins and the second-best winning percentage in the NFL behind the Buffalo Bills.

This weekend could present the greatest challenge on the Bucs' post-bye schedule. The three teams they have beaten have combined for seven wins this season, and the three teams on the other side of the West Coast trip all have losing records. The Chargers, meanwhile, have won five of their last seven, only falling to Baltimore and Kansas City, the latter on a last-second banked-in field goal last week.

Of course, the Buccaneers know how little wiggle room they have in their quest to stay ahead of Atlanta and win a fourth straight division title, so every game is equally meaningful. Or, more to the point, the one at hand is always the one that matters most.

"It's just the next one," said quarterback Baker Mayfield. "It's the most important one. Obviously, it's a good challenge for us just based on how they're playing right now. We have to bring our A-game but that's every Sunday."

The Chargers took a big swing in the offseason and were able to lure Jim Harbaugh away from Michigan and back to the NFL, and he has built on his reputation for being able to build a winner quickly. Los Angeles has taken on his rugged mentality as their approach to winning games.

"[They are] tough-minded," said Harbaugh's counterpart in Tampa, Todd Bowles. "Huge up front – both sides of the ball – they stop the run and run the ball. They do a very good job with time of possession. They can play action and hit you deep. The quarterback can do a lot of things. Their hallmark is they don't beat themselves. We've got to play clean football."

It didn't hurt Harbaugh's efforts that he inherited one of the NFL's best quarterbacks in fifth-year player Justin Herbert. Herbert has thrown only one interception this year but he has one of the NFL's strongest arms and can easily get the ball downfield. He's also willing to extend plays and take hits in order to make something happen when he is forced out of the pocket.

"He does a great job taking care of the football and understanding the offense," said Bowles. "If it's not there, he can use his legs; if it's there, he's got a cannon of an arm. He can zip it in. He trusts his receivers – they do a good job of mixing it up."

Meanwhile, an L.A. defense spearheaded by the pass-rush rotation of Khalil Mack, Tuli Tuipulotu, Joey Bosa and rookie Justin Eboigbe is allowing only 15.9 points per game, the fewest in the NFL. Safety Derwin James is the chess piece for Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter, alternately lining up deep, in the slot or on the edge to rush the passer. The Chargers' defense is eighth against the pass, seventh in sack rate, sixth in interception rate and first in red zone touchdown efficiency.

"They play really, really hard," said Mayfield. "Obviously, they have great players. I think Derwin James is playing some of the best ball of his career right now. They're using him really well and obviously the guys up front – they have some stars up there. I think the secondary as a whole is playing really well, not letting a lot of things behind them. They're obviously coached well, they fly to the ball, keep things in front of them, fly and play for each other."

The Buccaneers, who are scoring 27.9 points per game, fifth-best in the NFL, may need to establish the ground game if they want to break through the Chargers' scoring cap. Tampa Bay has rushed for over 150 yards in each of its last three wins and are averaging 5.14 yards per tote, while the Chargers' defense ranks 22nd while allowing 4.58 yards per carry. Whatever the formula for success is, the Bucs hope to find it in Los Angeles on Sunday and move one step closer to a division title.

GAME AND BROADCAST DETAILS

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-6) at Los Angeles Chargers (8-5)

Sunday, December 15, 4:25 p.m. ET

SoFi Stadium (capacity: 71,599)

Inglewood, California

Television: Fox

TV Broadcast Team: Adam Amin (play-by-play), Mark Sanchez (analysts), Kristina Pink (reporter)

Radio: 98Rock (WXTB, 97.9 FM), Flagship Station

Radio Broadcast Team: Gene Deckerhoff (play-by-play), Dave Moore (analyst), T.J. Rives (reporter)

Spanish Radio: 96.1 Caliente

Spanish Radio Broadcast Team: Carlos Bohorquez (play-by-play), Martin Gramática (analyst), Santiago Gramática (reporter)

ALL-TIME HEAD-TO-HEAD SERIES

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Los Angeles Chargers will meet for the 13th time on Sunday, and if the series holds true to recent form it should be a high-scoring contest…for at least one of the two teams. The average score for the winning team in the series is 30.2 points, with the Buccaneers taking the last three contests by 34-24, 28-21 and 38-31 margins.

That three-game winning streak has allowed the Buccaneers to close the series gap a bit after the Chargers (long based in San Diego before their move to Los Angeles in 2017) won eight of the first nine. It's still an 8-4 series edge for the Chargers, largely built on a six-game winning streak from 1976, Tampa Bay's inaugural season, through. Tampa Bay's first win in the competition came in 1996 and is one of the more notable victories in franchise history.

The Buccaneers had a new head coach in '96, but Tony Dungy's team got off to an 0-5 start and were still only 2-8 upon taking the trip out to San Diego in Week 12. The night before the game, the Buccaneers' "Big Three" of defensive leaders – Warren Sapp, Derrick Brooks and John Lynch – sat in their hotel room and watch an ESPN program call them "The Yuks." They vowed to change things for the franchise that night, and the next day they overcame an early 14-0 deficit to win 25-17, with Lynch providing a key interception. The 1996 Bucs won five of their last seven games, setting the stage for the franchise's long-awaited revival the next year.

The NFL's expansion to 32 teams and corresponding realignment in 2002 led to a new scheduling format that relied on rotating divisional matchups. For the Buccaneers and Chargers, that means only one meeting every four years, alternating between the two teams' home stadiums. That pattern actually got altered in 2008 and 2012, when the league switched the locations of some matchups to avoid teams having too many coast-to-coast flights in the same season. For that reason, the Bucs played host to the Chargers in both 2008 and 2012, losing the first one 41-24 but winning the second one 34-24. The Bucs won that 2012 contest by 10 points despite losing the yardage battle, 426-279, in part because Leonard Johnson returned an interception 83 yards for a touchdown.

The most recent meeting between the two teams was in 2020 in Tampa, and it was an early-season duel between two teams getting adjusted to new quarterbacks. The Buccaneers had made the most dramatic move possible in free agency, signing long-time Patriot Tom Brady, while the Chargers had used the sixth-overall pick in the 2020 draft on Oregon's Justin Herbert. Those two put on a show, combining for 659 passing yards and eight touchdown passes. Brady's side came out on top as he tossed five of those scoring passes, but not before the home team had to rally from a 24-7 second-quarter deficit.

Prior to that, the most recent game in California in the series came in 2016, the Chargers' last season in San Diego. It was an exciting game that saw three lead changes, a pick-six by Lavonte David, a big day from tight end Cameron Brate (six catches for 86 yards and a touchdown) and a game-sealing interception by Keith Tandy at the goal line with three minutes left. The Bucs held on for a 28-21 victory.

NOTABLE CONNECTIONS

• Buccaneers kicker Chase McLaughlin got his first NFL regular season action with the Chargers in 2019. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Bills, McLaughlin signed with the Chargers in October and subsequently got into four games. He made six of his nine field goal attempts and all seven PATs in that span.
• Prior to joining the Buccaneers' player personnel staff in 2014, Director of Player Personnel Mike Biehl logged 13 seasons on the Chargers' staff (in San Diego), eventually ascending to assistant director of college scouting.
• Tampa Bay Tight Ends Coach Justin Peelle was selected by the Chargers in the fourth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played the first four of his 10 NFL seasons in San Diego, recording 40 catches for 270 yards and four touchdowns.
• Kevin Ross, the Buccaneers' cornerbacks coach, spent time with the Chargers as both a player and a coach. He played the 13th of his 14 playing seasons with San Diego in 1996, appearing in 16 games with two starts, contributing 78 tackles and two interceptions. He returned to the team 11 years later and spent two seasons as an assistant secondary/quality control coach.

SENIOR COACHING STAFFS

Tampa Bay:

• Head Coach Todd Bowles

• Offensive Coordinator Liam Coen

• Run Game Coordinator/Defensive Line Coach Kacy Rodgers
• Pass Game Coordinator/Inside Linebackers Coach Larry Foote
• Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey

Los Angeles:

• Head Coach Jim Harbaugh

• Offensive Coordinator Greg Roman

• Defensive Coordinator Jesse Minter
• Special Teams Coordinator Ryan Ficken

KEY 2024 ROSTER ADDITIONS

Buccaneers:

• C Graham Barton (1st-round draft pick)
• OLB Chris Braswell (2nd-round draft pick)
• G Ben Bredeson (UFA)
• TE Devin Culp (7th-round draft pick)
• S Mike Edwards (W-TEN)
• P Trenton Gill (FA)
• CB Bryce Hall (UFA…currently on injured reserve)
• CB Troy Hill (FA)
• RB Bucky Irving (4th-round draft pick)
• WR Kameron Johnson (UDFA…currently on injured reserve)
• LB Vi Jones (FA)
• G Elijah Klein (6th-round draft pick)
• WR Jalen McMillan (3rd-round draft pick)
• G Royce Newman (W-GB)
• S Tykee Smith (3rd-round draft pick)
• CB Tavierre Thomas (UFA)
• S Jordan Whitehead (UFA)

Chargers:

• T Joe Alt (1st-round draft pick)
• C Bradley Bozeman (FA)
• WR DJ Chark (FA)
• LB Junior Colson (3rd-round draft pick…currently on injured reserve)
• TE Will Dissly (FA)
• RB J.K. Dobbins (UFA…currently on injured reserve)
• OLB Bud Dupree (FA)
• LB Troy Dye (UFA)
• DT Justin Eboigbe (4th-round draft pick)
• RB Gus Edwards (UFA)
• TE Tucker Fisk (FA)
• DT Poona Ford (UFA)
• S Kristian Fulton (UFA)
• CB Cam Hart (5th-round draft pick)
• RB Hassan Haskins (W-TEN)
• QB Taylor Heinicke (T-ATL)
• TE Hayden Hurst (FA…currently on injured reserve)
• S Tony Jefferson (FA)
• WR Ladd McConkey (2nd-round draft pick)
• S Elijah Molden (T-TEN)
• LB Denzel Perryman (UFA)
• LB Shaq Quarterman (FA)
• WR Jalen Reagor (FA)
• WR Brenden Rice (7th-round draft pick…currently on injured reserve)
• CB Tarheeb Still (5th-round draft pick)
• DT Teair Tart (FA)
• RB Kimani Vidal (6th-round draft pick)

ADDITIONAL 2024 CHANGES/DEVELOPMENTS OF NOTE

Buccaneers:

• As Todd Bowles navigates his third season as the Bucs' head coach he is working with his third offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Last year, Bowles picked former Seattle Quarterbacks Coach Dave Canales to replace Byron Leftwich, but Canales departed this offseason to take over as the head coach of the Panthers. Bowles then turned to Liam Coen, who comes from the Sean McVay coaching tree with the Rams and most recently was the offensive coordinator at the University of Kentucky. Three members of the Bucs' 2023 staff followed Canales to Carolina – Brad Idzik, Harold Goodwin and Joe Gilbert, which led to some other new additions on Bowles staff in 2024. Those include Offensive Line Coach Kevin Carberry, Pass Game Coordinator Josh Grizzard, Wide Receivers Coach Bryan McClendon and Assistant Offensive Line Coach Brian Picucci. In addition, long-time Special Teams Coordinator Keith Armstrong retired in the offseason, so the Bucs brought in Thomas McGaughey as his replacement.
• Under Coen, the Buccaneers' offense employs quite a bit more pre-snap shifts and movement than it had in 2023, and Coen also has widened the variety of the types of runs the ground game employees. One of Coen's other key initiatives in an attempt to get a moribund rushing attack going is to give quarterback Baker Mayfield multiple plays to choose from in the huddle and at the line so that the offense runs into unfavorable looks less often.
• Despite having tight salary cap restrictions, the Buccaneers made it a priority to retain key players from the 2023 season who were scheduled to hit free agency. General Manager Jason Licht and his staff successfully checked off every item on their list of priorities, beginning with a new two-year deal for franchise icon Mike Evans. That helped bring the team's negotiations with quarterback Baker Mayfield to a conclusion. After Mayfield played the 2023 season on a one-year prove-it deal, his resurgence landed him a lucrative new multi-year contract. The Bucs were also able to re-sign linebacker Lavonte David and kicker Chase McLaughlin. With the other deals in the works, the Bucs used the franchise tag on safety Antoine Winfield Jr. and later inking him to a new contract making him the highest-paid defensive back in the NFL.
• All-Pro tackle Tristan Wirfs didn't need a new contract for 2024 but he was entering the final year of his rookie deal and the Buccaneers were highly motivated to lock him in to a new long-term pact. That lengthy process came to a head on August 1, when the two sides agreed on a five-year extension that runs through the 2029 campaign and makes him the highest paid offensive lineman in the NFL.
• In March, the Buccaneers traded cornerback Carlton Davis, who had started 75 games over six seasons with the team, to the Detroit Lions for a third-round pick in this year's draft. The Buccaneers eventually used that pick to select Washington wide receiver Jalen McMillan.
• In a Week Seven Monday Night Football game against Baltimore, the Buccaneers' offense took several serious blows when both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans suffered significant injuries. Godwin, who at the time was leading the NFL with 50 receptions, sustained a dislocated ankle that will keep him out for at least the rest of the regular season, though he has spoken of the possibility of returning for the postseason if the Buccaneers make it into the field. Evans, who caught his 100th career touchdown pass earlier in the Ravens game, incurred a hamstring injury that caused him to miss three games before his return in Week 12.

Chargers:

• After dismissing Head Coach Brandon Staley and General Manager Tom Telesco in Week 15 last season, the Chargers swung big to get Staley's replacement, luring Jim Harbaugh back to the NFL after nine seasons and a national championship at the University of Michigan. Harbaugh brought in Greg Roman, previously an offensive coordinator under his brother Jim with the Ravens, to serve in that same capacity, and brought Jesse Minter with him from Michigan to take over as defensive coordinator.
• The Chargers tabbed Joe Hortiz to replace Telesco after Hortiz had spent 26 seasons on the Ravens' staff, the last five as director of player personnel.
• Harbaugh and Telesco inherited a very restrictive salary cap situation and purged some veterans to make it more manageable. Most notably, the team parted ways with both of its long-time standout receivers, Mike Williams and Keenan Allen. Williams was released while Allen was sent to Chicago in exchange for a fourth-round draft pick. Those two had combined to play in 127 games for the Chargers and amass more than 15,000 receiving yards.
• The Chargers also cut ties with such notable veterans as center Corey Linsley, linebacker Eric Kendricks and running back Austin Ekeler. Linsley and Kendricks were released early in the offseason while Ekeler left for Washington in free agency after never landing the lucrative long-term deal he had been seeking from the Chargers.
• Running back J.K. Dobbins, new to Los Angeles after four years in Baltimore, got off to an explosive start with his new team, rushing for 276 yards and two touchdowns in the first two games of the season. While he hasn't had another 100-yard outing since, he does lead the team with 766 rushing yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per tote. However, Dobbins suffered a knee injury in Week 12 and was placed on injured reserve on November 30. He will not be eligible to return to the active roster until Week 17.

INJURY REPORT

Key:

DNP: Did not participate in practice

LP: Limited participation in practice

FP: Full participation in practice

NL: Not listed

Buccaneers:

• G Ben Bredeson (shoulder) – WEDS: DNP
• LB K.J. Britt (ankle) – WEDS: DNP
• S Mike Edwards (hamstring) – WEDS: DNP
• WR Mike Evans (hamstring/calf) – WEDS: DNP
• DL Greg Gaines (knee) – WEDS: LP
• DL Will Gholston (knee) – WEDS: FP
• DL Logan Hall (shoulder) – WEDS: FP
• CB Josh Hayes (hamstring) – WEDS: DNP
• RB Bucky Irving (back/hip) – WEDS: DNP
• S Christian Izien (groin) – WEDS: DNP
• WR Rakim Jarrett (finger) – WEDS: FP
• TE Ko Kieft (ankle) – WEDS: LP
• LB J.J. Russell (hamstring) – WEDS: LP
• WR Sterling Shepard (foot) – WEDS: DNP
• S Tykee Smith (knee) – WEDS: LP
• OLB Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (ankle) – WEDS: FP
• OLB Markees Watts* (knee) – WEDS: FP
• S Antoine Winfield Jr. (knee) – WEDS: DNP
• T Tristan Wirfs (foot/knee) – WEDS: DNP

* Watts is in his 21-day practice window for return from injured reserve.

Chargers:

• OLB Joey Bosa (hip) – WEDS: DNP
• WR Derius Davis (hamstring) – WEDS: LP
• TE Will Dissly (shoulder) – WEDS: DNP
• QB Justin Herbert (ankle/thigh) – WEDS: DNP
• S Tony Jefferson (hamstring) – WEDS: LP
• OLB Khalil Mack (rest) – WEDS: DNP
• WR Ladd McConkey (knee/shoulder) – WEDS: LP
• LB Denzel Perryman (groin) – WEDS: LP
• WR Jalen Reagor (finger) – WEDS: DNP

WEATHER FORECAST

Fixed roof stadium, open on the sides. Outside weather: Partly cloudy. High of 67, low of 45, 3% chance of rain, 56% humidity, winds out of the WNW at 4 mph.

GAME REFEREE

Head referee: Scott Novak (11th season, 6th as referee)

BETTING LINE

• Favorite: Chargers (-3.0)
• Over/Under: 45.5

INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS IN 2024

Buccaneers-

Points Scored: K Chase McLauglin, 101

Touchdowns: RB Rachaad White, 8

Passing Yards: QB Baker Mayfield, 3,329

Passer Rating: QB Baker Mayfield, 101.4

Rushing Yards: RB Bucky Irving, 735

Receptions: TE Cade Otton, 57

Receiving Yards: WR Mike Evans, 590

Interceptions: CB Zyon McCollum/S Tykee Smith, 2

Sacks: DL Calijah Kancey/DL Vita Vea, 6.0

Tackles: LB Lavonte David, 92

Chargers-

Points Scored: K Cameron Dicker, 107

Touchdowns: J.K. Dobbins*, 8

Passing Yards: QB Justin Herbert, 2,764

Passer Rating: QB Justin Herbert, 98.5

Rushing Yards: RB J.K. Dobbins*, 766

Receptions: WR Ladd McConkey, 58

Receiving Yards: WR Ladd McConkey, 815

Interceptions: S Elijah Molden/CB Tarheeb Still, 3

Sacks: OLB Tuli Tuipulotu, 7.5

Tackles: LB Daiyan Henley, 117

* On injured reserve

TEAM STAT RANKINGS IN 2024

Buccaneers-

Scoring Offense: 5th (27.9 ppg)

Total Offense: 3rd (379.3 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 8th (138.3 ypg)

Passing Offense: 6th (241.0 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 3rd (22.5)

Third-Down Pct.: 2nd (47.2%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 18th (7.32%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: 4th (68.6%)

Scoring Defense: 22nd (23.8 ppg)

Total Defense: 28th (368.5 ypg)

Rushing Defense: 11th (115.2 ypg)

Passing Defense: 30th (253.4 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: 28th (21.2)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 23rd (41.9%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 20th (7.13%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 10th (51.0%)

Turnover Margin: t-16th (-2)

Chargers-

Scoring Offense: 20th (21.3 ppg)

Total Offense: 24th (309.5 ypg)

Rushing Offense: 19th (111.5 ypg)

Passing Offense: 25th (198.1 ypg)

First Downs Per Game: 30th (17.2)

Third-Down Pct.: 15th (38.4%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt Allowed: 26th (10.30%)

Red Zone TD Pct.: 19th (54.6)

Scoring Defense: 1st (15.9 ppg)

Total Defense: 11th (323.7 ypg)

Rushing Defense: t-14th (117.6 ypg)

Passing Defense: 8th (206.1 ypg)

First Downs Allowed Per Game: t-7th (18.3)

Third-Down Pct. Allowed: 7th (35.0%)

Sacks Per Pass Attempt: 7th (8.90%)

Red Zone TD Pct. Allowed: 1st (41.9%)

Turnover Margin: 3rd (+11)

WHAT TO WATCH FOR

• LB Lavonte David recorded a sack against Las Vegas in Week 14 and now has 37.5 of them in his career. He needs 1.5 more to tie David Logan for sixth place in Buccaneers history.
• WR Mike Evans has played in 164 games as a Buccaneer and is tied with Hall of Fame safety John Lynch for seventh place in franchise history in that category. One more will give him sole possession of that spot.
• QB Baker Mayfield has 28 touchdown passes on the season after throwing for three in the win over Las Vegas. One more will give him a new single-season career high, surpassing the 28 he threw last year..
• TE Cade Otton has a team-leading 57 receptions in 2024. Six more would allow him to surpass Jackie Harris (62 in 1995) for the fourth most in a single season by a tight end in franchise history.

NOTABLY QUOTABLE

• Head Coach Todd Bowles on Tampa Bay rushing for over 150 yards in three straight games: "The biggest thing for the explosive runs are the tight ends and the receivers. If they don't do their jobs down the field, those are six-, seven-, eight-yard gains. Those guys do a very good job in the run game. With the addition of the offensive line – I'm not counting them out – they're the lynchpin of the whole thing. Those guys do a very good job of getting downfield and blocking."
• Cornerback Zyon McCollum on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert: "Justin Herbert can put the ball anywhere and he can throw the ball on a rope. He can throw off his back foot if he needs to. And he's tough, from what I've seen. He's not going to slide. He's going to continue to play hard. Their offense as a whole is very confident. They run the ball really well, and when they have to pass it he can get the job done."
• Defensive lineman Vita Vea on what the Bucs need to do to be successful against the Chargers: "I think we're playing against a team that's very fundamentally sound. They're a team that doesn't beat themselves, so it's going to be challenge on us, especially seeing what they've done under [Jim] Harbaugh this year. They're a well-coached team so we've got to be on top of it and we can't beat ourselves."
• Quarterback Baker Mayfield on how mentally tough this Buccaneers team is: "It's an unbelievable group. That's what made me want come back here. I wanted that, just because of the group that we have, the key pieces here, the culture that's been set far before I was here. For guys to actually be able to hit the reset button and say, 'If I just do my job and we play for each other and play together, good things are going to happen.' That's really rare to have, but it's what makes this group so special."
• Bowles on the important of wide receivers Jalen McMillan and Sterling Shepard contributing in the absence of WR Chris Godwin: "They've done a great job. Jalen has done a great job coming down the stretch here – he's gotten better each week. He understands the offense very well and he's playing with a lot of confidence right now. I don't think Sterling ever lost confidence once he got healthy. He's hell on wheels in practice; he's hell on wheels in the game. He's our Energizer Bunny – I keep saying it. He's a very intelligent football player.