There was no shortage of long scoring plays as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers tried to erase a 21-point deficit against the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday.
First, kicker Chase McLaughlin set a new franchise record with a 65-yard field goal as time expired in the first half. Just over five minutes of game time later, quarterback Baker Mayfield connected with wide receiver Emeka Egbuka for a 77-yard score to cut the deficit to 11.
The comeback effort got off track on the Bucs' next possession when the Eagles recovered a fumble by running back Bucky Irving at the Tampa Bay 25, setting up a touchdown six plays later. But Irving responded with a big play of his own to get the reigning NFC South champions right back in the game.
Lined up in the backfield with just over two minutes to play in the third quarter, Irving darted to the flat before turning upfield as Mayfield danced around the pocket. The move left Irving's defender, linebacker Jihaad Campbell, in his tracks as Mayfield hit his running back in stride down the sideline for a 72-yard score.
"[Irving] knew he had an edge rusher – outside linebacker – on him, and he did a great job catching that ball and extending it for a touchdown as well," said Mayfield.
It was the second-longest catch by a running back in franchise history, behind only Gary Anderson's 74-yarder against Green Bay in 1990.
The catch brought the Bucs back within two scores. But the comeback effort fell short, with turnovers – both Irving's third quarter fumble and a red zone interception Mayfield threw with a chance to tie the game in the fourth quarter – playing a big role.
"Obviously, he has to take better care of the ball – Baker will be the first one to tell you that," said Bowles. "Then, we cannot have the fumble by Bucky. Then if you add the blocked punt for seven points, that is three turnovers. You're not going to beat the Super Bowl champs turning the ball over three times."
At the final whistle of the 31-25 loss, Irving had racked up 165 yards from scrimmage. Of that, 102 came through the air, the most by a Bucs running back since 2018, making him the first player in franchise history to record over 100 receiving yards and 50 rushing yards in the same game.
That marked a new career-high through the air for Irving, who led all players on either team Sunday in both receiving and rushing. His scrimmage yards total was the third-highest of his young career.
"That No. 7, Irving is a special back," said Eagles Head Coach Nick Sirianni.
Sunday marked the best example yet of Irving's growing role in the passing game this season. Through four games, the former fourth-round pick is averaging just under five catches and 48 yards a game, up from an average of three catches and 23 yards last year.
Those numbers are up there with the very best pass-catching running backs in the league this season. The University of Oregon product's 19 catches are the third-most at the position this year, as are his 193 receiving yards (although both could change following this week's Monday Night Football matchup).
Irving is coming off of a season where he finished sixth in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting, largely on the strength of his 1,122 yards on the ground. If his contributions in the passing game in recent weeks are any indication, he could be well on his way to becoming one of the league's more versatile backs.
