TAMPA, Fla. — The surging Tampa Bay Buccaneers are back over .500, a fourth straight NFC South title within reach.
Now, they hope to finish the task by building on a three-game winning streak that's propelled them to the top of the division following a stretch in which they lost five of six games.
''It's one thing getting to first place. It's a whole other thing staying there,'' coach Todd Bowles said after Sunday's sloppy 28-13 win over the reeling Las Vegas Raiders. ''We've got four games left. It's going to be a battle all the way through. We have to come ready every week.''
Baker Mayfield threw for 295 yards and three touchdowns, and the Bucs won for the third straight week against a last-place opponent to move ahead of fading Atlanta in the NFC South.
The Falcons, who hold a tiebreaker advantage after sweeping the season series between the rivals, have lost four in a row.
''It doesn't have to be pretty. Obviously, there are a lot of things that I would personally like to have back, but it's a resilient group. We play for each other,'' Mayfield said. ''Guys step up when other people go down and that's what football is all about. It teaches you life lessons.''
Mayfield tossed scoring passes of 15 yards and 29 yards to rookie Jalen McMillan. Rachaad White scored on a 5-yard reception and a 3-yard run for the Bucs, who pulled away in the second half after the Raiders (2-11) lost quarterback Aidan O'Connell to a knee injury that coach Antonio Pierce said ''doesn't look good.''
O'Connell was carted off the field after being shoved to the ground by Bucs defensive lineman Calijah Kancey after throwing a pass late in the third quarter.
