on Thursday and we have to be at our best for it,” Herbert said, referring to the Chargers’ game against the Denver Broncos on “Thursday Night Football” at SoFi Stadium, the first game in what’s become a three-game homestretch.

The Chargers’ route to the playoffs got a lot bumpier Sunday.

Their loss to the Buccaneers dropped them to 8-6 and into third place in the AFC West with their home finale looming Thursday against the Broncos, who are 9-5 and second in the AFC West. Their final games are on the road against the New England Patriots (3-11) and the Las Vegas Raiders (2-11).

NFC South-leading Tampa Bay (8-6) won its fourth consecutive.

Quarterback Baker Mayfield threw four touchdown passes, including two in the pivotal third quarter to veteran wide receiver Mike Evans. Mayfield completed 22 of 27 passes for 288 yards by game’s end. The Buccaneers, who also rushed for 223 yards, outscored the Chargers 17-0 in the third quarter.

Herbert and the Chargers had zero response in the second half. Herbert threw two touchdown passes in the first half, but the Chargers couldn’t hold onto a 17-13 halftime lead. In addition, Herbert threw his first interception since the Chargers’ victory over the Carolina Panthers in Week 2.

Herbert completed 21 of 33 passes for 195 yards.

The Chargers rushed for 32 yards and were 0 for 6 on third-down conversions.

Not good enough, according to Herbert.

“It’s tough to put up points when you’re 0 for 6 on third downs,” Herbert said.

Compounding matters, the Chargers also were 0 for 2 on fourth downs.

Mayfield drove the Buccaneers 70 yards in seven plays on the opening possession of the game, completing a 26-yard touchdown pass to Jalen McMillan to give Tampa Bay a 7-0 lead.

As far as the Chargers were concerned, the worrisome aspect was how easily Mayfield moved the ball.

It was a sign of things to come in the third quarter.

Herbert had rallied the Chargers with scores on their first three possessions, building a 17-13 lead by the end of the half. Herbert threw touchdown passes of 7 yards to Ladd McConkey and 13 yards to Quentin Johnston, and Cameron Dicker kicked a 41-yard field goal between the touchdown passes.

The Chargers never got close to another score, however.

Tampa Bay seized control in the second half.

Mayfield sandwiched touchdown passes of 57 and 35 yards to Evans around Chase McLaughlin’s 42-yard field goal, enabling the Buccaneers to take control of the game in the third quarter. Evans caught nine passes for 159 yards and running back Bucky Irving rushed for 117 yards on 15 carries.

McLaughlin kicked four field goals.

It was the most points the Chargers had given up all season, topping the 30 points they gave up in a loss to the Baltimore Ravens in Week 12. The Buccaneers outgained the Chargers by 506-206. Tampa Bay didn’t punt once in 10 possessions but did turn the ball over twice in the first half.

“We didn’t play well enough, we didn’t coach well enough,” coach Jim Harbaugh said. “Now, it’s how we respond. It’s a response now. I’m not going to go through each play or each phase. We understand what took place and what our response is going to have to be. In all phases, we didn’t get the job done.”