Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield has been very impressive through two weeks. Positive headlines While he impressed with his arm strength early in the season, his leg strength was equally as impressive.
Through two games, Baker Mayfield has narrowly avoided sacks by evading defenders to extend plays. He’s scrambled for first downs, but he’s also always kept his eyes on the field and fired passes to keep drives going. That’s a big reason the Buccaneers are off to a 2-0 start to the 2024 season.
Baker Mayfield’s move helps Buccaneers win
“He’s got the ability,” head coach Todd Bowles said of his quarterback’s ability to get out of the pocket and gain yards. “He knows when to drop back, when the pocket is open and he can throw, when he should run. Like I said before, you’ve got to get that feel. He has a great feel for it and it’s part of his game and it helps make our offense better and we like that.”
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
The Bucks didn’t have a clean win over the Lions on Sunday, but that didn’t matter. Beating a team that ended last year with two losses was important, no matter what the outcome. Baker Mayfield Tenacious player He was the one who put his will to win at the forefront in that match.
That exclamation point It was an 11-yard touchdown run. It was Baker Mayfield’s pass that ultimately sealed the score, but it was the play before that that defined the type of player Mayfield is. On a crucial third-and-four, Mayfield managed to get out of a sack and keep running, gaining 11 yards for a first down. Instead of Tampa Bay playing for Mayfield to just pass, his turn was called again and he rushed for an 11-yard touchdown.
As we later found out, the quarterback draw was planned and orchestrated by Liam Cohen.
“That was a directive from Liam[Cohen],” Bowles said. “We felt it was a design play, and Baker ran with it.”
“I didn’t think I was going to get in the end zone from that far,” Baker Mayfield said, “but I got past a couple of guys and good things happened.”
Breaking down Baker Mayfield’s scoring plays
Baker Mayfield also offered some more detail on the big play.
“Just understanding what Liam drew and how they covered the empty packages,” Mayfield began. “We made a couple guys miss. We ended up cutting back, but yeah, those guys up front. It’s not easy to block those guys up front. (Lions DL) Aidan Hutchinson doesn’t have an off switch. He never stops. So, give (Buccaneers RT) Justin Sukule a head’s up.”
“It’s not an easy matchup to go out there, and our tight ends did a lot of the dirty work today. A lot of chips, a lot of defensive help and just trying to make plays when we needed to. It wasn’t the prettiest win by any means, but we’ll come out with a win.”
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
Baker Mayfield’s touchdown was also historic — the longest touchdown run of his career — and he didn’t seem too pleased.
“Really 11 yards?” Mayfield asked. “That’s so sad, so sad. No, yeah, I’m never going to run first, but if the play call is QB draw, I’m going to try and make it. So, for me, like I said before, I’m going to let the defense dictate where the ball goes and if I have to make a play, I’m going to do it with my feet.”
Mayfield’s agility could make him a go-to guy for the Buccaneers as the season progresses, as he has been effective on scrambles every week to the Buccaneers’ advantage.
Tampa Bay and Mayfield are playing at ease, just like Heisman Trophy winner Baker Mayfield coming out of Oklahoma again. If this continues, Mayfield should be a candidate for NFL MVP, but more importantly, it should lead to more success for the Buccaneers.
