Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield started the season strong as the Buccaneers dominated the Commanders for 289 passing yards and four touchdowns, looking like a reflection of the Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback from Oklahoma. Nearly every Bucks drive ended in a score.This also led to Mayfield Winner of numerous weekly awards To start the year off right.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
I’ve been saying all through training camp that the offensive line has changed, and that’s a good thing. It’s partly a byproduct of Mayfield looking different, but he’s more in tune with the offensive line and the guys he’s throwing passes to. It may have something to do with offensive coordinator Liam Cohen, but whatever the reason, it’s all for the better.
Does Baker Mayfield see the game differently than he did before? This week, he answered that question.
What’s going right for Baker Mayfield?
“When you play quarterback, the more you practice, the slower the game seems,” Baker Mayfield said. “Especially when you have good coordination with the guys on the side. You know where they’re at in their routes, you know the timing, you know the coverage, you know how they want to attack. That’s a big part of getting the ball out quickly, and also a lot of trust that the guys are going to do the right thing.”
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield – Photo courtesy of USA Today
It’s not just his arm that gets the job done: Mayfield pulled off a few Houdini-like maneuvers last Sunday, evading defenders to pick up first downs, including one where he bought himself enough time to find Chris Godwin on third down and another where Mayfield grabbed the ball and ran with it himself to move the chains.
“Sometimes you’ve got to make plays,” Mayfield said. “They’re paid to make plays and cover the passing game, too. So, [I’m] I’m just trying to help the guys up front. If there’s no space somewhere on the field, [I’m] He avoids a tackle or two, gets the ball out and is aggressive with his feet.”
Mayfield and the Buccaneers will have a chance to put the nightmare behind them again this Sunday when they face the Lions. Tampa Bay lost once at home and once on the road to Detroit last season before finishing in the second round of the playoffs. Returning to the same spot this weekend This time they have a chance to show they are the better team.
A chance for revenge
Last week, head coach Todd Bowles and Baker Mayfield were relaxed and smiling during their weekly press conferences, but this week the mood throughout the Bucks locker room was different. It’s not that the Bucks were disrespecting the Commanders, but… this week The Bucs have unfinished business against the Lions.
Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield and RG Cody Mouch – Photo courtesy of USA Today
“You can feel it already,” Mayfield said. “When you’re in our building and you put up the personnel, the game records, the scouting reports, all of that stuff and you talk about the atmosphere, the memories come right up and our guys are ready to go. There’s obviously been a buzz about them finishing up our year.” [it’s] Something we were looking forward to happened this week.”
The Buccaneers may rely on their offense this week.
The Buccaneers have several injured players on defense, including defensive tackle Kalijah Kansy and safety Antoine Winfield Jr. Tampa Bay’s offense may find itself in a position where it has to match Detroit in points or at least put up a big score to win the game, something Mayfield also mentioned.
“We’re not going to put pressure on the offensive line, but we want to be efficient when we have the ball,” Baker Mayfield said. “We want to keep the drive going. [and] “Especially in a game like this, the key to success is going to be scoring in the end zone instead of a field goal. For us, it’s about making the most of when we have the ball and taking advantage of our opportunities.”
