Widespread frustration has overtaken the Bucs amidst their late season swoon. With so many determining factors, there are many fingers to point for their current situation. However, quarterback Baker Mayfield has decided to look inward.
After their loss to the Falcons last Thursday night, both head coach Todd Bowles and Mayfield were vocal about the Bucs recent struggles. Most importantly, both had to address Bowles’ job security and the rising tensions in the locker room. However, when Mayfield was asked for his replies in a later press conference, he carried the same tune.
I mean, that’s always a tricky slope,” Mayfield said. “You love them when the defense is getting all the sacks, the turnovers, and then a game like that. It comes down to the offense. You’re up two scores. You have a chance to put the game away, and you don’t. The easy thing to do is point at the defense because of the situation. It’s the last thing you see in the game. But if you look at the whole game, you look at the way it played. Blame me. Don’t blame Todd.”
Accountability Over Excuses: Mayfield Takes the Blame
Mayfield has continuously fallen on the sword for the Bucs time in and time again, but for the most part, he has been right about the Bucs. The fact of the matter is no one has played well for them over this six game stretch.
Since their bye week, they are 1-5, having surrendered 29 points per game and 384 total yards per game. Across the full season, to put those stats in perspective, the Bucs would have ranked 30th overall in points per game allowed, and 31st in yards allowed.
While the defense’s numbers have cratered, Mayfield himself is not entirely out of the clear for the Bucs. His completion percentage and yardage has precipitously dropped over the past seven weeks, and his turnover rate has gone up as well. While he threw for only 2 interceptions before the bye, he has thrown 5 since. As a result, the Bucs have not produced many wins in this difficult stretch.
A Simple Path Forward Amid Mounting Pressure
However, the path forward, as always for the Bucs, is simple: win both games against the Panthers and they’re in the dance. In order to do so, not only will Bowles have to fix things defensively, but Mayfield will have to clean up his game. Hopefully, with the return of three of his top receivers, some mistakes he has made in the past few games will start to disappear.
Like I said after the game, I [have] to make those throws, I [have] to make those plays, can’t turn the ball over, so that comes down to me.”, Mayfield said concerning his play in close game scenarios. While the Bucs will like to close out games earlier, chances are the next three weeks will be a battle. Mayfield simply has to prepare for coming out on the other side better for it. Or else this will be a lost season for the Bucs.
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