The Tampa Bay Buccaneers havenât looked like the high-powered unit that dominated the league in the first five weeks of the season.Â
However, Baker Mayfield believes theyâre finally turning the corner.Â
As Buccaneers.com noted, after Sundayâs 20â17 win over the Cardinals, the veteran quarterback said the offense is âvery, very closeâ to getting back to its peak form.Â
This confidence is rooted in healthier weapons, improved practices, and a clearer sense of identity.Â
âGuys took the message ⦠we just have to continue to translate it to the game field,â Mayfield said. âIf you prepare like that, good things will happen.â
Irving and Godwinâs Return Sparks Needed Lift
Sunday marked the first time all season that Chris Godwin and Bucky Irving were major contributors in the same game and the difference was noticeable.
Godwin, who returned last week but played limited snaps, looked far more like the Pro Bowl-caliber wideout that Tampa has expected.Â
Three passes for 78 yards, including a critical 31-yard catch that helped jumpstart Tampa Bayâs offense.Â
Irving, back after missing seven games with shoulder and foot injuries, provided balance and juice out of the backfield with 81 scrimmage yards and a touchdown.
Head coach Todd Bowles said both players immediately changed the feel of the offense:
âChris is starting to look like old Chris⦠He was in a good groove,â Bowles said. âGreat to see Bucky back out there. He gives us another element.â
It wasnât a perfect offensive outing statistically, but the rhythm, spacing and versatility resembled something much closer to the beginning of the season.Â
Evans Nearing Return as Bucs Push for Division Lead
The most encouraging sign for Tampa Bay: they may soon have their full arsenal again.
Bowles noted last week that Mike Evans and rookie standout Jalen McMillan are trending toward returning before the end of the season.Â
With Godwin and Irving already back, the Bucs could finally deploy their original offensive lineup for the first time since September.Â
Mayfield emphasized the urgency of tightening everything up now, especially with the NFC South tightening
Tampa is locked in a tight division race with the Panthers, and every game in December could be the difference in making or missing the playoffs.Â
âAs we get guys healthier⦠we need to hit the ground running,â Mayfield said. âThereâs no reason for setbacks. We need to continue to go forward.â
A fully healthy Evans-Godwin duo, paired with Irvingâs return and a stabilizing offensive line, could give Tampa Bay the firepower they relied on early this season.Â
This could come at just the right time as two of the Bucs final five games come against the Carolina Panthers team they are battling with for the NFC South title.Â
Mayfieldâs message is simple: they are close.
With key pieces finally getting healthy and the offense showing signs of its old rhythm, he thinks theyâre on the verge of looking like the group that lit it up early in the season.
Now itâs about stacking weeks, cleaning up the small mistakes, and hitting their stride before the race for the NFC South tightens even more.
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