Baker Mayfield Gives Blunt Message After Buccaneers Loss to Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield didn’t sugarcoat anything after Sunday’s 44-32 loss to the Buffalo Bills.

As Fox Sports noted, Mayfield directed the spotlight back onto himself and the critical mistakes that swung the game.

“It goes back to where the momentum swung in the game, and it was the interception on third down in our own territory,” he said. 

“We played well for the most part, but in critical moments like that, you can’t have it.”

The message was strong, self-critical, and pointed at the bigger problem: Tampa Bay is beating itself.

“We’ve got to make the plays when they’re there,” Mayfield added. “The pass game,  I just have to be better and lead those guys better when we need it. And we needed it today.”

With the Bucs dropping their third game in four weeks, Mayfield’s words struck at a recurring issue: a talented team repeatedly undone by its own mistakes.  

What Went Wrong in Buffalo

After a back and forth game, the Bucs entered the third quarter with a 26-24 lead. 

But one single throw changed everything. 

Mayfield’s interception deep in Tampa Bay territory turned into a Bills touchdown one play later. 

This play flipped the game’s script and sparked a Buffalo surge that the Bucs never recovered from.  

While Mayfield refused to pin the loss solely on that sequence, he emphasized how costly the swing was.

“It was one of those moments where we needed a play, and instead we gave them one,” he said.

The interception wasn’t the only issue, though. 

Tampa Bay’s special teams miscues and another second-half giveaway allowed the Bills to repeatedly cash in with short fields. 

Despite running the ball well, the Bucs stalled on crucial drives, failing to match the efficiency they showed earlier in the season. 

“It’s frustrating because the toughness and fight were there,” Mayfield said. “Guys fought hard. But it came down to not making enough plays.”

Despite putting up 32 points, Mayfield’s inconsistent play continued as he only threw for 173 pass yards and QBR of 68.8. 

On the other hand, the defense allowed chunk plays in key situations, and Buffalo capitalized on nearly every Tampa Bay mistake. 

The Bills had over 400 yards of offense and Josh Allen had SIX total touchdowns. 

Tampa Bay’s Outlook Going Forward

At 6-4, Tampa Bay is clinging to a one-game lead in the NFC South. 

With the Carolina Panthers surging and the Bucs struggling, the margin for error is shrinking fast. 

The Bucs have dropped three of their last four, and injuries continue to chip away at an already thin roster. 

With a road matchup against the Rams looming, Mayfield made it clear that the team can’t afford to keep repeating the same mistakes.

“We have to be extremely critical,” he said. “We want to be a great team and a great offense. There were definitely a lot more points on the board for us today.”

Mayfield emphasized that the Bucs’ issues aren’t effort-related as “the fight is there, but the execution isn’t.” 

If Tampa Bay can’t rediscover the early-season offensive success, their postseason aspirations could be in danger. 

Still, Mayfield has remained calm, insisting that no one inside the building is panicking.

“We’ve done this before,” he said. “We know what kind of team we can be.”

His message was blunt, but it also serves as a reminder that Tampa Bay’s season is still within reach despite their recent struggles.

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